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Assessment Centre on Teesside

Assessment Centre on Teesside (ACT) supports disabled applicants and current students who are studying in higher education or further education.

The ACT team offers confidential advice and assistance on a range of services and support connected with disability and studying.

Experienced ACT staff assess your additional support needs. This will help you to access funding you may be entitled to, such as disabled students' allowances through your funding body.

We provide a service to students who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, wheelchair-users or people with mobility difficulties, medical conditions, autistic spectrum disorders, mental health service users and people with specific learning difficulties (for example, dyslexia). This is not an exhaustive list.

We can arrange for you to have a meeting with an assessor to discuss your preferred way of accessing all study activities, such as reading, note taking, library/research, organisation, time management, producing assignments, practical/lab works, group work, field trips, placements. You have the opportunity to ask questions and are not asked to sit any tests.

We write a report following the meeting which outlines the strategies recommended to assist you in accessing your studies, such as equipment, software and non medical helper assistance and any other disability related needs that you may have whilst studying, including transport.

We can arrange home visits but only in exceptional circumstances. The meeting is held in confidence and no information will be passed on to your funding body or college/university staff without your consent.

The Assessment Centre on Teesside is still assessing students remotely

Please email us at act@tees.ac.uk if you would like to book an appointment. We are currently conducting assessments via Microsoft Teams which can be either a video or voice call.

How do I arrange an appointment?

The Assessment Centre on Teesside is based in the Student Life Building at Teesside University.

Contact us to arrange an appointment for a needs assessment meeting. You can call between 8.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am - 4.30pm Friday.

T: 01642 342278
E: act@tees.ac.uk

Let us know if you have any additional requirements to attend this meeting such as sign language interpreter/communication support worker or one-to-one assistance. You can bring someone along with you if it makes you feel more comfortable.

An appointment is usually available within 10 working days, often sooner. We endeavour to offer Needs Assessment appointments within 15 working days but at times of peak demand the wait may be longer in which case we will advise you which other Assessment Centres might have a shorter wait time.

Once seen you will receive your needs assessment report within 10 working days. Current waiting time for an appointment: 12 working days.

You can use ACT no matter where you have applied to study. You can choose the closest centre depending on where you live. You can find the locations of assessment centres and contact details at:
www.dsa-qag.org.uk
www.nnac.org

What information do I need to provide when arranging an appointment with ACT?

When booking an appointment for a Needs Assessment, we need:

  • to gain information about your course. We will contact your institution and will ask them to complete a form detailing the teaching and learning methods and assessments that you will undertake
  • evidence from your funding body that you can arrange a needs assessment appointment - they usually send a letter asking you to book an appointment and we need a copy of this letter
  • information from you, including your contact details, the nature of your disability and any assistance required to attend your appointment. You can either give these details to us over the phone or complete the pre-assessment form
  • evidence of your disability - you need to provide the evidence required to your funding body and to us. If you have more than one medical condition/disability you will need to provide evidence of each.

For specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia
An up to date diagnostic report is required, for example, from a psychologist. For more information contact your funding body or a disability adviser at your college or university. Evidence required should adhere to the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines. You may wish to make your psychologist aware of this document if you are being assessed/reassessed.

For other conditions/disabilities
A letter from your GP, specialist or consultant. The letter needs to outline the nature of your condition and needs to clearly indicate that your condition is long term and has a substantial impact on your day to day activities.

Assessment Fee
The cost of the DSA Assessment is taken from your DSA Funding. ACT will only charge your funding body a single assessment fee, that covers all work required for the duration of your course of study. This includes a review if you have any additional needs or have another condition diagnosed. If proceeding to a Postgraduate/PGCE programme you may be eligible for an additional formal review of your needs, funded through the Postgraduate DSA, subject to authorisation from your funding body.

Where can I find you?

The Assessment Centre on Teesside is based in the Student Life Building:

Teesside University
Middlesbrough TS1 3BX
T: 01642 342278
E: act@tees.ac.uk

If you need a car parking space let us know in advance of your visit or appointment and we will try to arrange a car park space for you.

Already had a meeting? Why don't you give us some feedback?

Please send responses back by email to act@tees.ac.uk, or post them to The Assessment Centre on Teesside, Student Life Buidling, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BX.

Complaints

Should you wish to make a complaint you can do so. All complaints are dealt with in a professional and non-confrontational manner.

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