Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, support and advice about mitigating circumstances claims…
POINT ONE: WHAT ARE MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES…
Mitigating Circumstances are exceptional circumstances outside of your control that have affected your academic performance. This may mean that you are unable to submit work on time, unable to submit work which is of your usual standard or in some extreme cases, may not be able to submit work or attend a live assessment (e.g. a presentation) at all.
Registry Services have a comprehensive FAQ page, with information about making a claim and the possible outcomes.
But you’re not on your own, support is available both with completing your claim and dealing with the situation behind it.
POINT TWO: SPEAK WITH FIRSTPOINT…
If you are unsure about the process or have some questions about how or when to make a claim, the firstpoint advisers can go through this with you. We can review the procedure, discuss the possible outcomes and confirm deadlines, so you have all the information you need to move forward.
At firstpoint, we can also advise how to access other appropriate sources of support, depending on your personal circumstances – and some of these are listed below. However, you do not need to share your reasons for applying for mitigating circumstances, we can just look at the process and the deadlines if you prefer. We’re here to help. Find out how to contact firstpoint on our webpages.
POINT THREE: CONTACT THE STUDENTS’ UNION…
The Students’ Union provides a confidential and impartial advice service to all students, including those at Partner Colleges. There is some useful advice and tips about completing Mitigating Circumstances on the SU webpages.
The SU Academic and Welfare Advisor can also help you complete the personal statement on your claim. The easiest way to make an appointment is to fill in their online Advice Enquiry Form.
POINT FOUR: COUNSELLING AND MENTAL HEALTH…
The Counselling and Mental Health Service is staffed by professionally trained practitioners, experienced in helping and supporting people from different backgrounds and cultures. They take their promise of confidentiality very seriously and it is only in exceptional circumstances that anything you say will be disclosed to others without your permission.
The counsellors offer the opportunity to talk to someone about whatever is concerning you in your life. The mental health advisers are there to help and support you with a pre-diagnosed, or emerging mental health condition.
The team offer initial 30-minute STAR [Support Triage Advise Refer] appointments, which are available Monday – Friday from 9am to 4pm. In the session a member of the team will assess and discuss the most appropriate support for you.
Visit the STAR webpage for more information. You can book your own appointment via the appointment booking page or contact firstpoint to have an initial chat about options for support and we can also book an appointment for you.
POINT FIVE: THE STUDENT SUPPORT AND WELLBEING ADVISERS…
The Student Support and Wellbeing Service provide a confidential support service on a broad range of pastoral and welfare issues and are happy to meet with you about any concerns that are affecting your time as a student at the University of Worcester.
They can support you through the personal circumstances that might be the cause behind your need to submit a claim. They can also help you to liaise between other departments that might need to be confidentially informed about your circumstances.
firstpoint 