Signposting

What is signposting?• In groups take 5 minutes to make a list of what

you think signposting is and why it is important to your role as a mentor.

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What is signposting?

• Providing an individual with sufficient information to enable them to access the relevant service

• Directing an individual to someone who is qualified to give advise.

• Drawing attention to a particular service and pointing someone in the right direction.

• It is about empowering others NOT giving advice

Where is the best place to

get a coffee in town?

I’m having problems

with my flat mates.

Why is signposting important to your role?

• Signposting is your way of supporting your mentees.

• You’re not qualified to advise your mentees but you have knowledge about services that can help.

• It is better to signpost than give the wrong information.

How well do you know the University Student Support Services?

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Careers Service• Support and facilitate students academic,

personal and career development.• The Careers service can help you to:– Succeed in your studies (Learning Development)– Gain experience (Volunteering, internships,

enterprise, Leicester Award)– Develop your career (one to one appointments,

CV help, application forms etc)

Where are they? 2nd Floor of the David Wilson LibraryWebsite: www.le.ac.uk/careers

AccessAbility Centre

• Provides support for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, disabilities or long term conditions.

• Offer one to one support, assessment of dyslexia, coordination of alternative exam arrangements and assistance with applications for the Disabled Students’ Allowance.

Where are they? Ground Floor of the David Wilson Library, on the right after the turnstiles.Website: www.le.ac.uk/accessability

Support for students with dyslexia

• Extra time in exams• An Assessed Work Cover Sheet for coursework

that alerts the marker to the student’s dyslexia• One to one study support• Disabled Students’ Allowance

Support for students with other disabilities

• One to one appointments with Centre staff• Other support eg:

note-takers or interpretersPG mentorscampus parking permits

• Supporting staff working with disabled students – academics, hall staff, and so on

• Support for mentors

Student Welfare Service

• Financial advice (student loans, hardship, budgeting)• Provide support for care leavers.• Provide support for overseas students (immigration,

finance, transition and cultural readjustment, events)

• Provide advice for students with accommodation issues (University and private-rented housing)

• Support for students with families (childcare, family support, funding)

Where are they? 1st Floor of the Percy Gee BuildingWebsite: www.le.ac.uk/welfare

Education Unit

• Provide impartial and confidential advice to students on topics such as:– Changing course– How to report mitigating circumstances– Academic appeals

Where are they? 2nd Floor of the Percy Gee Building (WEST WING)Website: http://leicesterunion.com/yourunion/ed_the_education_unit

Student Counselling

• Offers confidential counselling sessions on a one to one or group basis.

• Students go to counselling for a variety of reasons: some just want to talk over something that is troubling them, but which can be resolved quite quickly. Others may want to see a counsellor regularly for a period of time.

Where are they? Freemans Common, behind the health centreWebsite: www.le.ac.uk/healthandwellbeing

Mental Wellbeing

• Provide one to one support to students who are managing mental health issues.

• Aim to lessen the impact these issues might have on students studies.

• Run educational workshops and group activities throughout the year.

Where are they? Freemans Common, behind the health centreWebsite: www.le.ac.uk/healthandwellbeing

Healthy Living

• Provides support for students to help them lead a healthy life style in order to improve their wellbeing, enhance their studies, and reach their full potential.– Coping with exam stress– Eating Healthily– Registering with your GP– Sexual Health

Where are they? Freemans Common, behind the health centreWebsite: www.le.ac.uk/healthandwellbeing

Chaplaincy

• Provide information about local churches and world faith communities.

• Provide a neutral space for students to practice their faith and explore their spirituality.

Where are they? The Gatehouse, University RoadWebsite: www.le.ac.uk/chaplaincy

Students’ Union

• Provide academic and welfare advice.• Focal point for sports clubs, association and

societies.• Represent the rights of students.• Provide opportunities for students to get

involved in University life.

Where are they? Percy Gee BuildingWebsite: www.leicesterunion.com

How to signpost?

• Think about what service may be helpful• Put yourself in their shoes• How could the service help?• Are there any drawbacks?• Be clear with where you got your information from• Be honest if you do not have the answer• Understand if they choose not to listen• You need to have sufficient awareness to realise when

you have reached the limits of your competence

Scenarios• In your envelopes is a scenario.• In groups discuss what you would do if one of

your mentees told you this information.

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Get Creative

• Using the materials on your desk, create a fun and informative poster, leaflet or collage that could be used to explain a student support service to new students.

• This will be on display during lunch for the Heads of Student Support services to view.

• What does the service do?• Where is it located?• Who might need to use it?• How can students contact

them?