- Why disclose your disability?
- What is a Consent to share form?
- Confidentiality and data protection
- How we share your information
- How we store your information
- Need more support?
Why disclose your disability?
Student Wellbeing respects your right to confidentiality and gives you control over what information is shared and who it is shared with.
Disclosing your disability can help us provide the right support and adjustments during your studies.
Benefits of disclosing include:
- You can choose what information is shared and with whom.
- Staff can provide support that reflects your individual needs.
- You do not need to repeatedly explain your support needs to different lecturers.
- Adjustments and support can be agreed with an experienced Disability Adviser.
- A Study Needs Agreement (SNA) can be created to record the support and adjustments available to you.
If you have concerns about disclosing a disability, a member of the Student Wellbeing team can discuss your options and support you through the process.
What is a Consent to Share form?
Before information about your disability can be shared, Student Wellbeing will ask you to complete a Consent to Share form.
This gives your written consent for information to be shared with relevant staff to support your studies.
No information will be shared until you have completed this form, even if you have included disability information in your application or student records.
Confidentiality and data protection
Student Wellbeing includes the:
- Counselling Service
- Disability Service
- Mental Health Service
- Health Service
All staff work under a strict code of confidentiality and handle information in line with:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA)
- Data Protection (UPR IM08)
- Student Mental Health (UPR EQ07)
- Equality and Diversity (UPR EQ03)
Counsellors also work in accordance with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions.
How we share information
Where necessary, we may consult colleagues within Student Wellbeing to ensure you receive appropriate support.
Counselling notes are only shared within Student Wellbeing on a need-to-know basis and, wherever possible, this will be discussed with you first.
We do not normally share information with University staff outside Student Wellbeing or with external organisations without your permission.
When might information be shared without my consent?
In rare circumstances, information may be shared without your consent if:
- There is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of others.
- The University is legally required to disclose information.
Where possible, we will discuss this with you before taking any action.
Professional supervision
Student Wellbeing staff may discuss their work with a professional supervisor to ensure they provide effective support.
Any information shared in supervision is treated as strictly confidential, and your personal identifiable information is not shared.
Storing Your Information
Student Wellbeing records are stored securely on University servers in line with:
- GDPR
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Data Protection (UPR IM08)
- Information Security (UPR IM02)
We also collect anonymous statistical data to support planning, reporting and service improvement.
Anonymous data may be shared with:
- Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
- Office for Students (OfS)
This information cannot be used to identify you.
Need more support?
If you have any questions about confidentiality, consent or how your information is used, please speak to Student Wellbeing before or during your appointment.
If you would like to withdraw your consent for Student Wellbeing to use your information as described above, contact:
Email: StudentWellbeing@herts.ac.uk