The National College
Your Welfare
On this page:
- Social Welfare Act
- Student Services: Doctor, Student Counsellor, Disability/Access Officer
- Writing & Research Skills Centre
- Careers Advisory Service
- Sexual Harassment & Codes of Conduct
- Mentoring
- Students Union & Student Representatives
- Crèche Facilities
- Accommodation
Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 1993 and SI 155 of 1997
Under the above the College is required to return enrolment data on all students to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. This information will be transferred during the first term.
Student Services
The following services are available free of charge to students of NCAD:
Doctor
Dr. Marina Kent attends the College during term time on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Please consult Reception, 01 – 636 4200 for appointments.
The Doctor is located on the second floor in Harry Clarke House. Please note that the “Pharmacy”, across the road from the main entrance, offers a 10% discount on prescriptions to all students of the College.
Student Counsellor
The NCAD Student Counselling Service is a confidential and free service for students of the College and is staffed by a professionally qualified psychologist and counsellor. The service offers support, counseling and psychotherapy for students who may be experiencing personal difficulties.
Ms Linda Mackin attends the College during term time on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, and all day Tuesday. Please consult Reception for appointments, 636 4200. The Counsellor may also be contacted at 087 9519819 (text) or by email at counsellor@ncad.ie.
Niteline - Freephone 1800 793 793
Niteline is a confidential student helpline that is run by and for students in Trinity, UCD, the Royal College of Surgeons, and NCAD. Service runs Thursday – Sunday, 9.00pm – 2.30am - during term time only.
Disability Support
The Fund for Students with Disabilities is funded by the Irish Government and part funded by the European Social Fund under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007 – 2013.
Please contact Finola Mc Ternan, Student Support/Access Officer through Reception or by contacting 636 4217 or email: mcternanf@ncad.ie
The NCAD is committed to helping you achieve your academic goals. If you are a student with a physical, sensory or learning difficulty or have a medical or mental health condition that interferes with your learning, we can support you.
Fund for Students with Disabilities
Much of the study related support for students with disabilities is financed through the European Social Fund for Students with Disabilities. The National Office for Equity of Access to Higher Education administers this fund. The funding is not means tested and is available to undergraduates and postgraduate students studying on full-time programmes in higher education.
What supporting documentation is required to apply to the Fund for Students with Disabilities?
Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (eg Dyslexia) should bring a copy of their Educational Psychologists Report, clearly stating that the student has a specific learning difficulty. This report must have been written within the previous five years.
All other students must have their disability verified by a medical consultant/specialist and you should bring a recent report from your medical consultant/specialist with you when you meet the Student Support Officer.
Please note that General Practitioner (GP) letters are not accepted as suitable medical evidence.
The purpose of the report is to assess the likely support which the student might require in the context of the impact that the student’s disability may have on his/her academic studies.
The report should outline the following:
- The history and detail of the student’s disability.
- The impact of the disability on the student as regards the demands of the academic programme.
- Any suggestions of reasonable accommodation or supports, that might be appropriate for the student in the context of higher education.
What educational supports are available at NCAD?
Writing and Research Skills Service (WRSS).
The Writing and Research Skills Service forms a major part of the College’s support provision for all students who may have difficulties in the core area of writing and research skills.
It is a comprehensive service that provides not only a support service for undergraduates and postgraduates in general writing and research skills, but, in addition, incorporates a specialist support service for students with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.
This is delivered through the provision of:
- Seminars on topics of concern to all students.
- One-to-one tutorials for students with specific learning difficulties.
- Provision of a support facility for students with specific learning difficulties/dyslexia.
Seminars and individual support will be offered in:
- Planning your essay/thesis.
- Focusing your thoughts.
- Reading strategies.
- “Getting down to work”.
- Managing your time.
Specialist Support for Students with Specific Learning Difficulty/Dyslexia
- Provision of individually tailored programmes.
- Provision of regular, appropriate compensatory tuition by fully qualified experienced professionals.
- Provision of initial screening for Specific Learning Difficulty.
