Introducing Student Support and Development Services

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Posted on 12 September 2012

Introducing Student Support and Development Services…..

The Student journey is not always straightforward; students will from time to time deviate from their preferred path, intentionally or not. With many bumps, twists and turns in the road, students can at times lose pace, swerve out of control, question their navigation skills  and/or need to ask for assistance.  Student Support and Development Services (SSDS) is a service for all students and staff to approach should they require support, information and/or advice.


 “University –it will be the best time of your life”. …….this is a stock phrase very often used when explaining to young people the lasting impression that University makes.  In the main it is indeed the case. Keele is a dynamic, vibrant and diverse community where students arrive, meet like-minded people, succeed and achieve and then move on.

The above would perhaps suggest that the student experience is straightforward; a walk in the park and for many it is just that. For some Students however, from time to time they will encounter the odd bump in the road; they may have seen it coming from a long way off or it may have come as a surprise or a shock – the metaphorical bump may be the receiving of an unexpected and disappointing grade, experiencing a relationship breakdown, becoming aware of a learning difficulty or being bullied by flatmates.

In order to ensure that our students are able to successfully navigate these challenges and feel supported as they do so it is important that an effective, intuitive and increasingly professional student support service be in place.

Student Support and Development Services (SSDS) incorporates nine teams, all of which are geared towards ensuring that our students are as well supported as is possible and that they also have the opportunity to engage, develop and achieve. Within the title is the important word ‘development’…this is absolutely intentional. It’s inclusion should have meaning for staff and students as it ensures that we understand that there is a balance between providing direct support, be it face to face, online, as a response or in a time of crisis but also that we have a responsibility to develop and enable our students to ensure that they have the opportunity to be the best they can be. Whether that is through them experiencing a mock interview, or meeting local employers, whether it be that they have the opportunity to mentor a new student or play a part in Welcome Week or a skills event, we are committed to ensuring that activities and opportunities such as these be further developed and promoted into the future.

 

Get in touch…

We all know that no two days are the same when working in a University. Indeed, you will all know that at any moment a student may come to see you upset, concerned and  perhaps with a really challenging question. You may at this moment be considering your response to a difficult email you have received or you may be wondering why a student has not been in class for the past two weeks.

To respond effectively to all of these concerns it is imperative that we all work together. Please do get in touch with us at any point….we are always happy to assist and advise as to how best students can be supported at Keele

Ian Munton

Head of Student Support and Development Services

www.keele.ac.uk/ssds

 

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