The Accessibility and Disability Resource Centre (ADRC) have these guidelines to ensure that you get the most out of your support.
Students are expected to follow the University Student Code of Conduct.
Matching with a Non-Medical Helper
You can ask to change Non-Medical Helper (NMH) at any time. We recognise that not all relationships work out and sometimes personalities clash. If you request more than 2 changes in a year, we'll ask you to meet with your Disability Adviser. This will happen before we make another match to ensure that the support is right for you. We'll also consider whether we need to make any adjustments to the support.
Meeting your NMH
Arrive on time and give at least 24 hours’ notice if you cannot attend a meeting with your NMH. We understand that this is not always possible. Please give as much notice as you can. If you give less than 24 hours’ notice, it will be claimed from your allocated support hours.
Do not exceed the support hours you have available. Talk to your Disability Adviser if you need more hours. You can keep track of your support hours on 'Connect', the electronic timesheet service.
Many students live with ongoing complex conditions. Meetings will not take place if you're in a physical or mental health crisis. You should access your own health care support or contact your Disability Adviser.
Contact
You'll agree contact methods and times with your Non-Medical Helper. You cannot share NMH contact details with anyone outside the ADRC. This includes friends, family, College or University staff. If you would find it useful to ask someone to speak on your behalf, please ask your Disability Adviser.
NMHs are not the right people to contact in an emergency. It's useful to create a list of people who can help you in an emergency.
Communication
If you have a note taker, update your NMH promptly when your timetable changes. Discuss and agree the format for notes with your note taker before an assignment starts.
Complete any surveys or updates, such as the Annual Student Update, by the deadline.
Approving NMH timesheets
NMHs are paid from your allocation of support hours. Your NMH will submit a timesheet and you need to approve the timesheet between your sessions. You'll use a system called 'Connect' to approve the timesheet.
Please respond promptly to emails from Connect that ask you approve timesheets. You need to approve the timesheets by 9pm on Wednesday each week. Once approved, the NMH will be paid.
If you do not approve the timesheet, your NMH will ask you to approve the timesheet at your next session. No further sessions will take place until you approve the outstanding timesheets.
If you miss a session or cancel at short notice, you'll need to sign in to Connect to confirm this.
If you disagree with a timesheet, contact your NMH or the ADRC to discuss it.
If things go wrong
If you're concerned about how the support is going speak to your Disability Adviser or contact us. Most of our advisers are listed on our Meet the team page.
Also consider discussing your concerns with your NMH directly. All NMHs are keen to provide a good service and are open to feedback.