Student policies & guidelines
University guidelines for responding to students causing concern or at risk
Contents
- Introduction
- Purpose of the guidelines
- Emergencies
- On-going concern
- Disruptive behaviour
- Suspension of student
- Return to Study
- Data Protection Issues
- Consultative advice
- Referral contacts
- Support for staff and students
- Review
1. Introduction
1.1 There is a growing awareness among professional bodies and groups working in the field of student support, of the need for higher education institutions to respond appropriately to situations where visible signs of mental health difficulties, psychological, personality or emotional disorders may have a profoundly disturbing impact on the functioning of individual students and on the well-being of others around them.
1.2 It is important to recognise that the majority of students with mental health difficulties are unlikely to present disruption to others. Indeed, in many cases, the University will remain unaware of students who have mental health difficulties. However, there are a few incidents in the University each year, where students' disruptive behaviour is related to causes outlined in Section 1.1 and is beyond the containment of the University.
2. Purpose of the guidelines
2.1 The purpose of these guidelines is:
- to identify the appropriate response by academic and support service staff in the circumstances set out in paragraph 1.1 where it is not considered appropriate to apply the disciplinary procedures, in particular, because the student's behaviour should be managed rather than punished;
- to provide a co-ordinated and appropriate use of the professional competence of University staff for dealing with such situations and to provide guidance on the course of action to be taken in a crisis situation where it is apparent that a student's mental state may prevent him/her from gaining benefit from the educational provision at a particular time or is adversely affecting the interests of students/staff around them and
- to enable staff to identify the limits to the support which they can provide and the appropriateness of referring the student on to other agencies either internal or external;
- to ensure appropriate support for students and staff affected by or involved in working with students in the aforementioned circumstances.
2.2 These guidelines are not intended to
give guidance on wider matters relating to students with mental health
difficulties. The Student Mental Health Policy, the associated Guidelines
for Staff and staff development training will address these matters.
However, it is intended to ensure a consistent and sensitive approach
to managing situations that become problematic.
3. Emergencies
3.1 In a situation where it is believed that a student's behaviour presents an immediate risk to themselves or others, the Emergency Services should be contacted by dialling 999. The University's Security Office should also be contacted by dialling 666. This should be followed up later by notifying the Head of Student Services of the details of the incident and action taken. The person witnessing the student's behaviour should not leave the scene until they have briefed the emergency services
3.2 The Security Office will keep a record of the action taken by the Emergency Services and pass this on to the Head of Student Services. The Head of Student Services, or nominee, will ensure that contact is made with the student, the student's Head of Department, Director of Studies, and/or Departmental Administrator, and that appropriate arrangements are made with regard to academic matters. It is possible that the student will need to temporarily suspend their studies for recuperation. (See Sections 6 and 7).
4. On-going concern
4.1 In situations where a student's behaviour
or well being causes concern but does not present an immediate crisis,
initial support is best handled 'locally', i.e. through the Personal
Tutors that exist within the academic department or, if the behaviour
is exhibited in University owned or managed accommodation, through the
Resident Tutors and Housekeepers. The student is more likely to respond
to such an approach from a member of staff who is familiar with their
academic or residential context and to take practical advice from someone
who is already known to them.
Guidance on how best to make such an approach will be available from
specialist staff within student support services
(see Section 9). The relevant member of staff from the local pastoral
care system should meet with or make contact with the student to explain
what the concerns are and try to get an understanding of the student's
perception of the situation. The student should be encouraged to access
student support services or to get help through their GP. The concern
may, with the student's permission, also be reported to student support
services for information and possible future support. If there is a
concern that a student may be at risk of harming him/herself or others,
then obtaining the student's permission to report these concerns is
desirable but not essential. Any decision to break confidentiality should
be made in consultation with the Head of Student Services.
