Creating flexible accessibility for distance-learning students while developing a remote coaching and mentoring service

Enya-Marie Clay and Richard Peat, The Open University

Email: enya-marie.clay@open.ac.uk; richard.peat@open.ac.uk

Poster

Click to download the poster Creating flexible accessibility for distance-learning students while developing a remote coaching and mentoring service (.pptx)

Abstract

This poster will outline a series of recommendations for delivering accessible, remote student support where students require reasonable adjustments to standard forms of delivery and is relevant to student-centred support practitioners. The PLA Service is a specialist coaching and mentoring service set up to deliver support to students from priority cohorts in the Access and Participation Plan.

Through the delivery of the PLA service, it was identified that telephone call appointments were not suitable for some students due to their circumstances or conditions. Therefore, coaching via email was explored and developed as a reasonable adjustment. Through two years’ experience on the project, two effective models of email coaching were identified and practitioner guidance was created. These recommendations draw from practitioner experience, student feedback, and from models and recommendations used in online counselling and mentoring. This poster presents these findings, as well as recommendations for practitioners and key considerations.

Enya-Marie Clay 

Personal Learning Advisor, The Open University

Enya-Marie Clay joined the Personal Learning Advisor Service at the Open University in January 2021.  Enya has trained as a Career Leader and has worked in Further Education as a Careers Lead and Librarian. Prior to this, Enya worked in Higher Education in various student-facing Widening Participation roles with a focus on student engagement, mentoring, and tutoring. Enya holds a Master of Letters researching the ethics of Holocaust representation in children’s literature from Newcastle University, and a Level 6 Certificate in Careers Leadership (RGG Associates).  

Enya’s key interests include improving accessibility and equity within education and inspiring a love of learning through creative and collaborative approaches.

Richard Peat

Personal Learning Advisor, The Open University

Richard Peat has worked within education for 30 years within every level of education, starting as a Primary School Teacher, then a Careers Adviser working in Secondary Schools, progressing to adult careers guidance delivering in FE Colleges and Adult Education, qualifying as an NVQ Assessor and Internal Verifier then spending 7 years delivering a careers service within a Creative Arts University. At the core of his practice is delivering client centred support to each individual based on their own specific needs and using experience gained in delivering mentoring, coaching and advising with a wide range of people from all backgrounds and including clients on the Autistic Spectrum, with dyslexia or with other physical or mental health conditions. Richard holds a Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Careers Guidance, Certificate in Life Coaching and is currently studying a Masters degree.