We have today published a casework note and some case summaries of complaints relating to disciplinary matters.
The casework note draws out some themes from recent casework and the summaries illustrate some cases we have seen.
Complaints about the outcome of a non-academic disciplinary process (as distinct from those relating to academic misconduct, on which we published a casework note and case summaries earlier this year) only make up a small proportion of our casework, but their impact on the student or students involved can be high and cases can sometimes be challenging for higher education providers to handle effectively. The casework note builds on useful discussions we have had with providers and student representative bodies about disciplinary matters through our outreach webinars. It covers general points applicable to most kinds of student disciplinary issue.
We hope the casework note and case summaries will be helpful to providers, student representative bodies and students.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Jenn Runde, Communications Officer, mediarelations@oiahe.org.uk, 0118 959 9813.
- The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) is the independent student complaints ombuds service for higher education in England and Wales. It is the designated operator of the student complaints’ scheme under the Higher Education Act 2004.
- Our Scheme is free to students and has been designed to be accessible to all students, without the need for legal representation.
- We have a wide remit to review student complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales, as set out in our Scheme Rules.
- Our Good Practice Framework: Disciplinary procedures gives guidance for providers in designing disciplinary procedures and handling individual cases.