Student Support Services department

An overview of the student support teams and services in the department.

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Overview

Student Support Services provides a range of support services that aim to:

  • look after student health and wellbeing
  • enhance students' opportunities for success
  • help students make the most of their time at university
  • contribute positively to the quality of the student experience
  • support recruitment, progression and retention

Our services

Student Support Services draws together the following teams:

Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS)

Support for students who have a disability, long-term mental health or medical condition, or specific learning difficulty.

Sport & Physical Activity Sheffield

Sport & Physical Activity Sheffield is the department responsible for all aspects of sport and physical activity at the University, including all sports facilities, programmes and associated services for our students, staff and the local community.

Student Experience and Support (SES)

SES provides services to support students, including:

  • safeguarding and welfare
  • the Student Services Information Desk (SSiD)
  • visa and immigration guidance for international students
  • the Belief, No Belief and Religious Life Centre
  • equality, diversity and inclusion activity
  • support for specific student groups including carers, care leavers, estranged students and forced migrants
  • Global Campus/orientation activities
  • Sheffield mentors
  • the Ambition Programme

Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service

A central point of triage to help students navigate their support options and agree on a tailored plan of psychological support.

Student Services Information Desk (SSiD)

SSiD is the University’s one-stop-shop for general student-related enquiries. If they can’t answer your question, they can direct you to someone who can.

Student Services Information Desk

University Health Service (UHS)

Full NHS GP service to all University of Sheffield students living in the city and their dependants. Additional services include asthma, diabetes, sexual health (including contraception, cervical cancer screening and screening for infection) and eating disorder clinics.

We also have internal support teams:

Director’s Office

Our central leadership and administrative hub which directs the work of the department in addition to leading a number of strategic initiatives, including the University’s Mental Health Strategy, the institutional Student Support Approach, and Safeguarding and overarching risk management.

The Director’s Office also supports our Digital Experience and Impact and Evaluation teams, which offer a range of services to help colleagues improve the experiences of their customers during the lifetime of their relationship with University of Sheffield.

The support we offer

Mental health 

If students need support for their mental health and wellbeing during their studies, they can register for a triage appointment with our Student Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service.

Safeguarding and welfare

Our Safeguarding and Welfare team provides practical support and guidance for students experiencing significant difficulties such as bereavement, serious ill health, bullying or sexual violence, harassment or abuse.

The team also oversees student cases where there is a safeguarding or prevent concern, and manages the Risk Assessment Panel.

Disability and dyslexia support

We offer support for students who have a disability, long-term mental health or medical condition, or specific learning difficulty through our Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDSS).

Physical health

All students and their dependants living in the city can access our University Health Service, which provides a full NHS GP service. Additional services include asthma, diabetes, eating disorder and sexual health clinics.

Our Sport & Physical Activities team also provides services to ensure students and staff members can maintain good levels of fitness and physical wellbeing.

Religion and belief

Our Belief, No Belief, and Religious Life Centre provides care and support to people of all faiths and none, and works to build positive links between students and staff from different belief backgrounds.

General enquiries

If students have general enquiries they can go to our Student Services Information Desk (SSiD).

Student Support Committee

Our Student Support Committee meets three times a year in November, February and June to ensure that our support services are:

  • aligned with our University vision
  • in support of academic objectives
  • well-positioned in relation to the broader higher education environment

The committee is chaired by the Deputy Vice President for Education.

Related information

A global reputation

Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.

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