Student Pregnancy and Parenthood Policy and Procedure

The Student Pregnancy and Parenthood Policy and Procedure exists to make sure you can continue your studies confidently if you become pregnant, have a baby, or take on parental responsibilities. Find out more about the policy below.

Introduction

The University of Salford provides a welcoming, inclusive and supportive teaching, learning and research environment for all. The University has a diverse student population and is committed to admitting and supporting students with a broad range of needs.
The aim of the Policy and Procedure is to support students who become pregnant, give birth or who are parents or are transitioning to parenthood (whether through adoption, guardianship or other means) whilst enrolled at the University.
We understand that each person’s experience of pregnancy or transition to parenthood is unique. This policy seeks to be supportive, ensuring students have the right information and support during their pregnancy or when they become a parent. This enables the University to fulfil its duty of care and responsibility for all students.
The policy and procedure ensure that we comply with the University Health and Safety Policy.

Purpose

The Policy and Procedure is provided for any student who is pregnant, becomes a parent or has young children while at university. It serves to help students work with university staff to make informed decisions around their studies. The University is dedicated to ensuring students are able to participate on their programme or module fully and safely, and they are supported within their academic studies and as part of the university community.
The policy and procedure is for staff and students to discuss flexibility and support for study and includes information and guidance should a student chooses to take a break from their studies.

Scope

This policy and procedure are aimed at students who are or become pregnant while enrolled; students who become parents through adoption, foster to adopt, early permanence, or other means; students whose partner has given birth; or students undergoing fertility treatment. This policy is also aimed at students who are already parents at the time they enrol at the University.
This policy and procedure applies to all students registered at the University of Salford, including those students on apprenticeship programmes, placements / work-based learning and engaging with field work or other off campus study activity. Students at partner institutions should ask about arrangements in place at their own institution. If the student is on a placement, they should also notify their placement provider as it is the responsibility of the placement provider to undertake the risk assessment for the student studying or undertaking a placement with them.
The Associate Director of Student Support and Safeguarding is responsible for the overall management, implementation and annual review of the policy and procedure who will work closely with the Health & Safety team to ensure compliance with the university health and safety policy.
The University is mindful of its obligations under the Equality Act 2010. All decisions regarding academic study will be proportionate and carefully considered, and will ensure that:

Students are not being treated unfavourably because of their pregnancy nor treated unfavourably following and within 26 weeks of giving birth
Students are not treated unfavourably in the case of miscarriage, still birth and neonatal death
Students are not treated unfavourably because of their partner’s pregnancy or have become a parent

5. All academic and professional services staff who provide support for students who are pregnant, become pregnant, give birth or are transitioning to parenthood are expected to adhere to this policy.

Data protection and confidentiality

The University processes all personal information including sensitive data in accordance with the University Data Protection regulations.
When we gather personal information regarding a student under the policy and procedure, we only share it with relevant staff who need it to offer support to the student or follow the policy and procedure. If a member of staff thinks it to be best to share sensitive information to Student Services and / or external agencies (to get the most appropriate support in place), the student’s informed consent should first be obtained wherever possible.
If a student does not want their information shared, we will respect this in most instances. However, there are rare occasions where sharing information internally and (where appropriate) externally is acceptable. These include:

Significant deterioration in health which could cause threat to their personal safety or that of their child
If the student is at risk of serious abuse or exploitation
If non-disclosure by a member of staff could lead to civil or criminal procedures (eg. Reporting a crime)
The student is under 18 years of age or considered vulnerable

Procedure

Disclosure

It is important for the pregnant student to inform the university as soon as they find out that they are expecting a baby. This can be via the school, via the programme leader or the SPA team. Either way is acceptable, the most important thing is for the university to be informed so appropriate support can be put in place as soon as possible.
There are two different forms which can be used to ensure the university is aware of the pregnancy. Only one form is required to be completed, this is either directly by the pregnant student or via the school.
1. Form for pregnant student completion
2. Form for school completion
Where an exceptional circumstances request is made that includes reference to pregnancy or pregnancy related issues, school staff should contact the student as soon as possible to discuss the situation and ensure appropriate action is taken in line with this policy.
In some areas of study, there may be some activity which should be avoided whilst attempting to conceive or when pregnant and therefore a conversation with the programme leader is recommended. This will enable the programme leader to quickly assess the situation to keep both the student and their baby safe from any potential risks.
Once a pregnancy has been notified, the University will not ask for any more proof of pregnancy related sickness or illness when discussing exceptional circumstance requests. We may however need proof for multiple pregnancy related issues and / or new pregnancy related illness. For any non-pregnancy related illness which occur during the pregnancy and does not meet the self-certification criteria, any requests for exceptional circumstances will require evidence.
If a student becomes pregnant unexpectedly, they can speak in confidence to a member of the school SPA team or the student support team who can also advise on other sources of help and support that are available.
Students who are going through fertility treatment will be supported. Since everyone’s experience is different, we ask that the student shares this information with the programme leader and / or student support to identify the most appropriate support plan moving forward.
Students who are going through the adoption process will also be supported. As with fertility treatment, we ask that the student shares this information with the programme leader and / or student support to identify the most appropriate support plan moving forward.

