Interesting. I just would like to place a thought, in the most speculative
tradition. Yeah, lets take a cupa. The separation between assessment of
individual needs (DSA assessment) vs assessment of barries (DO's job) may be
theoretically possible but not realistic or practicle. DOs  do not conduct
social model assessments (althoug some Universities believe they do so, they
may be right) but duplicate individual assessments becuase their
institutions send them clear signals that rather than being actors of
organisational change they should keep to medicalise the condition of the
disabled individual not the disabled institution.
Assessment of individual needs have been instrumental for the privatisation
of an LEA function, and it is working reasonably well. At least  this
appears to be the case if one counts how many companies have been
established to support the disadvantaged. What appears that is not working
is the Do's role applicable to Universities. This is a clear example of how
government funding is being diverted to the private sector instead of
supporting a social model.  Dos are not only underpaid (having to deal with
300-400 files per month, managing support workers, etc) but are a burger in
the sandwish. It would change a bit if  HEFCE helps the Do's function and
support  their plea to updated their 1999 guidance (Base level
provisions...) A clarification of their role/work load (post senda, postDES)
would solve all these problems. This is something that if HEFCE does not
commit themself in doing this, noone would do. Unless of course NADO wakes
up.  Maybe one day.  Andy


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "LINDA WALKER" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, June 08, 2006 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: One to one tuition and LEAs


Hi All

Page 9 of the new (06/07) Bridging the Gap specifies "Your disability
advisor should not carry out your DSA-needs assessment."

Regards
Linda

Linda Walker
Blackpool & The Fylde College
HE Support Co-ordinator
Tel: 01253 504357
minicom: 01253 355755

>>> [log in to unmask] 06/08/06 11:25 am >>>
Dear All

This question has not gone away. Having talked to an LEA this morning,
they are intending to bring in a policy for 1:1 tuition based on a
gospel truth attititude to the example of 23 hours quoted in Claire
Jamieson's report.

Despite the DfES assurance that recommendations will still be based on
student need, we need to be more pro-active about this now or the
implications for the next academic year are not pleasant.

Is anyone actually doing anything about this with the powers that be??

Also, the LEA refuses to take Disability Officers recommendations and
insists on going back to an Access Centre for even very small changes to
recommendations - apparently DSOs are considered to have an interest if
they are arranging a student's support. This is despite the DfES
guidance to the contrary. Any comments?


Regards

Liz

Liz Thompson
Learning Support Officer

Student Services
University of Brighton
Room 2, Manor House
Moulsecoomb Place
Brighton BN2 4GA