Last Updated on 31/07/2024
Often, even before entry to the programme, potential trainees may contact the office in regard to any special requirements they may have. Where any trainee has a registered disability, and a need for particular equipment or special procedures to be followed to facilitate training, office staff (usually the Programme Administrator) liaise with staff and the Disability and Inclusive Practice Service within the university to ensure requirements are assessed and then met as efficiently as possible.
Disability assessment
Trainees with a diagnosed disability are eligible to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) and should do this directly through the DSA. If eligible, a needs assessment will be arranged by Student Finance England and paid for through DSA entitlement. Equipment and support will then be recommended and funded.
All trainees with a diagnosed disability should contact the Disability and Inclusive Practice Service at the university. If a trainee has not had a previous diagnostic assessment (e.g. dyslexia/SpLD), but would like a review to investigate learning needs there is a cost to the trainee of approx. £140. Trainees should contact the disability and Inclusive Practice service who will liaise with the programme following an assessment.
The Disability and Inclusive Practice Service student registration form is for any student who wishes to register a disability with the service. The form guides the student through various questions so that we have more information when getting in touch with them.
The Disability and Inclusive Practice service query form is an alternative way for students to get in touch with the service for general enquires. The form guides the student through various questions so that the service has more information when getting in touch with them.
Access to Work
Access to Work support is also available through a trainee’s employing Trust, i.e., Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust. Trainees should liaise with Emma Munks or their clinical tutor for further information in the first instance.
Training support
The DClinPsy programme is committed to ensuring that training sessions are equally accessible to all trainees. In order to ensure this, trainees are asked to inform the programme of any specific learning needs they may have, so that the course team can offer them the support that they need. The majority of training takes place in person, with only occasional sessions held remotely on MS Teams. For in person training, some examples of the support/aids that are available to trainees include:
- Hearing loop facilities are available in all teaching rooms
- Trainees with specific learning needs, i.e. dyslexia, are able to record teaching sessions on digital recorders, after seeking permission from the teacher, in order to aid their learning
- All teaching rooms are wheelchair accessible for students
- An accessible toilet is located next to the main DClinPsy training room
Where in programme staff’s academic and clinical judgement it is deemed suitable, teaching is video recorded using MS Teams. MS Teams video is captioned by default and will become available on Moodle, the online learning space. Trainees who have a ILSP statement that suggests the recording of teaching they are attending will be of benefit for them are permitted to individually audio record the didactic portion of any teaching which the programme is not due to record (i.e. not any group discussions or other exercises due to the sensitive nature of these).
Another way in which the programme supports inclusive learning is by asking all teachers to adhere to the University guidance on document and slide preparation available below.
Accessibility & inclusion – Lancaster University
HCPC guidance: A disabled person’s guide to becoming a health professional
Peer support
A reflective peer support space is in place for trainees with a disability and/or lived experience of a mental health difficulty. The group meet monthly online to share resources, experiences of navigating training and to offer peer support.