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Below you will find information and updates from the 'Beyond the SoRA' programme.
Overview
'Beyond the SoRA' has been comissioned to assess and re-develop the 'Summary of Reasonable Adjustments' system here at UCL. This programme seeks to find new technical solutions, create new policies, and establish new processes to make SoRAs more inclusive and accessible for students; enabling them to fulfill their academic potential regardless of the challenges they face.
The programme will be administered via thirteen interconnecting workstreams, each with specific driving questions, workstream leads (see below), and membership drawn from UCL's academic and professional services staff. A programme board has also been created and will provide a discursive space, general programme governance, and will output reports and recommendations for the improved SoRA system.
Here you can follow along with updates from the project and access information of the workstreams and outputs from the project itself.
Programme Newsletters
- Newsletter Three (11/04/2025)
Hello colleagues,
As the sun makes a very welcome return, I thought it would be a good opportunity to update you on progress we have continued to make across the Beyond the SoRA programme. So, without further ado, let us get into some of the key developments.
Programme Board
On 1 April, we had our second whole-team programme board meeting. This was a productive space where workstream leads provided updates on their work so far in this project and fed back on the general governance of the programme. Key updates from this meeting include:
Technical Configuration
An extraordinary amount of work has been conducted by this workstream to redesign our SoRA technical capabilities through which future applications and adjustments can be submitted and processed. A central feature of this is to automate the adjustments process and streamline SoRAs so that more time can be spent on enhanced and exceptional adjustments that require input from SSWS and Faculties and Departments.
Training and Development
Recently, the Training and Development workstream has sent out a survey to Student Advisers, Faculty Teaching and Learning Technologists, SoRA contacts, and Accessibility Champions. The aim of the survey is to gather feedback on existing training, gaps in knowledge, and to collate existing resources. The workstream intends to use this feedback to form new training programmes for staff who interact with SoRAs. If you would like to provide any feedback on SoRA-specific training, then you can access the survey here (and please do share this link with any colleagues you think could contribute to this exercise! The closing date is not until the end of the month, so there is still plenty of time).
Exams
As we hurtle towards the Central Assessment Period, significant progress has been made in the Exams workstream. In March, they assembled a group of around 30 exams staff and created a feedback group. This focussed on our driving questions as well as picking up some good practice along the way (more on that later). From this feedback, a draft report has been produced with summaries of pinch points and a series of recommendations. We will also run a workshop with exams staff after the exams period has ended to hone these recommendations before sharing this with Programme Board and you.
Case Conference
One of the key objectives of the programme is to find a way of accommodating issues and challenges as they emerge. Whilst a Dispute Resolution Process is being reviewed by colleagues in Legal Services, we held a case conference with one of the faculties to ensure that issues can still be addressed. This was a really positive space where members of the Faculty and SSWS got together and came to a mutual agreement on how to create exceptional adjustments.
Positivity Spotlight
During our research for the exams workstream, some examples of good practice came to light. In particular, the Departments of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering and the School of Management provided a great example of how they mitigate student anxiety around exams through mock exams. Giving the student a chance to practice the route and familiarise themselves with the exam content and procedures has really helped to make the exams process more predictable and put students at ease.
A call for feedback
As brought up at the programme board, we are keen to hear your feedback. If there are any points which you would like to raise for our consideration or would like to get your voice heard in helping to shape the programme, then please do get in touch with us at beyondprogramme@ucl.ac.uk.
Additionally, if anyone not currently involved would like to be, then let us know which workstream(s) you’re interested in!
And on that note, I would like to thank all of our participants for their continued hard work as we keep moving through the programme.
- Newsletter Two (14/02/2025)
Hi all!
Now that we’re into the second week of February, it’s time once again for our SoRA newsletter. There’s been lots of updates in the past couple of weeks, so let’s get into it.
Board meeting
Last week, we held our first full board meeting with workstream leaders! This was a really productive space where team leaders and advisory members shared updates and news about the programme.
The Terms of Reference for a Disputes Resolution Panel were agreed upon. This will be an independent, impartial body which will meet monthly to address disagreements and evaluate referrals made to Student Support and Wellbeing Services, ultimately providing advice on individual SoRA cases. We're looking to get this up-and-running as soon as possible.
I shared a comms update too: we have a webpage, linked here. I’ll keep this updated as and when relevant updates occur, and the latest version of the Programme Overview Document is available on the right-hand side. Additionally, it was agreed that I’ll send out one of these newsletters every 2(ish) weeks when there are sufficient updates to provide to everyone. Feel free to share the webpage and newsletters far and wide to any interested parties, I’m happy to add to the ever-growing mailing list too.
Workstream updates
This week both Data and Data Sharing and the Finance and Resources workstreams met for progress catchups. There’s lots of really great work going on, here are some highlights:
Data and Data Sharing have reviewed the Student Privacy statement and consent wording, and great progress is being made in evaluating how we share data with 3rd parties and designing data access levels for SoRAs. The Finance and Resources workstream are continuing great work on assessing average cost figures for SoRAs and are aiming to have a shared working document to collate findings by the end of the month with a report to the Board to follow.And on that happy note, thank you everyone for your continued hard work this week as we keep moving forward with this project. A reminder for people to get in touch with Adam or I at this address (beyondprogramme@ucl.ac.uk) if there are any questions or concerns. I hope you all have a great weekend whenever it comes.
