This guidance was written in April 2020 and has been used by Universities to inform their approach to the provision of mental health and wellbeing support services.
Produced after the regulatory guidance was published by the Government on 3rd April 2020 (below), ‘this briefing note looks at some of these ideas and practices. It does not stipulate particular approaches or endorse the actions of specific institutions, and it does not supplement or constitute regulatory guidance. Its purpose, rather, is to highlight the practical steps universities and colleges are taking to support their students’ mental health and wellbeing in challenging circumstances. In doing so, it considers how they are supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the general student population, students with a declared mental health condition and others who may be particularly vulnerable during this time.’ (Taken from the OfS website).
The document provides useful information for all staff directly involved in supporting students and for institutions generally. It also contains links to coronavirus related advice that may be useful for staff and students.
Click here to download the Briefing Note
'The Office for Students continues to regulate all registered higher education providers in England, regardless of whether their current provision is online or not. This guidance sets out our expectations for providers in maintaining quality and standards during the period of disruption resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This guidance is in place until further notice.
Please note: The guidance was updated on 28 January 2021 to provide additional information to degree awarding bodies on our expectations in light of the further changes to teaching and assessment arrangements following the latest national lockdown.'
Download the 28 January 2021 General Guidance to HE Providers
This guidance is provided here for context and because it specifically references postgraduate research students as well as undergraduate and postgraduate taught students, not specifically in relation to mental health, but in relation to the Coronavirus. Mental health is dealt with by Briefing Note 2 above.