Passed: May 2024 (21st)

What is the current problem, and how does it affect students?

The University’s Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service (SCWS) supports hundreds of Leeds students every term. The term is very well-valued by staff and students alike, but it has consistent shortcomings which creates barriers to some students accessing support. 

To gain insight on students' experiences with the service, I released a short survey asking students to share their experiences of accessing the Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service. The main issues that came to the forefront of the responses was often inadequate quality, capacity, and communications to advertise the service to students. 

Quality: 

One student commented on the quality of the service, and how they think students would benefit from their counsellor taking a more varied approach:

‘I feel like it would be useful for counsellors to try and work out the learning/emotional style of students through just chatting to them first in a constructive way…some students appreciate the educational tool/learning, some students need to understand their emotions or situations on a more practical note, and some students just need a chat and to feel heard’ 

The same student stated: 

‘I don’t think it was her fault but we brought up some trauma & then I was given zero coping skills/techniques to deal with that, and kind of left alone. I quit the next day because it left me worse than when I started…I haven’t had therapy since’ 

Capacity: 

Students are not aware that they can ask for additional support if they need it. 

One student expressed how the service was inflexible to their university schedule, and how booking their initial appointment was stressful for them.

‘...I found booking a session stressful because I had to fit it round my lectures and they said I should stop booking sessions then and that I should be alright. They were nice about it but I felt like I was put aside and that there wasn't anything they could do for me. I generally struggle to ask for help so it was hard for me to book a session and explain what I was going through and to be turned away didn't help that.’

Students also expressed that the initial referral form was emotionally difficult for them to complete:

‘I found the initial referral form very daunting and a bit unnerving to share my personal issues that I struggle to talk about. Once they checked the form I received an invite to book a session. This was easy to do, but there was not a lot of immediate availability (2 weeks plus). I understand that the service has lots of pressure on it, but when you have put yourself out there (to say you need help) it’s quite difficult and anxious to have to wait another 2 weeks.’

Students also expressed that whilst they benefited from the sessions they had, they had hit their maximum amount of sessions for the year. 

‘...i was later denied sessions because i maxxed out. later in the year i took a module that had some distressing content and i wasn't able to access any counselling’

Communications: 

- students often report that they need more than 4/5 appointments, and more in depth ongoing support from the service

- the university should work to increase the visibility of the service in their central comms and social media platforms

- the service should incorporate student feedback into the changes they introduce, and work to co-create with students

What is your proposed change? How will it benefit students?

My suggestion is that the service prioritise incorporating student feedback into their reform, and work collaboratively with students to create change. Ultimately, the service is very well-used and an invaluable resource to students, but more can be done to ensure it can support even more students effectively.

These three areas of work have been identified by working with students as key to improving the service. This should be the start of engagement with students, working in partnership to improve the service. If passed, I want this policy to set a precedent for other Student Support services, like the Disability Service.