The Inclusive Communications workstream met for a kick-off meeting yesterday and there are already plenty of great ideas regarding training, workshops, and how we can begin making small changes to create big outcomes within departments and the student body.
Positivity Spotlight
As we keep momentum with this project, I’d like to share an example of good practice. This edition’s spotlight is on the Chemistry department. Their approach to the departmental SoRA system is collaborative, where responsibility is divided amongst a team who collectively support students in the creation and implementation of SoRAs. Students have found this approach really helpful, and the feedback has been positive. This example is being taken forward by workstreams as an example of good practice and was presented recently at our Board meeting.
- Newsletter One (24/01/2025)
Hi all,
Now that we’re fully into the swing of things this term, I’m sending out an update to our Beyond the SoRA Programme members about what we’ve been up to this week and what's to come in the following ones:
Kick-offs: The first meeting of the SoRA Contacts workstream has gone ahead. Lots of great ideas already so far on how to approach the driving questions and I’ll be looking to invite members to join that workstream shortly. The Training and Development workstream will be starting next week as well and I look forward to getting started on that.
Webpage: Work has begun on getting a webpage created for the SoRA programme. This will feature regular workstream updates and information, SoRA contact lists for students and staff, as well as copies of future reports including the programme overview document. I’ll share the URL for this once it’s up-and-running.
Overview document: Speaking of the overview document… Please do take some time to familiarise yourself with it. I’ve attached a copy to this email for you all. This will tell you about the scope of the project, workstreams, sets the scene for why this project is necessary, and will arm you for any questions from others interested in what we're doing.
Board meeting: Our first development board meeting will be on the 4 February at 12pm. Workstream leads are encouraged to come along and bring updates on what you’ve been working on. This is an opportunity to discuss issues, concerns, and good news alike with other workstream leads and feed back to the steering group about how you feel the programme is going. A draft agenda will be sent out soon too so keep an eye out!
And that’s all from me! I just want to thank everyone in their workstreams for all their hard work again this week and do keep an eye out for the next round of invites and more information from our end.
If there are any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Adam or I, or email the programme address at beyondprogramme@ucl.ac.uk.
Workstreams
- Workstream One: Data and Data Sharing | Lead: Denise Long
- How do we share appropriate data across teams (e.g. SoRA Contacts, Timetabling, LCCOS, Accommodation, Estates)?
- Are the existing student privacy notices fit for purpose?
- What data would we want to routinely share regarding SoRAs?
- Can we trust our data? How do we collect and report on disability?
- Workstream Two: Inclusive Communications | Lead: Denise Long
- How do we routinely communicate information around the SoRA process (for both staff and students)?
- How do we celebrate a culture of inclusivity and best practice?
- Workstream Three: Technical Configuration | Leads: Zak Liddell and Denise Long
- [Phase One]: Does the process mapping demonstrate any immediate, mid-term, or long-term development opportunities?
- [Phase One]: Are there any fixes which can be applied to existing processes?
- [Phase Two]: What would be the most pertinent elements to developing a business case?
- [Phase Two]: What would the ideal process look like?
- Workstream Four: SoRA Contacts | Leads: Denise Long and Faculty Representative
- What is the current understanding of SoRA contacts in relation to their function?
- What would be supportive for colleagues in developing a common understanding of the SoRA contact across Departmental / Faculty roles?
- How do we identify and record SoRA contacts?
- Workstream Five: Training and Development | Leads: Chilima Sianyeuka and Manjula Patrick
- What training and development plans would help establish a base-line of common knowledge around reasonable adjustments across Departments and Faculties?
- What technical knowledge would be required for implementing technical changes?
- Workstream Six: Disputes and Resolutions | Leads: Denise Long and Zak Liddell
- How do we resolve issues that emerge in the implementation of a SoRA?
- Do we have a process which facilitates independent actors to review and comment on suggested arrangements?
- Workstream Seven: Finance and Resources | Leads: Denise Long and Chilima Sianyeuka (with Gemma Bacon)
- Is it possible to gain an understanding of the operating costs associated with reasonable adjustments?
- What does the map of funding opportunities (including DSA) look like?
- Are there are efficiencies which can be derived through the end-to-end process review?
- Workstream Eight: Alternative Assessments | Leads: Zak Liddell
- Can we map against existing assessment structures?
- Can we ‘build in’ pre-prepared alternative assessments against assessment structures?
- If an alternative assessment is not possible how do we communicate this?
- Workstream Nine: Competency Standards | Leads: Zak Liddell and Denise Long
- How can UCL define and articulate competency standards in programmes?
- How do we judge these at the point of programme review and approval?
- Workstream Ten: Policy | Lead: Zak Liddell
- What are the existing policy issues in relation to reasonable adjustments?
- What are the emerging policy issues which should inform process design?
- Workstream Eleven: Compliance and Assurance | Leads: Zak Liddell and Denise Long
- What methods or approaches would most effectively support compliance?
- What level of assurance does UCL want to adopt in relation to reasonable adjustment implementation?
- Are there any public affairs or sector-level intelligence which should inform our approach?
- Workstream Twelve: Exams | Lead: Katherine Majid
- How does UCL implement approved exam adjustments?
- How does UCL reduce the number of exams hosted in departments?
- How does UCL avoid ‘clustering’ of exams?
- Workstream Thirteen: Inclusive Practices | Leads: Louise Grimmett and Ben Watson
- How does UCL foster an on-going approach to inclusive practices which moves beyond SoRAs being a single solution?
