Information for parents, guardians and caregivers

Supporting your student

Whether you are supporting someone who is going back into education, or transitioning your student from compulsory education to adult education, it is an exciting time. However we understand its a big change for them, and for you.

Some students might remain at home, but with the new independence university gives them, relationships may change. For those moving out of home for the first time, worries can arise around independence and support.

We are here to support all students, and provide advice and guidance to them. However as adult learners, if they don’t tell us they need help we may not know.

The first semester can be an exciting but daunting time, and the initial student journey can be a rollercoaster of emotions:

Excitement during enrolment, induction, building new friendships and beginning their studies
The end of this semester can bring pressure; exams assignments, fatigue, mental exhaustion and missing home
The post winter break can be the time for some students when their routine settles and they begin to enjoy the routine

Please remember this is a journey we see with lots of our students, and there is lots of support available for them.

Tips to prepare together for University

Have a conversation about communication. You may be in regular contact with your student now, but when they come to university, they will have lectures, tutorials and study periods. They may also be meeting new people and experiencing new social activities, joining societies and clubs and exploring what our city, and Derbyshire has to offer. Set a schedule, pencil in a time to chat at a time suitable for you both and agree to review this if things change.
Consider the practical skills they may need. Some may already be independently managing money and their washing, but others may need some lessons and guidance. Plan a week's meals (take a look at the BBC for inspiration), write a weekly shopping list, practice cooking some healthy meals to fuel their minds and their energy levels!
Encourage them to reach out to someone they trust if they begin to struggle, if they are unsure who to talk to their first point of call is the Student Hub.
Talk to them about balance. Academic work and reading, paid employment and/or volunteering, a new/developing social life, societies and keeping healthy can sometimes quickly become overwhelming, especially in their first few months.

Our support services

Encourage your student to reach out directly to us through our support services.

Student life

Workshops, advice and appointments supporting wellbeing and developing resilience.

Student money

Workshops and guidance around budgeting for University.

Disability support

If your student has a disability, learning difference or long-term condition that may affect their studies, get in touch as soon as possible, and help them apply for DSA.

Look after you

You have focused so much on their journey, it’s time to reflect on yours! Take time and reach out to others as its normal for you to feel all the emotions too!

Plan something nice to look forward to in the first few weeks.
Meet up with friends, find others going through the same thing to share advice.
Take a look at Student Minds for advice for parents.

Safeguarding and confidentiality

Important information when you are looking at how to support your student.

Confidentiality

Over 18 students are adult learners, and as such we are bound by confidentiality laws. We understand that this may be frustrating and know that lots of our students still rely on their parents and supporters to be alongside them as they navigate this journey.

If your student wishes for you to be involved in discussions with student services, please ask them to contact us about consent to share, however this will only be actioned at the request of a student. Without this in place we cannot share any information with anyone else about a student, including confirming if they are registered with us.

Safeguarding

The University has a safeguarding policy which we use to support students, this covers concerns such as abuse, prevent, and harassment and sexual misconduct. For more information, please take a look at our safeguarding webpage.

If you have a safeguarding concern about your student, please complete the cause for concern form, outlining your worries, and let your student know that you have done this.

Remember however that we may not reach back out to you, that our students are adults and have the right to confidentiality. We triage all concerns and take actions that are appropriate, including reaching out to external agencies if necessary. In an emergency we may reach out to a student's next of kin.

Useful services

Support your student to sign up for apps and services while they're at university.

TalkCampus app

The TalkCampus app provides free and instant support for your mental health and wellbeing anytime of the day, anywhere in the world.

SafeZone

We have a free SafeZone app that you can use to access support from our Security team whenever and wherever you are on campus.

Find out how to register with a GP and useful health care info