Reforms to the administration of Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) in England and Wales have prioritised hitting targets over the interests of applicants, MPs have heard.
Administration of DSA, which helps people with disabilities, neurodivergence, mental health conditions or long-term health problems cover the costs of study technology or equipment, was recently outsourced to two firms: Capita and Study Tech. Since February they have been responsible for carrying out needs assessments, after years of complaints that the previous process was complex, bureaucratic and fragmented.
But Sarah Todd, chair of the National Association of Disability Practitioners, told the House of Commons Education Committee that the companies were being incentivised to streamline assessments in order to hit time-based key performance indicators (KPIs) and make more money.
“That’s going to shape the market in terms of what products are available and also mean that students aren’t getting support fit for purpose,” she said.