4.2 Where it is suspected that a student's behaviour may be related to an ongoing or emerging mental health difficulty, it is important that consideration is given at an early stage to consulting the Head of Student Services. The Head of Student Services will provide advice on the support that can be offered by the University, or whether referral to an outside agency is necessary. Guidance will also be provided on considerations that may be necessary to meet obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act Part 4. However, it is extremely important that in cases of emergency, the procedure outlined in section 3.1 is followed and referrals are not filtered through the Head of Student Services, as this may lead to unnecessary delay.
4.3 A referral to the Student Health & Well Being or Student Disability Advice services may also be appropriate in certain cases where the student has sufficient insight to work through their problems. With the student's permission, the counsellor, student adviser, GP, academic or hall of residence staff can liaise usefully about the student's welfare.
5. Disruptive behaviour or behaviour otherwise giving cause for serious concern
5.1 If the student refuses to access support and/or continues to exhibit behaviour that is disruptive or causes concern (for example, excessive use of alcohol or other drugs, distress caused by bereavement, excessive anger, dangerous prank-like behaviour, disappearing for extended periods of time, displaying bizarre/irrational behaviour, threatening to self-harm or harm others), the Head of Student Services should be informed. The Head of Student Services, or nominee, will then co-ordinate and monitor a response to the situation through the active intervention of member(s) of specialist student support staff.
5.2 An appropriate member of staff from student support services will contact or meet the student to offer support and, in conjunction with the Head of Student Services make a decision regarding referral to appropriate local statutory agencies. If it is necessary to seek the intervention of the student's GP and the local Mental Health Team, this will be done through student support services. If the student is registered with the University Medical Centre, the University's student health referral systems may also be used.
5.3 Where necessary and appropriate, student support services will also offer support to those students and colleagues who may be affected by the situation (see Section 11). The Head of Student Services will keep a central file record of all referrals, action and developments in the case, and relevant colleagues will be updated on a 'need to know' basis, including the Student Information & Funding service and Finance Office to ensure that any financial issues and debt collection activity are taken into account and suspended, if appropriate.
5.4 In cases where it becomes apparent that an individual student's support needs are beyond the responsibilities of the University, the Head of Student Services will alert the head of the relevant academic department to the situation. Where appropriate, there will be contact with the Accommodation Manager, Senior Resident Tutor and Security Office, particularly if the student, or others living close to the student, may need to be moved temporarily into alternative accommodation. The student's Head of Department will make a decision, with advice from the Head of Student Services (or nominee), on whether the student's nominated emergency contact should be informed. The University may need to be guided by statutory provisions (for example, of the Data Protection and Mental Health Acts) in reaching this decision.
6. Suspension of student
6.1 A decision will also be made by the relevant Head of Department (or nominee), with advice from the Head of Student Services (or nominee), on whether the student should be advised to, or required to, take leave of absence from their studies at the University whilst appropriate means of addressing the situation are being considered. If the student's behaviour has caused disruption in University accommodation, it may also be necessary for the Accommodation Manager to make a decision on whether temporary exclusion from the residence is required. In reaching these decisions, due care and consideration will be exercised, through consultation with the Head of Student Services, to avoid as far as possible the student being placed in a more vulnerable situation
6.2 It will be made clear to the student by the Head of Department (or nominee) that this procedure is quite separate from the University's Disciplinary Procedures. It will also be made clear that the University is recommending this course of action because the student's behaviour is disturbing others around them and that either support in dealing with this has been offered and declined or that support has been put in place but behaviour which is unacceptable has continued and/or that it is beyond the professional competence of the University to manage.
6.3 If the student's behaviour is such that under normal circumstances they would have been subject to disciplinary procedures, this may remain the most appropriate course of action even if there is evidence that the student has an identified mental health problem or other diagnosed condition. The fact that a student has mental health difficulties in no way lessens the duty of care that the University owes to other students. The duty of care to students with mental health problems should be balanced against the duty of care to other students.
6.4 Where the student's next-of-kin/ emergency contact is not able to be involved in the practical arrangements (e.g. to assist the student in making arrangements to return home), the student's academic department, in conjunction with University support services, will endeavour to provide a reasonable level of support in carrying out these tasks. In some cases, it may be necessary to involve other external agencies (including embassies).
