Students Sometimes Disengage
It is not unusual for students to:
- miss classes;
- disengage temporarily;
- fail to respond to emails;
- take time away from studies;
- experience periods of difficulty.
In most cases, non-attendance or lack of engagement does not mean a student is missing.
However, there are circumstances where a student's absence or lack of contact may indicate a welfare or safeguarding concern requiring escalation.
The purpose of this guidance is to help staff determine when concerns should be escalated.
Ask Yourself These Questions
1. Am I Concerned Because the Student Is Not Engaging?
or
2. Am I Concerned About the Student's Safety?
These are different concerns.
A student who has not attended lectures for three weeks may require a Support to Study referral.
A student who has sent concerning messages suggesting they intend to harm themselves and has then disappeared may require an urgent safeguarding response.
Normal Academic Disengagement
Examples include:
- poor attendance;
- failure to submit assessments;
- failure to reply to academic emails;
- sporadic engagement;
- withdrawal from group activities.
These concerns should usually be managed through:
- local engagement processes;
- student support conversations;
- Cause for Concern referrals;
- Support to Study processes.
They do not automatically mean a student is missing.
Welfare Concerns
Escalation should be considered where:
- disengagement is sudden and unusual;
- behaviour has changed significantly;
- concerns have been raised by multiple people;
- the student appears distressed;
- friends or peers have expressed concern;
- previous wellbeing concerns are known.
In these circumstances a Cause for Concern or Safeguarding referral may be appropriate.
Missing Student Indicators
Immediate escalation should be considered where:
- the student cannot be contacted;
- multiple attempts to contact the student have failed;
- peers, family members or accommodation providers have raised concerns;
- the student has communicated thoughts of suicide or serious self-harm;
- significant safeguarding concerns exist;
- there are indications of exploitation, coercion or abuse;
- there is reason to believe the student may be at immediate risk.
If In Doubt – Escalate
You are not expected to determine whether somebody is genuinely "missing."
Your responsibility is to recognise concerns and escalate appropriately.
Where concerns relate to safety rather than academic engagement, a safeguarding referral should be made.
A Useful Rule of Thumb
Support to Study
"I'm worried about this student's engagement."
Safeguarding
"I'm worried about this student's safety."
Missing Student Escalation
"I cannot establish this student's safety and there are indicators that they may be at risk."