Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Policy

1. Introduction

1.1. The University values the diversity of its student population and is strongly committed to creating and sustaining a first-rate and positive learning experience for all. The Equality Act 2010 significantly strengthened the legal protections for students during periods of pregnancy and maternity. The University is also committed to supporting students who choose to become primary adopters.

1.2. This policy provides advice and guidance to registered students or prospective students who are pregnant or become parents at the commencement of or during their studies.

1.3. Although they are focused on study-related issues they aim to give information on other sources of advice. The document is also intended to be used as a point of reference by staff who have a role in advising students and whose advice and guidance may be sought on these issues.

2. Policy Statement

2.1. The University aims to provide an environment where students are supported fairly and with dignity and respect, including during maternity, paternity, the process of adoption and whilst breastfeeding.

2.2. The University believes that becoming pregnant or caring for a very young child should not prevent a student from succeeding in their studies. It will therefore apply its academic regulations as flexibly as possible, seeking to ensure that students are not disadvantaged whilst ensuring that academic standards are maintained. All reasonable steps will be taken to avoid less favourable treatment of pregnant students and students in a period of maternity or adoption. The degree of flexibility which can be applied will vary according to the student’s course or programme of study.

2.3. Staff will demonstrate a supportive approach when discussing issues with students and will advise them of other available services if they are unable to provide appropriate advice themselves. Any information provided by a student will be handled confidentially and will only be shared with others with the student’s consent.

2.4. The health and wellbeing of students will be considered of paramount importance at all times.

3. Notification of Pregnancy

3.1. There is no legal requirement for applicants or students to inform the University if they are pregnant or become pregnant whilst registered on a course or programme of study, including whilst on placement. However, applicants and students are strongly encouraged to disclose a pregnancy at the earliest opportunity (and preferably at least 15 weeks before the baby is due) as this will enable the University to put in place appropriate support measures known as “reasonable adjustments”, and this will be documented through a Student Pregnancy Support Plan (see section 4). Early notification is especially relevant for students following programmes that may involve potentially high risks to the student and/or the unborn child.

3.2. Students should inform the Student Centre or Welfare Coordinators, who will offer advice and liaise with the relevant academic team and Health and Safety service.

3.3. The following factors will be considered when planning the appropriate support for students who disclose that they are pregnant:

Health & Safety: The Course Leader (or other relevant member of staff from the Course team), with support from the Health and Safety team, will conduct a risk assessment related to the risks to the student and the unborn child, and to modify any procedures/activity which relate to the student if appropriate. Any pertinent issues arising from the risk assessment, including any practical implications, will be reported to the Welfare Coordinators and will be considered to develop the Student Pregnancy Support Plan. Where a student may need to disclose their pregnancy to an external body such as a placement provider or an employer (who will have their own pregnancy and maternity policies and procedures in place), it is the student’s responsibility to do this, as the University is unable to share this information on their behalf.
Courses Leading to Professional Registration: Students on professional programmes often have to demonstrate certain knowledge, skills and competencies required by professional, statutory or regulatory bodies (PSRBs) that cannot be compromised. In developing the Student Pregnancy Support Plan, these will be considered when agreeing what reasonable adjustments will be made, including any associated period of interruption.
Student Finance: There may be implications for the student’s financial arrangements, including for any agreed period of interruption, both in terms of fees payable and the financial support available. The Student Pregnancy Support Plan will detail these and any actions the student should take if applicable.

4. The Student Pregnancy Support Plan

4.1. The Head of Student Wellbeing will co-ordinate the arrangements to ensure that students’ educational support needs are met during pregnancy, during any period of leave, and on the student’s return to study, and will liaise with the academic department, the student, and other professional service departments as necessary, in order to ensure that the necessary reasonable adjustments are made. The agreed arrangements will be documented in a Student Pregnancy Support Plan, which will normally cover the following key points:

a) Health & Safety
b) Access to rest facilities
c) Exams & Assessments
d Placements, field trips and study abroad
e) Student Finance
f) Visa status (if applicable)
g) Accommodation
h) Maternity-related absence
i) Return to study

4.2 The template form for the Student Pregnancy Support Plan can be found in Appendix 1

5. Maternity Absence & Return to Study

5.1. When the tutor (i.e. personal tutor or academic supervisor) is made aware, the staff member will discuss with the student how the pregnancy is likely to impact on their studies and the outcomes of this discussion should be detailed as part of the Student Pregnancy Support Plan. All students will be permitted to suspend their studies following the birth of a child. The period of this absence will be determined by the student’s personal circumstances and the structure and content of their course or programme. There is no legal minimum period of interruption, but the University strongly recommends that there is a minimum absence of two weeks in order to ensure the health and safety of both the child and the student. In cases where the University is concerned about a student’s health in relation to the proposed return to study date, documentary medical evidence of fitness to return to study may be requested.

5.2. Where a student is following a course or programme where there is concern about the student’s knowledge being affected by the period of suspension taken, the Student Pregnancy Support Plan will detail the steps that will be taken to ensure that the student is kept up-to-date, e.g. through the provision of reading lists, research articles, etc.

5.3. Where there are concerns about the student meeting the requirements of the course or programme (e.g. coursework assessments or examinations), arrangements may be made for alternative assessment methods to be used, or completion of the requirements prior to the commencement of the period of interruption or during it. Reasonable adjustments such as these will be detailed in the Student Pregnancy Support Plan.

