Resource library

Helen McNeely (Queen’s University Belfast) presented an overview of recent AMOSSHE member research about working relationships with NHS providers.

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. 

Tracey Mckenzie (Head of Wellbeing) and Emma Colbeck (Accommodation Manager) from the University of Sunderland discussed a collaboration with Home Group, which aims to mitigate the impact of under-resourced NHS provision.

Ben Lewis (Director of Student Life) and John Groves (Service Improvement Manager for Student Life) from Cardiff University discussed a project to develop working relationships with NHS services across the city of Cardiff.

Andy Shanks (The University of Edinburgh) and Mark Wilkinson (Edinburgh Napier University) discussed a collaboration between higher education providers across the city of Edinburgh to develop working relationships with NHS services.

Marion English (Senior Practitioner, Mental health) and Michelle Lewis (Head of Student Support) from Falmouth Exeter Plus discussed a multidisciplinary approach to working with NHS colleagues, which aims to mitigate the impact of under-resourced NHS provision in a rural area.

Helen McNeely (Head of Student and Academic Affairs) and Shauna Smyth (Head of Student Disability & Wellbeing Service) from Queen’s University Belfast, Drew Neill (Student Wellbeing Manager - Belfast & Jordanstown campuses, Ulster University) and Jenny McCracken (Team Leader, Student Mental Health Service, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust) discussed a collaboration designed to join up institutional and NHS provision with a longer term goal to upscale across Northern Ireland.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

In this interactive, discussion-based workshop, Amy Thompson (Head of the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service) and Heather Williams (Sexual Harassment and Violence Advisor) from the University of Cambridge shared their experience of developing a Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service at the University of Cambridge and of creating the network for Higher Education Sexual Violence Support Services.

As part of 'Diversity, inclusivity and cultural competency in Student Services' this session looks at how to recruit, retain and develop a diverse team.

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.

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.

This session by Roshan Israni (Deputy Chief Executive, UCEA - Universities and Colleges Employers Association) focused on the importance of integrating employee experience as part of the overall people strategy, and highlighted some of the work that higher education providers are undertaking to ensure that staff wellbeing is central to their work in this area.

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.

Geraldine Swanton (Legal Director, Shakespeare Martineau) led a workshop exploring the legal principles applying to student cases of sexual harassment or misconduct and to the troubled question of legal representation of students.

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.

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.

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.

Lizzie Dunford (Senior Associate, Bevan Brittan LLP) gave an overview of Universities UK’s recent guidance about sharing personal data in harassment cases.

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 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 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 turns a critical eye to how intersectionality is understood and performed among EDI data practitioners.

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 presentation by John de Pury (Assistant Director of Policy, Universities UK) reviewed recent Universities UK guidance on trusted contacts in the context of sector efforts to prevent student suicides.

Dr Penny Turnbull (Assistant Director of Student Services, Projects and Residential, University of St Andrews) examined the events that led to the service being established, the benefits and challenges of the critical responder role, and how the service has developed over the last three years.

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.

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.

Emma Douthwaite (Safeguarding and Welfare Manager, Office for Students) introduced a suite of resources and case studies for higher education providers to use for approaches to joint working with the NHS for student mental health.

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.

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.

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.

Oliver Curran (Vice Chairman, AUCSO - Association of University Chief Security Officers) and Sophie Bimson (Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Advisor, University College London) discussed the challenges that security officers face, how security teams can collaborate effectively with Student Services, and how we can work together to communicate support activity to students.

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

Katie Laverty (Director of Student Services and Success) and Alison Felton (Head of Student Wellbeing) from Keele University discussed the context of a service re-design at Keele University: where they were, where they are now, how they got there, and honest reflections on the challenges.

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.

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.

Geraldine Swanton (Legal Director, Shakespeare Martineau) analysed a case study to explore the challenges that addressing student welfare poses, including legal obligations and risks.