Access Support    

 

MSC Access Guide 

Unlike a University the MSC is made up of a much smaller core office team. However, being a smaller organisation means we know all our trainees very well and can offer them tailored support.

The MSC welcomes all candidates and trainees with disabilities, health conditions, metal health conditions or learning difficulties and aims to support all candidates/trainees throughout the recruitment process and training course.

 

Who's Who?

Partnership Manager: Sarah Lewis

Access Officer: Sophie Hopkins 

DSA Team: Disabled Student Allowance Team, a branch of Student Finance England

OHD: Occupational Health current provider Corazon Health Limited 

Support Mentor: Assigned MSC tutor who may deliver additional mentoring for those with additional needs

 

Training with the MSC

We often work with trainees who have specific disabilities, health conditions, mental health difficulties, or learning difficulties.

We encourage all candidates/trainees with any disability or health issues to discuss this with the MSC. If you wish to discuss any of the above, please contact Sophie at office@mscitt.org.uk or 01458 449418. Access meetings can be arranged prior to interview or at any stage of the application process.

We welcome candidates/trainees with any of the below* to request an Access Meeting:

  • If you consider yourself to be disabled
  • If you have a learning difficulty
  • If you currently or have previously suffered from mental health difficulties in the past
  • If you have a temporary injury or illness that you feel may make aspects of the course difficult
  • Any other health factors that you feel may have an impact on your ability to train with us

 

 Access Meeting for Prospective Candidates

Prospective candidates can request an Access Meeting, if they feel they will need adjustments at either interview stages. Candidates may also wish to discuss the course requirements and expectations for their own benefit.

Access Meetings can be held face to face or over the phone.

Any information shared will not affect the decision at interview, but aims to offer you an equal opportunity at interview.

Access Meetings can include (optional):

  • Tour of training facilities
  • Discussion of interview process and timings
  • Discussion of course requirements prior to interview with the Partnership Manager
  • Any other concerns the candidate wishes to discuss with the MSC

 

Access Meeting for Confirmed Trainees

Once they have accepted an offer on the DfE portal, trainees can request an Access Meeting. If trainees have listed a disability on their application form they will be contacted and offered an Access Meeting. Any trainees who have ticked yes on the stage 1 health questionnaire will be sent details of the access policies along with the further health questionnaire.

Initial Access Meetings can take up to an hour.

Initial Access Meetings may include:

  • Discussion of trainees current situations and any health conditions or concerns they may have
  • Discussion of the impact these may have on training
  • Discussion of Occupational Health procedures and assessment
  • Discussion of additional financial support (DSA)
  • One to one guidance on any areas of concerns, (this may be finance or course requirements)
  • Tour of facilities
  • To put in place any support or adjustments required, this may result in the implementation of a Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

As all disabilities are different and affect different people in unique ways, we aim to establish adjustments on a one to one basis.

 

Declaring a Disability

Candidates are under no obligation to declare a disability, however, we strongly encourage all candidates to declare any of the above conditions*. The MSC welcomes all applicants and aims to offer the best support and advice to candidates, in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the DfE’s Fitness to Teach Policy.

We appreciate that candidates may have concerns disclosing a disability on their application. If you have not declared anything, but wish to discuss this further before interview, please contact Sophie to discuss.

Why should I Disclose my Disability?

  • Fair and equal opportunities throughout the interview process and course
  • Extra time for exams
  • Appropriate and relevant support throughout the course
  • Implementation of course adjustments
  • DSA entitlement

Those who do not declare a disability or health difficulty will still be thoroughly supported but course adjustments may be limited.

 

DSA Support and Funding

Disabled Student Allowance is for students who have a disability, long term health condition, mental health difficulties or learning difficulties.

You can apply for a DSA if you are affected by any of the above.

DSA can help towards:

  • The cost of equipment you may require
  • Extra support, such as mentoring
  • Other incurred costs, i.e. parking costs, travel costs
  • DSA applications should be made as soon as possible and before the course starts.
  • If you are not eligible for DSA, please arrange an Access Meeting, the MSC will still offer you support throughout.

It is important to start a DSA application as early as possible, to ensure implementation of any adjustments can be made in time for the start of the course. It is also helpful, but not compulsory for you to inform the MSC of a DSA application, as from time to time the DSA team will contact providers.