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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s course or programme of study, as well as any restrictions that international students may have due to their visa status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 relevant staff on a need-to-know basis.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2.4. The health and wellbeing of students will be considered of paramount importance at all times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201creasonable adjustments\u201d, 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3.3. The following factors will be considered when planning the appropriate support for students who disclose that they are pregnant: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.1. The Welfare Coordinators will co-ordinate the arrangements to ensure that students\u2019 educational support needs are met during pregnancy, during any period of leave, and on the student\u2019s 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:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4.2 The template form for the Student Pregnancy Support Plan can be found in Appendix 1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.1. When the tutor (i.e. Course Leader, Personal Tutor, Senior 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\u2019s 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\u2019s health in relation to the proposed return to study date, documentary medical evidence of fitness to return to study may be requested.\u00a0For students requiring Student visa sponsorship who have had a visa curtailment due to interruption, the university will also need to consider a reasonable timeframe for a new Student visa application to be made from overseas to facilitate a return to study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.2. Where a student is following a course or programme where there is concern about the student\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5.4. In certain exceptional cases, and following the review of the Student Pregnancy Support Plan prior to the student\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 Welfare Coordinators and the student\u2019s academic department (normally through the student\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please note that evidence of the baby\u2019s birth may be required (such as birth certificate or hospital discharge note), before leave is authorised.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9.2. There is a room available to students and staff members on each campus for breast feeding\/expressing milk. Further details can be found on the internal student webpages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following resources may provide additional guidance: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Office for Students: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Equality and Diversity: What does the law say?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Advance Higher Education: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pregnant students, prospective and current parents<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n9. Babies & Children on Campus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Useful Links<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Appendix 1 Student Pregnancy Support Plan <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n