Academic and pastoral responsibilities are often related as academic problems frequently have a non-academic cause. Most institutions impst boundaries around the personal tutoring role which require tutors to refer students to specialised support services for pastoral and some academic matters. Getting the balance right between pastoral and academic responsibilities is challenging and has an element of risk if a referral to specialised services is not made or completed. Personal tutors will be approached by students for support in relation to their concerns over wellbeing regardless of signposting to more specialised services. If an academic provides ongoing support to a student and this goes wrong, whether there has been a breach of a duty of care will be judged against the standard required of a trained and experienced counsellor and not a well-meaning personal tutor.

This course considers the boundaries between personal tutoring and other support services, and making sure that students are appropriately and effectively supported by making referrals across these boundaries. It explores when and why you should refer or signpost students to other support services and what other institutional support services are available.

·         Identify the appropriate support across a range of contexts and issues

·         Identify the appropriate sources of support in the context of the learner’s institution

·         Understand the importance of making effective referrals in the context of developing tutee autonomy, resilience and in student retention

Making effective referrals and shifting the onus of responsibility back on to tutees (where appropriate) can help to promote student agency, self-efficacy and resilience

M101 What is Personal Tutoring? [Learning Module]

M209 Managing Students in Distress [Learning Module]

M209 Managing Students in Distress [Learning Module]