Information for Occupants on Support Services
Managers will ensure that:
5.00 Irrespective of whether they provide accommodation through direct letting or as part of a nominations arrangement), educational establishments must provide occupants with information on:
student support and sources of help relating to wellbeing and mental health issues. This information should be provided either on a prominently-sited noticeboard accessible to all residents; on an occupant website portal; digitally via email; or, ideally, all three; and
how occupants can register with a local GP practice, or any other appropriate medical service. This information should also encourage occupants to register as soon as possible after they have moved in.
Nominations Agreements
Managers will ensure that:
5.01 Where they provide accommodation as part of a nominations agreement with a third party supplier then the educational establishment must:
put in place an appropriate information sharing agreement with the relevant partner/s;
have a named individual within each partner organisation who serves as a contact in the event of a crisis or emergency. They should also seek to identify a contact for all other accommodation developments in which their students are living.
Formalising Contact with Relevant Agencies
Managers will ensure that:
5.02 The educational establishment has developed and put in place, procedures to ensure that relevant organisations and services can be contacted in instances where managers have formed legitimate concerns that a student may either be at immediate risk of harm or pose such a risk. Relevant organisations or services here include University mental health/counselling services, NHS crisis teams or mental health crisis teams; any educational institution with a legitimate interest; and the police. Managers will ensure that the disclosure of any sensitive personal data is made in accordance with UK data protection law and regulation, and the collection and processing of data will be contained within a privacy notice that is shared with, and available to, occupants. Wherever possible, managers should inform the occupant concerned that they have made such a disclosure(s). Managers should review these procedures annually.
Training
Managers will ensure that:
5.03 The educational establishment will provide appropriate training for accommodation managers to help them act appropriately in situations where an occupant’s behaviour gives reasonable cause for concern. This training should take place within 12 weeks of a manager taking up their post. Managers will ensure that out-of-hours staff (i.e., anybody employed outside the 9am-5pm period) have access to information on common types of mental health conditions and the support available. Such training and information will help staff to signpost appropriate services/support for occupants who may be experiencing a health or wellbeing issue.
5.04 The educational establishment provides accommodation staff with specific training on crisis management to help them deal with incidents. As a minimum, this training will cover:
What practical actions should be taken;
What help and assistance can be offered to the occupants and staff affected;
What practical actions should be taken after the incident.
Managers will ensure that a record of on-site incidents/crises and associated narrative outcomes is maintained; and
How to make a basic assessment of risk.