Campus and general FAQs

As you are aware, the University has put in place alternative teaching, assessment and academic support for you as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic – to protect both our students and staff, while still enabling you to gain the award you came to Solent to achieve.

The new teaching, assessment and support arrangements have been designed to provide you with the opportunity to achieve the same learning outcomes you would normally, and to ensure the value and quality of your award remain unchanged.

We are implementing a no detriment approach to assessment, so your academic results will not be disadvantaged as a result of the current situation. We have been working closely with the Students’ Union who have been really helpful in providing feedback. Once these have been finalised we will provide further information on SOL.

In the meantime, you are strongly advised to focus on your assessments (both coursework and exams), to meet the learning outcomes for your course. Unless you are submitting extenuating circumstances, you should continue to complete and submit all assessments.

Late submissions without extenuating circumstances have also been extended to 14 days (including weekends).

The extenuating circumstances procedures have been changed to cover the impact of Covid-19.

We recommend you read the new arrangements for taking exams online as soon as possible, and certainly in advance of your exam period. As you know, exams require planning and preparation and we want to ensure you have every chance to succeed, so please do read the exam preparation guidance we have developed for you.

Assessment dates have now been updated in SOL to reflect the extensions previously communicated to you. Please contact your module leader if you have any queries relating to these dates. The Student Hub: student.hub@solent.ac.uk, Solent Futures: solent.futures@solent.ac.uk and the student funding team: student.funding@solent.ac.uk are also all still ready to provide any advice you may need, so do get in touch for further support.

If you have any questions about accessing disability learning support remotely, please contact access@solent.ac.uk.

As you are aware, University has put in place alternative teaching, assessment and academic support for you as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic – to protect both our students and staff, while still enabling you to gain the award that you came to Solent to achieve.

The new teaching, assessment and support arrangements have been designed to provide you with the opportunity to achieve the same learning outcomes you would normally, and to ensure the value and quality of your award remain unchanged.

We are implementing a no detriment approach to assessment, so your academic results will not be disadvantaged as result of the current situation. We have been working closely with the Students’ Union, who have been really helpful in providing feedback. Once these have been finalised we will provide further information on SOL.

In the meantime, you are strongly advised to focus on your assessments (both coursework and exams), to meet the learning outcomes for your course. Unless you are submitting extenuating circumstances, you should continue to complete and submit all assessments.

Late submissions without extenuating circumstances have also been extended to 14 days (including weekends).

The extenuating circumstances procedures have been changed to cover the impact of Covid-19.

We recommend you read the new arrangements for taking exams online as soon as possible and certainly in advance of your exam period. As you know, exams require planning and preparation and we want to ensure you have every chance to succeed so please do read the exam preparation guidance we have developed for you.

Assessment dates have now been updated in SOL to reflect the extensions I previously wrote to you about. Please contact your module leader, if you have any queries relating to these dates. The Student Hub: student.hub@solent.ac.uk, Solent Futures: solent.futures@solent.ac.uk and the student funding team: student.funding@solent.ac.uk are also all still ready to provide any advice you may need, so do get in touch for further support.

If you have any questions about accessing disability learning support remotely, please contact access@solent.ac.uk.

Face-to-face lectures, seminars and tutorials ended on Tuesday 17 March. Supervision will be via email, Skype, etc. Vivas will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Face-to-face lectures, seminars and tutorials ended on on Tuesday 17 March. We will work with you and your employers to ensure you can continue your off-the-job training. Course leaders and heads of subject will provide precise information on your structured programme of learning and virtual progress reviews to align with potential home-based working. All information will be on your SOL pages.

If there is any change in your employment, in most circumstances you can continue your apprenticeship and we can put in a support plan to assist you in finding another apprenticeship role.

If you are coming up to end point assessment, we will be in contact with you to confirm arrangements. We are in contact with our end point assessment organisations to establish their plans to enable this part of your apprenticeship to continue.

All forms of tuition and assessment, where feasible, have been adapted so they can be undertaken off campus and outside the UK. We are working very closely with the MNTB and the MCA to minimise the impact on you. 

