We have a separate procedure for responding to/dealing with/supporting
students with learning difficulties/disabilities within college when
issues such as this arise.  Whilst it is based on the principles of the
disciplinary procedures it takes into specific consideration the LD/D of
the student as well.  We refer to this as the Admissions & Review Panel
where the Panel convenes either to discuss an admission, support of a
student whilst on course or issues which would normally have gone to
disciplinary.

The concern is that within any situation has the students need been
taken into consideration) when dealing with that situation (we quite
often have A&R meetings for students with mental health difficulties as
well as ASD/ADHD).  For instance a recent incident on the surface looked
at though a student was being aggressive and verbally abusive but on
closer consideration the student has AS and security staff on site
exacerbated the situation because they themselves very aggressively
confronted the student (who was only trying to wait somewhere agreed
with his mother).  On the balance side of this is that all students are
expected to act appropriately (within the Student's Code of
Conduct)which all students are aware of.  It also does not negate any
legal options which you indicated may be pursued in your situation.

The panel comprises senior staff (usually deputy principal, head of an
academic school, head of learner services/inclusive learning, Director
of Faculty) who can draw on experience knowledge of LD/D to help inform
any decision as well as staff/students involved in the incident as
appropriate. 

As you indicate H&S of students and staff must be met first and foremost
but with DDA in mind, we should ask the question what else went on, not
to justify, but to explain what happened and appropriate action then
taken.

Debra 


-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pauline McInnes
Sent: 13 December 2005 18:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Assault and students with mental health difficulties

Dear All,
Here's a nice tricky one for all of you, If anyone has some comments or
experience they would be willing to share I'd be very pleased to hear
it.  

We have a student with a mental health difficulty who is about to
undergo our disaplinary procedure for gross misconduct.  Her misconduct
was hitting a minor (a student under seventeen) on our shuttle bus.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened but the last
time the person didn't make a complaint so it wasn't taken any further.
The student is likely because of her condition to get easily upset and
agitated.  

What type of support should we be offering to her through the
disaplinery process (for example, if a student was Deaf we'd organise an
interpreter).

Are there any DDA issues that need to be considered?

She is clearly a risk to other students' health and safety (possibly to
her own, if someone decides to punch her back next time).  Mental health
difficulty or not, she can't be allowed to go around hitting other
students.  

By the way, the student who was assaulted has also gone to the police.  

Any comments????

Pauline


Pauline McInnes
Disability Co-ordinator
Disability Team
Student Services
St Mary's Road
Ealing
London
W5 5RF
Tel:  0208 231 2058
 

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