Support

All students are encouraged to engage with school-based staff to access support and discuss any needs or adjustments as early as possible. This is typically the Student Progression Advisers (SPA’s) or programme leaders. Guidance for staff in relation to this policy and procedure and the provision of adjustments is available within Appendix 1.
The University has a wide range of support services and students are encouraged to access and engage with these services to ensure they receive any additional support they require.
The University strongly advises students who are pregnant to download the SafeZone app to ensure they receive timely notifications of any incidents which affect the university or campus. This is to ensure they receive timely notifications and can make alternative arrangements to ensure they are not put at any additional risk.
Students are encouraged to seek professional medical advice and support around pregnancy and birth.
All students who are pregnant, become pregnant, give birth, or are transitioning to parenthood will receive support from their school. Support is also available from Student Experience and Support as required. Further information and guidance is available for staff on the Student Pregnancy and Parenthood space on the Student Support and Safeguarding SharePoint site.
To ensure the support provided is effective, a support plan should be discussed and agreed between the student, school and where appropriate, Student Support. This plan may be shared between academic and support areas to ensure consistency of information and support. A support plan template is provided within the Student Support & Safeguarding SharePoint resource site.
All pregnant students should also have an up-to-date risk assessment along with the support plan. The risk assessment looks at specific hazards or dangers they and their baby may be exposed to.
The risk assessment will be done jointly with the student and the school and may also include colleagues from Student Support. It is the student's responsibility to share any medical issues or considerations so an accurate assessment can be made, and environmental factors can be considered.
During their pregnancy and for the first 26 weeks after the birth, pregnant students will receive support from their school and Student Support services as needed. The Salford Student’s Union can also offer support as and when required. The university has a range of support available for students with families as part of the specialist support activity.
Pregnant students will be asked to meet with their school at least twice, which may include Student Support colleagues, to go over their risk assessment and identify if any changes in support are required as the pregnancy goes on. Should there be any changes which impact upon support needs, students should inform the school SPA team as soon as possible to allow a support and risk assessment review.

Time off from study

It is a legal requirement for a parent to take at least a two-week break following the birth of a child. This relates to all on campus activity and assessments.
Students are able to submit an exceptional circumstance request regarding assessments and other programme related activity. Students are expected to continue to engage with their studies unless they formally interrupt their studies. The university will endeavour to put in place adjustments to support students who wish to continue with their studies where it is reasonable and possible. However, in some instances it may be appropriate and / or necessary for the student to interrupt their studies where the required adjustments cannot be adequately met.
The University will support an interruption of studies of up to 52 weeks and in exceptional circumstances, an interruption of a maximum of 24 months may be considered. Further information regarding interruption is available is available via askUS. Where a student has previously disclosed their pregnancy, no further evidence will be required. Student are advised to seek advice from the Money Advice Service in relation to financial implications related to interruption of their studies.
Partners of parents are entitled to up to 3 weeks authorised absence following the birth of a child. If the partner is subsequently taking responsibility as the main carer during the first 52 weeks following the birth, this should be applied for as an interruption of studies request with supporting evidence provided.
A student who becomes a parent through adoption is entitled to interrupt their studies for up to 52 weeks. In exceptional circumstances, an interruption of a maximum of 24 months may be considered. Further information regarding interruption is available is available via askUS. In the event of a failed adoption where a panel refuses adoption or an adoption hearing fails, the student is entitled to interrupt their studies for up to 52 weeks.
For parents who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth, or if the baby was born alive at any stage of the pregnancy and then passed away, they are entitled to interrupt their studies for up to 52 weeks. If evidence has already been obtained on disclosure of pregnancy, no further evidence will be required. The SPA team is responsible for completing the interruption request and support from the University Mental Health Team is available for any student affected by this situation.
If a student experiences any complications, such as postnatal depression or if a child has significant health issues and the student needs to take more than 52 weeks off from their studies, the student should discuss what is happening with their programme leader and explore the options available to them. We will look at each situation individually to make sure the student gets the best support possible.
We acknowledge that some students may feel lonely and disconnected from their studies while they are away. If that happens, it could be helpful for them to stay in touch with the SPA team. If a student wants to keep in touch, they should talk to their school support team. The university provides information on services and support available during a period of interruption and preparing to return to study.
To make sure everything is in place for when students come back to study, we ask them to let us know as soon as possible of their plans to return. If they are away for more than 6 months, we request at least 2 months’ notice. If they are away for less than 6 months, we ask for at least one months’ notice. Guidance on return to study is available within the Student Engagement, Interruption and Withdrawal Policy.
The student should let their programme leader or SPA team know when they are planning on returning so they can put together a plan to help them settle back in. This plan should include any unfinished assessments, placements or fieldwork. The school will then let Student Administration know that the student is planning to return, so they can help them get back on their course.
If a student decides to withdraw from their course, they should check the Tuition Fee Policy to find out what happens with their fees and any liabilities for payment.

