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Please note:
1. The Educational Support & Development Service was re-launched
as the Student Support & Development Service in June 2006.
2. The content of this document is under review.

1. Introduction
The Student Support service (for mental wellbeing) is part of the Educational Development and
Support Centre (EDSC); the EDSC provides an integrated development and support service for
University of Leicester students and a specific range of provision for staff, prospective students and graduates. For more information about the EDSC and the principles that inform its work, see its
Mission Statement on the EDSC website ( www.le.ac.uk/edsc/ )
The Student Support service (for mental wellbeing) is committed to
•
Providing confidential, one-to-one advice and information to students with mental health difficulties.
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Co-ordinating the range of support available to students managing mental health difficulties at university, to lessen the impact these difficulties may have on successful progression through courses.
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Raising awareness of mental well being across the university and working with others to promote mental good health and well being.
2. What the service provides:
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Regular one-to-one support for current students experiencing mental distress.
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Advice and guidance on mental health issues to students experiencing mental distress, students concerned about other students, and to staff concerned about a student in their department.
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Liaison with specialist agencies, for advice and information.
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Assessment of students’ needs, then referring/sign-posting to appropriate support and services, both within and outside the University.
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At students’ request, liaison with Departments on behalf of students experiencing difficulties. This may involve informing staff of such difficulties and how these might impact on studies, or negotiating appropriate adjustments to enable them to progress through their course.
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Support for students during and after hospital admission and breaks from studies.
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Pre-entry guidance to prospective students, ensuring appropriate support is in place on arrival at the University.
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In collaboration with EDSC colleagues, the Co-ordinator will promote mental good health and well being across the University, and work with others to create an environment that is both positive and understanding.

3. Eligibility and Referral
This service is open to current students experiencing mental distress; prospective students who want to ensure that appropriate support is in place for them when they start University; returning students who have taken a break from their studies; and University staff needing advice on dealing with students with mental health difficulties.
Students can either refer themselves, or be referred by someone who knows them. Initial contact can be by phone, email or letter. The Co-ordinator will respond by arranging to meet with the student, to assess need and organise support, as appropriate.
Support via email is an option, if the student prefers this.
Prospective students should contact the Co-ordinator for information via telephone or email, or make an appointment to meet in person prior to arrival at the University.
4. Confidentiality and Data Protection
This service is confidential. All information provided by staff or students will be handled with sensitivity, care and discretion, and in accordance with the EDSC Confidentiality and Data
Protection Policy (available from the EDSC website at http://www.le.ac.uk/edsc/policies.html
) and the University’s Data Protection Code of Practice.(If you would like a copy of either of these documents please contact any member of EDSC staff for the EDSC policy, or the University of
Leicester’s Data Protection Officer, Colin Atkinson ( ca46@le.ac.uk
) for the University of Leicester
Code.)
The only instances when confidentiality may be broken are where the Co-ordinator considers students are either a risk to themselves, or to somebody else. In these situations the Co-ordinator will endeavour to let students know what action is being taken and to secure their consent to this.
5. Staffing
The Student Support Co-ordinator (mental wellbeing) is professionally qualified and trained, with many years experience of working within statutory and voluntary mental health settings. (Full profile available on EDSC website at http://www.le.ac.uk/edsc/hcraig.html
.)
The service is well supported by the Counselling Service, the Welfare Service and AccessAbility, all of whom will offer advice and support during the Co-ordinator’s absence.
6. Feedback and evaluation
The Co-ordinator encourages and values feedback from students, staff and others involved with the service. From time to time, the Co-ordinator will actively seek comments on the service provided.
All feedback received will be treated with discretion, and comments, positive and negative, will be used to guide future developments.
If people are unhappy about the service they receive, the first step is to talk this over with the
Co-ordinator, who will endeavour to meet their needs more appropriately (either directly or by referring to an alternative service). People may also email and post comments; these will normally be replied to within one week of receipt.
Formal complaints may be made to the Director of the Educational Development and Support
Centre, or through the University’s formal complaints procedure (details of the latter are available from the University Registry).

7. Professional Standards
The Student Support service (mental wellbeing) operates within national and institutional standards that provide a professional, ethical and equal opportunities framework for its work.
These include:
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The EDSC Code of Professional Practice (see http://www.le.ac.uk/edsc/policies.html )
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University of Leicester Equal Opportunities Policy (available from the Personnel Office)
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The Matrix Quality Standards
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The Disability Discrimination Act (1995, Part 1V)
The Co-ordinator is also a member of UMHAN, the University Mental Health Advisors’ Network, which promotes best practice through the sharing of information and resources.
For further information about any of the above please contact the Co-ordinator, or the Director of
EDSC.
8. Further information and contact details
The Student Support service (mental wellbeing) is in the same building as the Counselling Service, to the rear of the Student Health Centre. The Co-ordinator’s office is on the left, just inside the foyer, before the double doors leading into Counselling.
Opening hours
The service is usually open on Mondays/ Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9am – 5pm.
Messages can be left at the Counselling Service reception outside of these hours.
Contact details
Postal address: Student Support (mental wellbeing)
161 Welford Road
Leicester LE 2 6BF
Telephone: 0116 252 2283
Email: mentalhealth@le.ac.uk
Website: www.le.ac.uk/mentalhealth
EDSC website: www.le.ac.uk/edsc/
This statement is reviewed annually. Date of last review: June 2005