Student Wellbeing

Our team of advisors and coordinators are often your first point of contact.  

We offer advice, guidance, and support to all students on a wide range of issues, which may affect your personal or academic life, including: 

• General worries and stress
• Difficulties settling or fitting in
• Family and friendship issues
• Pregnancy, becoming a parent and childcare
• Housing issues including homelessness
• Bullying and harassment
• Other traumatic events such as bereavement, domestic abuse and sexual misconduct

Contact us

For further details about Student Journey please ring Student Support & Success Reception on 01962 827 341 or email: studentsupport@winchester.ac.uk

Who do we support 

We welcome disabled students and are committed to improving access to all aspects of student life through: 

• A range of confidential services for disabled students and staff. This includes services for those with physical and sensory impairments, medical conditions, mental health difficulties and specific learning differences such as dyslexia 

• Information and guidance for disabled applicants 

• Helping with access to the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) or similar funds for equipment 

• Working with other agencies who can provide help such as Mobility and Orientation Trainers 

• Helping with arranging assessments, such as dyslexia assessments, and supporting applications for assistance 

• Helping to set up appropriate exam arrangements including extra writing time or rest breaks 

• Staff training opportunities on disability awareness issues 

• Providing help and advice to academic staff on how to provide an inclusive learning and working environment 

The Disability Advisers can offer support and guidance to you if you have a disability that affects your ability to study. This would include: 

• A learning difference, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia or ADHD 

• A mental health condition like anxiety or depression 

• An Autistic Spectrum Diagnosis and other neurodiversity  

• A physical disability, for example, if you’re partially sighted or use crutches 

• A long-term health condition such as cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV 

The Disability Adviser role also encompasses disability in its broadest sense. This includes making arrangements for students who need support due to long term and short term injury or illness. 

What support is available? 

The University of Winchester support students through the Inclusive Learning Policy which provides support for all students through baseline expectations incumbent on all programs and those supporting student learning, to ensure that the university sustains a culture of inclusive learning.  

Learning Agreements  

Learning Agreements are confidential documents created by Disability Advisers using supporting document 

• Educational Psychologist 

• Occupational Therapist 

• Needs Assessments  

• Evidence provided by other medical professionals 

• Supporting documents outlining additional support needs such as the Exam JCQ-Form 8  

This information allows disability advisers to make recommendations of reasonable adjustments that will ensure students have an equitable opportunity of accessing learning material and engaging in university life. 

• With the student’s consent and approval, the Learning Agreement will inform different departments within the university of any reasonable adjustments appropriate to their individual need. These can include; 

• Exam arrangements, such as 25% Extra time 

• Housing requirements, 

• Timetabling requirements 

Assistive technology training and support

The University of Winchester has several assistive technology software packages available to all students on our Campus network. These include screen reading and mind mapping software.  

Students can access support and guidance on these software packages through our virtual learning environment Canvas.  

Non-DSA Funded support  

The Disability and Inclusion team can arrange non- DSA funded support. This includes access to lecture notes, extra time for examinations and buddy support during welcome week. 

Get in contact with the Disability team as soon as possible if you are an international student or not eligible for the Disabled Students Allowances funded support. We will discuss your needs to make sure you are confident that the University can meet them. 

How do I access support? 

If you have applied or are considering applying to study at Winchester, we recommend that you let us know of any additional requirements as soon as possible. This can be done through UCAS or via email to the Disability and Inclusion Team. We consider applications from disabled students on the same academic basis as all other applications. If you disclose your disability in your application, you will receive an additional requirements questionnaire (ARQ). By completing this questionnaire, you can tell the disability team and the housing team as well as other key departments such as Timetabling and Health and Safety about your specific requirements 

If you want to apply for university accommodation, please also contact the Student Housing Services team as early as you can. This helps us to check the availability of suitable accommodation. 

Our ability to meet your needs is dependent on establishing a clear understanding of what your needs are, what the University can reasonably offer and where there are any gaps. We will make reasonable adjustments to address any gaps. Where any gaps remain, we ensure that you are aware of them. This way you can get an informed view of whether our university and housing are suitable for you. 

Medical and supporting evidence

To provide appropriate support, we need supporting documentation of your specific requirements.  

This can be a letter from a GP, consultant or another appropriate report from a medical professional, an exam arrangement supporting document such as the JCQ-Form 8 or similar. To apply for support from the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) for support for a learning difference, such as dyslexia for example, you need a full diagnostic assessment. 

If you need a specific type of accommodation or adaptations to our accommodation, such as ensuite, or specialist furniture, the supporting document from a medical professional should refer specifically to why your condition requires this rather than just confirm a condition. 

