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Disabled Students Allowances (DSA) Assessment

What is the DSA?

 
“It was such a relief discovering the help I needed! Thank you again - you have given me hope and inspiration that I may well succeed” ( MSc student at University of Worcester)
 

The DSA is a government grant for UK students enrolled on higher education courses. The award is intended to cover any extra costs or expenses a student may have to meet whilst studying which arise because of a disability. We offer assessments to people who are/have:

  • Deaf or hard of hearing
  • Blind or partially sighted
  • Physically disabled or have a disabling medical condition
  • Specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculi
  • Neurological diverse or autistic spectrum condition
  • Mental health conditions
 
The DSA is available to undergraduate and post graduate students currently in or applying for on full time and part time higher education programmes.
 
Accessing funding….
 
 
We offer advice and support in securing the practical support, assistive technology and strategies to succeed in your higher education programme, through an application for a Disabled Students Allowance. Part of that process requires an assessment so you know, as soon as possible, the equipment or support you'll need to help you maximise your potential - and how much it will cost. Sometimes the simplest solution - some specifically designed software or strategies for learning - can make the biggest difference. That's why fast, expert, responsive assessment is crucial.
 
If you qualify for Disabled Students Allowances, the amount you get isn’t affected by your household income - they’re paid on top of any standard student support you get. They are not means-tested and you don’t have to pay them back.
 
Disabled Students Allowances can help pay for:
 
  • Purchase of specialist equipment you need whilst studying. Recommendations may include a computer and specialist software,  a recording device, electronic dictionary, reading pen or coloured overlays - anything you may need to help you study. Up to a maximum of £5,161 can be awarded for your entire course.
  • Non-medical help. Up to a maximum of £20,520 a year can be awarded to fund a support worker who can help with notetaking, library research or to fund study skills, mentor support or training in the use of the recommended specialist equipment/technology.
  • Extra travel costs you may incur due to your disability.
  • Other costs may be reimbursed for the purchase of consumable items such as internet access, printing supplies, photocopying and non-standard text books, where appropriate
 
Making a DSA Application. What you need to do…
 1.     Contact Student Finance England who provide a centralised on-line DSA application process – details listed below.
 
2.    Submit your DSA application along with appropriate diagnostic/medical evidence. You will be advised within 5 days if you are eligible for a DSA assessment. Contact us and we will be happy to talk you through the paperwork you need to make your application.
 
3.    If eligible for a DSA assessment, contact Gardner Hall Assessment Centre. We offer friendly and professional assessments, advice and support to students currently in or about to start higher education who need additional help to participate fully in their course.
 
Contact details of Student Finance England for Students and Sponsors
 
·        Website:      www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
·        Phone:           0845 300 5090
·        Minicom:      0845 604 4434  (Minicom device needed)
 
For Practitioners
 
·        Website:      www.practitioners.studentfinanceengland.co.uk
·        Email:          SSIN_queries@slc.co.uk
·        Phone:          0845 602 0583
 
 
“Thank you all for being so brilliant and helpful during my assessment for university. I still can’t believe how well everything is turning out for me!” (1st Year undergraduate at  University of Brighton)
 
“My assessor was just awesome” (1st Year undergraduate at University of Brighton)
 
“The assessor was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and professional. I was impressed with all the help from and kindness shown by the administration team who went out of their way to get me an early appointment. This was a great help – thank you” (3rd Year undergraduate at  Nottingham Trent University)
 
Gardner Hall Assessment Centre usual opening hours Monday – Friday 0900 – 1700
Contact us if you would prefer an evening or weekend assessment appointment
 
We are open 50 weeks a year
 
We currently do not have a waiting list for assessments
and can offer you an early appointment
 
 

WHY CHOOSE GARDNER HALL ASSESSMENT CENTRE?

We are the  first place students, lecturers, employees and their employers turn to when they need guidance on any barriers to inclusion. Our brand new purpose-designed national facility is transforming the nature and availability of the assessment process for people with disabilities. We offer the most comfortable relaxed surroundings for confi dential discussion and assessment alongside the latest specialist technologies (including many situated in our state-of-the-art model working offi ce) for clients to try out during their visit.
 

At Gardner Hall Assessment Centre we:

• Have almost 20 years experience of supporting and assessing people with a range of disabilities.


• Have a qualified, highly experienced multi-disciplinary team to assess your individual needs, including specialists in sensory impairment, physical disabilities, dyslexia, mental health and autistic spectrum conditions.


• Are a member of The National Network of Assessment Centres.


• Are accredited by the Disabled Students Allowances Quality Assurance Group.


• Aim to arrange an assessment within 15 days of contacting us.


• Carry out a confidential assessment interview to identify solutions to minimise the impact of your difficulty on learning and facilitate inclusion and achievement.


• Produce a Needs Assessment Report which summarises the assessment and specifies the recommendations made to facilitate your inclusion and help you achieve. This is forwarded to Student Finance England who will inform you of your DSA entitlement and what to do next, including ordering equipment and arranging support. A copy of the report is also forwarded to the Disability Officer at the institution where you are or intend to study to ensure appropriate support is in place for you.


• Recommend a bespoke package of support, including advice on the post-assessment DSA process.


• Offer realistic, practical advice which is solutions-focused and intended to help you be as successful as possible.


• Provide hands-on opportunities for students to trial a range of equipment and software with a friendly and highly experienced assessor.


