Our Core Values
To provide students with the best advice and support possible, the Advice Centre runs on certain values and principles which form the backbone of our advice work.
Free
UCLan students are automatically members of UCLan Students’ Union. One of the benefits of membership is access to our free advice service.
Independent
As we’re independent from the University, we are able to represent you without any conflict of interest.
Confidential
All enquiries are dealt with in the strictest of confidence. All case notes are kept in a secure database and information we hold is not disclosed to anyone outside the Advice Centre, unless you ask us to.
Standing Up for your rights
The Advice Centre works closely with the Elected Officer Team, the University and other organisations to ensure that students' rights are upheld. We do this in everything from reviewing regulations, preventative campaigns and feeding back to the University about the issues they face. To do this we need to show examples of good practice and bad but will never use or reveal sensitive details from any cases.
Non-judgemental
It doesn’t matter what your problem is or how it came about - we won’t ever judge you. We’re here to help you as much as we can, regardless of your issues and all of our advisors are supportive and open minded.
Respectful
The Students’ Union embraces diversity and is committed to communicating openly, honestly and respectfully at all times - regardless of race, sex, age, gender, religion, disability, sexuality or any other factors. All students should feel safe and comfortable coming to us for help and we also ask that you respect our advisors and other clients.
Conflicts of interest
Occasionally, there can be a conflict of interest if two students come to the Advice Centre with different sides of the same issue, wanting different outcomes – for example a student who faces disciplinary action because of complaints by other residents in halls. In these sorts of cases we look carefully at what arrangements need to be made to ensure we do not face any conflicts. We will assign different advisors to each side, never discuss the case between the groups and will never pass information from one side to the other.
Legal & fair
We’re not a legal team and don’t provide legal advice like a lawyer or solicitor would. In some cases, we might refer people to seek legal advice elsewhere, so they get the full support they need. We will never assist people in illegal acts - for instance we will not assist people to apply for benefits they are not entitled to. However, we can help you to resolve situations where people are receiving incorrect income etc. We also must treat all third parties fairly - for instance, in debt cases, we will not treat one creditor differently to another without good cause.
Advice UK
We are a member of Advice UK and we are compliant with AdviceUK’s Network Membership criteria:
- Advice is independent and impartial with the interests of the client being paramount
- Advice is confidential
- Advice is covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Terms on which services are offered are clearly stated
- A complaints procedure is in place and a data protection policy
- Accountability to service users and other stakeholders
- Commitment to equal opportunities
To view our certificate click here.