Welcome to our Resource Library
Since 2006, Clear Links has contributed to the development of Non-Medical Help and Additional Learning Support provision nationwide, through our involvement in the drafting of the NMH Charter, the development of bespoke solutions and various DfE and SFE pilots. We also produce materials, case studies, guides and webinars for the benefit of Disability Advisors, Needs Assessors, support workers, Student Support Managers and anyone involved in supporting students, apprentices and learners.
This resource library is for you and new content will be added regularly, so please bookmark this page to easily check for updates. If you are a Needs Assessor or Disability Support Staff from a HEP or ITP, you can also sign up to our mailing list to receive our newsletter and invitation to webinars.
Don't Man Up, Speak Up
Pete Quinn
Mental Health Impacts, Challenges, and Insights for male mental health at Universities. Pete will talk about The University Mental Health Charter and #StepChange, how male students differ (and don't) from other students in terms of accessing mental health support, and what recent projects from the UK and North America suggest works.
Neurodiversity and Supporting Students with ADHD at University
Dr. Samantha Hiew
This 1-hour talk will introduce Neurodiversity in the context of society and how it impacts a student’s life. Dr. Samantha Hiew will address the common challenges in undergraduate and postgraduate learning environments and simple adjustments and understanding that can make a difference, based on a survey she ran with students with ADHD.
ADHD, Student Mental Health and Wellbeing
Dr. Samantha Hiew
This 1-hour talk will provide an insight into the lives of ADHDers, especially those who are diagnosed later in life. Dr. Hiew will provide a toolkit for ADHDers who are seeking diagnosis and support, with an intersectional understanding of how to help ADHDer’s fulfill their potential, during transitions in their student life and beyond.
Autism at University: Insights into specific ways of thinking
Dr. James McGrath
James will provide a critical review of where stereotypes come from, and why it is important to question and challenge them. He will also cover the question of how autistic people, particularly students, might learn ways of adapting to changes that come with university life.
Claiming ESFA Apprenticeship Support Funding: An Overview
David Lockhart-Hawkins
This session will look at how to meet the challenges of claiming Learning Support Funding (LSF) in a Disability Advisor environment from an audit perspective. Covering key rules and evidence requirements, tips on best practice, and Additional Learning Support (ALS) planning and reviews.
Student Mental Health Difficulties 101
Pete Quinn
Pete Quinn will be delivering a one hour webinar entitled 'Student Mental Health Difficulties 101' covering common conditions, impacts, reasonable adjustments, competence standards, mitigating circumstances and areas such as wellbeing in the curriculum.
The Power Of Apprenticeships
Pete Milsom, Rupert Crossland, Faye & Lucy, Helen Mowbray
In this 2-hour webinar, our speakers from UCAS, Professional Assessment Ltd. and one of our Specialist Support Workers cover the apprentice support journey. This includes quality and compliance with an outline of LSF1 and ESFA funding rules, and how we provide the tools to assist you in claiming funding with confidence.
Neurodiversity and Neuroinclusion in Education
Prof. Amanda Kirby
Prof. Amanda Kirby covers practical ways to identify and support individuals effectively and inclusively to aid retention and attainment in education. Amanda also highlights how inclusive practices for neurodiversity will contribute to maintaining personal wellbeing!
Experiences of Disabled Students in Higher Education
Nicola Turner UCAS
Join UCAS for an exploration of their data and research into the experiences of disabled students progressing to higher education. We will examine students’ preferences and behaviours when making decisions on their next steps, and consider how the intersectionality of disability with other personal characteristics can present hidden challenges.
ESFA Funding Rules 2024/25
David Lockhart-Hawkins
David presents an overview of key changes in ESFA 2024/25 rules when recording support evidence and claiming LSF, as well as their impact on delivering quality Additional Learning Support.
UCAS Reports on Student Mental Health in HE
Nicola Turner
In 2021, UCAS released its first report on student mental health exploring the rise in students sharing a mental health condition on their UCAS application. Nicola shares the key takeaways from the report, and outline some of the ways in which UCAS has used its findings to work towards creating a ‘culture of positive disclosure’.