Please note: these are example and should not be considered a definite list of supporting documents 

If you intend on applying for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) the DSA have different evidence thresholds, check that you are applying with the correct evidence. For example, to apply for DSA support for Dyslexia the DSA requires a full Educational Psychologist or Specialist Teacher/Assessor assessment. The DSA would not accept a screening or JCQ-Form 8.  

 How do I fund my support?

 Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) 

Most UK students with a physical disability or mental health difficulty, long term health condition or specific learning difficulty or Neurodiversity will be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs). These are a non-means tested and a non-repayable source of funding for disabled students' who incur additional expenditure as a direct result of attendance on their university course. 

There may be other options available for international students. 

DSA can help towards the cost of: 

• Specialist equipment (e.g. digital voice recorder, assistive software) 

• One-to-one support (e.g. specialist study skills, specialist mentoring) 

• Other costs you have to pay because of your disability such as Travel support 

To apply for the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) please go to the Gov.uk DSA Website

If you’ve already applied for student finance 

• Sign into your student finance account to start your DSA application.
  

• The application for DSA should be on your ‘to-do list’ if you chose DSA in your application for other support. If it is not, select ‘change your circumstances’ to apply.  

• If you do not have an online account because you applied for student finance by post, fill in a student finance form (form DSA1) 

If you are a UK student, you can find out more about DSA funding and download the application form online at the Gov.uk website 

 NHS Disabled Student Allowance  

If your degree is funded through the NHS  Bursary you may be eligible for the NHS Disabled Student Allowance. Please visit the NHS DSA webpage for more information.  

What does the DSA Support person do?  

What does a specialist study skills tutor do?  

A specialist study skills tutor helps students develop skills and strategies to promote independent learning. For example, they might work with you on:  

• time management and organisational skills 

• efficient strategies for reading academic texts 

• note taking from texts, hand-outs and in lectures 

• research skills 

• mind mapping and planning techniques 

• proof reading strategies 

• approaching written assignments 

• memory techniques and strategies 

• revision methods 

• analysing exam/essay questions. 

A study skills tutor will not 

• proofread and correct your writing for you  

• do your academic work for you  

• teach course-related material 

What does a specialist mentor do?  

A specialist mentor helps students with mental health issues and/or autistic spectrum condition to become more independent learners. For example, they might work with you on:  

• coping with anxiety and stressful situations 

• how to deal with concentration difficulties 

• time management and attendance/motivation 

• goal setting 

• timetabling 

• prioritising workload 

• creating a suitable work-life balance 

A mentor will not 

• act as your counsellor   

• advocate on your behalf  

• socialise with you or go to your home. 

Personal care and assistance  

If you think that you are likely to require care assistance or equipment whilst you are at university, you should contact your Home Social Services department as soon as possible to start discussing this. 

Personal assistance with daily living is the assistance that you might require even when you are not in university. This would include support with domestic activities such as cooking, cleaning or shopping; help with personal hygiene or some medical needs such as injections. 

The University of Winchester only provides study-related assistance. We do not provide personal assistance or personal care support. However, our disability advisers can work with you alongside external providers and Social Services (if applicable) to provide advice and information about realistic opportunities for arranging suitable local support. 

Funding personal care needs

The responsibility to fund your personal care package rests with Social Services within the local authority where you are "ordinarily resident". 

Guidance on the identification of the ordinary residence of people in need of community care services, England (March 2010) can be found on the Department of Health website. 

Social Services within the local authority are responsible for assessing and paying for support at university, even if you will be living away from home. Please be aware that due to its personal nature, the process of applying for and finalising a package of personal care support can take a long time. 

For some applicants the process can take up to twelve months to complete. This is because you will either be a new referral (if you have never used the service before) or you will be transferring from children to adult services. 

If you tell the Disability Team that you’re applying for personal care support, we can provide you with information about the course you will be studying and the university environment, to ensure that your care support needs are assessed as accurately as possible. Please contact us via email Disability@winchester.ac.uk. The team are happy to meet with you and your personal care team ahead of arriving at Winchester University. 

Please also contact the housing team if you need an additional room for a carer once you have the offer of a place on a course. Your home Social Services will need to reflect this in their budgeting. Housing can be contacted via email Housing@winchester.ac.uk 

International students 

All students with additional requirements are eligible to receive advice and support from the Disability and Inclusion Team regardless of funding. Although non-UK based students are not eligible for funding through DSAs, there may be other sources of funding. Many students coming to the UK to study are eligible for funding through their home government. This is usually applied before you begin your programme of study. 

Students from Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales 

If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales and are studying anywhere in the UK, your application for student finance is dealt with by the authorities in your own region. 