We also appreciate that this situation may impact on your sea time. We are therefore working closely with sponsoring companies, training managers, the MNTB and the MCA to minimise the impact on you. 

We will be delivering flexible and effective online working where possible, using our excellent virtual learning environment (VLE), including instructional videos and lecture capture sessions, as well as one-to-one remote support.

For activities that cannot be conducted online, such as safety training, engineering workshop skills or simulation courses, from 4 July 2020 we have carefully reopened parts of our campuses to deliver these courses to cadets.

Many lecturers have also been provided with hovercams at home so they can film live demonstrations of chartwork and we seek to make the online learning experience as interactive as possible.

While the University has published its ‘no detriment’ policy for students, this can be overruled by external governing bodies (MNTB/MCA). We will do all we can to prepare you for the best chance of success.

Safety courses, NAEST assessments and engineering workshops skills
We intend to recommence the delivery of a selected number of maritime professional short courses at the East Park Terrace, St Mary’s and Warsash campuses from 6 July 2020. These courses will be conducted in a revised, Covid-secure way, and in strict adherence with all relevant Public Health England guidance. The recommencement is therefore subject to any change in the Public Health England guidance and potential local public health measures. 

The priority for these short courses will be given to our cadets and senior maritime students who have been taught remotely during the lockdown, to ensure they can proceed to sea as soon as possible. 

MCA written exams
We intend to conduct the MCA written professional examinations (SQA/IAMI) for our cadets and senior students at the St Mary’s campus from 6 July 2020. 

MCA oral exams
The MCA has commenced online oral examinations. We will be preparing our cadets for these exams.

All forms of tuition and assessment, where feasible, have been adapted so they can be undertaken off campus and outside the UK. We are working very closely with the MCA to minimise the impact on you. 

Safety courses, NAEST assessments and engineering workshops skills
We intend to re-commence the delivery of a selected number of maritime professional short courses at the East Park Terrace, St Mary’s and Warsash campuses from 6 July 2020. These courses will be conducted in a revised, Covid-secure way and in strict adherence with all relevant Public Health England guidance. The re-commencement is therefore subject to any change in the Public Health England guidance and potential local public health measures. 

The priority for these short courses will be given to our cadets and senior maritime students who have been taught remotely during the lockdown, to ensure they can proceed to seas as soon as possible. 

MCA written exams
We intend to conduct the MCA written professional examinations (SQA/IAMI) for our cadets and senior students at the St Mary’s campus from 6 July 2020. 

MCA oral exams
The MCA has commenced online oral examinations. We will be preparing our students for these exams. 

We intend to recommence a selected number of maritime professional short courses at the East Park Terrace, St Mary’s and Warsash campuses from 6 July 2020. 

These courses will be conducted in a revised, Covid-secure way and in strict adherence with all relevant Public Health England guidance. The recommencement is therefore subject to any change in the Public Health England guidance and potential local public health measures. 

We've added some new learning resources that you will find useful as you continue your studies remotely.

• A succeed@solent SOL page has been created to help with learning at a distance.
• A new virtual helpdesk is available where you can video chat with an e-learning expert - open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday.

Your lecturers and course leaders remain fully available to you, so do let them know if you have any questions or concerns.

In order to safeguard the wellbeing of our students and staff, their families and our visitors, and in line with evolving Government guidance, our School of Art, Design and Fashion has taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Summer Showcase, which was due to take place in June.

However, plans are already underway to develop alternative ways to showcase the culmination of three years’ hard work by students and staff alike –  more information on this will be available soon. 

Students on courses that require access to Adobe Creative Cloud should have been sent an email from Adobe providing them with an 'at home' licence. You can find a list of relevant courses and information here.

To ensure we are best protecting the health and welfare of our Solent community, and in line with the latest Government social distancing guidelines, there will be no teaching or assessment activity for the remainder of this academic year that will require students to be on campus.

For more information on returning to campus in the new academic year, please take a look at our Solent in September information page.

Assessment dates have now been updated in SOL to reflect the extensions given previously. If you have any queries in relation to these dates please contact your module leader.

