Disability Policy

Overview

Hartpury College encourages participation in its learning programmes by all sections of the community and the industries it serves. Hartpury College will, as a matter of policy, try to ensure that students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are able to follow a programme of study most suitable to his or her needs with appropriate support. This support will be monitored, reviewed and changed as necessary.

On interview and on admission to the College, students will be entitled to receive the commitment outlined in the College Charter and an assessment of any further help and support needed which relates to disability. If appropriate, the College will seek professional help in deciding the level of disability and the level of further help and support required as identified during induction and throughout the course of study.

In terms of access, a student with a disability will be entitled, if appropriate, to an identified parking space and to have home to College transport arranged if the assessment of the disability indicates that this is required, (this is only when mobility support is not financed from other sources).

Hartpury College will try to ensure that access to teaching rooms is appropriate and relocate teaching areas if required. We will also ensure that, where possible, all areas of the campus are accessible and, where this is not feasible, ensure that alternative arrangements are made and that support and assistance is provided whenever this is possible.

This Disability Statement complies with The Education (Disability Statements for Further Education Institutions) Regulations 1996.

Hartpury College is committed to responding to individual student needs and has made resources available to ensure that prospective students have access to individual guidance when they come into contact with the College. The College will keep the policy and its implementation under review to ensure that appropriate support is given to students so they can achieve the learning goals which were identified at the beginning of their course, or re-negotiate other appropriate learning outcomes within the duration of their course.

The College's Equal Opportunities Policy Statement for the Corporation's clients also states the College's commitment to ensure that no student receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of any physical or other disability.

Staff Contact Names

The first point of contact for queries about provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities is the Director of Student Support. Alternatively, students can contact the Learning Skills Co-ordinator.

Contact with these staff can be made by ringing the College on 01452 700283. If they are not immediately available, the Receptionist will take a message and ensure that someone rings you back, generally within 24 hours and, if required will call you in the evening. If you are already a student at the College, the contact can be made through the Receptionist, Course Tutor, Learning Support Co-ordinator or Duty Warden.

Admission Arrangements

Initial enquiries about courses and applications are dealt with by the Head of Admissions, who will arrange an interview, or by the Director of Student Support or by the Learning Support Co-ordinator. Applicants who are aware they have specific needs are strongly recommended to outline them at this stage so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

The College is committed, wherever reasonably possible, to meet the needs of all students in order that they can gain access to and make progress on, the course(s) of their choice. Where adjustments to the College educational environment are required, the College will make every effort to do so, provided this is achieved within resource constraints. Where this is not possible, outside assistance may be sought to try and ensure barriers to entry are minimised.

All students will have an individual interview regarding their course/programme of study to ascertain areas where they may require additional support. During this process, assessment will take place to ensure that:

The student's expectations are fully discussed and analysed, their needs understood and assessed

• The proposed learning programme with Hartpury College is considered to be in the student's best interests and that they would not be better provided for elsewhere
• The College facilities and resources are sufficient to meet those needs

The Learning Agreement will contain clear statements specifying precisely what the College is offering to the student and details of the commitment the student is making to the College. Any changes to the student's circumstances will automatically require a full review of the Learning Agreement. Students with additional needs that are identified part way through their course of study will be counselled and guided through an assessment process to establish how they can be supported through the remainder of their course.

Educational Facilities and Support

Curriculum Support - Additional Learning Support for all Students

On entry to College, all students starting their first year undertake appropriate initial assessment. Support is then agreed and provided as required by a member of the Learning Skills Centre or other member of staff.

Equipment and Technological Support

All applicants for courses are considered on their aptitude, experience, qualifications and ability. It is the aim of the College that students with any disabilities are enabled to benefit from, and be successful on, the range of educational provision offered by the College. Students are encouraged to participate in all aspects of College life. However, there are limitations to access on certain areas of the campus.

The College will assist students in the use and storage of special equipment that they may have and will help students, where possible, in obtaining equipment. In addition, the College has some equipment and adaptations to facilities that may be of use to students with physical/sensory disabilities, whether in general areas of the College or related to specific vocational areas.

Students with physical disabilities who wish to visit a member of staff who is located above the ground floor in the main building are directed to the College Reception, where the staff will make the necessary arrangements.

Staff Expertise in Teaching and Supporting Students with Disabilities

All members of staff are made aware of the needs of disabled persons and specialist training is provided as appropriate. There is a team of staff who have expertise in working with people with learning difficulties and disabilities.

Other Educational Support (e.g. additional assistance from sign language communicators or communications support workers, etc.)

Additional assistance can be arranged, and this could include the assistance of a sign communicator, a communications support worker, a note-taker and mobility assistance, amongst others. Early contact with a member of the Learning Support team is recommended to ensure sufficient time is available to determine the student's requirements and make the necessary arrangements.

Students with visual impairment are supported by the RNIB Support Officer who is available for student and staff advice and support; those students with hearing impairment are supported by the Gloucestershire Deaf Association, who will attend initial interviews with the student and prepare an assessment which outlines the student's support needs to enable appropriate funding and support to be provided. Specific difficulties, such as dyslexia are supported through the College's Learning Support network.

