Social Work Bursaries (SWB) application timeline
Use the heading below to find information on each stage of the application process
- Applying for DSA and medical evidence
- Needs assessment appointment
- Allowances
- Equipment
and support recommendations - Additional recommendations
Which application form do I need to fill in?
You need to complete a DSA application form to apply for DSA.
Once you have completed the DSA application form (PDF, 290KB) you will need to send it to Social Work Bursaries, Sandyford House, Archbold Terrace, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE2 1BF with a copy of your medical evidence.
What medical evidence is required?
You will need to supply a copy of your medical evidence with your DSA application form.
For example
- If you have a Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia/ Dyspraxia), you will need to provide a full Diagnostic assessment, carried out after you were 16 years of age by an educational psychologist, or a suitably qualified professional. Visit the Patoss website for more information.
- For other disabilities or ongoing health conditions, you will need to provide a letter from your GP or from a suitably qualified specialist.
If you do not have a SpLD diagnostic assessment or equivalent as stated above, a new diagnostic test will need to be carried out before you can apply for DSA. If you are in this situation, contact your higher education institution in the first instance.
What happens once I send my DSA 1 application off?
Once you have sent your DSA 1 application form off to the SWB they will write to you and let you know if you qualify for DSA. If you qualify you will be asked to attend a Needs Assessment appointment at an 'assessment centre' to discuss what support you will need. This appointment can be carried out before the start of your course and at any time during your course. A needs assessment must be carried out at an accredited assessment centre.
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What is a Needs Assessment appointment?
A 'Needs Assessment' is a confidential appointment with an assessor to discuss the effects of your disability on your studies and during this appointment options for support are discussed to suit your individual needs and where appropriate, equipment and software are demonstrated and its use evaluated.
The aim of this appointment is to identify any needs and requirements you may have in relation to your disability, and any additional costs that you may incur because of your disability or difficulty.
What happens in a Needs Assessment?
Depending on your needs, your appointment should take approximately two hours. You will not have to do any further tests during your appointment. It is purely an informal chat between yourself and your assessor. As an outcome of the appointment, recommendations are made which are written into a report (SRAC 7). The SRAC 7 report is then sent to your funding body for approval for Disabled Students Allowances funding. Recommendations are also made for institutional support. See the Needs Assessment overview for more information.
Your DSA may fund the following support as recommended in your needs assessment
- a specialist equipment allowance - to help purchase or rent any equipment you may need
- non medical helpers allowance - to help pay for support such as interpreters, note-takers etc
- general allowance - to help with minor costs such as photocopying or Braille
What information do I need to provide before my Needs Assessment?
You need to ensure that you send us a copy of your DSA Confirmation letter, medical evidence and complete the pre-assessment form so the assessor can fully prepare for your appointment.
What happens after my Needs Assessment appointment?
After your appointment, your assessor will write up your report and sent it to you within 10 working days. Your report will include all the recommendations that you have agreed at your assessment, and will also include any quotes or costs as needed.
You should check through the report to make sure that you are happy with the recommendations, and return it to the assessment centre within five days. We will then send one copy to your funding body, and a copy to your higher education institution. Your funding body will contact you about ordering any recommended equipment or support.
Undergraduate
Specialist equipment allowance
For the whole course:
Full time - up to £5,161.00
Part-time - up to £5,161.00
Non-medical helper
Per year:
Full time - up to £20,520.00
Part-time - up to £15,390.00
General allowance
Per year:
Full time - up to £1,724.00
Part-time - up to £1,293.00
Travel allowance
This is dependent on your disability and is to cover additional travekl costs
Postgraduate
For both full-time and part-time postgraduate students there is a single Disabled Student Allowance of up to £10,260.00 per year.
This allowance can be used for: Specialist Equipment, Non-Medical Helpers, Extra Travel Costs and Other additional course related costs.
How do I order my equipment?
When the SWB write to you confirming your support they will state which equipment supplier you will need to contact to order your equipment. You will then need to provide a copy of the SWB letter as confirmation of the order and then your equipment supplier will arrange a date for the equipment to be delivered to you.
How do I organize insurance and warranty for my equipment?
If you have been recommended equipment and software through your Needs Assessment, Insurance and warranty will be provided by your equipment supplier. However if you have been recommended reimbursement for any equipment you will have to organize the appropriate insurance and warranty.
How do I book my support?
If you have been recommended 'in-house' support (e.g. Mentors, one-to-one tutors, note takers etc) through your University please contact your Disability Support Services to book this support. If you have been recommended support through an external agency please refer to your Needs Assessment report for their contact details.
Please note: your allowance for equipment and software will be paid directly to you and you will therefore need to pay the recommended equipment supplier and then provide the receipt to the NHS. Your allowance for Non-medical helpers will be paid directly to the supplier.
What happens if?
- I need support for a new disability
- I change courses
- I need extra support
- My equipment breaks
In all these situations please contact either the Disability support team on 0114 225 3964 or the Sheffield Regional Assessment Centre on 0114 225 3623 and we can advise you on what to do.
