Hi there,
it would be interesting to know if there were certain conditions were
placed on the student prior to their expulsion. I.e. did someone say to them
that they may be allowed to return if they had medical evidence to support
that?
The most helpful condition, I feel is to ask the student to have very
regular contact with a member of staff. I have been a point of contact in
this context previously (in my former role as mental health co-ordinator).
This has been very helpful in terms of assessing how things are going and
whether or not someone is taking their treatment seriously. I have
occasionally got the students permission to liaise with the teaching staff.
This helps to clarify any issues there may be on all sides.
I would always say, however, that if a student is not taking their treatment
seriously and is not taking the appropriate support that is made available
and accessible to them, then the instituion has a duty to all its other
students as well and it is perfectly reasonable in some circumstances to
look at the options, one of which may be a disciplinary one.
Fiona
>From: "Turner, Paddy" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff."
> <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Any advice?
>Date: Tue, 19 Jul 2005 17:06:04 +0100
>
>Hello all,
>The situation is this:
>A student with a mental health difficulty, taking medication, was asked to
>leave the course as a result of violent and aggressive
>episodes brought on by alcohol abuse and failing to take the medication.
>No-one was physically hurt although many students were
>shaken up by the episodes, one student left the course through fear as a
>result of these behaviours and property was damaged.
>
>The student has now requested to return to the course and has medical
>evidence stating that s/he is fit to return, that s/he now
>understands the consequences of failing to take the medication and of
>drinking to excess.
>
>The tutor responsible for re-admitting is, however, convinced that s/he
>will be unable to refrain from further outbursts under the
>pressure of the course and is extremely anxious for himself and for the
>other students. In addition the course is studio-based
>meaning that students are left unsupervised sometimes quite late into the
>evening.
>
>Clearly, in theory this student should be given another chance, but there
>are quite genuine concerns for the safety of others. My
>questions are:
>Has anyone had a similar experience with an outcome that worked or didn't
>work, and why?
>Can anyone suggest any support or fall-backs to ensure the safety of the
>other students? Could the H&S Act be invoked to prevent
>re-admission, do you think? Could conditions be placed on his return,
>either limiting access or perhaps a suspended sentence as it
>were, with regard to exclusion?
>
>Any advice gratefully received on or off-list
>
>Paddy
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