STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES

i. All students are subject to University Regulations. Students with mental health difficulties are no exception. We therefore expect you to meet the Student Code of Conduct. However, if you are experiencing mental health difficulties, and issues arise which we would normally address under the Disciplinary Regulations, we may use the procedure set out in this annex. Any action will take account of the Equality Act 2010.

ii. A Case Review Group will be convened to advise us on whether this procedure should apply to you.

iii. The Case Review Group will normally comprise of the Director of Academic Services or nominee, the Director of Student Services or nominee (Chair), a representative from Student Wellbeing, and a representative from your College. The Chair may include any other persons deemed appropriate.

iv. The Case Review Group will seek and consider evidence about the incident leading to the Disciplinary Regulations being invoked, and your circumstances. This may include information about any support arrangements currently being provided to you and the effectiveness of the arrangements.

v. If appropriate you may be asked to attend a meeting with the Case Review Group Chair to discuss your case. The meeting will provide the opportunity for an open appraisal of your current position including whether you have mental health difficulties which could have contributed towards the incident.

vi. The Case Review Group will report the details of the incident and your circumstances to Investigating Officer, with a recommendation for one of the following actions:

• to continue to review the allegations under the procedure outlined in this Annex; or
• to continue to investigate the allegations under the Disciplinary Regulations.

vii. If the case is to be continued under the procedure of this Annex, we will follow one or more of the following processes:

• Student Support Action Plan (see sections viii and ix below);
• Action by Disabled Student Support (see section x below);
• Referral to the process for Supporting Capacity to Study (see sections xi and xii below).

Student Support Action Plan:

viii. The Case Review Group will create a Student Support Action Plan. This will be compiled in consultation with you, your College, and Disabled Student Support. It may include:

• how we will support you and how you can access this support;
• your responsibilities to make use of this support and to adhere to the Disciplinary Regulations including the Student Code of Conduct;
• the targets you are expected to meet with timescales for when you should meet them;
• the likely implications of not meeting those targets;
• who is responsible for communicating with you and acting as your point of contact;
• the date at which progress against the plan will be reviewed ; and
• clarification of the circumstances under which disciplinary action may be taken in future.

ix. The Case Review Group will maintain an overview and advisory role. However, if your mental health deteriorates or the action plan does not meet our and your objectives, it may refer you for consideration under the Student Fitness to Study Procedure.

Action by Disabled Student Support:

x. Disabled Student Support may:

• establish whether an Assessment of Need and Learning Contract have been completed or should be completed; and/or
• recommend reasonable adjustments to support you to continue your studies, if a Learning Contract is appropriate.

Supporting Capacity to Study:

xi. If you have mental health difficulties we will take reasonable steps to support you to continue your studies. However if your behaviour contravenes the Disciplinary Regulations (including the Student Code of Conduct) despite our support, or where we believe that it would be in your best interests for us to review your case under our Supporting your capacity to Study process, The outcome could lead to your withdrawal from the University on a temporary or permanent basis on medical grounds if we find that you are not fit to study.

xii. If your behaviour has contravened the Student Code of Conduct and there is no reasonable connection between your behaviour and any apparent mental health difficulties, we will follow the standard Disciplinary Procedure.