The WRSS is located at Room G16, Ground Floor of the School of Design.
Service Co-ordinator: Madeleine O’ Rourke
Tel: 01 – 636 4314 Email: orourkem@ncad.ie
Assistive Technology
The Assistive Technology Technical Assistant provides introductory training in the use of assistive technology software and hardware for students that are registered with the Student Support Service. Some examples of software include:
Dragon Naturally Speaking – This application allows you to talk to the PC instead of typing. It is very useful for students with restricted movement, dyslexia and visual impairments.
Read & Write Gold – This package allows you to have the PC read text to you. It can be used to magnify text, make notes, check spellings and even save documents as mp3 files to listen to later.
Inspiration – This software helps you to plan and organise your written work using images, spider grams and a variety of other techniques.
The Assistive Technology Office is located at Room G16, Ground Floor of the School of Design.
Contact: Phillip Kennedy, Thursday and Friday.
Tel: 01 – 636 4314 Email: assistivetechnology@ncad.ie
Disability Act 2005 – Complaints Procedure
The Disability Act 2005 includes a number of positive action measures designed to advance and underpin participation of people with disabilities in society.
Section 38 of the Disability Act 2005 enables any person by his/herself or through any person defined under Section 9 (2) of the Act to make a complaint in writing to the Head of the National College of Art & Design in relation to the failure of the College to comply with Sections 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 of the Act.
For the purposes of handing such complaints the Director of the College has delegated his authority to receive and refer complaints to an Inquiry Officer.
The following procedures have been developed by the College to receive and investigate complaints made under the Act.
Making a Complaint
Please contact the Inquiry Officer, (Student Support Officer) in writing if you feel that the College has failed to comply with Sections 25-29 of the Disability Act 2005 and wish to make a formal complaint.
Please mark clearly: Disability Act Complaint, Student Support Officer, NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8
The following procedures will be applied, once your complaint has been received by the College:
Within five working days of receipt of complaint: The Inquiry Officer will acknowledge receipt of the complaint and will advise that a preliminary response will be sent to the complainant within 20 working days.
Within 20 working days of receipt of complaint: The Inquiry Officer, having conducted a preliminary investigation into the complaint, will advise the complainant of the following possible outcomes:
- A full investigation will begin immediately if there is a prima facie case for a full investigation.
- There will be no further action on the part of the College if the complaint is considered frivolous or vexatious. The Inquiry Officer will advise the Complainant that he/ she may refer the College’s decision to the Ombudsman.
- The complaint may fall outside the scope of the Disability Act 2005 and thus be invalid. The Inquiry Officer will advise the Complainant that he/she may refer the College’s decision to the Ombudsman.
Within 30 working days of date of letter advising of a full investigation: The Inquiry Officer will submit a draft report to:
- Complainant
- Secretary of the College
- All relevant areas of the College
The Complainant will be advised that he/she has 10 working days in which to respond to the report’s findings.
Within 10 working days from date of dispatch of report: The Complainant may submit a full response to the report to the Inquiry Officer.
Within 20 working days from receipt of response from Complainant: The Inquiry Officer will send a response with, if appropriate, a revised report to the Complainant advising that this is the College’s final response in relation to this specific complaint.
The Inquiry Officer will advise the Complainant that he/she may refer the College’s decision to the Ombudsman.
Checklist: Complaints should include the following information:
- Name, address, contact telephone number and email address.
- Whether you were looking for access to College buildings, services or information?
- What location/department/section of the National College of Art and Design did you deal with, for example: Admissions, Library, etc.
- When and with whom did you meet, date/staff name?
- What were you looking for? Details.
- How and why was the service/information/public place or building inaccessible to you?
- What was the response of the person(s) you were dealing with?
- Why are you dissatisfied with the response?
Careers Advisory Service
The Careers Advisory Service provides careers advice to students throughout their course, and in particular to students in their final year or pursuing postgraduate studies. The objective of the service is to provide up-to-date information and advice for students on matters relating to career choice, postgraduate studies and employment.
