Disabled Student Allowance (FOI)

​Request

The following questions are in relation to Disabled Student Allowance under the Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2018:

A

How many students received DSA in the 2023/24 academic year?

B

Which centres/companies are permitted to carry out DSA needs assessments for the Government of Jersey?

What qualifications does the Government of Jersey require needs assessors to have?

C

How does the Government of Jersey decide what support recommended by the needs assessment should be funded?

Are there any policies or guidelines used to determine what will be funded? (If so please attach these)

Who decides what should and shouldn't be funded and what qualifications do they have?

D

Did any students receive funding for 'any other reasonable costs, other than travel costs' as part of DSA under 23(3)(c) of the Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2018 in the 2023/24 academic year?

If so, what were the 'reasonable costs' this funding was provided for?

E

Under 23(5) of the Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2018 it states that the maximum amount of 1 hour per week of non-medical help may be waived in exceptional circumstances where the Minister thinks it appropriate to do so. How many students was this waived for in the 2023/24 academic year?

Who initiates the waiving of the maximum of 1 hour per week of non-medical help? Is this initiated by the student or by the Government of Jersey?

F

If a student's condition changes or they receive a new diagnosis, in what circumstances can they have another needs assessment?

Are there any guidelines or policies around whether another needs assessment is required? (If so, please attach these)

Response

A

A total of 28 students received a Disabled Student Allowance in the 2023/2024 academic year.

B

On-island Needs Assessments are carried out by a company that has been procured to deliver this service. A contract is in place.

If the student is in the UK, they would book a needs assessment via their closest needs assessment centre or university. Further information can be found via the following link:

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA): Assessment Centre Locations - GOV.UK

Following the Government of Jersey procurement process, contracts would only be provided to companies who can evidence relevant qualifications in this area. They are:

Essential

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Assessment Practicing Certificate
• Associate Member of British Dyslexia Association

Desirable

• MA Education Studies and Dyslexia
• BSc Psychology and Child Development
• NASENCo Post-graduate certificate

C

Please refer to section 23 of the legislation - Education (Grants and Allowances) (Jersey) Order 2018 ​

The legislation describes the cap on funding and the costs that may be covered.  The needs assessor will advise on all the student’s requirements, a Student Finance Specialist Officer would then review the Needs Assessment and follow the legislation with regards to what is eligible for funding and apply the price cap.

Student Finance Specialist Officers are employed by the Government of Jersey and are suitably qualified and knowledgeable to apply the legislation. 

D

No students received funding for 'any other reasonable costs, other than travel costs' in the academic year 2023/2024.

E

No students received more than 1 hour per week of non-medical help in the academic year 2023/2024.

If the Needs Assessment recommends more than 1 hour per week and recommends Study Skills Support and Specialist Mentoring, Specialist Student Finance Officers would reach out to the student to advise that only 1 hour can be authorised and offer to submit a request to the Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning to use his discretion to authorise any additional hours recommended.  

F

Yes, if a student’s condition worsens or they have another condition diagnosed, they can request a new Needs Assessment, which would be funded by Student Finance.

The student would initiate a new Needs Assessment based on the change in their condition or diagnosis. The needs assessor will advise any changes to the student’s Needs Assessment and Specialist Student Finance Officers will then review the funding as per the legislation.