Financial Support

You are currently entitled to:

• Free tuition on any full-time further education vocational course if you are over 19 and in receipt of a means tested benefit.
• You may be entitled to support through other funds, e.g. Access funds.
• You are advised to refer to the Benefits Agency for any support available through the benefits system.
• Advice is also available through Student Services and the Finance Office in relation to other sources of funding, e.g. Career Development Loans.
• You are currently entitled to free tuition if you are on a full-time further education programme and under 19 years of age.

The Skills Funding Agency provides Additional Support Units to provide physical and learning support whilst you are on your Further Education Programme.

Arrangements for Examinations/Assessment

The College can approach the various Awarding Bodies who may ask for evidence of an appropriate assessment. Examples of arrangements that could be made include extra time, an amanuensis, a reader, a tape recorder for recording answers, a separate room, etc. Notice should be given wherever possible at the commencement of the course so that these arrangements can be formalised. The nature of the arrangements is based on the particular circumstances of the student and is subject to the rules of the Awarding Body.

Other Educational Support

Personal Care Support

Personal care support will be provided through daily contact with the student and liaison with parents and other specialist agencies. Personal helpers may also be provided for those students who have identified and requested this specific need.

Medical Support and First Aid Management

There are members of staff trained in first aid available 24 hours a day at the Hartpury site. Help can be obtained by speaking to any member of staff who will then contact Student Services. Student Services can arrange for you to be taken to the local doctor's surgery or the hospital for treatment, if treatment cannot be given by the first aid staff and the Nurse is unavailable. Alternatively, contact can be made via Reception or the Duty Warden.

All residential students are required to complete a medical information sheet which details information about allergies or health problems. This helps Student Services to ensure urgent medical attention can be given or obtained. All such information is given in the strictest confidence and only divulged to relevant staff.

The College Nurse is located in Catsbury hostel- times of surgery will be posted in Student Services. Appointments can be made in Student Services. Appointments to see the doctor are to be made via the College Nurse. Transport is available from Student Services.

Welfare and Advice/Counselling Services

Advice and support is available from staff within Student Services, which is located near the Courtyard, opposite the Plant Sales glasshouse on the Hartpury College main site.

A confidential counselling service is provided by the Royal Forest of Dean College who visit the Hartpury College site.

Appointments can be made in Student Services, with Tutors or via the College Nurse.

The College Chaplain is available for support and advice and times when on campus will be posted in Student Services.

Where appropriate, arrangements can be made for students to obtain help or guidance from various outside agencies if they feel support is necessary.

Tutorial Support and Wardening Support

Each student is allocated a personal tutor and is given the opportunity to have at least two individual tutorials per term.

There are five residential wardens who live on the Hartpury campus. Duty Wardens are available for contact each day from 5.00 p.m. to 8.30 a.m. the following morning. The Duty Warden emergency mobile phone number is 07768 091041. Student Services take over the wardening role from 8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Wardens are on duty weekends from 5.00 p.m. Friday to 8.30 a.m. on Monday.

Links with External Organisations and Voluntary Bodies which Provide Support

The College has extensive links with the following external organisations:

• Health & Social Services
• Special Schools
• Relevant support and guidance agencies
• Gloucestershire Deaf Association
• RNIB
• Gloucestershire Lifestyles
• Gloucestershire Dyslexia Association
• Gloucestershire Careers Office (Learning Partnership West)
• Gloucester Link Group
• Department of Employment and Education
• NHS Severn Trust
• Learning Partnership West (careers), and others

Capacity of Catering Facilities to Satisfy Special Dietary Needs

Special dietary needs are identified on the medical information sheet and Student Services will discuss requirements with the individual and the Catering Manager to ensure their needs are met. It is particularly important that any food allergies are brought to the attention of the Catering Manager at the earliest possible stage.

Physical Accommodation and Access to Educational and Other Facilities

The College has the facilities to ensure that most students gain access to the course of their choice. Where appropriate, the College will carry out a risk assessment under the terms set out in the College Health and Safety Policy. A risk assessment would include an inspection of the work and social areas of the College to ensure that accessibility for particular disabilities is identified. The main College site is fully wheelchair accessible; this includes ramps into classrooms and ground floor access to the main administrative building, lifts in the LRC and Sports Hall and Animal Care building.

Disabled toilets are provided in the laboratory block in the courtyard, the Animal Care Building , LRC, the Refectory, the toilet block opposite the Animal Care Department and the Sports Hall. Ground floor accommodation can also be provided, but a prior visit may be necessary to ensure the College can fully meet the residential needs of the student. Adaptations or changes can be made subject to resource constraints.

Students with concerns about this should contact the Director of Student Support, who will liaise with Student Services, the Director of Campus Services and the Learning Skills Co-ordinator on your behalf. Any student who has specific needs which are not met by the facilities outlined above should make their enquiries at the earliest possible time, generally at the admission stage, as to whether or not their needs can be met.

Transport

Home to College transport can fall under the responsibility of the student's own Education Authority. A student with an educational statement may be entitled to subsidised transport until the age of 19, funded by the LEA. This is, however, at the discretion of the local authority. In addition, the College runs coaches/mini buses from a number of locations. Details of pick-up points are available from the Transport Officer, or from Student Services.

If you are concerned about access to College transport, you should, in the first instance, talk to the Transport Manager who will be able to advise you on what may be done to assist you; this may include access to financial assistance.

Arrangements for Handling Complaints and (where applicable) Appeals

All students have access to the specific Complaints Procedure as set out in the College Charter (and stated in the Student Diary). Appeals procedures are set out in the College Handbook.