I think that for a Needs Assessor to predict the number of hours of
support needed is extremely difficult for a number of reasons:
1. Getting the information from the EP and Specialist Tutors reports is
part of the process however writers of these reports are being
encouraged to write open ended statements on their reports along the
lines of 'It is not possible to anticipate exactly what support will be
needed in the future but it is common for new support needs to arise as
the course becomes more complex.' This is an entirely fair comment but
not one that helps predict a number of hours.
2. Relying on a students estimate can be unreliable as unless the
student is already on the course they are unlikely to know themselves
how much support they will need. The vast majority of students don't
realise how different the demands of an HE course are nor do they
realise how HE specialist support differs from support they may received
previously.
3. As we all know dyslexia (and all other SpLDs) vary in their severity;
the underlying ability of each person varies and there can no longer be
an assumption that everyone applying for DSA is of above average
ability; it is well known that students with SpLDs are likely to have
low self esteem and lack self confidence. It is also well documented
that students with SpLDs are more prone to stress. When we also consider
that the demands of courses vary hugely across the sector it is clear
that the potential combinations of all these variables makes it almost
impossible to predict how much support an individual student is going to
need at the Needs Assessment stage.
I wish it was simpler but it isn't.
Ros
Ros Lehany
Chair- Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education
email: [log in to unmask]
Work: 0113 2193038
Mobile: 0779 149 4690
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Barry Hayward
Sent: 26 March 2009 14:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Urgent: DSAs Needs Assessment Reports
It would be useful to know what is the criteria for assessing differing
amounts of study skills support (from Needs Assessors' point of view).
Is it about seeing differences in EP reports or is it what the student
describes that would lead to an assessment recommending 10 hours or 20
hours as opposed to once a week for the academic year?
Barry Hayward
Disability Coordinator
Goldsmiths, University of London
Tel. 020 7717 2292
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Claire Wickham
Sent: 26 March 2009 13:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Urgent: DSAs Needs Assessment Reports
Just in case anyone hasn't seen this,
Claire
-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 25 March 2009 14:53
Subject: Urgent: DSAs Needs Assessment Reports
Dear Colleagues
I have recently been receiving an increasing number of complaints from
HEI's, that an increasing number of students, when assessed for DSAs,
are being granted 10 hours of study skills support in the first
instance, and advised that they may need to be re-assessed, or 'topped
up' at a later date.
This is having a significant impact on the students concerned in terms
of receiving the necessary and appropriate level of support, and in some
cases, may cause students considerable distress and impede their ability
to continue with their studies.
Could I re-iterate a couple of points?
1) The Needs Assessment Report (NAR) should give an estimate of the
amount of study skills support a student needs to work on a level
playing field with other students.
2) This should be in line with the recommendations on the evidence
received with respect to the students disability.
3) On the basis of the NAR, an ILP should be developed by the study
skills tutor to evidence the way in which that support will facilitate
the progress and learning of the student concerned.
4) Once that has been received by Student Finance England, the
appropriate amount of financial support, if in line with the evidence,
NAR and ILP will be released, whether that be 5 hours, 10 hours, 30
hours, or what is appropriate to the student's needs, within the caps
set for DSAs by DIUS.
5) Student Finance England agrees in advance of the receipt of an ILP
or NAR that the funds for 10 hours of support will be released. This is
to allow students to receive support while the details of their ILP are
being worked out and agreed. It is not the role of Needs Assessment or
Access Centres to limit students to 10 hours of study skills support.
6) If it becomes apparent that a 10 hour cap is being applied
unnecessarily by Needs Assessment/Access Centres, we would consider that
this is potentially substantially disadvantaging some students. The SLC
will take corrective action to remove these barriers to a student's
progress.
7) If it becomes apparent that a 10 hour cap is being applied and
evidence emerges that it is being applied as a means to fund unnecessary
student re-assessments, we will also take appropriate action.
I'm sure I don't need to remind you of your Legal and Professional
obligations to the needs of students with disabilities. I'm also sure
that I don't need to remind you that as the Student Finance Service in
England is now centralised, that auditing and quality checking will be a
process monitored and expedited through centralised statistical
information, and concerns raised centrally by HEI's, Students,
Stakeholders, and Disability Officers.
We recognise and acknowledge that the majority of you are working very
hard and to the highest standards to ensure that Students receive the
most appropriate support for their studies. If cases do come to light
where this is not happening, we will investigate those cases, and where
appropriate, pass on to the appropriate bodies.
Yours faithfully
Chris Dunlop
Diversity Manager
Student Loans Company
2W, 100 Bothwell Street
Glasgow
G2 7JD
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