Crisis Support Mechanism Policy – Welfare Academy

Purpose

 

The Crisis Support mechanism is designed to provide immediate, structured, and legally compliant support to students experiencing urgent personal, emotional, psychological, welfare, safeguarding, or situational crises that may impact their safety, wellbeing, academic participation, or ability to function effectively. This mechanism aligns with expectations under the Office for Students (OfS), safeguarding duties, Prevent Duty obligations, student protection principles, and wider UK higher education welfare expectations.

Welfare Academy provides student support and signposting services but does not provide emergency medical or psychiatric services. Students requiring emergency intervention shall be referred to appropriate NHS services, safeguarding authorities, or emergency services where necessary.

 

  1. Definition of a Crisis

 

A crisis may include, but is not limited to:

  • Risk of self-harm or suicide
  • Serious mental health deterioration
  • Abuse, violence, harassment, or exploitation
  • Domestic abuse
  • Homelessness or immediate housing insecurity
  • Medical emergencies affecting student safety
  • Sudden bereavement or traumatic events
  • Safeguarding concerns
  • Radicalisation or extremist influence concerns
  • Severe financial distress impacting safety
  • Immediate risk from another individual
  • Missing student concerns
  • Online exploitation or coercion
  • Substance misuse creating immediate danger

Additional safeguarding considerations shall apply where students are identified as vulnerable adults under safeguarding principles associated with the Care Act framework.

 

  1. Crisis Reporting Channels

 

Students must be able to access support through multiple safe and accessible channels.

Email Support

A dedicated and monitored welfare support email service shall be maintained for students requiring assistance, guidance, safeguarding support, or crisis intervention.

Student Welfare Email: support@welfarehs.co.uk

Emergency Welfare Contact Number: 020 3983 0282

WhatsApp Welfare Support: 020 3983 0282

  1. Accessibility and Equality

 

In accordance with the Equality Act 2010, welfare support shall be delivered in an inclusive, accessible, and non-discriminatory manner.

Reasonable adjustments shall be made for students who may require additional support due to:

  • Disability
  • Mental health conditions
  • Language barriers
  • Learning difficulties
  • Communication needs
  • Vulnerability factors

 

  1. Risk Classification System

Critical Risk – Immediate threat to life or safety – Immediate escalation

High Risk – Serious wellbeing or safeguarding concern – Within 1 hour

Medium Risk – Significant distress requiring intervention – Within 24 hours

Low Risk – Welfare concern requiring guidance/support – Within 72 hours

 

  1. Immediate Response Procedure

Stage 1 — Intake

  • Remain calm and supportive
  • Avoid judgemental language
  • Record factual information only
  • Identify immediate danger indicators
  • Determine whether emergency escalation is required

Stage 2 — Initial Risk Assessment

The Welfare/Safeguarding Team shall assess:

  • Immediate danger level
  • Mental capacity where relevant
  • Consent considerations
  • Safeguarding implications
  • Vulnerability indicators
  • Risk to others
  • Need for emergency intervention

Stage 3 — Emergency Escalation

Emergency Services: 999

NHS Crisis Support: NHS 111 Option 2

Hospital Emergency Support: Local A&E Departments

  1. Safeguarding and Welfare Structure

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

  • Oversight of safeguarding concerns
  • Crisis escalation management
  • External safeguarding referrals

Student Welfare Officer

  • Initial welfare support
  • Student wellbeing coordination
  • Referral management

Tutors and Assessors

  • Recognise signs of distress
  • Report concerns immediately
  • Maintain confidentiality appropriately
  1. Prevent Duty

Welfare and safeguarding concerns involving radicalisation vulnerability, extremist influence, or terrorism-related risk shall be managed in accordance with the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and applicable Prevent Duty guidance.

  1. Student Safety Planning

Support plans may include:

  • Emergency contacts
  • Welfare check arrangements
  • Academic adjustments
  • Referral pathways
  • External agency involvement
  1. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

All welfare and safeguarding concerns shall be managed in accordance with:

  • UK GDPR
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • Safeguarding obligations
  • OfS student protection expectations
  1. Operational Hours and Out-of-Hours Support

Outside operational hours, students shall be directed to:

  • Samaritans – 116 123
  • NHS 111 Option 2
  • Emergency Services – 999
  1. Documentation and Record Keeping

All safeguarding and welfare records shall be securely maintained in accordance with institutional retention policies and UK data protection legislation.

  1. Follow-Up Procedure
  • Within 24 hours – Welfare follow-up
  • Within 72 hours – Support review
  • Within 7 days – Ongoing support evaluation
  1. Staff Training Requirements

All staff shall receive regular safeguarding and welfare training including:

  • Safeguarding awareness
  • Mental health awareness
  • Prevent Duty awareness
  • Crisis escalation procedures
  • Confidentiality and GDPR
  1. Governance and Compliance

This mechanism shall be reviewed annually and aligned with:

  • Office for Students expectations
  • Equality Act 2010
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
  • UK GDPR



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