Advice for parents and carers

Parents/carers of students with disabilities and learning differences play a vital role in preparing them for university life and supporting them throughout their studies. Support is very different at university than it is at school and college so it is important that you support them over the summer to make sure they are prepared for all aspects of university life, and have spoken to the Disability & Inclusion team regarding any support they may need setting up.

Over the summer we email all students who have declared a disability, learning difference or support need on their application.

Applicants: If the student has not declared any support need at application stage, they won't be sent this information, but they can complete this form to let us know they are coming so we can include them in our communications. Once the form has been submitted, they will receive an email with the next steps on it.

Current Students: If they are already studying at NTU, they/you can get a referral to the service using this form.

Once they have submitted their UCAS application, help them to apply for student finance and the Disabled Students’ Allowances. Don’t wait until they have been offered a place at university - the information is all available at www.direct.gov.uk,

New students receive a lot of information over the summer regarding starting at NTU to their personal email accounts. As such, information regarding support can be missed and opportunities to meet the team may not be taken up.

Once they are enrolled, it is useful for students to have the My NTU app on their phone. This is to keep on top of communications and appointments as, after enrolment, all emails will be sent to the student's NTU email address.

It's never too early to start nurturing independent living skills such as:

• cooking
• budgeting
• supermarket shopping
• personal hygiene
• getting up in the morning
• working washing machines
• programming central heating
• taking out the rubbish
• travelling to university from their accommodation

Give the student every opportunity to take responsibility for these tasks. Lack of independent living skills is all too often the reason that a student will struggle in their first year of university and this can have a huge impact on their studies.

It would be useful to talk through some of the big decisions they need to make, such as course choice and accommodation options. Encourage them to consider all the options and make a decision that is right for them. Many of our students find that living at home, at least for the first year, gives them the best chance to get used to university study without having to get used to independent living at the same time.

Choosing a course which suits them and is enjoyable matters, as it will reduce the inevitable pressures that arise in the process of securing a degree. Students with neurodiversities are often best served short-term and long-term when they follow their 'passions' and find a vocational niche within that area which can be nurtured.

Accommodation

Sharing accommodation with peers who are new to them can be a big challenge. Role-playing possible scenarios and talking through how to react appropriately would be helpful. NTU has some self-contained studio apartments for those who want to reduce the number of potential stressors in Year 1; the pros and cons of this option will vary from student to student and it would be good if parents/carers had this discussion prior to a choice being made.

What are the options?

Many first year students opt to live in university halls, which are large, self-catering residences. This is a good way to meet other people and makes budgeting easier as utility bills are usually included. However, larger residences don’t suit everyone. Alternatively, they might think about renting a room privately in a shared house. They might even rent a flat on their own – although this can be quite an expensive option.

Disabled students are entitled to stay in halls of residence for the duration of their degree course. However, this needs to be rebooked on a yearly basis. Studio flats are also available but are limited.

Living at home can be a good option for some students, at least for the first year. This enables them to get used to university study without having to get used to independent living at the same time, and to retain regular family support during their transition to higher education.

Making a decision

Help the student to make a decision about their living arrangements. It is advisable to book early if they would like a place in university accommodation, as demand is very high.

There is a comprehensive guide for students with disabilities/learning differences/medical conditions deciding on their accommodation here.

Be prepared for a change in the way support is delivered and arranged. At school, you may have had regular contact with a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) and have played an active role in deciding what support was required.

At University, decisions about the support required are made by the student, together with a Disability Officer. However, we welcome any thoughts you might want to share or any suggestions of what has proved helpful in the past. Any technology, mentoring, BSL or Study Skills for example will need to be applied for in advance and funded through the Disabled Students Allowance.

If you think they will need personal support to live independently at university, such as help with dressing, personal hygiene, cooking and cleaning, this cannot be funded via Disabled Students’ Allowances. Instead, you will need to contact your local Social Services team to discuss a package of support. We strongly recommend that this support is put in place before arriving at university to ensure a smooth transition.

Students with a disability, learning difference, or diagnosed additional support need may be eligible for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). DSAs are intended to cover any extra costs or expense that arise because of your disability while studying, as well as recommending any non-medical helper and assistive technology support you might need at university.

DSA is available to full-time and part-time undergraduate or postgraduate students. International students should contact us directly do discuss alternatives to the DSA.

DSA doesn't depend on household income – what you can get depends on your own needs. You don't have to pay these back.

How will this help and is it worth applying?

You can get help with:

• day-to-day costs of studying that are related to your disability. For example, photocopying costs.
• specialist equipment. For example, a computer or disability-related software. Any equipment bought must have been included in the report from your Study Needs Assessment. If your Study Needs Assessment recommends that you need a computer or laptop, you’ll have to pay £200 towards it.
• a non-medical helper. For example, a British Sign Language interpreter, mentor or specialist study skills. This person cannot be a friend or family member.

What is not covered in DSA?

• personal care
• support with living
• diagnosis
• therapy

If possible, support them to make several visits to the university campus where they will be studying and also into town so they can familiarise themselves with local facilities. The public transport system in Nottingham is excellent; familiarity with using buses and trams would also be a useful skill to develop prior to their arrival at NTU.

Learning and studying at university

Teaching and learning can feel different at university, and we are committed to supporting students through this transition. School or further education colleges have a structured timetable and learning is closely monitored, whereas higher education is based on the idea of independent learning.

Types of Learning:

Lectures – delivered by an academic and held in lecture theatres or classrooms, the purpose of lectures is to give a framework to structure your learning around. Lecture theatres can be very large and overwhelming if a student is used to being taught in a classroom setting.

Seminars and workshops – smaller sessions where a group gets together, led by an academic, providing an opportunity to debate and discuss learning. These are designed to be interactive.

Independent research – students will be expected to conduct preparatory reading for most lectures and seminars.

Preparing coursework – coursework can vary from essays to portfolios and include presentations and group projects. Course tutors will give advice about how to write university-level coursework in the course induction sessions and will be available for advice through your course. NTU has a great service offered through the library where mentors can help you to learn, research and write at degree level and beyond.

Types of Assessment:

• Group Work
• Practical or Written Exams
• Essays
• Group or individual Presentations
• Group or individual Projects
• Portfolios

We try to find a balance between supporting students and enabling independence and encourage you to do the same. At university, decisions about the support required are made by the student, together with a disability officer. However, we welcome any thoughts you might want to share or any suggestions of what has proved helpful in the past. Input from parents can be particularly helpful for students to manage 'Welcome Week' and in de-stressing that first term at university.

However, while we fully empathise with parental concerns, we do need explicit permission from the student to initiate a dialogue with parents or carers. Even then we are obliged to abide by the student's wishes on matters they wish to remain confidential.

The evidence suggests that having a degree enhances life opportunities. However the process of acquiring a degree can involve periods of anxiety and stress. Students will be supported at these times – their mental health is the priority – but we are also keen to develop transferable 'personal navigation' skills whenever we can. We would ask parents and carers to reinforce the development of a 'can-do' mind-set too, so that the student is better able to cope post-NTU.