Situations occur at all times of the day or night that may impactÌýa student’s wellbeing. There are protocols and procedures in placeÌýto deal withÌýissuesÌýduring the week fromÌý8:30am to 5pm.Ìý
ForÌýthoseÌýthat take place outside of these hours,ÌýaÌýWelfare Duty OfficerÌý(WDO)ÌýisÌýon callÌýfrom 5pm to 8am weekdays and all day and night duringÌýweekends and bank holidays.ÌýÌý
The WDOsÌýare a small team of ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ staff who undertake this role in addition to their main role. WDOs work on a rota basis, covering one week at a time.ÌýThey,Ìýin turn, areÌýsupported and advised by senior members of staff, one of whom will also be on call outside of core work hours.ÌýÌý
For any out of hours incident or emergency,ÌýanyoneÌýcan call Poole House Security on 01202 962222.ÌýIf it involves a student welfare issue, such as a student who has become unwell,Ìýa member of the Security team willÌýalert theÌýWDO. The WDO willÌýthenÌýcontactÌýany relevantÌýstaff memberÌýwho is on the scene,Ìýsuch asÌýa security guard or accommodationÌýstaff member.ÌýThe WDO does not attendÌýcallouts,Ìýbut they do stay in touchÌýby telephoneÌýuntil a situation is resolved.ÌýÌý
In some cases when a welfare concern is raised, a WDO will speak to a student directly for assurance that they are safe.ÌýWDOs can also gauge how a student is feeling by their non-verbal cues, such as tone of voice.ÌýThe WDOÌýmay alsoÌýrecommendÌýthatÌýa student is followed up during the next working day, for instance,ÌýbyÌýtheÌýResLifeÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ÌýWellbeing Officer or the Achieve@ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ team. The WDOs will notÌýgenerallyÌýreport any incidents to a student’s faculty.Ìý
Information for parents/carers
They can also contact SecurityÌýout of hours onÌý01202 962222Ìýif they have concerns about their child. However, due to data protection, staffÌýwill explain that unless a student has given express permission for the university to speak withÌýtheir parent/carer, staff will not provide any information, nor will theyÌýacknowledge whether someone is a student or not. TheyÌýwillÌýtake details andÌýmake enquiries.ÌýIf necessary, they will get in touch with the WDO.
Information for friends/housemates
If a studentÌýis inÌýdifficult situation,ÌýsufferingÌýfromÌýa physicalÌýor mental healthÌýconditionÌýor you are simply concerned for their welfareÌýout of hours,Ìýplease ring Security on 01202 962222 to alert them.ÌýThey will arrange for the WDO to become involved.