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.
- Support and
IT training: in some cases Access SUMMIT is able to provide
support workers and
IT trainers to work
with students at particular colleges and universities.
