Trusted Contact guidance

Understand what we mean by a 'trusted contact' and read the University’s Student Trusted Contact Policy

What is a trusted contact? 
A trusted contact is someone who a student nominates as a person we can contact in certain, and usually rare, circumstances. This would usually be a parent or guardian, but it can also be anyone who is over the age of 18, such as a family member or friend. It is up to the student to decide who this is, but we would recommend that this is someone the student trusts and who they can ask for help. 
Why do we ask for a trusted contact? 
The University of Plymouth is committed to promoting a culture of care and prioritising student welfare. We support thousands of students each year in relation to their welfare and this includes working across departments, faculties, and external services. We know that for the individual we are supporting, it is important to find out who exists within their support network and if appropriate, we encourage them to seek support from someone they trust, tell them what is happening and, in some cases, ask for help. This would usually be a parent or guardian, but can also be other family members, friends or other supporters. 
To achieve this, all students are required to provide up-to-date contact details for up to two trusted contacts throughout their enrolment at the University.
What do students need to do? 
When choosing a trusted contact, we ask that students ask their contact for permission to fulfil this role before providing the University with the details. They should let them know what the role will involve (this could be by sharing this page with them) and that their contact details will be shared with the University. 
It is important that students keep the details of their trusted contact updated. Students can do so via the Student Portal.
What do trusted contacts need to do? 
The University will only use information about trusted contacts in rare situations and we will always try to involve the student in the decision to contact a trusted contact. 
We might contact a trusted contact if we believe that a student is at serious or lasting risk of harm, and we will always consider the impact of making contact on the student. Our aim is to prevent any student coming to harm and to reduced the risk of this happening. 
If you have serious concerns about a student you should contact University Security on +44 1752 588400, the police on 101 or in an emergency, 999. 

Mental health and wellbeing support 

The University has a dedicated wellbeing team to support students who are struggling with their mental health and we encourage students to access this. All students accessing our services will be made aware of our approach to confidentiality and use of your data and we will asked about the sharing of information. This could be with internal or external contact such as their GP, family or trusted contact. Any consent given can be withdrawn at any time, and the teams will ask students to regularly review this. 
Student walking past the student services/student hub reception desk.

Further information

Please see our Student trusted contact policy for more information about trusted contacts. 
The University has a dedicated webpage for parents and supporters’ and University Privacy Notices also provide useful information.