Support for students
A personal assistant for university life
Finding the right person to help you make the most of your time at university is crucial.
If you need help with personal care, mobility, and other tasks, one of our handpicked personal assistants will enable you to get the most out of the exciting experience ahead of you.
At Helping Hands, we believe that when it comes to care, one size never fits all – so our university support plans are built completely around the student experience you want to enjoy. From helping you prepare for and attend your lectures to giving you the independence to meet up with friends, your assistant will always be there to support your wishes and help you with all aspects of university life.
We can help you prepare for university by:
Liaising with social services
We can liaise with social services and your university about the facilities available so that you can make sure you’re fully prepared when you go
Advising on accommodation
If you’re struggling to find accommodation that suits your needs and matches your criteria, our experienced team can help find suitable options
Preparing mobility aids in advance
We can even ensure that the right mobility aids are in place before you arrive, both in your accommodation and in your places of study
How support for students works
A continuous and consistent service is vital in all forms of care, but especially at university. You’ll be assigned a dedicated manager who will work with you to give you the perfect support plan.
Matched with the right person
Your dedicated care manager will determine the type of support you need and the personal assistant you’re looking for so that your support plan can be fully tailored to your preferences and requirements.
A fully-managed care plan
We can liaise with social services and your university about the facilities available, advise on the best accommodation options and even ensure that the right mobility aids are in place before you arrive.
Support throughout the year
On finding your personal assistant, he or she will be there to support you throughout the academic year. They’ll take holidays when you do – so you can be assured of the same routines and the same familiar face.
How can an assistant help me at university?
A personal assistant provides valuable support that allows you to focus on your studies.
As a student, it’s important that you’re supported to be independent in your studies and in your lifestyle during your university years. Having a personal assistant to help you with all the daily chores and routines you’re struggling with can allow you to focus on the things that really matter to you, as well as giving you and your family peace of mind that you’re getting the support you need.
Here are some of the many things your carer can help out with:
Personal care
Your personal assistant can provide discreet and dignified personal care with routines such as bathing, toileting and getting dressed
Household tasks
Your carer can help around your home with housekeeping tasks such as cleaning and vacuuming, doing the laundry, and doing the bins
Mobility support at home
Every Helping Hands carer is trained in mobility support, so they can help with things like getting in and out of bed and moving around the home
Light medical support
Our fully trained carers can provide clinical intervention including catheterisation, convene, PEG feeding and suppositories, to name just a few
Friendly companionship
All of our carers have been handpicked for their kind, compassionate personalities, which means they also provide wonderful companionship
Shopping and running errands
From doing the weekly shop to helping you with the bills or collecting a prescription, your carer can provide dedicated errand support
Hear from some of the students we’re helping
We love hearing and sharing stories from our customers about how our support is helping them to live the way they want to. Here, we share Jon and Jordanne’s accounts of how having a personal assistant at university has enabled them to make the most of what should always be a memorable period of life.
Student support referrals
Get ahead of the game when you’re arranging personal support and funding for university.
If you’re looking to arrange personal care support for university, we recommend doing so as soon as possible. Some universities even advise starting your search a year in advance to ensure that funding support is in place. Once you have your referral from a healthcare professional, contact us so we can help you with the assessment process to look at your support needs and find the perfect personal assistant for you.
Expert carers, supporting your university dream
The wonderful carers who provide our student support are employed directly by us, which means that we can always ensure your care plan is being led by people who have the right character, knowledge and skillset to understand your needs and provide you with the perfect type and level of support for your circumstances.
We’re very proud of our care assistants who constantly go above and beyond to ensure every customer receives the very highest standard of care.
Our carers are brilliant because they are:
Kind and compassionate
Our rigorous recruitment process means we only hire kind, empathetic carers who share our person-centred approach and our family values
Directly employed by us
We employ all of our carers ourselves, so we’re able to manage their workload, maintain their wellbeing and pay them directly and fairly
Expertly trained and fully vetted
Every carer is fully DBS-checked and receives our industry-renowned training which equips them to provide a wide range of specialist care services
Disability support in higher education
Your university or college will have a dedicated learning support coordinator or disability advisor who is there to help you get the most out of your time there.
Disability and support services do vary between universities. It’s a good idea to contact your university’s disability advisor to find out more about the type of support they provide. This could involve:
Ensuring university buildings and facilities are accessible
Providing course materials in accessible formats
Extra support in lectures or exams, such as note taking or allowing extra time
Alternative teaching methods
Funding for disability support at university
If you’re living with a disability, you may be eligible for carer funding at university.
If you’re a UK student seeking funding support for a carer or personal assistant at university, you’ll need to contact your local social services department. This is normally social services for the place where you normally reside when you’re not at university.
Extra financial support up to £20,000 is available through the Disabled Students’ Allowance for disabled students to cover any disability-related expenses and a non-medical helper, although this does not cover any additional support required through a private carer or personal assistant. For extra funding, please contact your local authority for a referral.
Fully regulated by the CQC / CIW
Here at Helping Hands, our live-in care service is fully managed and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
From your very first phone call to our friendly team, every aspect of your home care service is independently monitored and regulated by the CQC and Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).
Why is being a regulated company important?
What does regulation mean?
Our service is regularly monitored, inspected and regulated by an independent body
Why do we choose to be regulated?
We want every customer to have full peace of mind that their care is approved by a regulating body
How does regulation affect my care?
Our regulation means a guarantee that we’ll provide you with high quality care, no matter what
How to arrange student support
Speak to our team
Call our friendly team to discuss your options and ask any questions you may have
Free home care assessment
Your local Helping Hands manager will visit you to discuss your care requirements
Find your carer
We’ll match you with a carer who has the experience and skillset for your needs
Page reviewed by Kathryn Mahon, Regional Clinical Lead, on July 25, 2024.
How we wrote this page
This page has been produced referencing key insights and data from external experts, trusted medical sources and our team of in-house specialists. We have worked hard to ensure that all information is as accurate as possible and reflects current consensus at the time of writing and reviewing.