5.4. In certain exceptional cases, and following the review of the Student Pregnancy Support Plan prior to the student’s return to study, an extension to the usual period of suspension may be agreed, e.g. in cases of post-natal depression, serious illness or loss of a baby or where there is no suitable childcare.

6. International students with Student route visas

6.1. All international students who hold a Student route visa should seek additional advice from International Student Services, in order to determine if there are implications to their visa status in the event of absence due to maternity or parental leave. Students may be required to leave the UK during their absence, depending on the duration. The University is required to report any Student route registered student who suspends their study to UKVI.

6.2. For students who wish to return to their home country for the duration of the leave, it should be noted that airlines may not carry passengers who are seven months pregnant or more, and this should be taken into account when planning (please consult airline policies).

7. Adoption

7.1. The University is committed to supporting students who choose to become primary adopters. Students who are planning to adopt should inform the Student Centre who will offer advice, and then liaise with both the Head of Student Wellbeing and the student’s academic department (normally through the student’s Personal Tutor or their Academic Supervisor). Permission to share the information on a need-to-know basis will be sought from the student. The student will also be signposted as appropriate for further sources of advice and support.

7.2. Reasonable adjustments agreed will be documented in a Support Plan, which will normally cover the following key points as applicable: arrangements for pre-adoption meetings, examinations and assessments, student finances, interruption of studies and communications during that time.

8. Students Whose Partner is Pregnant or Adopting

8.1. Courses are usually flexible enough to allow students to take time off from their studies to accompany their partner to ante-natal and post-natal appointments. Students should consult their personal tutor or supervisor to agree arrangements for taking leave and catching up on work missed.

8.2. A student whose partner is pregnant or who is adopting a child may apply to take two weeks paternity/maternity support leave, in consultation with their department and in accordance with the University’s authorised absence policy. This is usually unpaid unless a student is also in employment or, if their funding body allows a period of paid paternity leave.

Please note that evidence of the baby’s birth may be required (such as birth certificate or hospital discharge note), before leave is authorised.

9. Babies & Children on Campus

9.1. Babies and children are allowed on public areas of campus but must be supervised (by an appropriate adult, i.e. parent or carer) at all times. Babies and children will not be allowed in any areas where there is a health and safety risk, for example laboratories, under any circumstances. Babies and children will not normally be allowed at a teaching session or assessment event (e.g. lectures, seminars, presentations, workshops, exams, or tutorials). However, students who are breastfeeding or have a baby under 26 weeks are protected under the Equality Act 2010 so should contact their personal tutor or supervisor to discuss what appropriate arrangements can be made.

9.2. There is a room available to students and staff members on each campus for breast feeding/expressing milk. Rooms can be booked by contacting the Student Centre on 01242 714444 or the Welfare team on 01242 714055.

10. Useful Links

The following resources may provide additional guidance:

Office for Students:

Equality and Diversity: What does the law say?

Advance Higher Education:

Pregnant students, prospective and current parents

Appendix 1 Student Pregnancy Support Plan

Contact details
1	Student’s details
	Name
	Student number
	Is your current address correct on Student Records Online?	Yes No If no, please update on your Student Record Online as soon as possible
	Is your current telephone number correct on Student Records Online?	Yes No If no, please update on your Student Record Online as soon as possible
	Is your current email address correct on Student Records Online?	Yes No If no, please update on your Student Record Online as soon as possible
2	Are your ‘Trusted Contact’ details correct on Student Records Online?	Yes No If no, please update on your Student Record Online as soon as possible
3	Course details
	Course title
	Department
	Departmental contact
	Year of course
Key dates
4	What is your baby’s expected delivery date?
Health and Safety
5	Your Course Leader (or other relevant member of staff from the Course team) will contact you to complete a course-related Risk Assessment
Rest facilities
6	There’s a welfare room on each campus for students who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Locations can be found on the ‘Pregnancy support’ page on MyHelp.
Pregnancy-related absence
7	Please try to book antenatal appointments outside of lecture/seminar times. If you do need to miss any time at University, please email your Module Tutor to inform them.
Assessments / and Options with Course
8	Discussion regarding maternity absence and impact on assessments (How much maternity-related absence does the student intend to take? When are assessments due? Does the student intend to interrupt? If so, when?)
Financial support
9	If you have any queries about student funding, or if you will be making any changes to your course (e.g. interruption or going part-time), please contact the Money Advice team, so that you can discuss any financial implications: [email protected]
Childcare
10	Unfortunately, there are no childcare facilities on campus, so students are encouraged to think about childcare options as far in advance as possible. You can search providers on Childcare.co.uk Useful policies to be aware of: Student Pregnancy, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption Policy Visitors and children on University premises
International students / those on placement abroad
11	If you need to fly whilst pregnant, please ensure you check with the airline regarding any restrictions. You can also read NHS guidance on Travelling in pregnancy. Please also check visa implications if travelling.
Students on placement
12	If your course involves a placement, please ensure that your placement provider completes a risk assessment with you
Extenuating circumstances
13	Please contact us if you are concerned about your pregnancy or maternity affecting any assessments. You can read more about extenuating circumstances on the ‘Requesting an extension’ page on MyHelp.
Accommodation
14	If you have any queries about accommodation or need any housing support, you can contact the Housing Support Team.
Further information
15	Any other information or concerns? Visit the ‘Pregnancy support’ page on MyHelp.

Completion / Meeting Date
This plan has been devised in line with current information, so please update us if anything changes for you. When your baby has been delivered, please contact us and we can provide you with further advice.

Subject Areas

Helpful Links