The “Support To Study procedure” (formerly The Fitness to Study Procedure)
A summary by the EHSU advice team 

The following information is from the EHU Support to study regulations, which you can find here Support To Study)

“The Support to Study procedure can be used by the University where there are concerns that a student is not fit to study. It is an open and supportive framework for dealing with a situation where a student’s health, wellbeing or behaviour could have a detrimental impact on their own or others ability to progress and function.”

In a nutshell, this means that if concerns are raised to EHU about a student’s health related behaviour that could or does result in disruption or risk to themselves, others students or staff or to course progression, then the university may consider the Support to Study procedure. 

“1.5 The procedure is not a disciplinary process, but a way of supporting students to ensure that they can, wherever possible, continue to study with the appropriate levels of support in place to ensure their continued wellbeing.
1.6. The procedure applies to all students, pre and post-entry, on course, placements, field trips and any University activities in and out of term time, living on and off campus.
1.7. The Procedure relates to the whole student experience and not just a student’s ability to engage with their academic studies.

2.2. Students are required to fully engage with this procedure and any recommendations made under it. If a student fails to engage or is unable to engage fully in the procedure, the University may continue with the procedure and make reasonable decisions in the student’s absence”

The conclusions of any STS investigation are varied depending on the stage of the procedures and the nature of the concerns. So, for example the outcome could be,

(i) No further action will be taken and the Support to Study procedure will be closed.
ii. Referral for consideration under a different University Process.
iii. The student is fit to continue to study under certain conditions, and an action plan will be discussed and shared with the student. The student is required to engage with and commit to the conditions and action plan if they wish to continue with their studies. The student will be  referred (back) to stage 2 of the procedure and the action plan will be  kept under review.
iv. The student is not fit to continue to study at this time, and an appropriate outcome will be determined depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

Or the following could be considered:

• A break in studies to give the student the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing 
• A repeat year of the current programme of study
• A change to the mode of study 
• An opportunity to apply for a change to programme of study (entry requirements would need to be met)
• Withdrawal from the programme of study with the option to apply again in the future
• As a last resort the Panel may recommend permanent withdrawal from the University

Please do follow the link provided for an in-depth StS guide as there are many different outcomes and approaches to be considered, depending on what stage of the procedure is being considered. 

Appeals;

Students can appeal a STS decision on the following grounds 

• there was a material procedural irregularity which may have affected the  outcome
• there is evidence which was not considered by the decision maker(s) or Panel which may have affected the outcome and which the student could not reasonably have been expected to have submitted at the time; or
• the decision made by the Panel was unreasonable in all the circumstances.

Appeals must be made in writing to the Student Casework Team within 10 working days of the date on the decision letter, clearly stating the grounds for appeal.

If you would like to book an appointment to speak to one of the SU advice team, In-person, phone or online appointments are available via https://ehsuadvice.simplybook.it/v2/#book