We are implementing a no detriment approach to assessment, so your academic results will not be disadvantaged as result of the current situation. We have been working closely with the Students’ Union who have been providing feedback. We will provide further information on SOL when these have been finalised.

In the meantime, you are strongly advised to focus on your assessments (both coursework and exams), to meet the learning outcomes for your course. Unless you are submitting extenuating circumstances, you should continue to complete and submit all assessments.

Late submissions without extenuating circumstances have also been extended to 14 days (including weekends).

The extenuating circumstances procedures have been changed to cover the impact of Covid-19.

We recommend you read the new arrangements for taking exams online as soon as possible and certainly in advance of your exam period. As you know, exams require planning and preparation and we want to ensure you have every chance to succeed so please do read the exam preparation guidance we have developed for you.

The Student Hub: student.hub@solent.ac.uk, Solent Futures: solent.futures@solent.ac.uk and the student funding team: student.funding@solent.ac.uk are also all still ready to provide any advice you may need, so do get in touch for further support.

If you have any questions about accessing disability learning support remotely, please contact access@solent.ac.uk.

Exam dates have now been updated in SOL. If you have any questions relating to these dates, please contact your module leader.

We recommend you read the new arrangements for taking exams online as soon as possible and certainly in advance of your exam period. As you know, exams require planning and preparation and we want to ensure you have every chance to succeed so please do read the exam preparation guidance we have developed for you.

We are implementing a no detriment approach to assessment, so your academic results will not be disadvantaged as result of the current situation. We have been working closely with the Students’ Union who have been providing feedback. We will provide further information on SOL when these have been finalised.

In the meantime, you are strongly advised to focus on your assessments (both coursework and exams), to meet the learning outcomes for your course. Unless you are submitting extenuating circumstances, you should continue to complete and submit all assessments.

Late submissions without extenuating circumstances have also been extended to 14 days (including weekends).

The extenuating circumstances procedures have been changed to cover the impact of Covid-19.

The Student Hub: student.hub@solent.ac.uk, Solent Futures: solent.futures@solent.ac.uk and the student funding team: student.funding@solent.ac.uk are also all still ready to provide any advice you may need, so do get in touch for further support.

If you have any questions about accessing disability learning support remotely, please contact access@solent.ac.uk.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the University has put in place alternative teaching, assessment and academic support to that which we would normally provide to students on our courses.

These changes have been made to ensure we protect both our staff and students, while still enabling students to gain the award they came to Solent to achieve. The replacement teaching, assessment and support have been designed to provide students with the opportunity to achieve the same learning outcomes they would normally, and to ensure the value and quality of their award remain unchanged. 

Throughout this time, students continue to have access to the complaints and appeals processes. If a student considers that the alternate provision has not been adequate, they are able to submit a formal complaint explaining why they consider this is the case. 

Where the University receives a complaint about the Covid-19 teaching provision, the stage 1 investigation will include an assessment of the academic provision by the relevant head of subject or other senior academic within the School. The outcome of this assessment is considered to be the 'academic judgement' of the senior academic. 

We will be releasing undergraduate student results at the end of August and re-sits and resubmissions will take place at the beginning of September. We then plan for continuing students to move on with their studies as planned.  

Final year students will receive their final results in early September and will graduate from their courses as normal. This year’s graduation ceremony will be postponed to a later date.

You can access Solent Futures Online through the Careers tab on the Portal where you’ll find advice and guidance on all aspects of career planning, as well as video and interactive content to help you plan your future.

You can also sign up for email alerts for both graduate and part-time jobs. If you have any questions, please email solent.futures@solent.ac.uk.

There is also still support available for any students who are considering starting their own business, including online workshops and the opportunity to take part in a virtual pitching panel for seed funding to get your business idea off the ground. Please email enterprise@solent.ac.uk if you’d like to know more.

The University has made the decision that it will not be furloughing Campus Jobs, or any staff, as a significant part of the University's income is generated by public funds and therefore means we are unable to apply under the Job Retention Scheme.

Our Campus Jobs students who have had regular hours of work over the 12 months that were scheduled to continue up to, and including, 31 July 2020 will continue to be paid. If you have any queries, please contact your manager in the first instance.

