MINUTES OF THE DISABLED STUDENTS STAKEHOLDER GROUP MEETING
(2007/02): Thursday 8th November 2007
Europa Building, Glasgow 10:30 - 12:30
Attendees:
Kathie Robertson, SG HELS (chair)
Victoria Beattie, SG HELS
Claire Neads, SG HELS
John Renwick, SG HELS
Alan Scott, SAAS
Lorna Caldwell, SAAS
Jeanette Gillies, Motherwell College Access Centre
Mary Campbell, Aberdeen College
Geraldine Ratcliffe, SFEU
Pat Geddes, University of Edinburgh
Steven Bell, SG SW
Alison Crookston, Open University
Margaret Bruce, Stevenson College Access Centre
Lesley Berry, Skill Scotland
Lucy Foley, Aberdeen University
Sally McGreevy, RNIB
Paul Brown, SDT
Morag Campbell, SFC
Simin Abrahams, Universities Scotland
Alison Cox, BRITE
Linda McLeod, Equality Forward
Vit Novotny, Equality Forward
Carla McLean, NUS
Anne Simpson, University of Strathclyde
Apologies:
Cyril Hellier, SG PSPS
Shirley Hill, Dundee University Access Centre
PART 1
1. Welcome and Apologies
1.1 Kathie began the meeting by welcoming members, making apologies as above and introducing some new members. Steven Bell is a new member representing the Scottish Government's Children, Young People and Social Care Directorate. Carla McLean is our new NUS representative, taking over from Kevin Morris, and Linda McLeod is the new representative for Equality Forward, taking over from Chris Robinson.
2. Minutes of Previous Meeting
2.1 The Group reviewed the minutes from May's meeting. There was one small amendment, to add Lucy Foley to the Apologies.
3. Action Points of Previous Meeting
3.1 During the Scottish Funding Council's Update on the needs led pilot, members of the group indicated that they would be interested to see the guidance that was issued to all institutions taking part in the pilot. It was agreed that SFC would pass these to HELS who would in turn distribute them to the rest of the group. This has been completed.
3.2 A concern was raised on the matter of student's employing their own family members as non-medical personal helpers, it was agreed that this issue would feed into the wider review of the DSA.
3.3 An offer was extended on behalf of the SDT for HELS to take part in the June meeting of the SDT's network. This was taken up by Victoria and Claire who gave a presentation on the review of the DSA.
4. Update: Toolkit Applications and Yearly Revalidations
4.1 Kathie informed the group that to date 31 institutions have been validated as part of the pilot. The round 6 validation panel is due to take place later in the day and another 3 applications have been received, along with 9 completed annual revalidations.
4.2 Alison Cox informed SAAS that the quarterly update from BRITE as to who had completed their training would be ready to forward to SAAS very shortly.
4.3 Lucy Foley asked if traditionally validated institutions had been given a deadline by which they must apply to become validated under the pilot. Kathie informed her that they had been written to indicating that they would be expected to apply in round 7, May 2008.
4.4 Jeanette Gillies asked what the position would be with regards to other organisations such as RNIB, which are currently traditionally validated to undertake assessments. Kathie indicated that we would be discussing how the validation process would apply to RNIB, and other independent organisations and that we would be writing to them in due course. Paul Brown voiced his concerns about entering into the same situation as England.
- Action: It was agreed that HELS would issue a discussion paper to the DSSG group for comments.
5. Update: Partnership Matters
5.1 John Renwick began by giving a brief background on Partnership Matters (PM) for the benefit of the new members of the group. The Parliamentary Equal Opportunities Committee had recommended that the guidance be evaluated and updated on a regular basis. In response to this recommendation John informed the group that the Scottish Government had undertaken an informal evaluation of the guidance. As a result of the feedback obtained a recent electronic update of the document had taken place, for example references to legislation have been updated and some additional case study examples have been inserted.
