Setting up Support

An introduction to the Disability & Inclusion service for prospective students.

Starting university can be a daunting time for anyone, and this can be especially true if you have a disability. 

We know that sometimes people can be reluctant to disclose a disability because they fear that it might negatively affect their application or result in them being treated differently by the University. Please be assured that this is not the case; it would be unlawful for a university to discriminate against any student based on their disability.

If you have an offer to study at the University of Chester, we encourage you to contact us as early as possible so we can work with you to identify the support and adjustments you need.

The following checklist may be helpful in preparation for a disabled student starting university: 

  • Register with Disability & Inclusion.
  • Provide suitable evidence of a disability.
  • Consider an application for funded support. (You can apply for funding even before you’ve decided which university you’ll attend).
  • Attend an Open Day to find out more about Disability &  Inclusion and the University of Chester.
  • Consider accommodation options, and contact Disability & Inclusion if you have any specific accommodation needs.

We encourage you to register with our service as soon as you have your offer from the University of Chester. That way we can start the process of setting up your support, to try to ensure everything is in place for when you commence your studies

There are two steps to registering with Disability & Inclusion:

Please send your completed questionnaire and evidence to us at disability@chester.ac.uk. 

Information about what evidence is considered suitable in Higher Education can be found below in Acceptable Evidence of Disability.

Once you have submitted your details, we will review your information to ensure that you have provided everything needed. Following this we will contact you to advise of the next steps. 

While you’re waiting for your registration to be processed, you can start to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance. We encourage all students to do this as soon as they are able, as the process can take some time.

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA)

If you’re a UK student, it’s likely that you’re eligible for additional funded support. DSA is a non-means tested grant that can help to pay for additional support that you may need during your studies as a direct result of your disability, such as one-to-one support or assistive equipment.

Funding comes from the same organisation that provides your student loan, such as Student Finance England. The amount you will receive depends on the type of support you need.

You can apply for DSA before you’ve decided which university you will attend. It can take up to 14 weeks for DSA to be awarded so we recommend you do so as soon as you can. 

Further information about DSA can be found on our Funding for Disabled Students webpage.

Disability Link Tutors

A Disability Link Tutor (DLT) is a member of staff within your academic department with specific responsibility for disabled students. Disability Link Tutors work with our Service to make sure that reasonable adjustments are put in place for disabled students. This includes sharing information with relevant members of staff involved in disable students' teaching, learning and supervision to ensure that they have access to all reasonable adjustments and support for their studies. DLTs also signpost students to our service who may benefit from disability support.

Assistive Technology

The University of Chester offer a wide variety of assistive technology - this includes screen readers, speech-to-text, productivity and organisational apps, and much more. Whether you're already familiar with assistive tech or brand new to the concept, our Assistive Technology Officer is here to help.

Find out more about our assistive technology on their webpage - Assistive Technology

We encourage parents or guardians to support their student to access services independently. 

Disability & Inclusion understands that coming to university is a big life change, and can be a daunting experience for anybody. This is especially true for students with a disability transitioning into Higher Education. 

We know that parents and guardians may want to be involved in setting up support for their student. However, students at university are classed as independent adults.

Due to this, and our obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, we cannot legally discuss students’ personal information with outside parties without their express written permission.

Instead, we encourage parents or guardians to support their student to access services independently. 

Our Disability & Inclusion team will work with the student to arrange reasonable adjustments for their university studies and will assist in setting up their support. 

Consent to Share 

Students can sign a consent to share form agreeing for us to discuss their support with nominated parties. A copy of the form can be found on our Policies page, under "Privacy & Consent".

Consent allows nominated parties to be involved in discussion with Disability & Inclusion about the student’s support. However, the student will be our primary contact, and will remain responsible for any decision making regarding their own support. 

How can I help my Young Person with their transition into University?

Setting up support can take time. You can help by encouraging the student you are supporting to register with Disability & Inclusion as early as possible, and to contact us if they have any questions. 