We know you may have suddenly left your room in residences to return back home and, as a result, may not have taken all your personal items with you. Endsleigh Insurance will continue to cover any items left in your room up to the policy limits, even though you’re not living in residences, until 1 July 2020.

As an additional benefit, when you’re travelling (in the UK only) you’ll also be covered for any personal items you carry with you against theft for up to £500 per bag.

If you should need to make an insurance claim or check your cover under your Endsleigh Policy, the policy number is HH1179.

• Claims can be registered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by reporting them online via www.endsleigh.co.uk.
• Endsleigh’s claims service is open five days a week, Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm, tel: 0800 923 4042.

My university learning has moved to hybrid delivery/online - what are my options regarding my accommodation?

Moving home during the coronavirus outbreak

• You can move home within England if you can do so safely, but you must still follow Public Health guidance.
• You should not move home if you're self-isolating.
• If you're at higher risk from coronavirus due to health reasons, discuss the move with your GP first.

Can I still stay in my private/University-managed student house/accommodation?
The student community remains an integral part of the student experience. The opportunity to live independently, either in student residences or private accommodation is still open and accessible to all students.

Can I change my contract start and end dates?
You will need to contact your landlord or accommodation providers directly - they may be willing to negotiate if they are able to. Get any agreements in writing.

Can I leave my contract early?
You can only leave your contract early if:

• There is a break clause in the contract.
• Provision has been made for early termination within the contract.
• You negotiate an early release with your accommodation provider.

What will happen if I leave without ending my contract properly?
You are legally free to leave at any time. However, you will remain liable for the rent for the duration of the contract. Accommodation providers, landlords and tenants should continue to work together and show flexibility.

Still have a question about your private accommodation? Email private.housing@solent.ac.uk.

Does my private hall have to release me from my tenancy?
No. Private halls are not currently legally required to release you from your contract. Private accommodation providers have different approaches. A small number of private halls in the city have agreed to terminate fixed term contracts early. We recommend contacting your provider directly in writing for clarification of their procedure.

Can I leave my tenancy with a private landlord early because of coronavirus?
You can leave your contract early if:

• Your contract has a break clause
• You negotiate an early end date with your landlord

If you want to leave as soon as possible you'll probably have to negotiate. Your landlord may be sympathetic to your request to leave if they understand your reasons. For example, if you need to move urgently because you or a family member are sick or need support. See a suggested letter format to send to your landlord.

I'm worried about rent arrears. What should I do?
The student funding team can provide financial advice and guidance, contact them at: student.funding@solent.ac.uk.

You must speak to your landlord if you're struggling to pay rent. They could be sympathetic if you've lost your job or seen your income reduce suddenly. They might agree to a rent reduction or to accept rent late. Get any agreement in writing.

Buy-to-let landlords may get mortgage payment holidays if their tenants have financial problems due to coronavirus. Your landlord's mortgage payments will normally increase after a payment holiday.

Moving home during the coronavirus outbreak

From 13 May 2020 you can move home within England if you can do so safely.

You must still follow public health guidance. You should not move home if you're self-isolating.

If you're at higher risk from coronavirus due to health reasons, discuss the move with your GP first. See GOV.UK for full guidance on moving home during the outbreak

What if I need to delay a move because of coronavirus?
Don't sign a contract or agree a tenancy start date until you're sure you can move in.

Try to negotiate a new start date if you've already signed an agreement, so you don't have to start paying rent before you can move.

You may also need to negotiate with your existing landlord or let them know if you can't move out by a planned date.

Your current tenancy will usually continue as a periodic tenancy if your fixed term contract ends as long as you still live there.

Landlords, agents and tenants will need to work together and show flexibility.

Can I view a new property?
Viewings in person are now allowed if they can be done safely. Initial property searches should still be done online.

It's usually a good idea to visit a rented property in person before you sign a contract.

You shouldn't view a property in person if you're self-isolating. See detailed government guidance on GOV.UK

What if I don't want viewings in my home?
Your landlord or agent can't legally let themselves in without your permission if you rent the whole property.

