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1 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 Learning Support and Wellbeing: Annual Report 2017-2018 Learning Support and Wellbeing (LSW) is part of Student Services at the University of Plymouth. This report includes an executive summary and submissions from each of the LSW teams as follows: Learning Gateway and LSW administration; Disability Services (DS), Learning Development (LD), Multi-faith Chaplaincy, Peer Assisted Learning (PALS) and Student Wellbeing Services (SWS), including the Student Counselling, Wellbeing, Care Leavers and Mental Health teams. 2 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 Contents Introduction and Executive Summary 04 Learning Gateway and LSW Administration 12 Disability Services 17 Learning Development 40 Multi-faith Chaplaincy 55 Peer Assisted Learning 58 Student Wellbeing Services 67 Appendix A – LSW staff publications, research and academic outputs 87 Appendix B - LSW organisation & structure diagram 94 SHINE 95 3 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 Introduction and Executive Summary Learning Support and Wellbeing (LSW) is part of Student Services at the University of Plymouth. It brings together key areas of activity aiming to support the University’s mission of advancing knowledge and transforming lives. Our particular focus is on students’ wellbeing and the development of their academic abilities to enhance their overall learning experience. We serve the University’s vision to “make a positive difference to people’s lives. With a truly global outlook, we are an inclusive and inspiring university community. Our students are our partners on their journey of discovery.” This report summarises the activities of the LSW teams in 2017-18 and describes their services, locations and staffing structure. LSW was established in 2012, was reorganised in 2014, and some further changes were made in 2017, including renaming some of our services. The department consists of: Learning Gateway (www1.plymouth.ac.uk/learninggateway) – the University’s access point for LSW information and services, run by our reception and administrative team. We opened our new reception in the Wellbeing Centre in September 2018 (it was previously located in the Roland Levinsky building). Our 3, Portland Mews Reception and waiting area will remain open. Disability Services – offering advice and support to students with disabilities, specific learning differences and difficulties. Learning Development – (including the Writing Café and the Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellows) working with students and staff to develop student learning and academic practice. PALS@Plymouth – the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme, offering opportunities for enhanced learning in sessions led by students. The Multi-Faith Chaplaincy - for faith-based support and social activities; located at 1, Kirkby Terrace. Student Wellbeing Services – an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to student wellbeing. Individual and group opportunities for personal development and support are offered via: Student Counselling; the Mental Health team and Care Leaver and Wellbeing team; and the Listening Post. 4 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 LSW in 2017/18 In 2017/18 the LSW teams have been engaged in a review of our services in consultation with academics and other professionals via several University-wide initiatives including the Mental Health Taskforce; the working group on our Study and Wellbeing Review Policy and a review of Admissions processes. It has been another year of increasing demand for LSW services with further growth of our activities, illustrated in the statistics below; we also made significant changes to widen the variety of opportunities on offer from our services. Learning Gateway (LG) Over 9000 visits were recorded to our reception areas by staff and students to get information or to book appointments with members of our teams. 99.81% of those responding reported satisfaction with information and advice about the range of LSW services. New referral and triage arrangements are in place and we recorded 1546 online contacts. Many visitors have some degree of distress and the front- line team assist in offering a supportive and secure environment. 20 cases were recorded this year requiring complex support and presented challenging behaviours. Disability Services (DS) Pre-admission: Disability Services sent 2,065 letters to inform new University of Plymouth students of our services (a 7.83% increase on the last academic year) and offer information about support for their specific needs. 