Birth parent return to study: student

If the birth parent is thinking about coming back to university shortly after but not before the two weeks after their baby’s arrival, they should check with their midwife or GP that they are healthy enough to return to their studies. The student must provide evidence from the midwife or GP to support their return.
If there are any limitations, the student must let the programme leader know so they can assess to see whether there are any reasonable adjustments that can be put in place to support the birth parent.
However, depending on the restrictions and the study environment, it might not be appropriate for the birth parent to go back to university until the limitations have ended.
If the birth parent is planning to return to university more than 6 weeks after their baby is born, they need to confirm that they have had their 6-week check-up with their midwife or GP and that they are ready to return to their studies again without limitations.
If there are any limitations, the midwife or GP must explain in writing what these are, and the birth parent should discuss these with the programme leader before they return.

Birth parent return to study: school responsibility

School based academic and professional services staff will support students returning to study which will involve input from the school SPA team and / or the relevant programme leader. The school team is referred to in relation to the provision of support and which will have been agreed prior to the student having their baby.
If the birth parent is thinking of coming back to study within 6 weeks of their baby’s birth, the school team leader needs to check with them to see if their midwife or GP has said they are fit to return and if there are any limitations to this.
If the midwife or GP has confirmed any limitations, a birth parent’s risk assessment should be done to see if there are any adjustments that can be put in place to make things easier for them to study.
Sometimes, the limitations identified by the midwife or GP may not work in the study environment, so it might not be right for the birth parent to return until the limitations have ended.
If the birth parent is planning to come back to study after more than 6 weeks, they should confirm with the school team that they have had their 6-week check with their midwife or GP and that they are fit to return to study.
If there are any limitations, the midwife or GP should detail what these are, and the birth parent must let the school team know. If the birth parent is registered on Health and Social Care programmes which are subject to Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) regulation, a copy should be forwarded to the Student Occupational Health team.
If the school team is worried about the birth parents’ health or wellbeing when they return to study, they should ask the birth parent to see the Student Occupational Health team or their own GP and seek advice on support which is available from the wellbeing team.
If the parent says they plan to breastfeed or express milk, the Risk Assessment Checklist for Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding parents should be filled out to make sure any hazards they might be exposed to while studying won’t harm them or their baby. The parent should also be informed that it is not possible to take a baby into any lectures or teaching sessions.
The SPA team will contact Estates and Facilities to arrange access to an appropriate room to enable the parent to breastfeed or express milk, as outlined in Section 10.

Campus facilities

We will make sure there are suitable spaces for parents to breastfeed or express milk when students ask, in a space that’s appropriate in a university building. Before students return to study, the SPA team should contact the Estates & Facilities Helpdesk to request access to a room. They need to give five working days’ notice so they can get the room clean and ready for use.
Breastfeeding /Chestfeeding parents need to remember that the fridge in the facility might be used by other parents, so any expressed milk stored in there must be labelled with a name and the date.
If the baby is to be brought onto campus for the purpose of breast feeding, then it should only be for this purpose. The baby should not stay on the premises for longer than necessary and is not permitted in any lectures or teaching sessions.
The university Learning Spaces Policy includes guidance on children in the library (please refer to section 3.3). The Library provides a Parent and Child Study Room which is available to book. Parents with babies under 24 months old are permitted to stay in the library past 21:00, however 21:00 is the latest time children over 24 months old are permitted within this space.
The University does its best to keep its premises safe for children, however many University buildings are old or used for other things, so they may not be the best fit for babies or young children. General risks regarded as less relevant to adults may be more dangerous for children and in general the University does not have the facilities to contain children safely.