Emergency trusted contact

Why do we ask for a trusted contact?

The University of Surrey is committed to promoting a culture of care and protecting student welfare. Families, carers, and trusted others can play an essential part in supporting a student who is at risk or where there may be serious concerns. For this reason, the University ask all students to let us know who exists within their support network so that where appropriate, we can work with them to keep the student safe. 

What is a trusted contact?

A trusted contact is nominated as the person authorised staff from the University can contact in certain, and generally rare, circumstances. This would usually be a parent or guardian, but it can be anyone who is over the age of 18, such as a family member or friend and who meets the criteria below. It is up to the student to decide who this is, but we suggest to the student that it is someone who they feel they can ask for help. They must:  

• Be aware that they have been nominated and that their contact details have been given to the University for this purpose.
• Be able and willing to act on the student’s behalf in the event of a serious incident or emergency where we consider the student’s health, wellbeing, or welfare to be at risk.
• Be easily and quickly contactable.
• If possible, be able to speak English.

It is important that these details are kept up to date. You will have been asked to provide the University with your trusted contact during registration, and you can update this annually during re-registration at the start of the next academic year. If you'd like to update your trusted contact sooner, please visit MySurrey Hive. 

When might we approach your trusted contact? 

An approach will generally be made to the Trusted Contact with your consent. In exceptional circumstances an approach may be made to the Trusted Contact (and/or other third party, such as health professional) without your consent. These exceptional circumstances are: 

• If it is believed that you are at immediate risk of serious physical, emotional, or mental harm, to yourself or others. 
• If there is a legal obligation to do so

Examples of reasons for contact include: 

• A medical emergency such as admittance to hospital
• A serious concern for the your wellbeing, 
• If you are missing
• If you have ceased to engage with your studies, we have serious concerns about your safety and wellbeing, and we have been unable to contact you.
• If you are displaying symptoms of serious physical or mental illness or concerning behaviour.

The University will take a pragmatic approach to contacting a trusted contact and its staff will always do so where they believe that this course of action is in the best interests of the student

The information detailed in the Emergency Contact section is collected and stored in line with the prevailing data protection legislation and the University's own Data Policy Statement.

It will be available to appropriate University staff, including those within faculties and departments.

It will only be shared with third parties where they are acting on behalf of the University or where there is a statutory or legal obligation for us to do so. This is outlined in the University's Student and Student Support Services privacy notices.