No comment. I think some of my former colleagues would have liked the
NHS to have (e.g.) a turn-around time for travel costs for disabled
students that was somewhere near that for non-disabled.
2009/1/22 Turner, Paddy <[log in to unmask]>:
> ...and it is important to note that students studying NHS funded courses are
> eligible for 'DSA' from the NHS Trust. However, it is important to recognise
> that although their systems and rationales mirror the standard DSA, they are
> not bound by the DIUS guidance and operate under their own customs and
> practices which are not, to my knowledge anyway, published anywhere.
> Paddy
> ________________________________
> From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of amanda kent
> Sent: 22 January 2009 10:27
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: DSA training and information
>
> Hi Lucy
>
> There is more than 'Bridging the Gap' available so it is possible to piece
> much of the information together in an informal way to give yourself some
> context before attending familiarisation events.
>
> As Ian indicates, the DSA is administered by a range of
> bodies/organisations eg NHS and OU, postgraduate funding bodies where the
> DSA then may be wholly or partly administered through the HEI), Student
> Awards Agency in Scotland, in Northern Ireland the Education and Library
> Boards, Welsh Local Authorities.. I would recommend the SKILL information
> booklets on HE as means of constructing a 'mental map' of the variables at
> application level and finding some points of reference:
> http://www.skill.org.uk/page.aspx?c=10&p=106
>
> The DIUS issue administrative Guidance on the admin of DSA. The Guidance for
> 2008/09 is here:
>
> http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/studentsupport/administrators/dsp_section_115.shtml
>
> Presumably there will be a 2009/10 version, & it will appear in the
> appropriate section of the SFEngland practitioners webpage:
>
> http://www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk/portal/page?_pageid=133,4210372&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
>
> The DIUS Guidance refers to the SKILL directory as a resource:
>
> http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/studentsupport/administrators/dsp_section_113.shtml
>
> Also check the 'Updates' here eg the recent one has something on students
> adding their own monies to the DSA for purchase of laptop rather the
> desktop:
>
> http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/studentsupport/administrators/dsp_section_9.shtml
>
> The student finance forms (including DSA) are expected 'in the New Year',
> see John Denham's statement
> http://practitioners.studentfinanceengland.co.uk/portal/page?_pageid=133,4210298&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
>
> The auditing of assessment centres and the DSA equipment suppliers is
> carried out by DSA-QAG. The audit framework documents are on their website
> and give some idea of the administration of the process at that level:
>
> http://www.dsa-qag.org.uk/content.asp?ContentID=4
>
> As Lesley says, some aspects of the DSA experience are open to question and
> change, because Student Finance England (one organisation, non departmental
> public body) is taking over the 100plus Local Authorities role in
> administering DSA, and they also have partnership with some of the other DSA
> administrative (see SLC website under 'about us', and 'remit'). In addition,
> there have been revisions to the DSAQAG quality assurance frameworks over
> the summer (feedback process still on-going).
>
> Amanda Kent
>
> DSA needs assessor
>
> --- On Thu, 22/1/09, IanF <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> From: IanF <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: DSA training and information
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Thursday, 22 January, 2009, 12:56 AM
>
> Hi
> The important thing to remember is that training on how DSA is administered
> (e.g. by a funding body on behalf of a government department) is not
> necessarily
> the same as training in how DSA should actually be implemented according to
> relevant statutory legislation.
> The only reason the DSA has evolved from what were very basic beginnings
> into
> its current state is because of healthy, open debate on this and other
> forums
> along with intensive pressure from organisations such as Skill and (what
> was)
> NFAC. DSA is not, and never will be, a straightforward allowance that can be
> fixed into set administrative procedures.
> By all means attend training courses provided by funding bodies, but also
> seek
> training from independent organisations who can offer a wider perspective in
> how
> DSA legislation can and should be open to interpretation and debate in the
> context of other relevant legislation, the spirit of the original
> legislation
> and the historical context.
> Ian Francis
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lucy Dowds"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 11:42 AM
> Subject: DSA training and information
> Does anyone know of any training courses related specifically to the
> DSA, e.g. an overall picture of the workings of it - eligibility,
> application, assessment, administration, appeals etc.
> I do know about the 'Bridging the Gap' publication but was looking
> something more.
> Thanks
> Lucy Dowds
> Welfare Services Manager (Medical and Disability Services)
> Kingston College
> KT1 2AQ
> Tel: 020 8268 2970
> Mob: 07743 492468
> Fax: 020 8268 2967
> E-mail [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
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