• Liaise with Student Finance England and the Disability Officer at your college or university during the assessment process and afterwards to ensure the agreed support is put in place.


• Offer hotel standard, entirely accessible accommodation so you can stay overnight if you wish.

The UK’s leading provider…

 
Gardner Hall Assessment Centre is situated in the centre of Hereford and linked to The Royal National College, the UK’s leading college of further education and training for people with sight loss and other disabilities, and offers pan disability assessment services.
 
 

OUTREACH…

 
What’s more, if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.
The Gardner Hall Outreach Team travels around the country to support clients on an outreach basis in their home, school, college or university to ensure a fast and flexible response.
 

Other Services and Referral…

 
As well as Disabled Students Allowances Assessments we also offer:
 
·        Diagnostic Assessment for specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, from the age of 8+
·        Workplace Assessments for employers and employees
·        Training in specialist assistive technologies
·        Disability awareness training
·        Access audit
·        Low Vision Training and Support
 
If our team can’t provide the service you need, they can guide you to the appropriate place for more information.

 

INTERESTED?...

Contact Gardner Hall Assessment Centre
Venns Lane, Hereford , HR1 1DT
Tel: 01432 376635
Email: access@rncb.ac.uk
 

Our services are regulated by the DSA-QAG (the Disabled Students Allowance Quality Assurance Group) which provides a quality assurance service for assessment centres and suppliers involved in the delivery of the Disabled Students' Allowance scheme in England and Wales. In line with the recommendations from this group – the following information has been provided.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

 

1 Introduction

This procedure seeks to ensure that complaints regarding the service provided by Gardner Hall Pan-Disability Assessment Centre are taken seriously and complainants treated fairly and reasonably.

Gardner Hall Pan-Disability Assessment Centre has its own separate procedures for dealing with matters related to its operation, which can be provided if required. The procedure outlined below is designed for all complaints which, because they are related to the operation of the Assessment Centre, are not directly covered in College policies and procedures. If the complaint cannot be resolved through the Assessment Centre’s Complaints Procedure the College procedure will then apply.

Note: This procedure does not cover issues related to the operation of the National Network of Assessment Centres or other agencies or institutions with which the Assessment Centre works. Details of where such complaints should be directed can be provided on request.

2 Basic principles

The guiding principles of this procedure are that the complaint shall be:

  • Treated seriously and with fairness;
  • Dealt with quickly, simply and consistently;
  • Progressed through an informal stage, or stages if necessary, and, if the issue cannot be resolved at this stage, followed by a formal stage or stages;
  • Without prejudice to a client’s right to legal recourse.

3 Procedure

 

Informal Stage 1

In the first instance, the complainant should approach the Head of Assessment via the Centre Administration Team [all contact details below]. The Head of Assessment will ask the complainant to outline the issues in detail and what they feel would be a satisfactory outcome. This discussion may be conducted by telephone, electronic mail, face to face or using another appropriate medium as agreed between the parties. The outcome, which it is hoped will include resolution of the complaint, will be communicated in writing to all parties concerned within 5 working days of the discussion.

Informal Stage 2

If the issue cannot be resolved at Informal Stage 1 a face-to-face meeting may then be arranged to provide the opportunity for more detailed discussion and resolution of the complaint.

If any additional information is required the Head of Assessment may offer an additional date/time for a further meeting or other contact, which will be within 5 working days of the meeting. The person making the complaint may wish to bring a friend or advocate with them to the meeting. Notes will be taken during the meeting and written confirmation of the discussion which took place, and the outcome, will be communicated in writing to all parties concerned within 5 working days of the meeting.

If the complaint is resolved at the informal stage no further action is necessary. If the complaint is not resolved the Formal Stage will apply.

Formal Stage 1

I the complainant should write to the Head of Assessment outlining their complaint in detail and specifying what they feel would be a satisfactory outcome.

II The Head of Assessment will ensure that all notes, correspondence and other relevant information related to the complaint and arising from Informal Stages 1 and 2 are available.

III The Head of Assessment will respond to the complainant, offering a meeting at which all outstanding issues can be discussed. The person making the complaint may wish to bring a friend or advocate with them to the meeting. Notes will be taken during the meeting and written confirmation of the discussion which took place, and the outcome, will be communicated in writing to all parties concerned within 5 working days of the meeting.

Formal Stage 2

I The complainant should write to the College’s Principal/CEO outlining their complaint in detail and specifying what they feel would be a satisfactory outcome.

II The Head of Assessment will ensure that all notes, correspondence and other relevant information related to the complaint and arising from Informal Stages 1 and 2 are available.

III The Principal/CEO will respond to the complainant, offering a meeting at which all outstanding issues can be discussed. The person making the complaint may wish to bring a friend or advocate with them to the meeting. Notes will be taken during the meeting and written confirmation of the discussion which took place, and the outcome, will be communicated in writing to all parties concerned within 5 working days of the meeting.

If the complaint is not resolved at the Formal Stage advice or mediation may be sought from an external body as appropriate to the specific complaint.

Contact details

Head of Assessment
Gardner Hall Assessment Centre
Venns Lane
HEREFORD
HR1 1DT

Tel: 01432 376 635
Fax: 01432 842979
Email: access@rncb.ac.uk

Principal/CEO
Gardner Hall Pan-Disability Assessment Centre
College Road
HEREFORD
HR1 1EB

Tel: 01432 265725
Fax: 01432 376628
Email: susan.smith@rncb.ac.uk