If there's a term in your tenancy agreement which says viewings can take place, ask your landlord to be reasonable in the circumstances. Government guidance suggests that during viewings people who live there should go out, and that the property must be thoroughly cleaned afterwards. You could argue that this is an unreasonable disturbance for a private renter.

You could offer to show the property to new tenants through a virtual viewing on your phone if you don't want people in your home before you move out.

It can be harder to prevent viewings if you rent a room in a shared house. In a shared house or house in multiple occupation (HMO), the landlord or agent can usually access shared areas and spare bedrooms without your permission. They should still listen to your concerns and follow the government guidance.

Advice on signing contracts and future contractual obligations

If you have already signed a contract for next year, it is likely that this will still stand and you will still be expected to pay rent as per the contractual obligations. If you have any concerns about a future contract, you should discuss them directly with your landlord or accommodation provider.

If you are not happy to sign a contract, don't. Contracts are legally binding documents and it is important you fully understand what you are committing to. You could try to negotiate a period of time (for example a month) with the landlord, where they will hold the accommodation whilst you work out what to do.

Some private accommodation providers are offering, students who have not already entered into contracts, a promise of flexibility. All of the private providers in the city are operating different policies so you will need to check arrangements with each individual operator. It is important to get any agreements in writing so that you have a record of what was agreed.

Please note, it is recommended you keep up to date with the latest Government advice as all guidance is subject to change.

Eviction

Can my landlord evict me straight away because of coronavirus?
It's illegal for your landlord to evict you without following the proper steps.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence - coronavirus doesn't change this.

It's likely to be an illegal eviction if your landlord:

• makes you leave without notice or a court order
• locks you out of your home, even temporarily.

You can get help from the council or the court if your landlord prevents you accessing your home.

If you are at risk of eviction, email private.housing@solent.ac.uk for advice.

What if I've had notice from my landlord?
You should stay in your home.

Evictions take time and you don't have to leave at the end of your notice.

Most tenants who get a notice between 26 March 2020 and 30 September 2020 will be entitled to three months' notice before their landlord can apply to court.

This includes:

• private tenants who get a section 21 or a section 8
• secure, introductory and flexible council tenants
• housing association tenants
• regulated tenants.

Right to rent immigration checks

What is the right to rent?
Before renting out a room or a property, private landlords and agents are legally required to check the immigration status of:

• the tenant or lodger
• any other adults who will be living there.

They don't have to check the status of children under 18, or guests who stay in your home but don't pay rent.

The checks only apply to agreements that started on or after 1 February 2016.

In light of the Coronavirus outbreak, Home Office guidance states landlords can accept scanned copies or photos of original documents for right to rent checks during the coronavirus outbreak.

Landlords will need to carry out full checks on original documents within eight weeks of emergency coronavirus measures ending.

If you still have a housing query, you can get further advice and guidance from the University's housing adviser by email: private.housing@solent.ac.uk

It’s important you are prepared for the different situations that could arise due to the coronavirus, Covid-19.

• If you have non-medical help (NMH) eg, a specialist mentor or specialist study skills tutor, please contact your support provider to ask what their plans are in the event of your mentor being unable to attend your sessions or the University being closed.
• If you have personal care or other care support, please contact your provider to discuss plans for any situation that may arise due to the coronavirus.
• If you have a health condition or disability that you think makes you more vulnerable if you catch the virus, please make sure you have discussed this with a medical professional.
• It’s important you consider whether there are any situations that would mean you would need to go home for health reasons.
• If you have any questions or difficulties making plans, please contact Access Solent by email access@solent.ac.uk.

Any current students who need an updated end of course date confirmed by the University to the Disabled Students Allowance team should email access@solent.ac.uk.

Students and staff are continuing to attend University and placements but we are aware that this is a fluid situation and that there is a need to respond to local decision-making processes within placement agencies. 

We are aware that the COVID-19 response may encompass changes to working practices and the potential for reduced direct access with people with lived experience and/or wider service provision within your areas of practice. 

