Student Support Services

Advice to students who become pregnant during their programme of study at Canterbury Christ Church University

If you become pregnant whilst registered on a programme at Canterbury Christ Church University, you may want advice on the management of your studies during the course of your pregnancy and after your baby is born.  Some students may also want to discuss other issues in relation to their pregnancy, and the University Counselling Service is available for this purpose.  It is appreciated that each student’s circumstances and needs are different, and that there will be individual responses within the general advice and guidance offered here.  Similarly, it is recognised that students will want different levels of help and support from the University in respect of the impact of their pregnancy on their studies.

Health and Safety Considerations

As your pregnancy continues, it is vital that you consider your own health, the health of your unborn child, any benefits and services available, and other practicalities involved in studying during pregnancy and with a young child.

You will need to complete a Risk Assessment form for the University.  This will help to identify any relevant risks associated with your study programme (some programmes at the University may have risks associated with: significant physical activity, including lifting and carrying;  the use of chemicals, paints or clays; exposure to radiation;  placements and field work) and to manage these risks for you and your unborn child’s protection. The Risk Assessment will help you consider the implications of your studies for your pregnancy, and help you assess the support that you might need from the University so that you can discuss this fully with your teaching department(s) or any of the central support staff.

The Risk Assessment form is accompanied by advice on how to complete it.  This should be self explanatory, but if you need further help, please contact the Student Support Services.  Once the form is completed, the student and their Programme Director should each keep a copy for their records.  If there are any issues of particular concern then the Programme Director can seek advice from the University's Health and Safety Adviser (in the University Solicitor's Office).

NB Details of all University offices and staff, as well as other useful contacts, are given at the end of this document.

Early action

It is important to obtain sound advice as soon as you know you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant because of missed periods or because you have used an 'over the counter' pregnancy test, you should have your pregnancy confirmed by a doctor as soon as possible.

Your GP will also be able to advise if there are any risks that will need to be managed during the course of your pregnancy (see below).

If you miscarry or if your pregnancy is to be terminated, there is no need for anyone at the University to know about this unless you choose to do so (please see ‘absence from your studies’ below).

Absence from your studies

Should you need to be away from your studies for any medical reason related to your pregnancy (including miscarriage and termination), you should let your teaching department(s) (and any placement, if appropriate) know about it – you do not have to give details but need only say that you will be absent for ‘medical reasons’. 

If illness/misfortune has resulted in you being absent from your studies for a period of time, and you wish this to be considered by the Board of Examiners, you should complete a 'Concessions Request Form'.  You may wish to view the Frequently Asked Questions regarding absence from the university and requesting concessions.

For absence from your studies for any other reasons (for example, attendance at ante-natal clinics), you should complete the online 'Leave of Absence Proforma'. In any case, you would not normally be expected to attend university during the four weeks immediately preceding, and for one month after, the birth of your child.  You should, however, complete a 'Leave of Absence' form to cover this period prior to your absence, and let your department(s) know you will be away.  For students on programmes leading to professional recognition (eg registration with the NMC or HPC), there may be implications for your programme if you are absent from your studies for any period of time. You will need to discuss this with your Programme Director at the earliest opportunity.

Students whose partners are pregnant may similarly use the 'Leave of Absence' form for any absences such as attendance at ante-natal clinics with their partner and to cover the period of the child’s birth.

The Student Support and Guidance Department can give you advice on completing the Student Self-certification and Concessions Request Form and the Leave of Absence forms, and on submitting concessions evidence for the Examination Board(s), if this is required.  Similarly, the Assistant Registrar can advise you.

Letting your department know

It is very important that you let your Programme Director(s) at the University know that you are pregnant as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be put in place to enable you to best manage your pregnancy together with the demands of  your academic studies, coursework assignments and any examinations you may have. These arrangements will also need to take into account any time out from your studies that you may need after the baby is born.  Should you need advice on how to approach this matter with your Programme Director(s), you can seek advice from the Student Support and Guidance Department or the Students’ Union Welfare Team.

Once you have informed your teaching department(s), you will need to discuss with them any possible risks to your health associated with your studies.  You should ask your GP about this when you first go and see them.

Interrupting your studies

You may wish to interrupt your studies in order to take a longer break whilst pregnant and when your child is still young.  In deciding whether to do this, it is important to make a plan to take account both of the academic requirements of your study programme and your needs as a pregnant woman and mother of a new baby.

Normally, you can interrupt your studies for a maximum period of two years, but you should discuss your options with your Programme Director(s) and with the Academic Registrar, who will be able to advise you of the appropriate University procedures and regulations for interrupting your studies.  In addition, you may need to notify your Local Education Authority, the Student Loans Company and, if you are in receipt of a bursary, your bursary provider, if you interrupt your studies.

The reality of parenthood is often very different to what you might imagine and it is advisable to consult with someone who has had children so as to get a realistic picture of what things might be like.  Additionally, it is very important to have a good support network in place to help you, both during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.  If you are a student who is at university a long way from home, and do not have close family and friends around you during the latter part of your pregnancy and when your baby is born, this can sometimes pose challenges that can be difficult to overcome.  You will need to consider whether it may be best to return home until you have had the baby, and then make plans to return to the University to continue your studies at a later date.

Financial Matters

Your Student Loan can continue for up to 60 days from the beginning of any period of interruption of your studies. You will, however, need to inform the Student Loans Company of your circumstances. You will also need to apply for maternity benefit, and information about this can be obtained through your ante-natal clinic or from the Student Financial Support Administrators at the University, who can also help you with your approach to the Student Loan Company.

