Hi Heather,
We would pay for every session that is booked and the student doesn't arrive for where less than 24hrs notice is given (unless we
can find an alternative seesion for the support worker) - this is mostly because we may very often have different note-takers for
the different sessions and it would not therefore be fair on the worker who didn't get compensated.
On the question of the impact on the students' DSA:
1) Rarely would it actually affect the student - only where the students' DSA runs out and then only if the Institution failed to
fulfill it's responsibility under the DDA to continue with the provision.
2) I am surprised that students are receiving DSA payments for non-attendance. LAs/SLC are only required to pay where there is
evidence that the student has a genuine reason for that non-attendance. This is not easy to provide and many simply refuse to accept
evidence and refuse to pay - it is entirely within their discretion according to the DIUS Guidance on the subject.
Non-attendance costs us, as the main supplier, a considerable amount each year but it is, in my view, a cost we simply have to bear
while the rules remain as they are. ALF cannot be used, quite rightly, and if the LA/SLC refuse to pay, the only alternatives are to
refuse payment to the worker or charge the student -neither of which are acceptable in my view.
In these cash-strapped times these moral dilemma's will increasingly raise their heads, I guess......(deep sigh)
best wishes
Paddy
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Heather
Griffiths
Sent: 17 February 2009 15:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Note taking policies
Dear all
I know this has been discussed a bit recently, and have had a look at the correspondence. What I am wondering is, if a disabled
student fails to give 24 hours notice that they won't be in, how many hours of note taking do you pay? For things like mentors and
dyslexia tutors they get what they would normally have got, but in the case of note taking I was thinking of saying we would pay for
a lecture e.g. 1.5 or
2 hours. what is anyone else doing? Do you think this seems unfair?
It just seems a lot to take out of someone's DSA if, for example, the student would normally have had a whole day of note taking.
e.g. 6 hours.
Heather Griffiths
Inclusion Co-ordinator (Disability)/Equality and Diversity Officer Newman University College Genners Lane Birmingham B32 3NT
email: [log in to unmask]
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