54 individual pre-entry information meetings were held. Student Support Documents (SSDs): 1,005 SSDs were produced by the team in 17-18 to provide information for academic and faculty staff about individual students’ disability related needs. The DS team leads in advising the University’s Reasonable Adjustments Review Panel (RARP) on spending and support decisions for students with disabilities. The panel met 15 times and assessed the needs of some 50 students. Of the £430,000 available for this support, £145,943 (34%) was allocated by this process. During the year, DS participated in the PGCAP programme for new staff and developed and delivered briefing sessions attended by 77 academic staff on inclusive approaches to teaching and supporting learning. A further 65 staff from the Library, PCMD and TIS attended our new ‘In 10’ presentations on a range of disability issues. 5 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 Working with the Mental Health Team, Mental Health Awareness training was provided to 105 staff. DS manage Dyslexia and ADHD reimbursement schemes, which assisted 138 students to obtain a diagnosis in 2017-18, which in turn enabled them to receive appropriate support. DS plays a key role in implementing the Study and Wellbeing Review Policy. In 2017-18 we attended 209 Student Support Meetings (Stage 2) and 39 High Risk Student Support meetings (Stage 3). Pre-induction programme: 23 students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) took part in this programme prior to ‘Welcome Week’; and 22 students with anxiety accepted an invitation to attend an event tailored for their needs. 206 students visited DS in Welcome Week Our specialist Study Skills tutors: supported 107 students offering a total of 619 hours of 1-1 study skills support. DS established the University of Plymouth Autism Social Group (PAS) which met 20 times during the year; and continued to facilitate an ADHD Support Group Regional networking: DS takes the lead in organising meetings for university staff across the South West to share ideas and good practice via the South West Disability Advisors Network. Learning Development (LD) A new ‘hub-and spoke’ approach was adopted by Learning Development (LD) in 2017. Each member of the team was aligned to specific schools or faculties to ensure effective use of the service across the University. LD ran 205 workshops and taught sessions this year – an increase of 24% - involving 7,882 student attendances. 512 one-to-one LD sessions were delivered. This looks like a small decrease on the previous year but this is compensated for by the introduction of new drop-ins, Skype tutorials, webinars and discussion forums. Our Royal Literary Fund Fellows delivered 263 of these appointments (involving 215 students). This is a significant increase on the previous year (188 appointments) and results from our having two RLF fellows based at UoP for the first time. 6 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 To improve parity of LD provision with the main Plymouth campus, across other sites online Skype tutorials have been made available throughout the term. Take-up of these has increased during the year. The Writing Café had 1143 student visits in 2017/18, the highest number since its opening in 2014. This demonstrates the continued success of the service. The highest numbers are from the Faculty of Health and Human Sciences, accounting for 67% of total visitors. To cope with increased demand, Writing Café operations were extended in several ways: a fortnightly Writing Café pop up session was trialled during the first semester to the School of Health Professions based at PAHC; and pop up Writing Cafés were held to support students throughout the term in Truro’s Knowledge Spa. The number of trained student Writing Mentors increased this year from 13 to 25. In 2017-18 this allowed 3 mentors to be present in the Cafe for each 1pm-4pm weekday shift. Despite the increase the service still remains stretched. Of the 25 Writing Mentors, 10 will continue into the 2018/2019 academic year. The English Language Centre continues to provide 2 weekly sessions in the Writing Café, and our Writing Mentors were also available alongside members of the ELC team for international students to discuss their work with. The Writing Café is being evaluated and studied as part of ongoing doctoral research by Christie Pritchard. LD team leader, Joe Allison presented work associated with his doctoral studies into Critical Thinking at two academic conferences in 2017-18. Jason Truscott collaborated in the production of three conference posters on LD topics. Alicja Syska was appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. Multi-Faith Chaplaincy 8 different student religious societies are now using the Chaplaincy regularly for their meetings. In addition to Christian chaplains there are faith advisors for Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Quakers and, most recently, Humanism. A new half-time Anglican Chaplain has been appointed and will begin in September 2018. 7 | P a g e LSW Annual Report 2017/18 The Senior Chaplin led a Special Study Unit for 4th year medical students on death, dying and bereavement. Chaplaincy organised a successful conference, “Science: Exploring God’s Creation” attended by 120 people. 80 international students participated in walking tours of historic Plymouth. in Welcome Week 238 cream teas were given away over eight afternoons and 658 student free meals were provided over four nights. 78 students went on a Mount Edgcumbe walk.