How ICMP’s Student Wellbeing Team Can Support You

At ICMP, we want to give you the perfect platform to make the most of your time with us. 

From our inspiring courses and tutors to our Careers and Industry Hub, we provide students with an array of resources to help them. Our Student Wellbeing Team is to here to support those with disabilities, counselling, student money advice and much more. Find out more below...

What our Student Wellbeing Team aims to do 

Our team works across various areas but with one uniting mission - to give you the support to engage and succeed in your chosen area of study. This often means different things for different students but we always try to respond to individual needs as flexibly as possible, with the aim of reducing (or removing) the study-related impact of any long-term diagnosed condition.

As an institution, we are committed to prioritising student wellbeing. From moving to a different city to creating new social networks alongside your studies, we know how this unfamiliar situation can throw up some unique challenges. The Student Wellbeing Team has been set up to support students through any problems you may encounter while studying at ICMP and through the application process."

We also aim to ensure that those with specific needs or challenges can access the appropriate academic and non-academic support while with us. 

What support is available 

The support available through the ICMP Student Wellbeing support varies according to each student’s individual situation, and can be accessed either by students getting in touch with us via email, through our MyICMP student portal, or by completing a short online self-referral form. Our support varies between internal and external resources, events, guidance and advice. 

Below is a brief summary of the main kinds of support we can offer our students.

 CONTACT our STUDENT wellbeing team

Counselling

ICMP students can take advantage of six weeks of free counselling. This includes an initial assessment. Please note, a waiting list is in place when demand is high.

The Alexander Technique

We have a dedicated Alexander Technique expert at ICMP providing lessons. This practice aims to release you from habits and tensions preventing you from finding your natural state of balance and realising your full potential.

 Find out more

NLP Coaching

We work with a professional ‘NLP Life Coach’ who has also studied and worked in the music industry for many years, and who can offer group and 1-1 coaching sessions. This kind of support tends to focus on identifying and adjusting negative habits and thought patterns and supporting positive thinking and motivation.

Study Skills

We can also offer support around the development of study skills necessary to succeed in higher education. This kind of support tends to have an academic focus and is closely related to the kinds of academic assessments you may have to do on your course (research, academic writing etc.).

Wellbeing Events 

We’re delighted to offer a wide range of wellbeing events to keep students refreshed and ready. Previous sessions have focused on mental health and resilience, yoga, staying motivated, productive and positive, and more. 

Please look out for updates via email.

Safeguarding 

We have a dedicated Safeguarding Lead and team in place to protect young people and adults at risk.

Disability Support 

Our dedicated Disability Advisers provide guidance and support to disabled students. Our team can offer advice before you begin your studies, and it can take a significant amount of time (up to 3 months) to make some kinds of support arrangements, so please get in touch as soon as you are thinking of studying with us, and if possible before your course starts.  

 CONTACT our student wellbeing team

How we can help

Our Disability Advisers help current ICMP students at any point in their studies (from first to final year). The team’s work includes (but is not limited to): 

• Organising dyslexia screenings and diagnostic assessments
• Assisting students with referrals for diagnosis of other common conditions, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Condition
• Assisting and facilitating in Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) applications, including help with getting the right evidence
• Assisting students to set up and organise 1:1 additional support with specialist tutors
• Facilitating institutional ‘reasonable adjustments’ for students (e.g. special arrangements for exams and other on-course support arrangements).

Disabled Students Allowance

Students may claim DSA in addition to student financial loans and grants. This can be used to cover any extra study-related costs they incur due to an impairment, mental health condition, or learning difficulty. Our team can assist with the application process and collecting the right evidence to include. There is more information about DSA, including information on how to apply, on the Diversity & Ability website.

What do we mean by disability? 

Disabilities are any long-term conditions that can affect the way you study, including learning differences such as dyslexia or ADHD, medical and mental health conditions, and physical/mobility/sensory impairments. 

Should I disclose my disability? 

We definitely recommend you share information about your disability or support requirements - this ensures you can make informed decisions about the additional support and adjustments we may be able to offer. If you choose not to share information about your disability or support needs, then we will not be able to support you fully to mitigate the impact on your studies.

