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Derby College for Deaf People is a residential college with students living either on campus or in accommodation linked to the local University.

We are aware that for many students joining DCDP it is the first time they have lived away from home. To make sure new students feel comfortable in their new environment, we assess their level of independence and then decide which type of residence is suitable.

Students are supervised by a member of the Care Staff Team during the week and at weekends.

Residential Support on Campus
Students who live on campus will stay in one of these shared houses:

Roe House
Edale House
Tideswell House
Bakewell House
Dovedale

Students are supervised by a member of staff during the day and night. They are helped to cook their own meals from Monday to Thursday and are given cooking support at the weekends.

Each house appoints a student representative to be part of the House Representative Committee. The committee meets to discuss housing issues and is made up of staff and students.

In addition to this, there are monthly meetings of the representatives and the Care Manager.

Residential Support off Campus
Some older students, or those with more independent living skills, are accommodated in shared flats or in independent shared houses. The properties we use are:

University Flats (Linked to Derby University)
Saint Christopher's (also on Ashbourne Road)
Nunnery Court

Even though students study and live off campus, they are encouraged to maintain links with the main Derby College for Deaf People site by becoming involved in the group meetings that happen every two weeks and the monthly meeting with the Care Manager.

Members of the Care Staff Team provide the same service to students whether they live on or off campus. Independent students receive a food allowance.

Care Staff Team
There are currently 20 people employed in the Care Staff Team, their responsibilities include:

Encouragement

Students are encouraged to be as independent as possible. Care Staff are involved in the House Representatives Committee to promote the students' taking responsibility for their living environment.

Organisation of Student Activities

The Student Committee is an active committee, similar to the Students' Union. Care Staff assist the students in organising finances to enable them to buy new equipment for the Student Club or for recreational activities.

Awareness of Child Protection Act

Members of the Care Staff Team can be designated as an 'Appropriate Adult' in situations where this IS required. This could include medical situations or negotiations with parents.

All staff members are made aware of the Child Protection Act in relation to Derby College for Deaf People.

Equal Opportunities
Derby College for Deaf People aims to provide a residential setting that can meet the needs of all its students.

The students that attend DCDP come from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Added to the Deaf Culture, shared among nearly all our students, are various ethnic cultural heritages. Each of these is respected within the college and careful consideration is given to religious and dietary needs.

Our policy on equal opportunities extends to students who are disabled, aiming to make both the physical environment and access to information open to everyone.

In particular, the various aspects of deafness are given equal validity.