What is a support person?

A support person is an aid offered under the SPS scheme, whereby a student is linked to a fellow student, preferably from the same study programme, but another suitable person may also be chosen. The support person may be a student from DTU or a person outside DTU.

The assistance is primarily offered to students with permanent mental impairment—including Asperger’s, ADHD, ADD, schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, anxiety disorders, long-term depression, etc. However, support may also be granted to students with a physical impairment (concussion, chronic physical pain).

Students who are linked to a support person have been admitted to DTU on equal terms with other students but face certain challenges in relation to their studies due to a given functional impairment. This type of support is intended as a compensatory aid that puts the student on par with fellow students as far as possible. See the student not as an ill person but as a student. Focus on the person’s strengths and abilities.

1. Initiating the support

For students with mental impairment, the process is initiated at a kick-off meeting between the student, the support person, and an employee from the Student Counselling Service (SRG). The meeting is held at SRG in Dronningens Tværgade in Copenhagen.

For students with physical impairment, the process is initiated at a kick-off meeting between the student, the support person, and an employee from the SPS Unit at DTU.

The formal framework is outlined by the SRG/DTU employee at the meeting. The student will be given the opportunity to describe their situation, including the status of their studies, their diagnosis (and any medication), and the challenges they face. The support person will get the opportunity to introduce him or herself and arrange the first meeting without the SRG/DTU employee.

2. The support

The support person scheme basically entails a weekly meeting of about one hour in duration. How and what kind of support is relevant depends on the needs of the given student—and this will generally be worked out by the student and the support person along the way.

The frequency of the meetings may also vary during particularly busy periods (e.g. exam periods), or the support may take place via email, telephone, or Skype if the student is studying abroad or on an internship.

The support person scheme has a general framework and objectives.

Study skills:
The support person can advise and motivate the student in relation to study challenges. The focus may be on improving structuring and planning skills and developing strategies. Assistance from a support person must not take on the nature of tutoring or additional teaching (e.g. if the student has missed a lecture or needs additional help with mathematics).
Social challenges:
Some students may need special support for social interaction. That may entail anything from being involved in group work to having normal social interaction with fellow students or participating in sports activities or festivities.
Practical challenges:
The aid may involve assistance in overcoming practical challenges, such as navigating around DTU, using DTU’s intranet, working out how to apply for special exam arrangements, applying for exemption, or contacting PF, Student Services, etc.
Mental support:
In addition to the study, social, and practical elements in the process, the aid will often be of a mental nature. The simple activity of meeting may help the student do better, as the support person thereby helps create continuity and stability in the student’s routine. If the student has had one or more difficult days, for example, it can be nice to talk to someone about how to move on and adjust their planning rather than becoming even more discouraged.

At the end of the support period, the support person and student must complete a description together. That includes an evaluation of the content of the support, a description of the outcomes, and an assessment of the need to continue the support in the following semester.

3. Requirements

Support people always have a duty of confidentiality.

A support person does not have to be an expert in mental or physical impairment. The most important thing is to be a normal listening person.

Support people assisting students with a physical impairment will be invited to a workshop held by SRG. The workshop will offer guidance on how to serve as a respectful support person and supervision in the issues that participants are concerned about. In addition to the workshop, it is possible to receive individual supervision and sparring from SRG.

4. Practical information

Students must contact the SPS unit at DTU to initiate a support arrangement. The SPS unit will apply for a grant from the National Agency for Education and Quality (STUK). Students with mental impairment must initially attend a clarification interview with the Student Counselling Service (SRG), which will then recommend the form of support to be offered. For students with a physical impairment, we can apply directly for a support person. This group of students does not have to attend an initial clarification interview with SRG.

When STUK approves a support person, the SPS unit will help find a suitable person. In some cases, it will be the SPS unit which finds the support person via internal job advertisements at DTU, or the students may find a suitable person/fellow student directly. Finally, DUOS (a supplier of personal support) can assist in finding a suitable support person.

Grants for a support person apply for one semester and can be re-applied throughout the entire study programme as long as there is a diagnostic justification. A typical grant is 20 hours per semester. Extra hours can be applied for, but unused hours cannot be transferred to the next semester. A further three hours in funding is granted for the support person to participate in the SRG workshop and three hours for the support person’s individual supervision via SRG.

5. Salary

Support people will be employed by DUOS. They register the hours spent with DUOS on a regular basis, and the salary is paid monthly in arrears.

6. Tips

Input for meetings between the student and support person:

A general semester plan focusing on preparation for lectures, assignments, projects, exam preparation, etc. It is a good idea if the student prepares a draft plan for the first meeting, where it can serve as a platform for the assessment of future goals or sub-goals.
At each meeting: How did the week go, and what is in store for the following week? It is good to use the general semester plan to maintain an overview.
Are there any specific academic challenges for which the student needs to be supported in seeking assistance?
Are there any social study-related challenges? (Is there a need for support at the commencement of a group activity? How is the group work going? Is there a need for support to contact group members, lecturers, and administrative staff?)
Are there any challenges related to practical study matters? (e.g. CampusNet, DTU Inside, the library, exam schedules, internship, etc.)
Are there any other personal challenges? (How are you in general? Do you have a good routine? Are you getting enough sleep? Enough leisure?)

As a support person, it may be important to varying degrees to:

Be precise about the relationship and clear about boundaries—for the sake of both the student and yourself.
Describe and assess the given situation.
Be clear about the scope you have as a support person (thus far and no further).
Make a time schedule and follow it (for the entire period and for each meeting).
Be very concrete in your language (especially for students with autism spectrum disorders).
Do not communicate ‘bad news’ by email. Wait, if possible, to convey the news until the next meeting with the student.
Help them to help themselves. The aim is not for the support person to ‘sort things out’ for the student but to support the student in working it out for him or herself (for example, having the courage to contact the lecturer or group members or seek help from the Student Counselling Office or Student Services).

As a support person, you are always welcome to contact the SPS Unit if you have any questions or if something happens along the way that you would like to discuss with us. aus-sps@adm.dtu.dk