Purpose
The Mental Health Support Mechanism is established to provide a structured, accessible, preventative, and responsive framework for supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of students at Welfare Academy.
This mechanism aligns with expectations under the Office for Students (OfS), safeguarding obligations, equality legislation, and wider UK higher education student welfare expectations.
Welfare Academy provides student mental health support, wellbeing guidance, and referral assistance; however, the institution does not provide psychiatric diagnosis, emergency medical treatment, or specialist clinical mental health services.
Scope
This mechanism applies to:
• All enrolled students
• Apprentices and learners
• Online and blended-learning students
• Students on placements or work-based learning
• Vulnerable adults
• Students requiring additional support or reasonable adjustments
Objectives
The objectives of this mechanism are to:
• Promote positive mental wellbeing
• Encourage early disclosure and help-seeking
• Reduce barriers to accessing support
• Identify students at risk
• Provide timely intervention and support
• Maintain student dignity, confidentiality, and inclusion
Definition of Mental Health Concerns
Mental health concerns may include:
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Panic attacks
• Stress-related conditions
• Trauma-related difficulties
• Self-harm concerns
• Suicidal thoughts or ideation
• Emotional distress
• Burnout and academic overwhelm
• Eating disorders
• Substance misuse linked to mental wellbeing
Mental Health Support Channels
Student Welfare Email:
support@welfarehs.co.uk
Mental Health and Welfare Contact Number:
020 3983 0282
WhatsApp Student Welfare Support:
020 3983 0282
Early Identification and Risk Indicators
Staff should remain alert to indicators including:
• Significant behavioural changes
• Withdrawal from classes or communication
• Decline in academic engagement
• Emotional distress
• Repeated absence
• Self-harm indicators
• Crisis disclosures
Mental Health Risk Assessment
Low Risk – Mild distress or wellbeing concerns
Medium Risk – Ongoing mental health difficulties impacting study
High Risk – Serious distress or safeguarding concern
Critical Risk – Immediate danger to life or severe crisis
Mental Health Support Process
Stage 1 — Initial Disclosure or Concern
• Student disclosure
• Staff observation
• Safeguarding concern
• Peer concern
Stage 2 — Welfare Assessment
• Assess the nature of the concern
• Identify risk factors
• Determine safeguarding implications
Stage 3 — Support Planning
• Welfare meetings
• Flexible deadlines
• Attendance adjustments
• Referral to NHS or external agencies
Reasonable Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments may include:
• Flexible attendance
• Additional academic support
• Extended deadlines
• Adjusted communication methods
• Online participation options
Crisis and Emergency Escalation
Emergency Services – 999
NHS Mental Health Crisis Support – NHS 111 Option 2
Accident & Emergency (A&E)
Safeguarding referrals where appropriate
Safeguarding and Vulnerable Students
Mental health concerns involving safeguarding risk shall be managed in accordance with safeguarding procedures.
Additional safeguarding considerations shall apply where students are vulnerable adults or at risk of exploitation, abuse, or self-harm.
Prevent Duty
Mental health concerns associated with radicalisation vulnerability or extremist influence shall be managed in accordance with the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and Prevent Duty guidance.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
All mental health information shall be managed in accordance with:
• UK GDPR
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Safeguarding obligations
Confidentiality may be overridden where there is risk to life or safeguarding concerns.
Out-of-Hours Support
Students requiring urgent support outside operational hours shall be directed to:
• Samaritans – 116 123
• NHS 111 Option 2
• Emergency Services – 999
Staff Responsibilities
Tutors and Assessors:
• Recognise signs of distress
• Escalate concerns promptly
• Maintain professional boundaries
Student Welfare Team:
• Mental health support coordination
• Welfare interventions
• Referral management
Staff Training
All staff shall receive training appropriate to their role, including:
• Mental health awareness
• Suicide awareness
• Safeguarding
• Trauma-informed practice
• Prevent Duty awareness
Documentation and Record Keeping
All mental health support interactions shall be documented appropriately, including:
• Date and nature of concern
• Actions taken
• Risk assessments
• Referrals
• Support plans
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