A sound approach but I would offer one word of caution. If an Access Report
is obtained before approval for DSA is given and the DSA is subsequently
declined, then the cost of the report cannot be met from Non-medical Helper
or Other Allowances.
We have had this happen on at least one occassion, resulting in the student
being left with a bill for £350.00
NIce to hear a positive comment about Awards Staff though :)
St.John Skeates
Awards Section
Bedfordshire County Council
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From: Ian Francis
To: [log in to unmask]; Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm
Subject: Refusal of DSA
Date: 17 June 1999 10:42
Just can't resist responding to this one, and I remember having a
similar problem if it's the authority Steve mentioned.
Before I start, I think that most Awards Officers in general have
really become much better to work with in recent years.It actually
feels now in most cases like we're working towards the same goal -
meeting the needs of the student. I think this is because we are all
much clearer about what we're asking for and exactly why it is
required. Training courses and opportunities for Awards Officers to
meet Disability Officers and ACCESS Centre staff has certainly
helped this.
The problem with taking these kind of cases to the DfEE is the
DfEE don't seem willing to come down on a particular LEA and
override a judgement. They only offer guidance on how the DSA
should be administered, so it just seems to go on and on, until
maybe we all get an ACL.
Just as LEAs expect consistency of approach from assessors and
disability officers, so should students (and disability officers and
support workers) expect consistency from LEAs - it shouldn't be a
gamble about what support you're going to be entitled to based on
where you live.
Most LEAs now seem to accept the validity of an ACCESS Centre
assessment. If you haven't had an ACCESS Centre assessment I
would get this arranged in the first instance (note - it's perfectly OK
to charge the cost of this against non-medical helpers allowance).
If you have had an assessment, check the report and make sure it
clearly justifies everything which is being asked for. If not, ask the
centre to produce a supplemental report to clarify the
recommendations for the LEA.
If the LEA officer still won't agree to the recommendation then don't
waste any more time on this - pass it on up to the Chief Exec.
With the students permission It might also be useful to refer the
case to SKILL who I think should be aware of these
inconsistencies of approach.
Remember also that ACCESS Centres should be able to provide
the student with an 'expert witness' should it get as far as court.
Ian Francis
Ian Francis
Disability Co-ordinator
Counselling and Welfare Service
Queen Mary and Westfield College
London E1 4NS UK
Tel +44 (0)171 775 3132 Fax +44 (0)171 415 3617
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