The Specialist Peer Mentor Program (SPMP) is for any student on the Autism Spectrum who would like to participate. The SPMP is available for both new and ongoing students throughout their studies at UON. The program can assist in navigating the challenges that University can entail to ensure the best possible University experience. The Mentor team is made up of current UON students who are passionate and dedicated to helping support other students and sharing their own wealth of university experience. Mentors are friendly, approachable and reliable. Mentors and Mentees meet up on a weekly basis, this can be via zoom or at a comfortable place on campus.

Appointment of advocate and disclosure of information

About

The University of Newcastle, a body corporate established under section 4 and 5 of the University of Newcastle Act 1989 (NSW))(University/we/us), is pleased to offer peer mentoring services to its students via the Specialist Peer Mentor Program (MentorProgram). The Mentor Program is run by the University’s ‘AccessAbility’ team.

Collection of information

To participate in the Mentor Program, the University will need to collect and record some personal information about you. 

This information is primarily needed to assess the areas that you may need support with while at University. Participating in the Mentor Program, and providing your personal information to us in connection with the Mentor Program, is voluntary. However, if you do not provide certain personal information to us, we may not be able to allow you to participate in the Mentor Program.

Confidentiality

All of your personal information collected by the University for the purpose of the Mentor Program will: 

1.  be managed pursuant to University’s Privacy Management Plan (copy here: Privacy Management Plan); and

2. only be provided to those persons employed or otherwise engaged by the University on a ‘need to know’ basis (for example, the Mentor Program Coordinator and your assigned mentor).

We may disclose your information to other persons or entities if: 

1. required or permitted by law (for example, if the information is subpoenaed by a Court or if a failure to disclose the information would place you or another person at risk); or

2. you have consented to the disclosure (for example, if you agree that we can provide your information to a medical professional, your parent or your employer).

Generally, the University maintains files for each participant in the Mentor Program for a minimum of 5 years.

Access

You may be able to access and/or correct the personal information we maintain in your file pursuant to the University’s Privacy Management Plan. The Mentor Program Coordinator will be able to help you with a request.

Reasonable Adjustment Plan

As part of your involvement with AccessAbility, a ‘Reasonable Adjustment Plan’ may be developed to assist you while at University. The Reasonable Adjustment Plan is likely to include your personal information and other sensitive or confidential information. From time to time, it may be helpful for your assigned mentor (or other University staff) to have access to your Reasonable Adjustment Plan for the purposes of the Mentor Program.

You can choose whether you would like your assigned mentor to have access to your Reasonable Adjustment Plan, and you can withdraw your consent at any time.

Advocate

You may wish to nominate a person to be your advocate for the purposes of the Mentor Program. Your advocate can be any person you trust and is generally someone who understands your particular circumstances. It could be your parent, other relative, friend, caseworker or other trusted person.

Your advocate cannot (unless they also have appropriate legal authority) make decisions for you or on your behalf, but they can help us understand you and your needs so that you can get the most out of the Mentor Program.

You are not required to appoint an advocate to participate in the Mentor Program and you can withdraw your consent for a person to be your advocate at any time.

hereby acknowledge and agree that:

1. I have read and understood this Mentee Consent Form.

4. If I have nominated an Advocate in paragraph 3 above, I consent to: 

(a) the University providing information about me (including personal, sensitive and confidential information) and my participation in the Mentor Program, to my Advocate via any medium (including verbally, in writing or electronically); and 

(b) the University receiving information about me (including personal, sensitive and confidential information) from my Advocate via any medium (including verbally, in writing or electronically).

5. I will provide notice to the Mentor Program Coordinator if I wish to revoke or vary the consent in paragraphs 2, 3 and/or 4 above.