If placement agencies continue to operate a meaningful, safe and proportionate service - then it is anticipated that students will continue to attend placement and work in line with agency guidance (National Guidelines will inform this) 

If agencies operate a policy for home working and you have appropriate mechanisms in place to support your continued activity from home, please continue in line with the guidance of your Practice Educator/Supervisor or Placement Agency Line-manager. 

Should your placement agency undertake measures to close your placement setting – as a temporary response - please discuss the potential for research activity and/or project work that may be relevant and achievable while working from home.

If opportunities for practice are severely curtailed it may be necessary to suspend your placement. The University will liaise with placement providers and Social Work England to draw upon relevant guidance and ensure the best support for your continued studies.

Throughout this period we ask that students, practice educators and practice supervisors retain a log of placement days and notify the Practice Learning Coordinator and individual tutors if placements need to be suspended.

If you have concerns, please liaise with individual tutors, the Practice Learning Coordinator and/or the Student Hub by email: student.hub@solent.ac.uk

If I am on a healthcare placement and there are suspected cases of coronavirus (Covid–19) what should I do?

All placement areas have protocols to manage the situation and will be linking with infection control teams and Public Health England (PHE). You will therefore be following these procedures in the same way you would for other placement activities.

Key things to remember: 

• Adherence to infection control procedures remains paramount. 
• Continue to maintain confidentiality and not discuss details outside of expected parameters. 

You should follow procedures outlined for the general public if you are unwell  https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

If I am on a healthcare placement and there are confirmed cases of coronavirus what should I do?

It is not expected that you would be required to provide clinical care for a person with confirmed coronavirus as there will be healthcare professionals with specialist training for this.

I’ve had contact with somebody who has travelled to one of the affected countries – can I go to placement / university?

Follow Public Health England’s advice on their website

If you are still unsure or concerned, you can speak to the member of staff in charge on placement, the education lead for your placement, your academic adviser or programme leader. 

If a student on placement overseas is quarantined with the coronavirus and then has to fly home, would the travel insurance pay for an additional ticket and/or refund the cancellation of the existing ticket?

Any additional costs to return home early or later than the original ticket can be submitted for the insurers' review, but first check whether you can get a refund for the existing ticket.

If a student on placement becomes unwell and incurs personal costs due to being quarantined with the virus, would these costs be covered?

Medical expenses incurred while on an insured trip are covered, there are no COVID-19 exclusions in place. Students (or staff) should contact our assistance company (details are on the Portal and on the emergency medical assistance card and app) as soon as symptoms are present, or they feel unwell, to enable a swift co-ordinated response for treatment and cost reduction accordingly.

If a student on placement becomes unwell and incurs medical costs from being treated in hospital with the virus would these costs be covered?

Medical expenses incurred while on an insured trip are covered. There are no COVID-19 exclusions in place. Students (or staff) should contact our assistance company (details are on the Portal and on the emergency medical assistance card and app) as soon as symptoms are present/feeling unwell to co-ordinate any treatment and reduce costs accordingly.

Student loans
The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed it is planning to make term 3 tuition fee payments as scheduled and that you will continue to receive maintenance payments on the scheduled dates, whether or not campuses are closed or learning has moved online.

Student funding advice
The student funding team are available via email for any funding related enquiries from UK, EU and International students. 

We will now accept all grant* applications (with their evidence as per the application form) by email to student.funding@solent.ac.uk

Students must ensure they have provided their UK bank account details via the portal using this secure link: https://bit.ly/2kDS38g

Support grant applications will continue to be assessed on a case by case basis, for example loss of employment, unable to return home. Students will be notified directly via their university email.

Forms and information are on our Portal pages.

*Please note if you are applying to the ‘unpaid placement support grant’ please check your placement is still going ahead before applying.

Please be aware that the University therapy and mental health team are working remotely. We will be offering telephone appointments in place of face-to-face sessions, and can receive and respond to emails and submitted self-referral forms.

All students currently on our waiting list are being contacted to offer them the option to have telephone appointments.

If you would like an appointment please complete our online self-referral form.  If you have any difficulties with the online link, please use the Word version of the form, which you can find on the self-referral form Portal page.

