Disclosure and Support Plan, Why Are They Important?
The first thing to do once you know that a pregnancy, maternity, paternity or adoption process is going to be part of your student journey is to book an appointment with Student Wellbeing. Here you will find a well-informed, non-judgmental space that will listen, support, and advise you. The welfare team in Student Wellbeing will arrange a confidential discussion where you can sit down and develop a support plan together. This plan will be built around your individual needs to ensure the right people are working together to support you. A member of the welfare team will guide and assist in the creation of your support plan. With your permission, the plan will be shared only with those who are outlined as involved in supporting you. Support plans are ongoing throughout your pregnancy or maternity/paternity process and can be changed where necessary.
It is your choice whether you disclose your pregnancy, maternity, paternity or adoption plans to the university. However, if you choose not to tell them, a support plan cannot be created, and you may find yourself without the help you need and are entitled to. This could have an impact on yourself, your studies and your unborn or newborn baby.
Always remember: Student Wellbeing are here to listen, help, and work with you to make sure that any support put in place suits you and your new family.
Things that may be considered in a support plan:
- Risk assessment: carried out by your faculty to determine whether studying whilst pregnant could present new risks to you or your unborn baby. For example: if your course involves practical or placement work that exposes you to radiation, harmful chemicals or machinery.
- Leave for antenatal or pre-adoption appointments: ensuring that you and your partner (if also a student) are entitled to reasonable time off to attend scheduled antenatal or preadoption appointments.
- Exams and assessments: requesting extensions on coursework or special arrangements for exams if you are suffering from a pregnancy-related illness or something unforeseen/urgent. Please note that pregnancy in itself will not be accepted as grounds for extenuating circumstances.
- Field trips and placements: whether alternative placement or field trip arrangements need to be made to protect yourself and your unborn baby.
- Maternity/paternity leave: ensuring a leave of absence for postnatal childcare is arranged to suit you and your studies. In summary: by law, new mothers must take a minimum of two weeks maternity leave after the birth of their child. UK/home students who have become mothers may choose to withdraw from their studies for up to a year, the details of which will be considered on a case-by-case basis. International students who have become mothers must get urgent advice, as an absence from their studies of more than 60 days could affect their right to remain in the UK. Partners of people who are expecting/adopting a child can apply to take two weeks paternity leave, this includes LGBTQIA+ couples.
- Accommodation: if you are living in university-owned accommodation, considering if it is suitable for your new situation and if not, what can be done to support you in getting somewhere that is. For more information on all of the above, please visit: Pregnancy, maternity, paternity and adoption student guidance
Pregnancy and International Students
If you are an international student and are pregnant whilst studying in the UK, we strongly encourage you to get immediate advice from the International Support Team, as this could affect your visa and right to remain in the country. Coventry University will not be able to continue sponsorship of tier 4 student visas for students who need to take a break from their studies that lasts more than 60 days, regardless of the reason for that break. A maternity/paternity break of less than 60 days could be considered. However, at the end of the 60-day period you will be expected to return to full-time study as normal. Also, if your break of 60 days results in you not being able to complete your course within the expected timeframe, your sponsorship could be withdrawn, and you would need to leave the UK. Visas and sponsorships can be complicated to navigate and understand at the simplest of times, which is why visahelp.io@coventry.ac.uk, along with Student Wellbeing, are here to help.
Always remember: as an international student it is important that you report all changes in circumstances, whether you want advice or not, to avoid being withdrawn due to lack of attendance or another unrelated reason.