5.2 John indicated that since the re-launch, which had seen the updated version sent electronically to all secondary schools, special schools, college principals, directors of education, social work department and health boards, positive feedback had been received.
5.3 John also informed the group Victoria Beattie and he had visited a lot of institutions and partnership forums to raise awareness of PM over the last 6 months. John and Victoria would be happy to accept any invitations to visit other institutions or speak at any events to promote the document.
5.4 The Equal Opportunities Committee had also recommended that Partnership Matters be extended into the Higher Education Sector, John indicated that this is something that is being looked at. There is a significant difference between Universities and Colleges in that the student population at university usually come from much further a field that those who attend a college, who in general but not always come from a more local area. This can cause more difficulties when trying to establish partnership working with local authority social works departments and health boards. It was stressed however that the underlying principals of partnership working are the same for both sectors, and that partnership matter could be extended to HE to reinforce roles and responsibilities and good partnership working.
5.5 Lesley Berry asked if there was a summary available of the changes made in the recent update. John responded that there was no such document and that the changes had mainly been the legislative updates and the insertion of the case studies. Lesley also asked if future updates would provide more information on who has responsibilities to provide personal care. Victoria Beattie indicated that we will not be providing prescriptive lists on who should be providing what service, and that this is an issue for the partnerships, which Partnership Matters is encouraging to be set up, to discuss.
5.6 Link to electronic version of partnership matters - http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/08/partnershipmatters
6. Update: Review of the DSA
6.1 Victoria Beattie reminded the group that the review of the DSA has been ongoing since the early part of the year. There have been several visits to institutions and relevant stakeholders such as NUS, Skill and our counterparts in DIUS. A paper outlining the current provisions of the DSA has been produced and this will be available, along with papers already produced, on the Scottish Government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Funding-Support-Grants/FFL/PMB/current
6.2 For the next stage of the review Victoria informed the group that we will be looking at finalising a paper on comparisons of current provisions for DSA across the UK. We will also be compiling a paper on the issue of reasonable adjustment, it is hoped that we will be contacting institutions in the near future to ask for case studies. Discussions will also be held with the new body replacing the DRC, the Equality and Human Rights Commission to discuss new legislation and their code of practice..
6.3 Victoria indicated that a number of issues had cropped up frequently as part of the discussions, these issues are consistent across the sector and are also reflected in the responses received from students in the recent SAAS customer survey which was sent to students in receipt of DSA.
6.4 Victoria updated the group that the Cabinet Secretary is currently considering the proposal to increase the NMPH allowance and we are hoping for a final decision in the near future.
7. Update: SAAS Guidance (paper 1)
7.1 Alan Scott began by updating the group on issues that had been brought up previously in relation to the guidance. The issues relating to the length of time taken to make payments to NMPH should improve from this year as SAAS will be able to make payments via BACS. Lorna Caldwell indicated that there were still some issues with paying multiple NMPH but that a new operating system will be in place in 2008/09 which will hopefully have this functionality.
7.2 Alan gave an update on the recent customer survey which SAAS had carried out due to a recommendation by the Equal Opportunities Committee. The survey was posted to 500 first time applicants for DSA asking questions relating to their whole process of applying for DSA. 140 surveys were returned, which is a significantly good return for this type of survey. The main issues arising from the questionnaire was more help to complete the form and to make it more accessible i.e. available for completion online. SAAS commented that they recognised this concern but that changes were unlike to happen until 2008/09. Survey results are on the SAAS website: http://www.student-support-saas.gov.uk/_forms/dsa.pdf
7.3 The SAAS DSA application and guidance forms (paper 1) were very briefly discussed and a number of points were made, it was agreed that Alan would accept any further comments via email with a deadline of end of December, in order to feed any changes for the 2008/09 application forms.
- ACTION: all members provide feedback to Alan
8. Update: Study of Infrastructure in place in FE & HE for Student Support.
8.1 Kathie introduced Vit Novotny, a researcher working with Equality Forward, who are carrying out this study on behalf of the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council.