Mental health support

Due to the limited support we are able to deliver as a service, our mental health adviser’s role will be restricted to liaison, advocacy and signposting support. In order to ensure students that are not already working with the mental health adviser are still accessing the appropriate level of support available to them, we are introducing a triage service in the form of a 'call back request'.

Students who want to have contact with the mental health adviser need to FULLY complete the call back request form and submit this to therapy.mh@solent.ac.uk. Their call back request form will be assessed in regards to priority and students will receive a call back during the 'call back service' set timings - this will run for one hour every day between 2pm and 3pm.

Call back request form

Self-help resources

Understanding your feelings or diagnosis, and finding coping strategies is a really important step in improving your wellbeing. We have lots of leaflets, books and self-help resources to help you. Here are some useful links to websites and apps which you may wish to look at:

Websites

Mind - the mental health charity; lots of information and support advice for mental health issues, as well as a handy 'I need urgent help' section

Student Minds - the student mental health charity

Students against depression - tailored advice for students

The Mix - essential support information on all aspects of life for people under 25

Blurt - increasing awareness and understanding of depression - great social media presence on Facebook and Twitter

Anxiety UK - Advice and support on an array of anxiety disorders

Apps

• For mindfulness - Try Headspace, The Mindfulness App, Calm, MoodSpace
• To help manage self-harm and suicidal thoughts - Stay Alive, DistrACT, Calm Harm
• Mood trackers and digital diaries - Youper, Gratitude Journal
• Creative Apps for taking time out - Color Touch, Fraksl, My Oasis, Alpaca World

Disclaimer: these websites and apps are externally owned and managed, the University is not responsible for their content.

Only those colleagues who are absolutely required to work from campus should be on site. Everyone else should continue to work from home. Your manager will assess those roles that are critical to working on campus and will let you know.

Since our move to remote working, we have shared lots of information and guidance to support you during this time. To ensure all of this information is easily accessible, we have created this remote working support for staff page on Solent Online Learning. The course pulls together guidance and resources on health and wellbeing during remote working and also development that can be undertaken from home.

We recognise and appreciate how well everyone has adapted to remote working during this interim period.

Any additional needs for IT and other DSE equipment will need to be considered as part of the University’s planning for our return to work, particularly where remote working is likely to continue. In the meantime we would ask that you do not purchase or make expense claims for additional items. On the few occasions where this is significantly impacting your health, and the items requested are in line with ongoing medical issues experienced before lockdown commenced, please liaise with your manager who will complete the urgent DSE/IT request form and return to your P&D business partner for further review.

You may be eligible to claim tax relief (subject to HMRC rules) for some bills you have to pay, because you have to work at home on a regular basis. You will need to do this directly with HMRC by completing the online check and following the instructions. You will not normally be required to keep records of claims of up to £6 per week (£26 per month), subject to HMRC guidance.

If you require access to Adobe Creative Cloud from home, please log a call with ICT via UNITY self-service.

Here are some simple but important steps you can take to help protect the health and safety of your people and be prepared for any developments:

• Direct people to this Covid-19 page (www.solent.ac.uk/covid-19) for latest updates and advice.
• Ask people to check their full contact details, address and other personal details are up to date on MyView.
• If you have any further staff queries, please escalate them to your Business Partner.

If you are at home and are unable to work due to self-isolation, self-isolation with symptoms, or diagnosed with Covid-19, you are required to inform your manager, then email absence.reporting@solent.ac.uk or leave a voicemail on 023 8201 3895 stating your name, department, manager and reason for absence. If you have received a communication from your GP or the NHS informing you to shield and you are unable to work from home due to the nature of your role, please provide your manager with a copy of the letter/text you received to confirm this - your manager will pass on to P&D to record this, as detailed below.

Please note, any Covid-19 absences (symptoms or diagnoses) can only be recorded as such if your absence is for four days or more, and where you have been unable to work during your period of absence. Any other absences under four days should be recorded as sickness as usual.

It is also important that you record your absence on MyView. Please use the table below for guidance on recording your absence on MyView.