Graduate students in receipt of Research Council or other awards should contact the sponsor and make arrangements for the suspension of the award during the period of interruption.

NHS students can still receive their bursary for the period of their maternity leave; please contact your teaching department to complete the form required to arrange the maternity bursary.

Overseas students are unlikely to be entitled to any maternity benefits in the UK and, unless they have sufficient funds to remain in the country and support themselves, they may wish to consider interrupting their studies and returning home to have their baby. Overseas students who have financial sponsors should inform the sponsors of their circumstances and agree an appropriate plan of action with them. Overseas students who return home for the birth of the child should note that most airlines will not carry pregnant passengers beyond the 7^th month of pregnancy. Also, overseas students returning home should arrange for continuing ante-natal care in their home country and take with them details of any care they have received in the UK.

There is a variety of financial help available to eligible students with babies and young children.  This help includes Housing Benefit, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credits.  The Student Financial Support Administrators will be able to give you advice on what to do to apply for this support.

Other considerations

University Accommodation

Pregnant students living in university accommodation should appreciate that their accommodation licence is for single occupancy only.  Please contact the Accommodation Services Manager to discuss your circumstances at the earliest opportunity once you know when you baby is due.

Childcare

If you are going to need childcare for your child in order to return to your studies, this will need planning in advance. It is advisable to begin to make any necessary arrangements at the beginning of your pregnancy and not to leave it too late. Canterbury Christ Church University has an arrangement with Canterbury Day Nursery to provide twenty childcare places per year, but most students prefer to have childcare close to where they live rather than nearby the University campus where they are studying.  If you require help with finding suitable childcare, please contact the Student Financial Support Administrators or use the University WWW pages at:

http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/support/student-support-services/staff/childcare/childcare.asp

If you are entitled to help with financial support for childcare from either the NHS (students receiving NHS bursaries) or Student Finance England (students receiving fees support and Student Loans) or through Tax Credits (any student with children), you will need to use OFSTED registered childcare in order to claim support.  These means of support are not available if you opt to use unregistered childcare (eg your parents, family or friends, unless they are registered with OFSTED).

Any person who is the parent or legal guardian of a child under 16 years (or 18 years if in full-time education) can claim Child Benefit. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is the government department responsible for paying Child Benefit and you should claim this as soon as your child is born or comes to live with you. If you delay, you may lose benefits.  You can get a ‘claim pack’ by contacting the Child Benefit Office.  When your child is born, you may receive a claim pack with your Bounty Pack from the hospital, or ask your midwife about one.

Field work

During your pregnancy, if you plan to take part in any field work as part of your studies, this must be specifically addressed in the Risk Assessment completed by the Department responsible for organising the field work.  There may be particular risks associated with the field work and you should make sure you discuss this fully with the department concerned.  You are not permitted to take part in field work after the 7^th month of pregnancy.  Please note that this requirement applies only to 'field work' such as domestic and overseas field trips in such subjects as Geography, Tourism and Leisure, Science, where there is an increased risk and insurance implications.  It does not apply to professional practice placements in Education and Health & Social Care, subject to the required risk assessments (see above in relation to Health and Safety).

Year abroad

If you become pregnant whilst on a study year abroad, you must contact the University to make appropriate plans to ensure that your health is safeguarded and your academic progress is properly managed.  Contact your Programme Director in the first instance.

Concessions Evidence

If your studies are disrupted by illness or other unfortunate circumstances and you wish this to be taken into account by the University in assessing your academic performance, you will need to make a case for concession and support this with appropriate medical or other evidence.  Details of this are given in coursework and examinations regulations, and are available on the University’s WWW pages at:

http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/support/student-support-services/students/student-procedures.asp

Returning to your programme of study

Let your teaching department(s) know when you are ready to return, and plan with your Programme Director the optimum timetable for your re-integration into your programme of study, including any examination schedules.  For most students, returning from an interruption will mean restarting the academic year.  You must notify the Academic Registrar and then re-register on your programme before returning; this is to ensure that your University record is updated to indicate that you are back on your programme.

Breast feeding

The University will seek to provide appropriate facilities for mothers who are breastfeeding their babies and who need to express milk whilst attending the University.  These facilities will be of as high a standard as possible wherever they are needed.  It will help the university to support you in this respect if you discuss any necessary arrangements with us at the earliest opportunity, and as far in advance of when facilities will be required as possible.  Students who need advice in this respect should contact the Student Support and Guidance department, or the Equality and Diversity Manager in the first instance.

Babies and Children on University Premises

Information relating to the presence of babies, children and young people on university premises is provided by the University Solicitor's Office and is available under Section 13 of the institution’s Under 18s Policy.

Contact Details

University Offices and Staff

You can contact the i-zone helpdesk on 01227 782222 for a quick query or for your call to be logged for a specialist to reply

Student Counselling Service: email counselling@canterbury.ac.uk, 01227 782233 or 282686.

Student Health Service: email occupational.health@canterbury.ac.uk, 01227 782267 (tel), 01227 782362 (fax).

Student Support and Guidance Office: email studentsupport@canterbury.ac.uk,

Student Support Officer: email yasmin.ghandour@canterbury.ac.uk, 01227 782803.

Student Financial Support Administrators: email studentfinancialsupport@canterbury.ac.uk, 01227 782783

Other Useful Contacts

Students’ Union Welfare Team:  (SU VP Education and Welfare), email su.support@canterbury.ac.uk, 01227 782518.

Child Benefit Office: 0845 302 1444 (or textphone: 0845 302 1474)