Discussion Groups
Point of Contact discussion - student support services
Student support services provide essential information and guidance to students across key areas of student life. This role can take on further significance within smaller providers, or where students don’t have access to an independent students' union advice service.
In our upcoming discussion sessions, we want to explore how those studying at these providers access help, advice and support in respect of complaints and appeals. We want to learn how student experiences differ to those at providers where students can access advice from a student representative body. We want to know what guidance and resources are currently provided by student support services, department staff/tutors or student representatives/sabbaticals in respect of complaints and appeals in general, but also in the context of using our Scheme.
Who should attend
These discussion groups are aimed at providers where there is no independent students' union advice service.
Current OIA Points of Contact (POCs) can attend but are also encouraged to circulate details of the sessions to colleagues working specifically within student support/student services roles, or to academic staff currently supporting students, trainees and apprentices in complaints and appeals.
Dates and Times:
- Thursday 7 December | 10am & 1pm
- Friday 8 December | 10am
- Tuesday 12 December | 10am & 1pm
- Wednesday 13 December | 10am
These online discussion groups will run for up to 90 mins.
Register your Interest - Point of Contact Discussion Group
Would you like to circulate information about our student discussions to your students? Please email outreach@oiahe.org.uk and someone from the team will be in touch about how you can help us.
Student Discussion Groups
Talking with students helps us better understand their experiences of higher education in England and Wales. Discussion groups are part of our wider ongoing work around fairness in complaint handling and help us explore the issues students are most concerned about today and looking ahead to the rest of the academic year, and beyond.
We are currently looking to talk specifically with Black and minority ethnic students, Disabled students, Muslim students, Christian students and Jewish students to understand their experiences in Higher Education.
Who should attend
Discussions groups are open to anyone who is or was studying at one of our member providers. There are usually around 6 to 8 people in the group and the online discussions last around an hour.
We are running these discussion groups for specific groups of students, including disabled students, students from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, Jewish students, Muslim students and Christian students.
Duration: up to 1 hour
Dates and times:
- Wednesday 15 November 2023 | 1pm
- Friday 17 November 2023 | 10am
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED
If you have any questions, please contact us at outreach@oiahe.org.uk.
Student Adviser Discussion Groups
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education is an independent body set up to review student complaints about higher education providers in England and Wales. We're looking for student advisers to take part in our upcoming online discussion groups (usually 6 to 8 people per group).
Talking with student advisers gives us the opportunity to hear about students’ current learning experiences. They help us understand the issues students are most concerned about looking ahead to the new academic year and beyond. The discussions also provide a great opportunity for participants to network and learn about innovations and good practice at other unions and providers.
Who should attend
If you work in advice for a students’ union, association or guild we’d like to hear from you.
Dates
- TBC
Duration
Up to 90 minutes
If you have any questions, please contact us at outreach@oiahe.org.uk.