Your usual sick leave and pay entitlements apply if you are required to self-isolate. Normally we would require a sick note authorising your absence, however we recognise that this may not be possible where you are required to self-isolate. In this case an exception can be made, please make sure your manager is aware.

For further advice please see the Covid-19: Stay at home guidance from PHE: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

If you need to be absent from work you will need to let your manager know as soon as possible and record your absence as normal on MyView.

If you have received a shielding letter/text from your GP or the NHS and are unable to work from home due to the nature of your role, please forward this to your manager who will pass on to P&D to record this for you as detailed below.

Any period of sickness while you are shielding should be recorded in the usual way with shielding resuming once any period of sickness absence has ended.

With the recent launch of the new Test & Trace system within the UK, if you have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus you will be notified that you must self-isolate for 14 days. This will be recorded as 'directed self-isolation', as specified in the table below. Please inform your manager immediately should this be the case - they will notify P&D.

If your absence relates to Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and you have either symptoms or have been diagnosed with Covid-19, this can only be recorded as coronavirus if your absence is for four days or more and where you have been unable to work during your period of absence. Any other absences under four days must be recorded as sickness as usual. Please use the table below for guidance on recording your absence on MyView.

You are entitled to reasonable time off work to help someone who depends on you in an unexpected event or emergency. For example, if you have children and you need to look after them due to a school closure or because they are sick. 

You should contact your manager in the first instance if this is the case, who will discuss options available such as a period of urgent family leave, flexible working or other leave options. Your P&D Business Partner can advise on further guidance if necessary. You will need to record your absence on MyView as normal.

Childcare vouchers
If you are currently a member of the University’s childcare voucher scheme through EdenRed and wish to reduce your contributions as an interim measure at this time, you will need to log in to your EdenRed account in the normal way at www.mychildcarevouchers.co.uk. You will need your membership number and 4-digit pin. It is not advisable to leave the scheme completely, but to reduce your contributions instead. To do this, please select the Join/Amend/Leave option from the menu and amend your contributions to no less than £1. Depending on the date you submit the change, it may not take effect in the current payroll month but will do so in your following month’s salary. 

Travel/season ticket loans
Train companies have confirmed that they will be refunding unused season tickets, however you will need to check directly with your train company on how to do so. For those using South Western Trains you may find this link helpful: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/contact-and-help/refunds-and-compensation/refunds. Solent will continue to deduct the monthly repayment from your salary during this time. If you have any further queries, please contact your P&D business partner.

In addition to our full parking permits, a new 'reduced days' permit has been agreed for colleagues on campus 1-3 days a week, with the cose being calculated as a percentage.

Staff can also pay ad-hoc via the RingGo pay to park system. Find out more here.

If you have any queries about parking, please email parking.facilities@solent.ac.uk.

Volunteering is an important part of our commitment to the Civic Charter and people experience. If you wish to volunteer for the NHS or other organisations at this time, you should speak with your manager in the first instance.

The current policy entitles all employees to request to volunteer for one day a year on a paid basis. At the current time, it may be possible to increase this, but this would depend on the nature of the role being undertaken and current operational requirements. Employees wishing to volunteer should complete the form and risk assessment attached to the policy and send the completed form to their business partner.

If you wish to make a request to take unpaid emergency volunteer leave, in line with the recent emergency legislation by the Government, please contact your P&D business partner to discuss the arrangements relating to this.

If you require wellness support, our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider, Health Assured, provides a staff helpline and counselling service, as well as helpful webinars and medical information. Please visit the Portal for contact details and more information.

If you’re feeling anxious about coronavirus, you can find advice and tips for looking after your mental health and wellbeing, as well as plans for if you have to self-isolate, on the Solent Mind website.

If you are working from home for the foreseeable future, please follow these DSE guidance tips on staying safe while working remotely.

More helpful resources are available here:

• World Health Organisation's Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 OutbreakMental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak 

• UK Government guidance on social distancing

• UK Government advice on mental health and wellbeing

• Managing mental health during Coronavirus - experts around the world share insights

• NHS advice on mental wellbeing while staying at home
• Meditations, sleep and movement exercises from headspace

If you have any other queries regarding your mental health and wellbeing, please contact your Business Partner.