Is This Disengagement, a Welfare Concern, a Safeguarding Concern or a Missing Student Concern?
START HERE
Are you concerned because the student is not engaging with their studies?
Examples:
- Not attending lectures
- Not submitting assessments
- Not responding to academic emails
- Missing tutorials
- Sporadic engagement
YES
⬇
Is there any information suggesting the student may be at risk of harm?
Examples:
- Self-harm concerns
- Suicide concerns
- Safeguarding concerns
- Friends expressing concern for their welfare
- Concerning messages
- Significant changes in behaviour
NO
➡ Consider:
- Student engagement processes
- Local support conversations
- Cause for Concern referral
- Support to Study referral
This is primarily an engagement concern.
YES
⬇
This is potentially a welfare or safeguarding concern.
Proceed to safeguarding assessment.
Have You Been Able to Establish Contact?
Have reasonable attempts been made to contact the student?
Examples:
- University email
- Telephone call
- Text message
- Teams message
- Contact through academic tutor
NO
➡ Make reasonable attempts and record actions taken.
YES
⬇
Has the student responded?
YES
➡ The student is not currently missing.
Consider:
- Support to Study
- Safeguarding referral
- Mental Health support
- Local support plan
Depending on the information received.
NO
⬇
Move to risk assessment.
Risk Assessment
Are Any of the Following Present?
High-Risk Indicators
- Suicide concerns
- Self-harm concerns
- Recent mental health crisis
- Threats to safety
- Domestic abuse concerns
- Honour-based abuse concerns
- Exploitation concerns
- Missing from accommodation
- Serious safeguarding concerns
- Concerning final messages
- Friends expressing serious concerns
YES
⬇
MAKE AN IMMEDIATE SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL
Do not wait for additional non-attendance.
The issue is now student safety rather than engagement.
NO
⬇
Proceed to vulnerability assessment.
Vulnerability Assessment
Is the Student Known to Be Particularly Vulnerable?
Examples:
- Care experienced
- Estranged
- International student
- Living alone
- Significant disability
- Serious health condition
- Previous safeguarding concerns
- Recent bereavement
- Known social isolation
YES
⬇
Consult the Safeguarding Team for advice.
A welfare check may be appropriate.
NO
⬇
Continue attempts to establish contact and review.
Can the Student's Safety Be Established?
Do you know that the student is safe?
Examples:
- Contact made
- Seen recently
- Confirmed by a reliable source
- Confirmed engagement elsewhere
YES
➡ Continue support and engagement processes.
NO
⬇
Escalate to Student Life/Safeguarding.
Consider:
- Welfare check
- Trusted Contact review
- Accommodation enquiries
- Emergency contact considerations
- Police welfare check (where justified)
Trusted Contact Consideration
Should the Trusted Contact Be Contacted?
Only after:
✔ Safeguarding review
✔ Risk assessment
✔ Consideration of consent
✔ Consideration of necessity and proportionality
Staff should not independently contact parents, family members or partners because a student has stopped attending classes.
Trusted Contact decisions should be made in accordance with the University's Trusted Contact and Emergency Information Sharing Policy.
Emergency Response
Is There a Serious and Immediate Risk to Life or Safety?
Examples:
- Suicide note
- Threats of imminent self-harm
- Serious welfare concerns
- Evidence of immediate danger
YES
➡ Contact emergency services immediately and inform Safeguarding.
Do not wait for normal referral processes.
Quick Reference
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 they may be at risk."
Emergency Response
"There is reason to believe there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm."
Key Principle
Most students who disengage are not missing.
Most students who stop attending are not experiencing a crisis.
However, where safety concerns exist or a student's welfare cannot be established, staff should always err on the side of caution and seek safeguarding advice.
It is better to raise a concern that proves unnecessary than to delay action where a student may be at risk.