The following checklist may be helpful in preparation for a disabled student starting university: 

  • Register with Disability & Inclusion
  • Provide suitable evidence of a disability 
  • Consider an application for funded support. (You can apply for funding even before you’ve decided which university you’ll attend.)
  • Attend an Open Day to find out more about Disability &  Inclusion and the University of Chester 
  • Consider accommodation options, and contact Disability & Inclusion if you have any specific accommodation needs. 

Disability and Inclusion only provides support related to academic learning. Students who need other types of assistance, such as personal care and help with attending social activities, should involve other agencies.

It is expected that students request funding for personal care-related equipment and services via their local Social Services. Local Authorities are responsible for supporting the needs of their vulnerable residents.

A health and social care assessment is carried out by social services to find out what help and support you need - like healthcare, equipment, help in your home or residential care.

How to get a health and social care assessment

Contact social services at your local council and ask for a needs assessment. You can call them or do it online.

Apply for an External Health & Social Care Needs Assessment

The NHS has a useful website with helpful information about getting a care needs assessment.

Please note: if you fail to ensure external support is in place then it may impact your ability to reside within University owned accommodation and to access your studies.

Acceptable evidence of disability

For the majority of disabilities a letter, diagnostic assessment or health care plan from your doctor, consultant or other medical practitioner is usually acceptable.

We are unable to accept evidence written by therapists or counsellors. Whilst their work is important, and they are able to treat the symptoms of a diagnosis, they are not suitably qualified to make a formal diagnosis.

Ideally this evidence should:

  • Be on official headed paper,
  • Provide standard contact and organisational information,
  • Be as up to date as possible,
  • Provide a clear diagnosis of a disability in line with the Equality Act 2010,
  • Clearly state that your diagnosis has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.

Substantial is more than minor or trivial, e.g. it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed.

Long term means has lasted, or is expected to last, more than 12 months.

Clear diagnosis is definitive confirmation of the health condition or impairment.

Please note: all evidence is required in English. It is the responsibility of the student to have their evidence translated into English with a reputable translation service, they are responsible for bearing any costs associated with this too.

If you are unsure if your evidence is suitable, please send a copy to us at disability@chester.ac.uk. We would be happy to review it, and may be able to provide interim support whilst further suitable evidence is obtained.

Disability Evidence Pro-forma

To help students obtain suitable medical evidence, Disability & Inclusion have created a disability evidence pro-forma, along with some guidance notes, which can be found on our Policies page.

Please ask your GP, or other suitable practitioner, to complete this on your behalf.

Students are responsible for obtaining and paying for any tests to establish eligibility for support.​

Students who are unable to afford these costs can apply to the University’s Student Support Fund. This is a means-tested process and will require you to provide evidence of financial hardship.

Conditions requiring alternative evidence

For some conditions, a letter from your GP will not be suitable, and alternative evidence will be required. Information on these conditions can be found below.

What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurological developmental disability which causes behavioural symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

Individuals with ADHD process and filter information differently.

3 main behavioural differences:

  • Inattentiveness: people with ADHD usually have a reduced ability to maintain their attention without becoming distracted.

  • Hyperactivity: people with ADHD can become restless and may appear to be fidgeting.

  • Impulsivity: people with ADHD tend to act first without thinking of the consequences. They may find it difficult to control their actions in response to certain situations or stimuli.

Diagnosis

If you think that you might have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you should speak to your GP in the first instance.

Your GP can't formally diagnose ADHD, but they can discuss your concerns with you and refer you for a specialist assessment.

Your GP will assess your symptoms and may refer you for an assessment if:

  • You weren't diagnosed with ADHD as a child, but your symptoms began during childhood and have been ongoing since then.

  • Your symptoms can't be explained by a mental health condition.

  • Your symptoms have a significant impact on your day-to-day life – for example, if you're underachieving at school or find intimate relationships difficult.

Working Diagnosis

If your GP is prepared to provide you a ‘working diagnosis” before a formal assessment has taken place, this may be accepted by Disabled Students’ Allowance and by the University for the purpose of accessing support.

