Resource library

As part of the National Conference, this session discussed a new partnership between Solutionpath StREAM and Symplicity Advocate to bridge teaching and learning departments with Student Services.

As part of the National Conference, this session introduced data from seven new widening access and participation questions in applications for under-represented groups, and discussed applicant data by disability impairment type. 

This session, led by Kristin Aune (Professor of Sociology of Religion) and Lucy Peacock (Research Fellow) from Coventry University, presented the findings of a two-year study of religion and worldview diversity and interfaith engagement in UK universities, focusing on what universities can do to help students build positive relationships across religion and worldview differences. 

This session, led by Jenny Brown (Quality Assurance and Regulations Manager) and Helen McNeely (Head of Student and Academic Affairs) from Queen’s University Belfast showcased the successful endeavour, which has significantly impacted the student experience.

This session, led by Kim Patrick (Head of Student Support and Residential Life, University of Westminster) and Kristy Robinson (Assistant Head of Student Services - Wellbeing, University of Sunderland in London) explored the importance of clinical thinking beyond conventional clinical contexts, especially given the heightened attention to workplace wellbeing during the pandemic. Incorporating clinical expertise into leadership teams is advantageous for both staff and students.

This session, led by Charlotte Stewart (Inclusion, Diversity & Disability Manager, Buckinghamshire New University) provided leaders and Student Services colleagues with a concise overview of disability inclusion and practical steps to initiate cultural change within their institutions.

This session, led by Amanda Bloore (Head of Support to Study) and Jimmy Jennings (Senior Academic Coach) from University of Wolverhampton showcased the university's successful endeavour, which has significantly impacted the student experience.

This session by Jenny Clough (Director of Student Services) and Nahida Shabbir (Deputy Director of Student Services - Education) from Manchester Metropolitan University shared recent experiences of the Student Services Executive Group and leadership team in developing a new Student Services strategic plan, which aligns with and delivers university strategies and key performance priorities while prioritising the delivery of collaborative, supportive and accessible services for all students.

This session, led by Sara Murcott (Student Services Manager - Development and Operations) and Gwyn Eanor (Student Support Co-ordinator) from Nottingham Trent University explored the successes and pitfalls in developing, leading, and launching the new service at Nottingham Trent University.

This session, led by Nicole Holt (Director, Student Experience and Support) and Victoria Owen (CRM Student Product Owner) from University of Salford explored strategies for effectively managing such transformative change, aiming to enhance the experiences of both students and staff.

This session, led by Elaine Cordy (Head of Education Support, University of Exeter) provided insights into integrating LEAN techniques for continuous improvement into daily workflows, fostering a unified team approach and ownership, and implementing strategies for recruiting, developing, motivating, and retaining staff members.

Toby Chelms (Associate Director - Student Wellbeing) and Sarah Jones (Head of Student Life) from the University of Bradford discussed how the University of Bradford’s Student Services approach support for international students.

Benjamin Parsons (Head of Engagement, AMOSSHE) discussed insights from AMOSSHE member research about services supporting international students, including challenges and initiatives.

Haleema Masud (Policy Adviser, UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) discussed the findings of new research about the experiences of Chinese students studying in the UK, focusing on their experiences of transitioning and integrating in the UK.

Anne Marie Graham (Chief Executive, UKCISA - UK Council for International Student Affairs) gave insights about the diversity of the international student body and these students’ expectations of their universities.

Paul Rossi (AMOSSHE Executive Member and Head of Student Advice & Safeguarding Support, University of the Arts London) discussed how the University of the Arts London used user data to interrogate Student Services’ offer for international students, what they learned from this and how these insights have led to changes in services design.

This session led by Ananda Geluk (First Year Transitions Manager, University of Galway) covered the journey from concept to delivery of the Cara virtual assistant in the University of Galway, which recently won the 2023 Times Higher Education Award for Technological or Digital Innovation of the year

Claire Thompson (Associate Director, Student Wellbeing, University of Nottingham) and Paula Dalziel (Associate Consultant, SUMS Consulting) talked about the transition, and importantly, the benefits and challenges of using the emergency contact protocol.

This session led by Tatjana Damjanovic (Research Officer, TASO - Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education) discussed a new sector toolkit for evaluating the impact of student mental health and wellbeing interventions, drawing on case studies and examples of practice.

Sara Baldwin and Gary McGladdery highlighted recent work involving the development of a Trusted Emergency Contact (TEC) option at enrolment to support interventions with students who have disengaged from their studies or are presenting to academic staff / support services at risk.

Rebecca Hughes (Student Advice and Guidance Officer) and Rachel Jones (Operational Support Manager) from Wrexham University discussed their accessible gateway and the lessons learnt from creating an accessible gateway for students to access a variety of different support mechanisms.

This session led by Kirsty Hutchinson (Manager, Welfare and Counselling Services, University of Newcastle) focused on a whole institution approach to wellbeing, tackling the challenge of size, scale and visibility by way of inclusion and empowerment for all students, colleagues and stakeholders.

