SORA survey results, feedback, training and surgeries

The SORA survey was completed by 89 staff members from a range of roles and departments. The results indicated that the process and the document are working and that moving to Portico has been an improvement.

How can the SORA process be improved?

Moving forward, there will be implementation of administration changes and upskilling the Student Support and Wellbeing (SSW) Team.

Feedback from the survey suggested the following:

• Include the programme name in the notification email.
• Provide subject specific recommendations.
• Include programme level specific information/context.
• Use clear and specific recommendations/adjustments.
• Develop staff and student guidance on how to implement SORAs. Current staff guidance will be reviewed and improved. 

Results also suggested amendments within Portico:

• Link to the SORA via the Student Summary page on Portico.
• Back-fill old SORAs - unfortunately this is not possible due to inconsistent logging of SORAs prior to moving over to Portico. However, as students request amendments or a review of their SORA, they will be moved onto the Portico system.

Training and staff development 

In supporting departmental staff working with disabled students, the most requested training was ‘How to implement reasonable adjustments’. In response to this, the SORA workshops - delivered by UCL Arena - will be adapted.

In addition, this month there will be a trial of SORA Surgeries. These Surgeries allow staff to book in a 30 minute session with a member of the SSW Team to discuss any issues or ask any questions they have about SORAs.

SORA Surgeries, Student Support and Wellbeing in the Student Centre (Floor 1).

• Thursday 19 September, 8.30am-10.30am.
• Friday 20 September, 8.30am-10.30am.

If you would like to attend, please contact Natalie Humphrey, n.humphrey@ucl.ac.uk, and Jacqueline Mallon, j.mallon@ucl.ac.uk.

Accessing the SORA 

74% of respondents were able to access the SORAs for their departments and 65.5% were able to access SORAs for students at modular level. 60% knew how to report an issue with accessing SORAs.

To report an issue in regards to accessing your SORAs, you should contact Portico Services giving them your name, user ID, department for whom you should be accessing SORAs and ideally a screen-grab of the issue you are experiencing.

If you have any further feedback, please contact Natalie Humphrey, Head of Student Support and Wellbeing (Disability, Mental Health and Wellbeing) n.humphrey@ucl.ac.uk.