Right to Choose

If you are based in England under the NHS you now have a legal right to choose your mental healthcare provider and your choice of mental healthcare team.

This important right means that should you decide the waiting time for your ADHD assessment is too long, then you can choose alternative providers.

ADHD UK have provided further information about the various routes to an assessment on their webpages - Diagnosis pathways for Adult ADHD.

Option 3 (Step 2) specifically covers “Right to Choose”.

Assessment for Specific Learning Differences via the University

If you are not eligible for the Right to Choose scheme, or your GP won’t refer you, the University can provide assessments for Specific Learning Differences such as Dyslexia or Dyspraxia.

As part of this assessment, the Educational Psychologist is also able to test for Attentional Difficulties, as an addition to their standard diagnostic assessment.

If you feel that you may have Attentional Difficulties and would benefit from an assessment for this, we can raise this with the Educational Psychologist. The request will be evaluated during the standard diagnostic assessment, and the Educational Psychologist will make a professional judgement as to whether further testing for Attentional Difficulties would be appropriate.

This decision will be based on your Self-Referral documents and the Educational Psychologist’s observations during your diagnostic assessment.

Please note; the additional tests do not provide a formal or medical diagnosis, but should be suitable for the purpose of accessing support during your studies and to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance. You will need to pursue a formal medical diagnosis in order to access to medication or treatment. Neither the University nor our providers can refer students to a medical practitioner. We cannot guarantee that further assessment will take place, as this is at the discretion of the assessing Educational Psychologist.

Information about Assessment for Specific Learning Differences via the University can be found below in SpLD Assessment Process - Current Students.

Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs)

If you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, you'll need a full Educational Psychologist assessment completed ​in line with SpLD working group 2005/DfES guidelines.

You may have accessed support in High School and Further Education, and have been provided with a document detailing the support you are entitled to. These documents are often known as JCQ "Access Arrangements" or a "Form 8." 

Please note: this not evidence of a disability, and would not be suitable for accessing ongoing support in Higher Education. You will need to provide further diagnostic evidence such as a full psychological assessment report.

If you are unsure if your evidence is suitable, we would be happy to review it. We may be able to provide interim support, whilst a full psychological assessment is arranged. 

If you do not have a full Educational Psychologist assessment completed to SpLD working group 2005/DfES guidelines, or you have not previously been assessed, you may be eligible to be assessed for an SpLD such as dyslexia via the Educational Psychologist that comes to the University. 

As a current student, you may be eligible to be assessed for a Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) such as dyslexia via the Educational Psychologist that comes to the university.

The Educational Psychologist is able to administer tests for a number of additional conditions such as Autistic traits or attentional difficulties, in addition to their standard diagnostic assessment. Further information is provided further down this page.

If you opt to undertake an assessment through the University, if eligible, you would be expected to pay a contribution of £100, and we would then look to fund the additional costs through our designated providers.

Please note: For Apprenticeship students, the cost of the contribution is currently automatically funded via the Apprenticeships Service.

Assessment for Autistic Traits and Attentional Difficulties

If you feel that you may have Autistic Traits or Attentional Difficulties and would benefit from testing for these conditions, we can raise this with the Educational Psychologist. The request will be evaluated during your assessment, and the Educational Psychologist will make a professional judgement as to whether further testing for these conditions would be appropriate. This decision will be based on your Self-Referral documents and the Educational Psychologist’s observations during your diagnostic assessment.

We cannot guarantee that further testing will take place, as this is at the discretion of the assessing Educational Psychologist.

The additional tests are conducted as a supplement to a standard SPLD diagnostic assessment. they cannot therefore be undertaken on a standalone basis.

Please note; the additional tests do not provide a formal or medical diagnosis, but should be suitable for the purpose of accessing support during your studies and to apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance. You will need to pursue a formal medical diagnosis in order to access to medication or treatment. Neither the University nor our providers can refer students to a medical practitioner.

Proceeding with an Assessment

Complete our Self-Referral Pack

These documents can be accessed from our Policies page under SpLD Self-Referral Documents.

