We understand that sending your child off to university is a big step and for many families, it comes with a mix of pride, excitement, and understandable concern. If your child is receiving Non-Medical Help (NMH) support through the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), we want to reassure you that they are in safe hands and that we are here to help them thrive.

How NMH Support Works

Once your child’s DSA support is approved, all we need is the DSA2 letter that lists us as the provider. We will work directly with them to arrange their NMH support. This may include specialist mentoring, study skills support, or other tailored assistance depending on their needs. Our team is experienced, compassionate, and committed to helping students succeed. We do ask for a copy of the DSA needs assessment report as this provides key information and means the student does not need to repeat what has already been discussed. This is the report that you will receive after your assessment has taken place listing the recommendations and the reasons for them. This document is often password protected so when you send this, we will need you to also send the password.

Why We Communicate Directly with Students

As your child is now legally an adult, we are bound by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means we are only permitted to communicate directly with the students about their support, unless they give explicit written consent for us to speak with someone else on their behalf.

We can then share basic information regarding bookings and attendance, but the content of the sessions remains confidential between students and support workers unless there is a cause for concern.

We know this can feel like a big change, especially if you’ve been closely involved in supporting your child’s education up to this point. Please be assured that this approach is designed to empower students to take ownership of their support and build independence with our guidance on the way.

How you can support

While we can’t share details with you directly, you can still play a vital role by encouraging your child to:

• Check their emails regularly for updates from us.
• Respond promptly to any requests for information or scheduling.
• Let us know if they have any concerns or if their needs change.

If your child would like you to be involved in any way, they can provide written consent for us to speak with you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Parents

1. What is NMH support? NMH (Non-Medical Help) support includes services such as specialist mentoring, study skills support, and other assistance tailored to students with disabilities, mental health conditions, or learning differences. It’s funded through the DSA and designed to help students succeed academically and personally.
2. How is support arranged? Once DSA funding is confirmed, the student needs to contact us directly to arrange their support schedule as we do not get informed by any other parties. We aim to make this process smooth and flexible, especially during the busy start of term.
3. Can I speak to someone about my child’s support? Due to GDPR, we can only discuss a student’s support with them directly unless they provide written consent for us to speak with you. If they wish to do this, we can guide them through the process.
4. What if my child misses an appointment or doesn’t respond? We will always try to follow up with the students and offer reminders. If you are concerned, we recommend encouraging your child to check their emails and reach out to us. We are here to help and will do our best to re-engage them.
5. How can I help my child prepare for NMH support? Encourage them to be open about what they need, attend scheduled sessions, and communicate with us if anything isn’t working. Building independence is part of the university journey, and we are here to support that growth.
6. Who can I contact for general questions? You’re welcome to contact our team for general information about NMH services. While we cannot discuss individual cases without consent, we are happy to explain how the process works and what support is available.