8.2 Vit informed the group that this study had been commissioned due to the increasing number of students requiring needs assessments and support from both the institutions themselves and the Scottish Government. The report is due to be published in April 2008.
8.3 As part of this study there are two groups, an Operational Group, which is being chaired by Paul Brown of the SDT, and a Steering Group, which is being chaired by Linda McLeod of Equality Forward. Several meetings with stakeholders have taken place in addition to some desk based research into policy statistics.
8.4 Simin Abrahams of Universities Scotland enquired as to whether support for international students will be looked at as part of the study. Vit responded that yes they would hopefully be part of the sample. Simin commented on the fact that there was no statutory support for international students, Kathie replied that the institutions themselves had an obligation to support international students through the statutory legislation. It was agreed that advice for international students could be discussed at an information and guidance meeting which is scheduled to take place with the Scottish Government, SAAS, NUS and Skill Scotland.
- ACTION: Advice for International Students HELS, NUS, SKILL, SAAS
9. Update: Linguistic Mapping.
9.1 Victoria Beattie gave the group an update on a linguistic mapping project that is been carried out by The British Sign Language & Linguistic Access Group (BSL&LAWG). The aim of the project is to assist the Government in deciding what they are trying to achieve in the long term for linguistic access and how this may be attained.
9.2 Full details of this update can be found at Annex A.
10. Update: Scottish Funding Council
10.1 Morag Campbell from SFC gave the group an update on the needs-led pilot. She reminded the group that the pilot had started in June and was progressing well. A seminar had been held in August and had been attended by both senior management and assessors, there was positive feedback form the sector. In addition a paper had been presented to the ASC's Principal's forum, and a meeting with the pilot group is due to take place at the end of November.
10.2 It was agreed that the SFC would provide HELS with a copy the paper presented to the ASC Principal's Forum, and that HELS would circulated it around the group.
- ACTION: SFC to provide HELS with link
10.3 Morag informed the group that a recent meeting had taken place with HMIe to discuss how best to ensure students' personal learning support plans record and monitor the students needs and progress.
11. Any Other Business
11.1 Kathie asked the group if they had any other items they would like to discuss with the group. Alison Cox informed the group that the BRITE Advisory Committee had met in October and discussed the best way to respond to enquiries from HEI's around the issue of accessing BRITE services. BRITE acknowledged that a replica service of that provided in FE institutions would not necessarily be appropriate, but that individual components might be of interest to HEIs.
11.2 BRITE will now be meeting with the SFC to consider what demand there might be for BRITE services. One of the options being looked at is a BRITE hub within an HEI run by seconded HE BRITE staff.
11.3 Victoria Beattie also brought up the issue of the possibility of establishing another sub-group. The issue of diagnosis and evidencing the diagnosis of an individual's disability, specifically in relation to Dyslexia, has been raised on numerous occasions as part of the visits taking place on the review of DSA project. It was felt that this could be looked at by members of the DSSG, with the possibility of including some external members. Victoria asked for members to please email her if they are interested in being part of this group, and also with suggestions of any external members they think should be involved.
- ACTION: Notes of interest for sub-group ALL
Victoria also outlined as part of part two discussions a proposal to second a person to carry out the evaluation for the toolkit pilot to date with a view to recommending it being adopted as practice, as well as ways in which the associated documentation and/or processes could be improved. Victoria would welcome suggestions from members for that secondment opportunity.
- ACTION: Recommendation for a secondee ALL
11.4 Kathie informed the group that the next meeting of the DSSG would take place in May, dates will be canvassed for nearer the time.
Summary of Action Points
- Action: It was agreed that HELS would issue a discussion paper to the DSSG group for comments.
