Code of practice

The purpose of this Code of Practice is to provide a coherent across College approach by ensuring:

  • The College’s role and responsibilities are clear with respect to supporting the needs of students experiencing mental health difficulties
  • The College does not discriminate academically or socially against any student, or prospective student, because of mental health difficulties
  • All students with mental health difficulties are positively encouraged to declare their condition.
  • Students experiencing mental health difficulty at any stage during their studies are given the best possible support to enable them to complete their academic work successfully
  • The College demonstrates its commitment to recruiting and retaining students with mental health difficulties 
  • Positive mental wellbeing is promoted individually and socially through mental health promotion.

The objective of this code of practice is to help those involved with students in the following ways: 

  1. How to recognise mental health difficulties 
  2. Suggest how to handle such difficulties in terms of the student’s mental wellbeing and academic performance 
  3. Provide information on relevant support agencies 

The term “mental health difficulties” covers 3 broad categories: 

  1. Temporary reactions to a painful event, stress or external pressures 
  2. Symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse, lack of sleep, psychological reactions to physical illness and somatisation (those whose mental health difficulties present with physical symptoms).
  3. Enduring psychiatric conditions that have significant effects on an individual’s functioning