The Student and Wellbeing Team

Our Disability Advisers support students in reducing barriers to learning, e.g. making support arrangements so that students can achieve their full potential and have a positive experience studying at ICMP.  Managing the impact and symptoms of a long-term condition, learning difference or disability can be difficult and frustrating, and this is why we offer students the chance to formalise their support requirements with an ICMP Support Agreement.  We strongly advise students to take up this opportunity to share information about their support needs with central staff and course tutors; however we will not share any information without your permission. We believe that this type of arrangement leads to an equitable level of support across ICMP and also helps to maintain confidentiality and discretion.

• Additional Learning Support for disabled students including (but not limited to) long-term illness or medical condition, mental health diagnosis, hearing or visual impairments and specific learning difficulties (Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, etc).​ 
• Access to Screenings for Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism.​ 
• Discuss support needs with disabled students, create a Support Agreements and provide guidance to those who suspect they may a previously undiagnosed disability or additional learning need.​ 
• Make recommendations for ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ or on-course support arrangements e.g.  for assessments, exams and general strategies for support.​ 
• Assist students in applying for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) full package of support.​ 
• Liaise with other ICMP staff / teams, in relation to arrangements for supporting SpLD and disabled students.​ 

To start the conversation about your support, please click here.  Our Disability Adviser has created this video with more information.  

For more information about the services we offer, please visit this page.

Students with a diagnosed mental health condition are supported through their transition into ICMP and through the length of their course. Our Mental health Advisers can help with setting up support networks and arrangements, applying for additional support through the Disabled Students Allowance and assisting students moving away from home to liaise with a local GP or community mental health team. 

Our Mental Health Advisers work alongside our Disability Advisers and Counselling services but their role is very different to a counsellor.  The focus of the role is to support students in managing the impact of their mental health condition during their time at ICMP, setting up Support Agreements, consider additional resources which may help the student to access education.  This may include, adjustments in the learning and teaching environment, and formal academic assessments so that the specific effects of the students difficulties can be taken into account (e.g. extra time if they have concentration or processing difficulties).  For some students this will involve applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSAs) to access additional funded resources such as a 1:1 specialist mentor. 

To understand how additional funding from the DSA can help a student with a long term mental health condition click here.

Find out more about how a Specialist Mentor can assist students with tips and strategies to support their studies. 

Our Specialist Mentors are the first point of contact for students who are on the Autistic Spectrum.  The level and type of support will vary according to the individual student.  Typically, mentors provide study skills and personal support that will assist students to develop organisational skills and manage their time and workload effectively.  This support will help them to develop as independent learners and maintain the necessary focus on academic progress despite the distractions imposed by their disability.  For some students this will also involve applying for Disabled Students Allowance (DSAs) to access additional funded resources such as access to a specialist 1:1 mentor. 

We run a series of transition events specifically for students on the Autistic Spectrum including a separate Transition Day where you will be able to meet Nadia, your Programme Leader, key contacts for your course and speak to current students.  If you would like more information register with us here.. (link to Autism transition day needed here).

To start the conversation about your support, please click here.  For more information about the services we offer, click here.

If you are unsure as to whether you should share information about your mental health with ICMP, UMHAN the University Mental Health Advisers Network has put the following helpful resource together Disclosing a mental health condition.  All information sent or discussed with the Student Wellbeing Team is held separate to your Student Information File.  We offer a confidential and non-judgemental service for students.  

To start the conversation about your support your way click here.  For more information about the services we offer click here.

Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is a fund available for students with a diagnosed disability (a student must have medical evidence). This can include mental health conditions, medical or chronic illness, physical impairment or a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, ADHD or autism.   

The Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) helps to pay for any extra costs or expenses that students incur attending their course that arise from their disability. These may include specialist equipment, non-medical helper support (eg: assistive technology training, study skills tuition, mentoring), general expenses and travel costs. The allowance is not means-tested, it is not repayable, it does not affect benefits and there is no age limit. The funding is administered through Student Finance England, Wales, Scotland or other funding body, such as a research council. 

The application takes around 12-14 weeks so we advise to apply as soon as possible so your DSA support is available when you start your course. For further information our Disability Adviser has created this video.  To start your application for DSA Funding click here.  If you require any assistance we are here throughout the summer to help you.  

At your previous school or college you may have had learning support or reasonable adjustments, such as additional time in your examinations or support with coursework. In Higher Education this is more commonly referred to as Disability Support.  If you would like to have a conversation about learning support or exam arrangements then please register with us as soon as possible.  Once you have registered, you will be contacted by either a Disability or Mental Health Adviser who will support you to ensure you have a support package in place before you start your course in September.  

We advise to check in advance if you are eligible for Disabled Students Allowance – this is additional support funding available to students with a long-term condition that affects their learning in any way, For more information about the DSA please see this webpage from Diversity & Ability or watch this short video on You Tube.

To start the conversation about your support, please click here.  For more information about the services we offer click here.

Student Minds, the UK’s student mental health charity, have two new guides available to download here that you can reach for when you need helpful tips for understanding university life:  

Know Before You Go is aimed at school or college students – “This life skills resource helps you to anticipate, identify and navigate situations you will encounter when entering higher education. It contains information on many topics including paying bills, study skills, housemate issues, identity questions and embedded throughout is how to maintain good mental health and seek help as needed”. 

Transitions is aimed at current students – “This resource is here to help you be successful on campus, focusing on time management, relationships, identity, finances, sexual activity, mental illness, suicide and addictions and more. It also includes tips and strategies for helping students through challenging times and recommendations of where to go to get additional help, if needed”. 

Practical Tips this section is full of tips and resources to help you with the transition to university!

Leaving home for the first time is very exciting, but it’s also a time of big change and many of you will be starting to think about moving out of home and into accommodation with people you’ve never met before.  Unite Students, one of the UK’s largest student accommodation providers, have developed the Leapskills program which is a free resource designed to “support young people with the transition to independent living by reducing the expectation gap that young people have before arriving at university”.  It is a mix of real-life scenarios, brought to life by a digital game, student insight shared video content and discussion points.   You can do this at home as a 45min to 1 hour digital session which you can work through on your own or with a parent or member of your household.  Start Leapskills here

Staying Well and Safe @ University is one of a series of four books written by Dr Dominique Thompson, a GP, young people’s mental health expert, TEDx speaker author and educator.  It offers advice on preparing for University as well as guiding you through your first year. 

10 Top Transition & Wellbeing Tips for new students starting at Uni.  It is normal to feel unsure about what to expect when starting university.  It’s also normal to feel nervous at times of change, which is why these top 10 tips have been written to support you.  There is also Top Tips for Parents and Guardians all available on the ICMP website. 

Togetherall is an online community and safe space to talk, share and support others like you.  Access is free to all students at ICMP by logging on with your @icmp.ac.uk email address.  It is available 24/7, 365 days a year.  You can also have access to a range of online courses on topics such as Improve Your Sleep, Managing Anxiety, Managing Stress and Worry, Coping with Grief and Loss and Problem Solving to name a few.

For those of you who want to brush up on your skills before you start we have Pre-Amp.  Pre-amp is an ICMP designed online course which is freely available by clicking on the link.  It has been developed on ICMP’s own VLE Canvas so you get to know what additional resources are available to you online whilst you brush up on your skills, working at your own pace.  For more information contact pre-amp@icmp.ac.uk or ask our Admissions Team.