- ACTION: all members provide feedback to Alan
- ACTION: Advice for International Students HELS, NUS, SKILL, SAAS
- ACTION: SFC to provide HELS with link
- ACTION: Notes of interest for sub-group ALL
- ACTION: Recommendation for a secondee ALL
ANNEX A - BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE & LINGUISTIC ACCESS GROUP
Update 19.10.07 Lynne Hawcroft
The Changing Context
1. A number of significant recent changes will have an impact on the way improvements in linguistic access will unfold.
1.1 The new Scottish Government has set out five strategic priorities,
firmly focused on creating a Scotland which is:
- Safer and stronger
- Smarter
- Healthier
- Wealthier and fairer, and
- Greener
Government activity and funding will be directed at achieving these priorities and working across departmental responsibilities will be a high priority.
The Commission for Equality and Human Rights
1.2 The new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) came into existence on 1st October 2007 and amalgamates the six equality strands (disability, race, gender, sexuality, religion and age) into a single equality duty. The Equalities Review* leading to this change identified four domains in which equality gaps are most likely to have a 'cascade effect' (i.e. produce further inequalities in other areas for individuals and groups).
These are:
- early years and education;
- employment;
- health; and
- crime and criminal justice.
Within these four domains, the Equalities Review identified a range of what it calls 'persistent inequalities'. This framework would seem to offer an opportunity for the needs of deaf children and adults to be restated and highlighted.
* Equalities Review 2007 Fairness and Freedom: The Final Report of the Equalities
Review http://www.theequalitiesreview.org.uk/publications.aspx
BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE & LINGUISTIC ACCESS GROUP
2. Background
The British Sign Language & Linguistic Access Group (BSL&LAWG) in existence since 2000, created in April 2007, an eleven month post of Project Manager. Following the appointment the group was restructured into a smaller Core Group with 4 thematic satellite groups working together to produce a long term Roadmap for February 2008.
To give a flavour of the work in the areas of interest to the Disabled Student's Group:-
- many of you will know about the diploma course which funded through SASLI and delivered at Heriot - Watt to train BSL tutor trainers. The first cohort of 10 students have just graduated and are now able to contribute to training other BSL tutors and to teach BSL at higher levels (L3 and L4) themselves. BSL tutors are often part time, have no clear career pathway and many work in isolation. We are planning with our members ways to provide more support to them.
- a short-term education scoping project is being undertaken (August - November 2007) and some of you will already have been contacted by Marian Grimes. The Scottish Sensory Centre in partnership with NDCS is conducting this work which will provide vital information about the linguistic issues in education (all sectors).
- a university networking meeting was convened by one of our satellite groups in May to explore the potential of a collaborative network. Three universities involved in Deaf Studies attended, Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt and Queen Margaret and contact was made with Aberdeen and Dundee. Each university outlined their activity relating to deafness and the group explored the benefits of building links and working towards the concept of a Centre of Excellence. Since the first meeting the three universities have met together to explore joint approaches, for example in research bids.
- the National Deaf Children's Society have been assisted through the Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative to develop a project working specifically with Scottish Asian Families with Deaf Children. The project seeks to explore ways in which NDCS can more effectively empower and support families of deaf children within Asian communities and develop better direct support to families and their deaf children in a culturally sensitive manner. The project is now well established and Varshali Swadi, the project worker, is pioneering work with Asian communities to recruit and train volunteers from the communities to support families with deaf children and to make sure they have information advice and guidance which is accessible to them.
3. The BSL&LAWG and the Project Manager are now developing the Roadmap which aims to assist government to know what it is trying to achieve, in the long term for linguistic access and how this may be attained. It is as much about interweaving linguistic access into the mainstream activities of all the relevant parts of government (and other agencies) as it is about achieving strategic objectives. The Roadmap will be completed by February 2008.
Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss any of the above.
Please note I am mostly based at home:
Lynne Hawcroft
BSL &Linguistic Access Project Manager
Public Health and Wellbeing Directorate|Equality Unit
Scottish Government
Office:
lynne.hawcroft@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0131 244 3197
Mobile 07825 356025
Home:
lynne.hawcroft@btinternet.com
Tel: 01343 813031