Disclosing your Disability
Student Wellbeing will respect your right to disclosure and confidentiality and you can choose what information is to be shared and who to share it with.
If you have any concerns about disclosing your disability come and talk to a member of staff who will be able to advise you and support you through the process.
The University has a system of sharing information which means that you do not have to repeat your needs when talking to different lecturers.
Disclosing the effect of your disability enables staff to support you more effectively but we understand not everyone will want to do this so we have plently of flexibility on how we share information with others.
An experienced disability team in Student Wellbeing will discuss this with you and agree adjustments to support you in your studies. This will be tailored specifically to your individual needs.
They can complete a Study Needs Agreement (SNA) identifying the adjustments and support that will be made for you as a disabled student.
Consent to Share
Student Wellbeing will ask you to complete a Consent to Share form to give your written explicit consent to share information about you. Nothing will be shared until you complete this form, even if you put information into your application form.
Student Wellbeing - Data Protection & Confidentiality
Student Wellbeing comprises of Counselling, Disability, Mental Health and Health Services. All our staff work under a strict code of confidentiality and will hold your information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the University’s policies relating to Data Protection (UPR IM08) and Student Mental Health (UPR EQ07)and Equality and Diversity (UPR EQ03). Counsellors also work according to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s ‘Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions’, information on this is available here: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s ‘Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions’.
Sharing Information
Where necessary we may consult with other colleagues in Student Wellbeing in order to provide a holistic framework of support for you. Notes from a session with a counsellor will only be shared within Student Wellbeing on a need-to-know basis upon discussion with you in order to provide the support you need. We do not normally divulge information about you to University staff outside of Student Wellbeing or third parties without your express permission.
In very rare circumstances we may need to disclose information to third parties without your express permission. This would only happen if there was a serious risk to your own or others’ safety or if we were compelled to disclose the information by law. In such circumstances we would, where possible, endeavour to discuss things with you before taking any action.
In the event of a serious and/or imminent risk of major harm, other members of the University may be informed or called upon to assist in managing the immediate situation. In these circumstances Student Wellbeing will, wherever possible, limit any disclosure to only information that is necessary in the circumstances.
In line with our professional requirements, and in order to work effectively Student Wellbeing staff may discuss their work with a professional supervisor. The supervisor may be part of the Student Wellbeing team or may be external to the department. All information shared in this way is treated in strict confidence and your personal identifiable information is not shared..
Storing Your Information
All Student Wellbeing records are kept securely on University servers in accordance with the GDPR, DPA and the University’s policies relating to Data Protection (UPR IM08) and Information Security (UPR IM03).
From the information gathered Student Wellbeing will collect anonymous statistical data. This data may be shared within the University for administrative and statistical purposes and will be supplied to Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the Office for Students both of which the University has a statutory duty to report to. The information provided will be completely anonymous and you will not be personally identifiable in the reports.
If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please feel free to discuss them with us prior to or during an appointment. If you wish to withdraw your consent to Student Wellbeing using information as detailed above please email: StudentWellbeing@herts.ac.uk.