Regardless of your scores  in your self-referral pack, you can choose to proceed with a formal diagnostic assessment. 

The scoring is not a formal diagnosis. It is intended to help you to make an informed decision about whether or not you wish to proceed with a formal diagnostic assessment. It is in no way a substitute for a full assessment by a suitably qualified practitioner.

Additional Testing (Optional)

If you feel that you would benefit from testing for Autistic Traits and/or Attentional Difficulties, you will need to complete the appropriate additional forms.

Attentional Difficulties - Please complete the ASRS form

Autistic Traits* - Please complete the AQ10 form

*Testing for Autistic Traits will require your appointment to take place in a face to face setting.

These documents can be accessed from our Policies page under SpLD Self-Referral Documents.

Return your documents to Disability & Inclusion

You can send your documents to us at disability@chester.ac.uk.

Book an Appointment with our Academic Skills Tutor (Optional)

Once you have returned your completed Self-Referral pack, students can discuss the results of their Self-Referral pack with one of our specialist Academic Skills Tutor (AST).

The AST will be able  to help make an informed decision about proceeding on for a full diagnostic assessment.

To arrange an appointment please contact disability@chester.ac.uk or telephone Student Services' Info Point on 01244 511550

Eligibility for funding 

Disability & Inclusion will review your eligibility for funding towards the cost of your assessment, and advise how to pay your contribution towards the cost of assessment. 

Please note: For Apprenticeship students, the cost of this contribution is currently automatically funded via the Apprenticeships Service

Referral for Assessment

Once confirmation of your contribution has been provided by the University's Finance Team, a referral will be made to our provider in order to arrange an assessment date.

Apprenticeship students are not currently eligible to access assessment as a prospective student due to the way assessments are funded.

Previously, prospective students would need to wait until they were enrolled and had attended their course for at least 2 weeks, in order to be assessed for a Specific Learning Difference via the University of Chester.

As part of a new scheme, Disability & Inclusion can now offer prospective students the opportunity to undergo an Educational Psychologist diagnostic assessment prior to their enrolment. If a diagnosis is confirmed within this assessment, it will allow you to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance, and arrange your support, in advance of your course commencing.

Students will need to pay for their Educational Psychologist’s Diagnostic Assessment up front if they opt to be assessed before their academic year has commenced. Once students are fully enrolled and have attended their course for at least 2 weeks, provided they meet eligibility criteria, the University will then reimburse the cost of assessment minus students' standard £100.00 contribution towards the cost of assessment.

The University cannot support or reimburse any costs associated with an assessment, until students have been enrolled and in attendance at the institution for at least 2 weeks.

Assessments must be completed by our agreed provider in order for any reimbursement to be made.  We are unable to refund any costs associated with assessments from alternative providers.

If you would like to proceed with arranging an assessment, please complete the following steps

Complete the EP Diagnostic Assessment Application Form below 

Please read the information in the application form in detail to ensure you understand the process and eligibility criteria involved, before confirming your interest.

Complete our Self-Referral Pack 

These documents can be accessed from our Policies page, under SpLD Self-Referral Documents.

Return your documents to Disability & Inclusion

You can send your documents to us at disability@chester.ac.uk  

Referral to our Assessment Provider

Once you have completed and return all necessary documents, we will make a referral to our Assessment Provider. They will liaise with you to arrange a suitable time and date for your assessment, and advise how to make payment.

Reimbursement of Assessment Costs

Once students are fully enrolled and have been in attendance for a minimum of 2 weeks, the University will arrange reimbursement for the cost of the assessment minus students' standard £100 contribution. We will request proof of payment for the assessment, and a completed Bank Details form to allow us to process the reimbursement.

Please note: If you do not enrol at the University of Chester for any reason (including failure to meet the course entry or progression requirements), then we will be unable to provide reimbursement of any kind towards the cost of the assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

All Students are invited to discuss the results of their Self-Referral pack with one of our specialist Academic Skills Tutor (AST).

The AST will be able  to help you make an informed decision about proceeding on for a full diagnostic assessment.

