Support for Personal and Financial Issues

Drugs and Alcohol

Drug abuse and excessive alcohol intake can put your health and academic progress at risk. It could also lead to disciplinary issues. If you are concerned about drugs and/or alcohol, speak to your Personal Tutor or the Wellbeing Team. Below are some external organisations which can help students who are facing difficulties with drugs and alcohol.

• Addiction Guide is a website resource on addiction and the dangers of illicit substances. The site covers how drugs and alcohol affect the body, how to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse, and where to seek effective treatment.
• Al-Anon offers support for family members and friends of those with alcohol problems.
• Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
• Blenheim Project supports those with drug-related concerns. Tel: +44 (0)20 8960 5599. Open 10 am – 5 pm.
• Club Drug Clinic is an NHS service helping people who are having problems resulting from recreational drugs.
• Club Soda offers various plans to help people be more mindful about their drinking.
• Drinkline is a freephone helpline offering help and support on alcohol-related issues. Tel: 0800 917 82 82.
• Down your drink offers an online programme to help people cut down and control drinking.
• Drinkaware promotes responsible drinking and works to reduce alcohol misuse and harm in the UK.
• London drug and alcohol network lists alcohol and drug services in London boroughs.
• Marijuana Anonymous supports people recovering from marijuana addiction.
• Narcotics Anonymous a support network for addicts.
• Talk to Frank is a 24-hour information and advice service for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse.

Gambling

Gambling can put your academic progress at risk and could lead to financial issues. If you are concerned about gambling, speak to your Personal Tutor or the Wellbeing Team. You may find the following organisation useful should you need information and support on tackling a gambling addiction:

• Gamblers Anonymous offers the hand of friendship to anyone who is looking to try and stop gambling.

The Courtauld Hardship Fund

If you are in financial hardship at any point in your studies, you can apply to the hardship fund by emailing wellbeing@courtauld.ac.uk, and we will send you an online link to the form. We will ask you to send the latest three bank statements, explaining any payments over £50. Once we receive this, we will respond within 5 working days and may offer you an appointment to make an assessment

Eligibility criteria for the Hardship Fund

To be eligible you must meet all the criteria below:

• You must be enrolled as a student at The Courtauld (either full-time or part-time)
• You must have applied for all other eligible sources of funding before applying to The Courtauld Hardship Fund. This could include means-tested maintenance student loans and grants, Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Parents Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant, Council Tax Reduction
• You must be able to demonstrate that you have made reasonable provisions to cover your tuition fees and living expenses, for which supporting evidence is required. This will require submitting financial information, such as your bank statements
• No financial support can be provided towards payment of tuition fees under any circumstances
• You can only apply once during the academic year for hardship funding

Assessment and notification

Applications can only be assessed once your application form and all required supporting documents have been submitted.  Supporting documents include bank statements for the three months up to the date of your application, Student Loan letters, and other relevant evidence to support your claim.

Applications are assessed in the order of receipt.  The assessment will be made based on your income and outgoings, and your personal circumstances.

You do not have to repay any money obtained from the Hardship Fund.

Awards of up to £1,000 can be made from the Hardship Fund.  Normally financial support is in the £400 – £600 range.  Payments are made by bank transfer to your account.

The Hardship Fund is limited, so once all the funds have been allocated to students, the Hardship Fund will close for the academic year.

We will contact you via your Courtauld email address to notify you of the outcome of your application.

The Extenuating Circumstances Policy sets out what should be done when you go through an unexpected non-academic incident (extenuating circumstance) that could have an impact on your studies. 

Extenuating circumstances are defined as events that are unexpected, significantly disruptive, and beyond your control. This definition also includes sudden, unexpected changes in family circumstances, which might affect your ability to make academic progress because of a demonstrable emotional impact upon you.

The Courtauld is aware that it may be difficult to disclose personal details in these circumstances. We are committed to supporting students through difficult or sensitive circumstances and ensure that information remains confidential.

We support you if you need to apply for extenuating circumstances for exams or coursework, or if you are struggling so much with your studies that you are considering taking some time out. We work with Student & Academic Services (SAS) to help make suggestions for supporting you.

Fit to Sit

The Courtauld has a Fit to Sit policy.  This means that if you sit an exam or submit an assessment you are declaring yourself well enough to do so.

If you believe that you are unlikely to perform to the best of your ability in an assessment/examination, you are strongly advised not to take the assessment and to submit a claim for extenuating circumstances, instead.

However, claims must not be submitted as insurance against poor performance in assessment/examinations.

By submitting a claim for extenuating circumstances, you are confirming that your circumstances are severe and have impacted your assessment.

Submitting false claims or evidence is a serious matter and will be dealt with under The Courtauld’s disciplinary procedures.

Harassment and Bullying

The Courtauld is committed to ensuring an environment in which the dignity of individuals is respected. It ensures that there is a working and learning environment in which harassment and bullying are known to be unacceptable and where individuals have the confidence to complain about such behaviour, if it should arise.

Every person working for The Courtauld and studying at The Courtauld will be accountable for the operation of its Harassment and Bullying Policy as they carry responsibility for their own behaviour and actions, on and off-site. Should you have been a victim of harassment and/or bullying and wish to submit a complaint, please visit the Student Policies page on The Courtauld website here

Your complaint will be dealt with confidentially and you will not be at risk of any retribution for making your voice heard.

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence can put your mental health and academic progress at risk and could lead to other personal issues. If you are concerned about domestic violence, please do speak to your Personal Tutor or the Wellbeing Team.

Below is a list of external organisations that can help students who are facing difficulties with domestic violence.

National Domestic Violence Helpline – The 24hr freephone National Domestic Violence Helpline (run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge) is available on 0808 2000 247 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is answered by fully trained female helpline support workers and volunteers who will answer your call in confidence. All calls to the helpline are free from mobiles and landlines. www.womensaid.org.uk

We understand that domestic violence is not just a women’s issue and there are organisations that aim to assist no matter which gender you identify with:

mankind.org.uk  – This charity has a confidential helpline available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers. They can be contacted, confidentially, on 01823 334244.

lgbtdap.org.uk – The London LGBT Domestic Abuse Partnership (DAP) is a way for LGBT  people who have experienced domestic abuse to get the maximum amount of help with a minimum amount of hassle. The DAP is open to any LGBT person experiencing domestic violence who is living or working in London. Find out more on the DAP and what we provide. Refer yourself to the DAP.

stonewall.org.uk – This charity was founded in 1989. It empowers LGBT people to be their authentic selves, enabling them to realise and achieve their full potential. The charity can be contacted for guidance, help and support.

Galop is trans-inclusive and is welcoming of anyone from the LGBT+ community (including those who are questioning their identity). Contact them to receive support if you are a victim of sexual violence, hate crime or domestic abuse. The national LGBT domestic violence helpline is 0800 999 5428 and their email is: help@galop.org.uk

The Bi-survivors network supports bi women and non-binary people. They provide a space where bi survivors of sexual and/or domestic violence can talk and find solidarity.

Women’s Aid provides practical support and information for women experiencing domestic abuse, with simple guidance on every aspect of support. They have a Survivor Handbook. The website has a button that allows you to exit it at any time. Refuge’s 24-hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline is 0808 2000 247.