Additional support
Accessible, adapted rooms available on Frenchay Campus.
Additional support options
Assistive animals in accommodation
We can accommodate guide dogs and other assistance animals in the Frenchay Student Village and Wallscourt Park. Let us know your requirements as soon as possible. We will require formal evidence from a doctor before we can process a request of this nature and your animal must be registered as a support animal.
Fire safety and hearing and visual impairments
We can organise visual fire alarms or vibrating pad alarms for students who are D/deaf or hard of hearing – please just ask.
Individual adaptations
What will empower you? Just ask. We strive to make adaptations on an individual basis – for example if you need a personal medication fridge/freezer, we'll get it sorted. Let us know what will help as soon as you can, and we'll try to arrange it.
Need adaptations or a specific room type?
Please let us know your requirements as early as possible and get your application for accommodation in early. We’ll contact you for more information to make sure we’re clear on your specific needs.
Personal assistants
If you require a Personal Assistant (PA), you can book an additional room within your accommodation. In order to guarantee availability, we will need a reasonable amount of notice for this requirement and additional charges will apply.
Medical questionnaire
After submitting your Accommodation Application, please complete a medical questionnaire to give us more detailed information to support your accommodation application – we may ask you to supply medical evidence to support your request.
Need extra support?
Our Wellbeing Service is here to help. See their useful information for parents, guardians and friends and self-help resources.
Want to discuss your support needs?
Please contact our Disability Service to speak with a disability advisor.
Accessible rooms
Our accessible rooms are comfy, cosy and welcoming. Right at the heart of Frenchay Campus – handy for everything – they're adapted to empower you. You can expect:
- Wider doors and extra floor space
- Practical bathrooms
- Sinks with lever taps
- Rails to make transitions easier
- Adjustable basin, sink, hob and desk heights.
Need extra help? No problem. You can also book an additional room for your carer or personal assistant. Note: additional charges will apply.
Personal assistants
Employing a personal assistant
Once you receive funding for your support, it is important that you engage a suitably skilled, trained individual or team of individuals to support your independent living. You may benefit from advice provided by Disability Rights UK, the Quality Care Commission, or your local social services.
When you employ someone directly, you will be wholly responsible for line managing your employee. Please consider the following: the interview process, employer liability insurance, tax, national insurance, holiday pay, sick pay, expenses, etc. It is not possible for the University to provide advice on these matters. You should seek appropriate legal and accounting advice on the implications of becoming an employer. WECIL or People Plus are agencies that provide support to manage PAs (personal assistants)– or advice can be sought from Bristol City Council Health and Social Care, also known as Care Direct.
Please see the following link for further information / guidance: Disability Rights UK - being in control getting personal assistants.
In addition, you will be responsible for your PA’s conduct/ behaviour in and around the University. You will also have to consider what you will do in the event that your personal assistant becomes ill or takes annual leave. The University will need to be satisfied that the care package recommended by Social Services is sufficient, but the University cannot take responsibility for deficiencies in the support package such as the PA becoming ill, or not providing adequate support. For further advice on all these issues, you should contact Social Services.
Living in residence with a personal assistant
The University recognises that some students applying for campus accommodation may have a disability or medical condition that requires a resident personal assistant. In these cases, and subject to availability, the University can provide the option of a (bed)room on campus for the personal assistant, under the same terms and conditions as the student. The student will be liable for the cost of any such additional (bed)room(s) and this accommodation will be booked through the student.
Although personal assistants are not liable for rent, they are subject to the same terms and conditions of the/this license agreement. Any incurred damage costs and/or disciplinary action resulting from breaches of this licence agreement will apply directly to the personal assistant(s). The University may also communicate with the student employer about these concerns and invite them to be present during the disciplinary process.
Personal assistants are permitted to live on campus only as long as they are employed by the student and whilst their student employer has the right to live on campus. Personal assistants can be asked to vacate the accommodation due to changes in their own situation (for example, if the student terminates their employment or the personal assistant engages in anti-social behaviour or other breaches); as well as changes in their employer's situation (for example, the student is no longer studying at UWE and/or vacates campus accommodation. The University requests that personal assistants establish and maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries with university staff and students.
Whilst personal assistants are living in the accommodation, the University will require emergency contact for either their employment agency, or their next of kin, subject to UWE's privacy policy.