To arrange an appointment please contact disability@chester.ac.uk or telephone Student Services' Info Point on 01244 511550.

The cost of a private Educational Psychologist assessment is currently around £510-£655, dependent on your location.

Students who opt to undertake an assessment through the University, and who meet eligibility criteria, will only be expected to pay a contribution of £100 towards the cost of their assessment. The University would then look to fund the additional costs through its designated providers.

For Apprenticeship students, the cost of the contribution is currently automatically funded via the Apprenticeships Service.

Not all students are eligible for funded support towards the cost of their assessment, you must fulfil the following criteria:

  • Be a current student who has fully enrolled on their course and has attended for at least 2 weeks.
  • Be studying a minimum of 25% intensity of a full time equivalent course.

On receipt of your self-referral pack, Disability & Inclusion will check your eligibility for funded support and will contact you to advise of the payment process.

If you are in the final year of your course, or studying a single year course, a cut off date applies for funded support towards the cost of an assessment. This cut off is the end of Term One, or 3 months from your final year starting, whichever is later.

Students currently on an Interruption of Studies will not be eligible for funded support towards the cost of their assessment until they have returned to their studies, are fully enrolled on their course and have attended for at least 2 weeks. They must still meet all other eligibility criteria.

Students who are Deferring Assessment without Attendance will not be eligible for funded support.

Students who wish to proceed, but who are not eligible for funding, will need to self-fund the full cost of a their diagnostic assessment. University of Chester student’s are able to access assessment at the University’s agreed tender rate which is currently £299 (2023).

Please be sure to state that you are a University of Chester student when contacting our provider.

Disability & Inclusion currently use the following Educational Psychologists:

Home Students

Home students who are unable to afford the cost of their contribution can apply to the University’s ​​​​​Student Support Fund. This is a means tested process which, if successful, will cover the full cost of the standard student contribution of £100. Evidence of financial hardship will need to be provided.

International Students

International students who are unable to afford the cost of their contribution can apply to the University’s International Financial Emergency Fund (IFEF). This is a means tested process which, if successful, will cover the full cost of the standard student contribution of £100. Evidence of financial hardship will need to be provided.

International Students are reminded to clearly indicate that they are applying for IFEF funding towards the cost of an Educational Psychologist assessment.

If you decide you do not wish to proceed with a diagnostic assessment, and would rather monitor the situation, the University provide more general study skills support through the Academic Skills For Students (ASk).

If, after this, you feel that you would benefit from a diagnostic assessment, you can still proceed following the process outline at the top of this webpage 

Examination Arrangements

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty, you may require special exam arrangements to ensure you have access to a fair and equal assessment.

An “examination arrangement” is the name given to any alteration to a standard examination.   

Examination arrangements might include things like: 

  • extra time 
  • rest breaks 
  • Use of a smaller room, away from the main examination venue
  • use of a computer 
  • a support worker to assist you, such as a reader, scribe or prompter. 

Examination arrangements are provided based on suitable evidence, and are made on a case by case basis..

Please note, arrangements you have had at school, or in the past, may not be appropriate within a Higher Education environment, and will not automatically transfer to your studies at the University of Chester. You should reapply for them once at university. 

Applying for Examination Arrangements

To request arrangements for your exams: 

  1. Contact disability@chester.ac.uk to register with Disability & Inclusion.
  2. Provide suitable evidence of your disability (if you have this).

Examination Deadlines

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty and need arrangements for your examinations and discussed your needs with Disability & Inclusion in advance of the published examination deadlines. Depending on the arrangements you feel you need, you may be required to provide evidence to support your request.

  • Level 5 Students - Friday 2nd Feb 2024.
  • Level 4, 6 & Foundation Students - Friday 1st March 2024.

Support after the Published Deadlines​

If examination support documents are drawn up after the published examination deadlines above, then only 25% extra time will be put in place for the current assessment period; any other adjustments will be implemented for all future assessments.

If support documents are drawn up less than 2 weeks prior to the assessment period then adjustments will not be implemented until the next assessment period.