Last updated: 12 October 2026 · Next review: October 2027
Your support worker will
- Be on time, prepared, and give you their full attention.
- Work with you to agree a work plan based on your goals and the support approved on your DSA2 letter, and review it with you regularly.
- Work in a neurodiversity-affirming way: respecting how you think, communicate and recover, rather than trying to make you behave "more neurotypically".
- Help you build your own strategies and independence. Support workers do not write, edit or proofread your assessed work, or contact tutors on your behalf without your agreement.
- Keep accurate records and only record time actually delivered.
- Keep what you share confidential, within the limits in our Confidentiality Policy.
- Tell you if something is outside their role, and help you find the right service (for example, counselling, medical care, or academic skills support).
Boundaries
- Contact happens through agreed channels (work email, the agreed video platform, or work phone), within working hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Weekend sessions can sometimes be arranged where there is a clear student need. Support workers don't use personal social media or personal phone numbers with students.
- No friendships, relationships, or business dealings with students, during or after support.
- No gifts beyond something of token value (under £10), and no money, loans or borrowing.
- Face-to-face sessions take place in suitable public or university spaces, not in a student's or support worker's home, unless agreed in advance in the work plan and risk-assessed.
- Support workers don't give medical, legal or financial advice, or advice on medication.
- Support workers don't drive students or give lifts.
What we ask of students
- Let us know as early as you can if you need to cancel or move a session (see the Cancellation Policy).
- Check and confirm session timesheets honestly, and tell us if something's wrong.
- Treat your support worker with respect. Abuse, threats or harassment, verbal, written or physical, are not tolerated and may lead to support being paused.
Questions about this policy
Email nmh@neurodivergentminds.com. You can ask for this policy in another format (large print, plain text, or read through together in a session).
← All NMH policies