Please follow the links below for the relevant website: 

Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI 

Scotland: Student Awards Agency Scotland 

Wales: Student Finance Wales  

Students from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man 

The States of Jersey and Guernsey and the Isle of Man also provide support packages for disabled students. Please click on the links below for more information: 

States of Jersey 

States of Guernsey 

Isle of Man 
 

International Students 

All students with additional requirements are eligible to receive advice and support from the Disability team irrespective of funding. Although non-UK based students are not eligible for funding through DSAs, there may be other sources of funding. Many students coming to the UK to study are eligible for funding through their home government; this is usually applied for before you begin your programme of study. You are advised to speak with a Disability Adviser before accepting your place to study. 

Other financial support 

If you cannot get the money you need to do a course from official or statutory sources, trusts may be able to help you. Each trust has its own eligibility criteria, so it is important that you make sure you meet the trust's criteria before you apply: 

Student Health Association Assistance Fund 

The Snowden Trust 

The Mike Devenney Scholarship 

After arrival at Winchester 

Once you have started at Winchester, we encourage you to meet with a disability adviser as soon as possible. If you need to have reasonable adjustments, put in place or need to arrange specialist support the Disability Adviser will assist you. They will make sure your needs are met and will work with you to put guidance in place for staff who may need to know about your needs. Please make sure you have been in touch as early as possible to alert us to any needs you may have once you arrive at Winchester. 

How to contact us

If you wish to discuss your support requirements with a member of the Disability and Inclusion Team, please email disability@winchester.ac.uk. If you would like to have a campus tour, visit housing or meet with academic staff as well as a meeting with a disability adviser, please contact opendays@winchester.ac.uk  to arrange your visit. 

The transition to university is an exciting one for students and quite often a nerve-wracking one for parents and those who have parental responsibilities! One of the things that can be difficult to understand in advance is the relationship between the student support services and parents (which includes all those with parental responsibilities, for example guardians or carers). This leaflet linked on this page aims to clarify that relationship, and to answer the most frequent questions that parents put to us. You are welcome to call us to clarify any of this, or to ask further questions about it. 

Top Tips for those with Parental Responsibilities & Confidentiality information leaflet https://unimailwinchesterac.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/DisabilityTeam/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7B48F0AF10-DED4-4A7F-BE09-6036AE2870D1%7D&file=Top%20Tips%20for%20those%20with%20Parental%20responsibilities.docx&action=default&mobileredirect=true  

One of the most significant differences with students at university is that, once they turn eighteen, are adults under the law. Decisions that would have been made with or by parents are now the responsibility of the student. This means that all our interactions must be directly with the student, and they are responsible for their life at university – including the bills and what they choose to tell you about. This is quite a change from life before university. 

Unlike school or sixth form college, universities cannot disclose anything to you about how your son or daughter is progressing, academically or personally. The Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR 2018 rules means that their information is their own, and it is their choice as to whether and how they want to share it. This includes everything from their address to their degree result. 

In some situations, it can be helpful for parents/carers to be involved in conversations with the student, if we have the student's permission. We can then listen to you and answer any specific questions that you have regarding their support at Winchester. It also means that we can update you, if necessary, although we won’t be able to provide regular updates as we would usually expect the student to do this themselves. You can pass on information that you think we should know that the student may not have mentioned. 

What it doesn’t mean is that you can represent the student, that is, talk on their behalf. They can’t just ‘hand over’ to you. They would still be the person we are working with, and they would still need to talk with us directly about what they needed. There are exceptional circumstances where this is different, for example if they are very unwell for a period of time, but this is exceptional. 
 

Support examples – School/College vs University 

Here are some examples of how support at university is different to school or college and how you best navigate these differences.  

 College  

• Student is identified and supported by parents/teachers   

• Primary responsibility for accommodations belongs to the school   

• Teachers approach you if they believe you need assistance.   

• Your time and assignments are structured by others   

• Colleges must use their best endeavors to ensure that students know who to go to for additional SEN, SEND, Pastoral, or Welfare support. 

University 

• Student must self-identify to the Disability Team   

• Students with disabilities must take an active role in self-advocacy and seeking reasonable adjustments and services  

• The University makes anticipatory reasonable adjustments through the Accessible Learning Policy  

• Lecturers are open and helpful. Please check with your course for specific details and tutorial options.  