Will I be treated differently or discriminated against due to my disability? 

No - this would not happen at ICMP. It is illegal for any college or university to discriminate on these grounds and information about your disability or support needs will not have any impact on your course application decision. We simply ask for this information so we can provide appropriate support where it is required, to mitigate the study-related impact of any disability.

Will you share my information or disability details with other staff members? 

You can request this doesn’t happen if you have concerns about confidentiality and information sharing. However, we usually recommend you give your consent for us to share information with certain staff (e.g. your course tutors) as it ensures they are aware of your situation and can offer appropriate support to help ensure your success.

What are the benefits of disclosing a disability? 

We encourage all disabled students studying with us to disclose information about their disability or long-term condition, so that reasonable adjustments and appropriate support can be put in place. It may mean there are specific adjustments you are entitled to, that you can apply for a full support package through the DSA (Disabled Students Allowance), or that you can access certain exam arrangements such as extra time or rest breaks. 

How do I prove a disability? 

Any entitlement to reasonable adjustments will be based on provision of formal evidence of your diagnosis. This often means getting an up-to-date letter or report from your GP or specialist, confirming the diagnosis, time-frame (must be a long-term condition, i.e. lasting at least 12 months) and the possible impact on study-related activities. For students with things like dyslexia (and other specific learning differences) you will need to provide a copy of your diagnostic assessment report. Provision of suitable evidence is vital for accessing formal support arrangements in UK higher education.

Mental Health Advice 

Mental Health Advisers (MHA) work across the full spectrum of mental health conditions ensuring students obtain appropriate treatment, support and adjustments to enable them to  successfully complete their studies. 

Our MHA work alongside the disability advisers and counselling providers but their role is very different to a counsellor. The focus of the role is to support students in managing the impact of their mental health condition during their time at ICMP, removing barriers to successful study.

An MHA will be able to support and encourage a student to consider their rights and think about any additional resources which may help them to access education. This may include, for example, adjustments in the learning and teaching environment, and formal academic assessments so that the specific effects of their difficulties can be taken into account (for example. extra time if they have concentration or processing difficulties).  

For some students, this may involve applying for DSAs to facilitate access to education, notably through the provision of additional resources such as education and mental health-specific support. Each case will be viewed independently and will vary according to individual student needs. 

Mental Health Adviser (Autistic Students)

Lola Idowu is the first point of contact for students who are on the Autistic Spectrum.  The level and type of support will vary according to the individual student.  Typically, students are offered study skills and personal support that will assist students to develop organisational skills and manage their time and workload effectively. 

This support will help them to develop as independent learners and maintain the necessary focus on academic progress despite the distractions imposed by their disability. 

The role of the MHA (Students with a diagnosis of autism) is to help students recognise the barriers to learning created by their disability and support them in developing strategies to address these barriers, particularly at times of transition, e.g. when starting at ICMP or when planning to move on from it.  

Student Money & Accommodation Advice

Our Student Money & Accommodation Adviser offers support, advice and guidance for students who are struggling with money management, need support to applying for Student Finance or are experiencing severe financial or accommodation issues. Students can also request advice about finding accommodation, tenancy agreements, disputes with their landlord and/or rent guarantors.

Find out more about Student Money & Accommodation Advice.  

External Resources

We’re pleased to offer a variety of external resources to help students while with us. 

Togetherall online support 

Togetherall is a free online support service available to students 24/7, 365 days a year. This virtual community offers a safe space for participants to talk and share concerns, issues and worries outside of normal office hours and over weekends. It also offers a range of online courses on topics such as managing stress and improving how you sleep. 

 Visit Togetherall

Student Minds & Student Space 

Student Minds is the UK’s biggest student mental health charity. It offers plenty of free guides and resources on its website to help you prepare for student life. 

Student Space offers 24 hour text support from a trained volunteer. To access support, text STUDENT to 85258. Alternatively they have web chat, phone and email support. Friendships and socialising, mental health and wellbeing, and preparing for university. 

 Visit Student Minds

Leapskills

Student accommodation provider Unite Students offers Leapskills, a free resource to help young people with the transition to independent living. There are plenty of materials and advice on here to help as you start to study. 

 Visit Leapskills