Education

Official UK public-service guidance used as a practical signposting source.

JCQ guidance for schools, colleges and examination centres on access arrangements and reasonable adjustments. It explains that arrangements should be based on evidence of need and the student's normal way of working, while preserving the assessment objectives. The hub links to the detailed annual regulations, evidence requirements and supplementary guidance used by centres when applying arrangements such as extra time, supervised rest breaks, readers, scribes, computer readers and word processors.

Official Ofqual guidance explaining that access arrangements are changes to an assessment or the way it is taken so that students with disabilities or other specific needs can access it without changing what is being assessed. Examples include extra time, supervised rest breaks, modified papers, readers or scribes, assistive software and use of a word processor. Students should speak to their school or college as early as possible because arrangements are based on individual need.

NICE clinical guideline for adults aged 18 and over with suspected or confirmed autism. It covers identification and comprehensive assessment, interventions, coexisting mental health conditions, behaviour that challenges, support for families and carers, and how services should be organised. It also recognises sensory sensitivities, difficulties with flexibility and emotional regulation as common features that may need to be considered in assessment and support.

Official UK public-service guidance used as a practical signposting source.

Official Student Finance England evidence form for applicants who do not already have suitable medical evidence for a DSA application. A medical professional completes the form with information about the person’s disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition. It cannot be used as evidence of a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, which requires a diagnostic assessment from an appropriately qualified professional.

Official guidance explaining that schools, colleges and universities must not discriminate against disabled students and have a duty to make reasonable adjustments where needed. Examples include additional support, specialist staff, equipment and changes that reduce disadvantage. The page also notes that universities and higher education colleges should have someone responsible for disability issues who students can contact about available support.

Official guidance on Disabled Students’ Allowance for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students. DSA can help fund disability-related study costs such as specialist equipment, non-medical support, specialist note-taking, assistive technology and some additional travel costs. Support is based on individual need rather than household income and does not normally need to be repaid.

Official eligibility guidance for Disabled Students’ Allowance. For a disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition, evidence can normally be a report or letter from a doctor or consultant, or the DSA disability evidence form. For a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, a diagnostic assessment from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher is required. Evidence can be submitted through a Student Finance England account or by email or post.

Official UK public-service guidance used as a practical signposting source.

Official application guidance for Disabled Students’ Allowance. Full-time undergraduate students can usually apply through their student finance account, while some students need to use a DSA1 form. The guidance also explains that applications may need to be made annually in some circumstances and that support can take additional time to put in place after an application is approved.

Official UK public-service guidance used as a practical signposting source.

An official Department for Work and Pensions planning tool designed to help students think through barriers and identify useful adjustments in education or employment. It can be used to record needs, consider what has helped previously and prepare for conversations with education providers or employers. GOV.UK provides both interactive and printable versions alongside supporting notes.

Official Student Loans Company guidance explaining that the Needs Assessment is an informal conversation rather than a test. It looks at how a disability or health condition affects study and what support may help. After DSA eligibility is approved, either Study Tech or Capita will contact the student to arrange the assessment. The assessment can lead to recommendations for equipment, assistive technology, training or other support, followed by an entitlement letter explaining what has been approved.