Hi Heather

Most universities would find it very hard to use costs of support as a justification, but there might well be some instances when it would be necessary to do that.  It hasn't cropped up here yet though....  However, I'm not sure if things have changed, but it used to be the case that if an applicant was academically suitable, but they were refused a place on disability-related grounds, then they could substitute a different university via UCAS and not lose one of their choices.

We look at academic suitability first and then look at the support requirements afterwards, in terms of reasonable adjustments.  And yes, you would explain what support could be offered to the student.  But the Post-16 CoP is very clear that students should not be asked to contribute towards the costs of their support.  

Elaine


**************************************

Elaine Shillcock
Head of DSO

Tel:    0161 275 7512
Fax:    0161 275 7018
Email:  [log in to unmask]
WWW:    www.manchester.ac.uk/dso




-----Original Message-----
From: Heather Griffiths [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: 22 February 2010 09:51
To: Elaine Shillcock
Subject: RE: Offering a place based on Needs Assessment?

Can I just come in here with a question in relation to your response.  You suggest that the cost of support is considered after a place has been offered on academic grounds.  Just wondering what would then happen if you decided that costs could not be covered?  Presumably you would not be turning down the student???  but rather explaining to them the level of support that would be available?



Heather Griffiths
Inclusion Co-ordinator, Disability
Newman University College
Genners Lane
Bartley Green
Birmingham
B32 3NT
email:[log in to unmask]
Tel: 0121 476 1181 ext 2421
________________________________
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff. [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Elaine Shillcock [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 20 February 2010 14:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Offering a place based on Needs Assessment?

Hi Jo

This sounds like discrimination to me.  You can only offer places using the same criteria and terms as you apply to all applicants. you can, of course, take account of the person's disability and make a lower offer, if the disability has meant that they cannot meet your standard offer.  eg, an offer of BB rather than AAA etc, if this can be justified in terms of the effects of the disability.  An example might be if somebody has spent some considerable time in hospital being treated for cancer during the A'Level years.   Courses should have competence standards and these apply equally to all students.   What you are really looking at is, after the student has been offered a place on academic grounds, then you need to consider whether the cost of support is reasonable.   The student should not be asked to contribute towards the cost of any support required.

Whether the cost is reasonable is the million dollar question, and this, as far as I am aware, hasn't really been tested in the courts.    You firstly have to consider any funds that are available to the student, such as DSAs.  After that, you can look at other funds, for example charitable trusts, eg Snowdon Fund and also institutional funds that you can contribute.  Also, bear in mind the presumptive nature of the legislation.

Elaine Shillcock
Head of the DSO
The University of Manchester

Jo Barnes wrote:
Hello all,

Just wondering if any other institutions have witheld the offer of a place until a Needs Assessment has been carried out? We have a student with potentially high support needs and we are concerned about a) the financial implications of the support costs exceeding DSA allocation, and b) whether or not we can offer her the support that she requires.

Apologies if this has come up before.

Many thanks

Jo


Jo Barnes
Disability Services Coordinator

Student Support Services (S3)
Central School of Speech and Drama
Embassy Theatre
Eton Avenue
London
NW3 3HY

Tel: 020 7559 3992





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