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Lincoln Bishop University recognises that students with caring responsibilities may face additional challenges in accessing and fully engaging with their studies, particularly where courses include mandatory placements. The University is committed to providing inclusive and responsive support to ensure that all students are able to succeed, within the framework of academic and professional requirements.

Support for Student Carers

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without this help because of frailty, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. If you are caring for someone whilst studying, we recognise that juggling all of this can be very difficult.
 

Your role as a carer will depend on the person you care for but could include:

Practical household tasks (cooking, cleaning, washing up, ironing, dealing with correspondence and financial management)

Personal care (bathing, dressing, lifting, administering medication, collecting prescriptions, support to attend medical appointments)

Emotional Support (listening, offering advice and friendship, keeping an eye on the person you care for to ensure their personal safety)

The University actively encourages students to disclose their Carer Status using the opportunity on the UCAS application form or during the enrolment process. Forms are available from Student Advice & Wellbeing.

Due to the unpredictable nature and demands of caring roles, students may be provided with a Carers Support Plan that provides leeway in relation to assignment deadlines, tutor contact and attendance but not exams. The plan may consider or suggest adjustments but will not make recommendations around placement support, international visits, field trips or residential requirements as we recognise that these may be difficult to put in place.

You may require a Parking Permit in order to ensure you can meet your caring responsibilities. If so please contact Student Advice & Wellbeing for more information. 

Student Carers are recognised as a Priority Group for the Lincoln Bishop Learning Fund. The Lincoln Bishop Learning Fund provides discretionary assistance to students to help them access and remain in Higher Education. For more information, please contact Student Advice & Wellbeing. Additional funding may be available through the Lincoln Bishop Bursary for student carers. (See evidence below). For more information, please contact Student Advice & Wellbeing. Please note if you are a carer in receipt of Carers’ Allowance you will be unable to continue claiming this support when in full time studies at university. Other benefits may also be affected by full time funding.

The evidence that is needed to enable the carer support coordinator to write a support plan for you whilst at university must document the caring role of the student not the condition of the person being cared for:

  • A letter from a Doctor or Consultant detailing the caring role
  • A local authority carer assessment
  • A letter from a Carers Centre
  • DWP correspondence regarding withdrawal of Carers Allowance due to starting University
  • A solicitors letter
  • A letter from Carers FIRST
  • Search for your local service to get support with gathering evidence here

For students undertaking courses with a placement element, the University will work in partnership with you to explore reasonable adjustments where possible. This may include:
 
  • Consideration of placement start and finish times, where flexibility exists
     
  • Adjustments to placement patterns (for example, part-time or alternative scheduling)
     
  • Consideration of placement location, where options are available
     
  • Flexibility around non-core placement activities, where appropriate and possible
     
All placement adjustments must continue to meet course learning outcomes, assessment requirements, and any standards set by relevant Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs). As such, the level of flexibility available may vary between courses.

Students are encouraged to disclose any caring responsibilities as early as possible to ensure that appropriate support can be put in place.
 
  • Prospective students should contact Admissions for advice on course requirements and available support before applying or accepting an offer.
     
  • Current students should contact Student Advice & Wellbeing (SA&W) in the first instance. This provides a consistent and confidential route for discussing support needs, including any considerations relating to placements and third-party consent where relevant.
     
SA&W will work with students and relevant University teams (including course teams and placement providers, where appropriate) to coordinate support. Where necessary, information will be shared with appropriate departments to ensure adjustments are implemented effectively and in line with University processes.

Lincoln Bishop University is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that recognises and supports the needs of students with caring responsibilities. We aim to ensure that students are able to access their education on an equitable basis, while maintaining the academic standards and professional integrity of our courses.

  • Money and benefits
  • Practical help
  • Looking after yourself
  • Conversations with GPs, hospitals and social care professionals
  • Support for now, the future and emergencies

Carers FIRST 2nd Floor, 28 Market Place, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LR

www.carersfirst.org.uk

Tel: 0300 303 1555

Email: hello@carersfirst.org.uk

Lincoln Bishop University have Student Carer Champions who work in collaboration with Carers FIRST.

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