A core element of the service is the individual career guidance interview. The aim of this interview is to help the student evaluate and explore the range of career options available. The interview is conducted in a relaxed non-directive and confidential atmosphere; it focuses on the needs of the student and the careers advisor engages the student in setting the agenda and determining the outcome.
The Careers Advisory Service also provides the following:
- Information on postgraduate courses
- C.V. compilation
- Cover letter preparation
- Interview techniques
- Presentation skills
- Job vacancy information
- Summer vacation work
Jacyntha McManus Cleary, Ext. 4313, is the careers advisor and attends the College from Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 2.00pm during term time only. Please consult Reception for appointments.
Sexual Harassment & Codes of Conduct
Sexual harassment is defined as behaviour which includes unreciprocated and unwelcome comments, looks, jokes, suggestions or physical contact that might threaten a person’s job security or create a stressful or intimidating working environment. Sexual harassment is an equal treatment issue. Sexual harassment is a difficult issue to raise in any form, but it is desirable in the Students’ Union to endeavour to create an atmosphere where students would be able to report incidents of sexual harassment knowing that they will have the support of their Union and that their complaint would be dealt with seriously.
Where students feel that they have been sexually harassed, they should contact the Welfare Officer or Rights Officer of their Union, or the College Doctor or Counsellor, who should report the matter immediately to the Director of the College. The Director should then deal with this complaint on a confidential basis with the Head of Faculty or Head of Department where the staff member or student is working.
In incidents where the victim of sexual harassment does not wish that his or her name should be known, the Students’ Union can bring that complaint to the Director without disclosing the name of the person involved. If disciplinary procedures were to be adopted arising from a complaint, it would be necessary to have a formal report from the person concerned on the harassment that he or she has endured.
For students who wish to know more regarding issues of sexual harassment, codes of conduct for staff and disciplinary procedures, contact the Personnel Office where copies of Union Agreements are available.
Mentoring
The College has established a College Community Welfare Group to develop community welfare policies within the College and to identify problem areas, which require particular attention by staff or students.
As part of its work the group has introduced a mentoring system. Under this system third year students are allocated a maximum of four students in Year 1 with whom they establish a contact relationship and give them advice and encouragement during the course of the year. A training course is provided in September of each year for volunteers.
Broadly the mentor’s responsibilities include the following:
- Listening to the needs of the students and assisting them in finding a social outlet that is appropriate to their needs.
- Talking with and listening to the students on a regular basis throughout the year.
- Identifying students at risk and referring them to the appropriate help. In the final term the College Community Welfare Group will be writing to second year students seeking their support for the mentoring scheme asking that there will be mentors in the succeeding academic year.
If you require any information in relation to the mentoring scheme contact Ken Langan at ext. 4217.
Students’ Union and Student Representatives
The Students’ Union is located in the Concourse and is the hub of student social life. It runs the clubs and the parties and is the place to go with any queries on student life in general. It is part of the Students’ Union of Ireland and as such is involved in any demonstrations or legislation for improvements in education and student standards of living.
The President of NCAD Students Union this year is Frances Wasser. The Vice-President is Orlaith Ross.
Each class also has an elected Student Representative. They and the Union are there for you at any time, so be sure to use them.
Freshers Week takes place in October when the Students’ Union will inform you on what services it can offer you, what is happening during the year and which clubs are available to join. In addition to the Union, all Departments and Faculties have an elected student representative to speak for them to the Faculties, who in turn will report any matter to Academic Council.
Crèche Facilities
The College does not have a crèche so it is necessary for students with children to make their own arrangements.
Please see the section on Grants and Fees for details of the Childcare Support Fund in operation in the College.
Accommodation
The Central Office for Admissions and Student Services Department does not have the resources to provide an accommodation service, so students must find their own accommodation. Students from outside Dublin are advised to arrive a week or so in advance of the start of term to allow time for this.
Some good websites for accommodation include:
The Students Union may be able to help students find accommodation, also, check the notice boards in NCAD and other Colleges for sharing options.
Download: Printable Student Handbook (PDF 268k)
