MDF Governance & Terms of Reference

A member of the Mercian Steering Group will act as a Group sponsor, while the Co-ordination group will maintain activities and operations, in liaision with the MC Executive Officer.  An annual evaluative report (March) on group's activities will be produced to ensure accountability, and submitted for consideration by the Mercian Directors.

What is the Mercian Disability Forum?

The Mercian Disability Forum sits within the wider Mercian Collaboration and is formed by professionals with an interest in, or responsibility for, supporting disabled students.

What are its aims?

The Mercian Disability Forum’s aims are aligned with the wider collaboration. It provides a space to work together to explore training and development and to seek efficiencies on behalf of our institutions and the wider community. Its key focus is for members to draw on their own and each other’s good practice and ideas, as well as their awareness of relevant ideas and developments from outside the Collaboration.

How will it achieve these?

The Mercian Disability Forum will work in a number of ways to further its aims, for example:

  • Enable members to exchange experiences, knowledge, shared problems etc. with other practitioners working within the Mercian area in a safe, supportive, and friendly environment 
  • Encourage participation in the wider Mercian Buddy Scheme
  • Explore what comparator Institutions within the collaboration are doing in the area of disability support, signposting to existing resources and help for those members who are less experienced in this area.
  • Liaise with other Mercian groups such as the Mercian Staff Development Group and, for example, support a 'Learning Exchange event.'
  • Propose events to the Staff Development Group (SDG)

Membership of the Mercian Disability Forum

  • One representative staff member from any institution which is a member of the Collaboration.
  • Events held by the Forum
  • Any staff member whose institution is a member of the Collaboration

Funding the Forum

  • Any expenses incurred which are over and above those which are deemed reasonable for the host institution to pay will be sought via the Mercian Collaboration’s Steering Group’s additional funding protocols.

Governance

  • One member of the Mercian Steering Group to act as a Group sponsor
  • Group Chair to co-ordinate group and maintain activities
  • An annual evaluative report on the group's activities
  • Representation by the Forum at the Mercian Conference to ensure visibility of the Group

Meetings

The Forum will normally meet at least once a year. Members are expected to attend the meetings; exceptionally, a nominee may substitute. 

Approved: Directors Board, November 2017