6.5 The student should be advised that the Students' Union Vice-President (Academic and Welfare) and the Students' Union AWARE Centre can be contacted for advice on procedures for suspension from studies, and to offer representation for the student. The Student Information & Funding service will be able to offer advice on the financial implications of suspension, and the Student Records and Examinations Office will formally notify the Local Education Authority of a student suspending from their studies, as appropriate.
7. Return to Study
7.1 Following a period of absence from the University for recuperation, it may be appropriate for the student to return to resume studies. If this is the case, it will be necessary to ensure that the student is assisted by their department, with advice from student support services, in their return to the University.
7.2 The student's academic department will require the student to produce appropriate confirmation of their health and ability to resume studying. If a student had to withdraw from the University due to psychiatric ill-health, they will need a formal assessment by the University psychiatrist before returning to academic work. This is consistent with requirements that currently apply to staff through Occupational Health procedures. The Learning Support Service can provide guidance on the content of reports.
7.3 Student Disability Advice will be available to provide assistance with drawing up a "Return to Study Plan" in consultation with the student and their head of academic department. This will address the specific study-related support needs of the student in returning to education; the support which is reasonably required in the short term; involvement of and liaison with external agencies; any longer term support or adjustments that are reasonably required and any conditions that might or will apply to provision. The Return to Study Plan should incorporate a risk management plan that takes account of the experiences that led to the student initially suspending from their course and any other information that is known to be relevant. Any return to study will be subject to co-operation with this process and adherence to any agreements made.
7.4 Other members of staff within student support services will be available to provide advice and support to facilitate the student's transition back onto the course, particularly in relation to any action that might be required under the Disability Discrimination Act Part 4. This will be arranged with the direct involvement of, or in consultation with Student Disability Advice.
8. Data Protection Issues
The University's policy on Data Protection contains guidance on the use of sensitive information e.g. details about a student's mental health or condition and should be consulted by staff. See http://internal.bath.ac.uk/data-protection/.
9. Consultative advice
Consultative advice on the implementation of these guidelines is available from the following:
- Head of Student Services
- Student Disability Advice Manager
- Student Health & Well Being Manager
- University Chaplain - Angela Berners-Wilson - ext. 6458
10. Key referral contacts
Key referral contacts within the University are as follows:
- Student Disability Advice - ext. 5538
- Student Health & Well Being - ext 5538
- Duty Chaplain - mobile 079 6634 1370
- Medical Centre - ext. 6655 or 01225 386655
- Security - ext. 5349 or 666 (for emergencies)
- Senior Resident Tutors - Off Campus - ext. 6143, On Campus - ext. 5587
- Accommodation Manager - ext 6550 - out of hours via Security Office
- Head of Student Services - ext 6879 - out of hours via Security Office
11. Support for staff and students
11.1 The Head of Student Services will hold a de-briefing meeting for relevant staff two weeks after a crisis intervention. A brief record of the meeting, along with an indication of any proposed policy or procedural changes will be made and circulated to all present and the Registrar.
11.2 In circumstances when it is not possible to hold a de-briefing meeting, personal letters of acknowledgement and offering support, will be sent by the Head of Student Services to all staff and students involved in the crisis intervention. Similarly, letters will also be sent to those unable to attend the de-briefing meeting.
11.3 Personal counselling for students is available through the University's Student Health & Well Being team, and for staff through the Personnel Department.
11.4 Information and training for staff will be made available through the Student Mental Health Policy, associated staff guidelines and other relevant skills-based training.
12. Circulation and review of the guidelines
12.1 These guidelines will be circulated to the following groups of staff for further distribution, as appropriate. Heads of Department, Directors of Studies, Departmental Administrators, Student Support Services, Academic Registry, Security Office, Accommodation Office, Senior Resident Tutors, Finance Office and Students' Union.
12.2 They will be revised in the light of our experience using them, and re-issued if there are any significant amendments.
Acknowledgement:
These guidelines have drawn significantly
on the work done by Sally Olohan, Head of Student Support Services, and
her colleagues at Nottingham Trent University.