Student Welfare

 Alert If you are dealing with a student who is at immediate risk of harm, please see our emergency and 24-hour support page.

Emergency? Need Help Now?

Student Welfare and Support work with Student Support Service colleagues and staff across the University to support students who are having difficulties functioning or continuing their studies for non-academic reasons to help them to engage successfully engage with University life and avoid crisis situations.

The team can provide guidance for staff who are supporting vulnerable students and also works directly with students. They can provide a first and when appropriate, regular point of contact for vulnerable students, those at risk or in crisis, particularly those who may be reluctant to access professional services or students unsure of which support service to access. This can involve help with prioritising, problem-solving, goal planning, developing coping strategies and offering practical support (eg helping a student access an external agency, attending a difficult meeting/interview) or simply offering a listening ear.

The Student Welfare and Support Manager is a member of the University Case Conference Group which is in place to advise individual members of staff on how to respond to complex, risky or vulnerable situations involving students.

When to contact us

Contact Student Welfare and Support Advice if:
  • You have serious concerns about a student’s welfare or behaviour and you want to talk them through
  • You believe a student needs extra support to help them through a crisis
  • You would like guidance about working with vulnerable students
  • You want advice about setting up a Cause for Concern Group
  • Other students or staff are concerned about a student and would like to talk to someone
  • You have dealt with a difficult situation and would like a debrief

Contact us

Student Welfare and Support Advice Team
+ 44 (0) 1865 535222
studentwelfare@brookes.ac.uk

Please email us to arrange an initial appointment.

Opening hours

Monday - Thursday, 9.00am - 5.00pm
Friday, 9.00am - 4.30pm

Useful links

Related links

How to refer a student to student welfare and support advice

If a student needs support from the welfare and support advice team reassure them that we are there to support them, and encourage them to make contact, through telephone by calling 01865 484650 or email studentwelfare@brookes.ac.uk during office hours (9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 4.30pm Friday)

If a student is reluctant to make contact directly ask for their permission to make contact on their behalf. Please use the Student Welfare referral form to make this referral to the Student Welfare Team.

Free mental health e-learning for all University staff

Would you like to feel more confident when supporting students in distress? This e-learning package consists of six easy-to-follow, 20-minute sessions including:

  • Signs to look out for
  • Key helping skills
  • Knowing who else to involve
  • Supporting students at risk or in crisis

For students experiencing depression, anxiety, homesickness or low self-esteem, that first conversation can make all the difference.

To find out more and access the sessions, visit Free Mental Health e-Learning.