This session looked at the work in Wales to develop and launch an all of society trauma-informed framework for Wales. The talk covered how this was co-produced, and how a set of principles, practice levels and Wales definition was agreed – and how the framework is being implemented in higher education in Wales through the collaboration of ACE Hub Wales, hosted by Public Health Wales, and the Universities of Wrexham and Aberystwyth.

Assistant Director Clare Nield gave an overview of the training and resources Worcester has developed to address this issue, and provided examples of how you might engage your academic colleagues to play their part in effective, boundaried student support. This interactive session included opportunities to share experiences and ideas, as well as providing a taster of the activities Worcester has developed to engage their academic audience and embed this important message.

Our keynote speaker Hazel Russo explored the theme of personal and professional boundaries.

This professional development webinar, presented in partnership with TASO (Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education), helped participants build awareness and knowledge of the Student Mental Health Evidence Hub, including its evidence-based toolkit, examples of practice and evaluation guidance.

Mick Confrey (Managing Director, Intersol Global) shared an interactive workshop as an opportunity to reflect on the morning's case studies, and to consider approaches to tackling sexual, gender-based and online harassment in the context of your own higher education communities.

Sabiha Iqbal (Chaplain) and Christine Sharif (Policy and Standards Manager) held an interactive workshop as an opportunity to reflect on the day's case studies and consider approaches to tackling racial and faith-based harassment.

Grace Simpson (Director, Nous) explored good practice and recommendations for tackling racial harassment in higher education.

Helen Bendon (Interim Head of Department School of Film) and Ben Serlin (Safeguarding Project Manager, Middlesex University) introduced their partnership projects to support culture change around misogyny, violence against women and girls and domestic violence, as well as their most recent project Hear My Voice.

Shaneen Kainth (Student Support Development Manager, University of Westminster) explored a case study of using bystander intervention to tackle sexual and other kinds of harassment in higher education.

Donny McCormick (Director of Student Services Support, University of Roehampton) lead this session on harassment, abuse, victimisation, bullying – broad and significant issues that have been growing in complexity across the UK.

Andrea Kerslake (Assistant Head of Student Support) and Charlotte Webster (Harassment and Misconduct Manager, University of Leeds) discussed religious or faith-based hate crimes, and explored approaches of prevention and response, demonstrating best practice through holistic approaches and multi-agency working. 

This session, led by Levi Pay (Director, Plinth House Ltd) helped to set the scene for the rest of our event by stepping back and exploring key questions about the purpose and role of our fitness to study policies and procedures.

Sam Boyle (Senior Policy and Research Officer, AMOSSHE) discussed insights from the initial research he has carried out with AMOSSHE members who have reviewed their fitness to study policies. The session covered challenges and learning outcomes, next steps and future opportunities for engagement.

Keith Houghton (Head of Student Support Services, The University of Law) discussed developing policies and processes related to fitness / support to study, including fitness / support to return, and including the student voice in the process.

Hayley Borrett (Head of Wellbeing Services) and Joana da Silva (Interim Head of Student Services) from Harper Adams University discussed the implications for staff colleagues involved in fitness / support to study processes, including setting boundaries, offering support, developing confidence to use processes, managing the expectations of academic colleagues, and communications / training for personal tutors.

Kerry Shepherd and Tom Cheater (Minerva) discussed developing the confidence to take the next step in your Student Services career journey, tackling impostor syndrome, and recognising the developmental value of what you do.

As part of any recruitment process, it’s important to know who you are, what you’re ‘selling’ and how to create maximum positive impact. During this session Tessa Harrison (GatenbySanderson) explored how you can shape your career and skills ‘narrative’, identify gaps and learn some tips and techniques for how to make your CV / supporting statements work harder for you.

Amy Low (Service Delivery Director, AbilityNet) discussed how to take a structured approach to designing ‘in’ inclusive ways of working for your team to help them weather every storm.

Gareth Hughes (Charter Content Development Lead and Psychoeducation Lead) and Rosie Tressler (CEO) from Students Minds focused on your relationship with staff wellbeing. The last few years have been challenging for leaders of Student Services and new pressures continue to arise, so it’s critical that we discuss the cultures we’re in and shape.

Alison Golden (Director of Student Health and Inclusion) and Jess Winkler (Head of Complex Student Casework and Safeguarding) at the University of Bristol explored and shared the tools and processes that we use at our institutions to support students and colleagues.

This presentation by Ben Lewis (Director of Student Life, Cardiff University) described the approach to developing Student Services and the Centre for Student Life at Cardiff University.

This presentation by Sarah Littlejohn (Director of Campus Life, The University of Manchester) explored The University of Manchester’s step model of wellbeing support.

Our keynote speaker was Professor Edward Peck CBE, Higher Education Student Support Champion, and Vice-Chancellor and President, Nottingham Trent University. In this keynote, Professor Peck detailed his role as the Higher Education Student Support Champion and discussed the work he is progressing with partners across the sector to explore new ways of developing student support systems.

In this session Tatjana Damjanovic (Research Officer) and Helen Lawson (Research Programmes Manager) from TASO discussed the initial phase of the project and the toolkit, and created the chance to contribute feedback on what is most useful for the sector’s work on mental health and how the toolkit might fit into current practice.