We aim to ensure that mealtimes are accessible to all. The below policy sets out the requirements of students living in catered accommodation who may need additional support from Source Catering and ResiLife.

What are additional needs?

Students that are allocated into in catered accommodation may arrive with additional requirements to help facilitate their access to meal services.

This could include students with visual impairments, physical restrictions, neurodivergent conditions or faith-based requirements.

Our responsibility

ResilLife will ensure that Catering receive all relevant information regarding students with additional requirements. Liaison will take place between the Senior Residential Life Manager and/or Divisional Safety Advisor. Information will be shared with our Catering department for students who have been identified as requiring a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan living in catered halls.

The Head of Catering will communicate with the relevant key stakeholders in the Catering department to enable them to put measures in place for any student who has additional requirements. They will ensure these measures are communicated to the Senior Residential Life Manager.

Actions to be taken

ResiLife will communicate a full list of students with additional needs at the start of each term to our Catering department.

Head Chefs will ensure suitable catering requirements are in place for any student with additional needs. They will be treated with care and consideration at all times. Head Chefs will also liaise with the students involved and ResiLife to identify and implement any actions needed.

ResiLife will ensure regular contact with any student with additional needs. They will feedback immediately to Catering with any concerns raised by students.

How students will receive their meals

Term time

During term times, student meal services will be provided in the hall students reside in.

Outside of term time

Out of term, meals will normally be provided from two of the catered halls (usually Clifton Hill House and Churchill Hall). Students will be instructed prior to vacation periods of the exact locations. ResiLife will liaise with any student with additional needs, confirming when they will be on campus for these periods. They will then communicate any special requirements to our Catering department.

If a student faces difficulty attending a different hall for meal services, our Catering department will facilitate food being delivered to them. ResiLife will assist in this process with initiating welfare checks outside of term dates where appropriate.

Closure days

During the Easter and Christmas vacation periods, our Catering department will be closed for a set number of days. Any student that will be remaining on campus during these closure days will have the opportunity to sign up for a hamper that will have sufficient supplies to cover said closure days.

Students with neurodivergent conditions

Students with neurodivergent conditions will have the option to take their meals away from the dining rooms if they wish. We have a quiet space designated in Badock Hall and quiet tables in all other dining rooms.

Students with faith-based needs

Students with any faith-based needs will be able to order packed meals in advance for any meal service from the hall they reside in. If these dates fall outside of term, students will be able to order packed meals from the halls that will remain open during this time.

Non-catered students

Non-catered students undergoing exceptional circumstances will be considered as needing additional requirements. Our Catering department will facilitate these students receiving meals from their nearest catered accommodation.