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Access SUMMIT actively fosters links with local Higher and Further Education Institutions.  We have a close working relationship with the three universities in Greater Manchester (The University of Manchester, The University of Salford and Manchester Metropolitan University) which has evolved from the early days of The Centre.

However, we are keen to establish and develop links with other universities and Further Education Institutions in the North West, and indeed, nationally. 

We enjoy a good relationship with many local post-16 education providers and actively encourage our colleagues to use our services as much as possible.  The nature of the relationship varies and is often dependent on the number of students accessing DSA within the institution.

Examples of the ways in which Access SUMMIT can (and does) work with a college or university are given below –

• Mutual ‘sharing’ of relevant paperwork and forms makes referrals for assessment easier and usually quicker for all concerned
• Exchange of information: if assessors at Access SUMMIT have easy access to information about how support is arranged and the nature of provision at a college or university.  A good example of this is if a college or university can provide annual information to Access SUMMIT detailing how a student arranges their support workers at the college, how much the college charges the funding body for support, etc.  This information can then be easily included in the assessment of needs report, helping to ensure that the report accurately reflects the type and cost of the support recommended.
• Site visits: in can be beneficial for Access SUMMIT’s staff and assessors to visit colleges and universities to gain a greater understanding of the site and access issues.  Sometimes it can be helpful or easier for an assessment to be undertaken at the college rather than in the Access SUMMIT.
• Tandem assessments: there are various ways through which an educational institution can be part of the assessment procedure and therefore have an input into the report. 
• Provision of support workers: in some cases Access SUMMIT is able to provide support workers to work with students at particular colleges and universities.  In other instances, it can be beneficial to advertise to and recruit from Access SUMMIT’s existing support worker register for posts at other colleges.

For queries concerning ways in which HEIs and Further Education Institutions can access services or develop links with Access SUMMIT- contact Esther Griffiths on Tel 0161 275 0994 or Email esther.griffiths@access-summit.org.uk

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