First reported 2 May 2019•Latest report 28 Oct 2019
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes university and admissions-process failures concerning how students are informed about, encouraged to make, receive, protect, share or use mental-health disclosures made through UCAS or to a prospective university, including whether disclosure affects admission and whether relevant support staff receive appropriate information.
Not included
Excludes general university mental-health service capacity, counselling, pastoral support or student-risk identification failures where student disclosure handling is not the deficient control.
Excludes generic data-protection, communication or admissions deficiencies unless they directly concern the safety, deterrence or use of student mental-health disclosures.
Excludes clinical mental-health assessment or treatment after a student has been appropriately connected to support.
Excludes disclosure of unrelated personal information or mental-health information shared solely between clinical services.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
2
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2019–2019
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
9
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service2
Department for Education1
Department of Health and Social Care1
University of Bristol1
University of the Arts London1
Education admissions service2
University2
Ministerial department1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Failure to effectively disseminate mental health disclosure information to tutors and halls of residence staff
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Regularly review mental-health data-sharing policies and procedures to maintain legal compliance and support students effectively.
Stated by University of the Arts LondonStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 13 December 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Data protection law limits sharing disability-related information without informed consent to cases involving a risk of harm to the student or others.
Stated by University of the Arts LondonUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.
Avon
Concerns raised1
Failure to ensure that mental health disclosure is de-stigmatised and does not deter university admission
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8
Action
Develop measures and a strategic approach through the Education Transitions Network to support students’ transition into higher education and protect wellbeing.
Stated by Department for Education and Department of Health and Social CareStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Provide content explaining the importance and benefits of declaring mental health concerns and how UCAS and providers use that information.
Stated by Universities and Colleges Admissions ServiceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Continue collaborating with student organisations to keep declaration content up to date and distribute it to applicants appropriately.
Stated by Universities and Colleges Admissions ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Redesign the undergraduate application’s questions and supporting help text about disability, special needs and mental health information.
Stated by Universities and Colleges Admissions ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Hold a sector and expert roundtable to determine the most appropriate redesign of mental health-related application questions.
Stated by Universities and Colleges Admissions ServiceStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Explore using the UCAS Hub to strengthen application and transition messaging and signpost support services and experts.
Stated by Universities and Colleges Admissions ServiceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Support UCAS in developing alternative ways to encourage mental-health and disability declarations and reduce barriers to disclosure.
Stated by University of BristolStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Action
Provide applicants and students with regular prompts encouraging disclosure of mental-health difficulties and explaining how disclosures are used.
Stated by University of BristolStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 July 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Higher education providers are responsible for their own admissions processes, including handling mental health disclosure during admissions.
Stated by Department for Education and Department of Health and Social CareRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Pin
Get email alerts
Request correction
Includes university and admissions-process failures concerning how students are informed about, encouraged to make, receive, protect, share or use mental-health disclosures made through UCAS or to a prospective university, including whether disclosure affects admission and whether relevant support staff receive appropriate information.