• You manage your own time and complete assignments independently  

• Students are expected to consult the assessment information and learning outcomes provided on Canvas  

• Students must ensure they are aware that additional support is accessed through the Disability, Wellbeing, and Student Support Services (LINK)  

Parental/ trusted adult role 

College 

• Parents/trusted adult are legally entitled to access to student records and participate in the accommodation process   

• Parents/trusted adult advocate for students   

• Parents/trusted adult have full access to student records and school personnel communicate openly about the student’s academic records, struggles, interventions, etc.,  

University 

• Parents/trusted adult do not have access to student records without the student’s consent   

• Students advocate for themselves.   

• Data Protection legislation protects your young person's privacy. Without a signed consent form, the university cannot legally include parents in the educational process  

• We encourage parent/trusted adult to support and enable their young person, but they are unable to speak for their young person at university.  

While parents/trusted adults can’t play a direct role when their young person attends university, there are still things they can do to help them succeed. For instance, parents/trusted adults and students can work together to create a time management system. 

If a parent/carer contacts the Disability and Inclusion team to raise a concern about their young person this will be listened to and often acted on. However, there will be a limit to what information we can share. We encourage students to set up regular communication with parents/carers to keep them informed of any difficulties or worries. This could be a simple WhatsApp or other online chat group.   

Required Documentation  

College  

• The college is responsible for identifying students with disabilities   

• ECHP, JCQ Form 8 are the evidence documents that follow students through school/college 

• School provides Dyslexia assessment at no cost to the student.  

University 

• Students must self-identify and provide documentation of their disability   

• Supporting documents vary depending on the disability.  

•  Students can take a Dyslexia Screening which may provide access to some support. DSA will not accept a screening and will require an educational psychologist assessment 

• The University of Winchester cannot provide diagnosis of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Condition or other Specific Learning Differences such as dyslexia.  

Exams and marking

College  

• A student’s disability plan may include modifications to the assessment format and/marking   

• Use of Dyslexia stickers   

• Teachers often take time to remind you of assignments and due dates,  

University  

• Reasonable adjustments for Exams (extra time, use of PC, etc.) are available when supported by documentation.  

• Extra time for assessments such as essays is not guaranteed for Learning Differences and extenuating circumstances process may need to be used for other situations.  

• Those assessing work are provided guidance on inclusive marking to ensure an equitable experience   

• Lecturers expect you to read and consult the course syllabus; the syllabus details what is expected of you, when it is due and how you will be graded 
  

We encourage all our students to register with a GP practice. There are three GP practices in Winchester. These are St Clements Practice, The Friarsgate Practice and St Paul's Surgery. All three practices offer most of the NHS services including advice on sexual health, repeat prescriptions and general consultation.

All three practices have information specifically for students on their websites. You can choose to register at any of these GP practices. Please click on the practice name below to get to the website for each surgery:

• St Clements Practice: To make an appointment students should ring 01962 852211. The practice main surgery is located in Tanner Street, Winchester
  
  
• The Friarsgate Practice: The Friarsgate Practice has their main site in Weeke and a branch surgery at Badger Farm. Registered students can book appointments at any of these locations
  
  
• St Paul's Surgery: St Paul's Surgery operates from a purpose-built surgery in Alison Way, Winchester. The surgery offers weekday daytime, evening and weekend appointments as well as a 24/7 online eConsult service. You can book appointments, order prescriptions, view test results and your medical history via an App. Easy and simple to register with the practice via their website or by popping into the surgery.

To assist you in choosing a GP practice, or in sourcing other medical support in Winchester, you may also wish to look at the following resources:

NHS Choices webpage

NHS GP Patient Survery

CQC ratings

Dentists

Students are encouraged to continue with regular checks with the family dentist during the holidays. However, should an emergency arise whilst at University, the Dental Helpline should be able to help.

Meningitis

All university students are advised to have the Menigitis ACWY vaccine. This is available from your home GP and our local GPs will also be offering the vaccine to students throughout the academic year. All first year undergraduates are now advised to have a Meningitis (ACWY) booster if they were less than 10 years of age when they received their first Meningitis C injection. If you have not had the vaccination, or if you are unsure, speak to your GP.

The University of Winchester has a comprehensive Managing Menigitis Policy, developed with the support of the Health Protection Agency and this is followed should there be a suspected/confirmed case of meningitis at the University.

The Meningitis Research Foundation runs a 24 hour helpline: 080 8800 3344

No vaccine protects against all types of meningitis, so it is important to remain vigilant and aware of the symptoms.

Find out more information regarding the Meningitis ACWY vaccine

Find out more information regarding the symptoms of Meningitis infection

Further information and support for students is available from Meningitis Now

Influenza A (H1N1)

The University has a comprehensive policy in place should the H1N1 virus affect the day to day running of the institution. Information will be regularly communicated to students and staff via the internal website should the University be affected. For the latest information see the Department of Health website.