Find out more about the Support to Study procedure.
- What is Support to Study?
- Stage1: Referral to the Support to Study process
- Stage 2: The Support to Support panel set up
- Stage3: Final review panel (persistent or serious concerns)
- Need more support?
What is Support to Study?
The Support to Study policy can be used when a student’s health, well-being or behaviour is having a detrimental impact on their or others’ ability to progress academically and function in the University context. Staff may refer you to the procedure or a student may raise the need for this form of support.
Stage 1: Referral to the Support to Study process
The aim of Stage 1 Support to Study is to resolve the situation through discussion with the student and other key members of staff. Usually, the School or Programme Leader/Personal Tutor or Dean of Students Office will deal with initial concerns and actions.
The student will be made aware of the Support to Study policy and provided with clear information, confirmed in writing – prior to any action being taken – of the precise reasons why concerns have been raised and must be given the opportunity to explain their views.
Next steps:
1) There will be an attempt to resolve the situation through discussion with the student and other key members of staff.
2) A review period will be agreed during which time the student should seek advice if appropriate.
3) The lead advisor from the Dean of Students Office will be responsible for producing and finalising an action plan for the student. The student’s involvement with the development of the action plan is paramount. The action plan should be then regularly monitored and reviewed by the School and Dean of Students Office.
4) A review meeting would be scheduled to occur within 4 weeks (excluding vacation periods) of the original date of the action plan, and any follow-up action arising from this taken as soon as possible following the review meeting.
If any informal action is unsuccessful, concerns must then be referred to the Student Wellbeing team for further assessment.
If the action taken under Stage 1 has not been successful, or it is felt that the case is too serious to be handled informally, Stage 2 (or exceptionally Stage 3) of the procedure may be initiated.
Stage 2 – The Support to Support panel set up
Firstly, a meeting of the Panel will be set up by the Student Procedures Team.
• The panels will be made up of representatives from Academic School, DOS, other appropriate staff (i.e. Chaplin/ Mentor).
• Before a meeting, a medical assessment/other professional reports may be required and shared with the panel.
• The student will be given at least 10 working days’ notice of the meeting of the Case Review Panel and informed of the purpose of the meeting by Student Procedures.
• Copies of documents will be shared with the student. A student can provide additional evidence no later than 3 days before the meeting.
• The Panel may call for further information and/or witnesses to assist with its deliberations.
The Purpose of the Panel Meeting
1) To make the student aware of the nature of the concerns that have been raised
2) listen to and consider the student’s views;
3) agree the best way to proceed;
4) ensure that the student is aware of the possible outcomes if difficulties remain. Discussions will take a collaborative approach and will be facilitated by the Chair.
The Chair will advise the student of their decision within seven (7) working days of the Panel or will indicate to the student when they might expect a decision.
A written record of each stage of the EQ11 process will be produced and kept on file within the appropriate DOS records. The confidential written record will be shared with Panel Members and Student, as per the University’s Data Protection policy.
Potential Outcomes of Stage 2 Panel:
1) No further action.
2) Monitoring Student Progress (an action plan with a specified timeframe which must be agreed upon with the student). This will include Stage 2 Review meetings.
3) Special Academic Arrangements
4) Part-time Study/Location
5) Without a placement programme
6) Intermission/withdrawal period
7) Cases to be reviewed under Support to Study Stage 3
8) Refer to a disciplinary panel
Stage 3 - Final review panel (persistent or serious concerns)
⚠️This stage of the procedure will only be initiated following a referral from a Stage 2 Case Review Panel or a very serious case.
• The Final Review Panel will be four (4) members to be determined by the Dean of Students (or nominee).
• Members will have had no prior involvement in the case.
• The Panel will consider the evidence available, including the student’s understanding of these concerns, and make a decision(s)/recommendation(s).
• As with Support to Study Stage 2 – the student will be informed of the Final Review Panel at least 10 days prior/ the student may provide evidence up to 3 days before the meeting.
• The panel can request further information and/or witnesses called to assist the panel with its deliberations.
Stage 3 – Final Review Panel Outcomes
The same options as Stage 2 Panel outcomes in addition to:
• To recommend dismissal from University Halls of Accommodation for a period of time or permanent exclusion, but continuation of studies.
• to recommend to the Vice-Chancellor that the student is excluded from the whole or any specified part of the University and its precincts, for a fixed period (return will be subject to stated conditions) or permanently;
• to recommend to the Vice-Chancellor that the student is suspended from attendance in any academic and/or other activities for a fixed period (resumption of studies will be subject to stated conditions) or permanently;
• to refer the case to be considered under the Regulations on Student Discipline in relation to non-academic matters by a Disciplinary Panel (see UPR SA13) or other relevant Regulations.
Right to Appeal
A student has the right to appeal against a decision taken by a Case Review Panel at Stage 2 or by a Final Review Panel at Stage 3.
The grounds on which a student may appeal are:
• there were procedural fault, bias or irregularities in the conduct of the review process
A student who wishes to appeal against the Final Review Panel’s decision must put this in writing to Student Procedures within 10 working days of the date of the letter.
Student Procedures will acknowledge the appeal within seven (7) working days of receipt and appoint a senior member of the University to consider the case.
The appointed person will decide, on the basis of the documentation received from the student and provided by the Case Review Panel, whether or not the student’s appeal should be upheld.
Normally, a decision on the appeal will be made within ten (10) working days of the date of acknowledgement of the appeal.
Need more support?
If you need further support please contact the Studnet Union or Student Wellbeing.