We understand that you might sometimes find yourself in situations where your safety or wellbeing may be at risk.
We offer a confidential and supportive service designed to provide practical help with navigating a wide range of complex issues, from being a victim of crime, experiences of hate crime, forced marriage, and abusive relationships to sexual harassment and/or violence. We're here to listen, support and do all we can to ensure you can succeed in your studies.
How does this service differ from the Student of Concern process?
We want to make sure you know the best way to get welfare support, here’s a simple breakdown of the two ways you can connect with us:
- If a staff member is worried about you: Sometimes, a staff member might notice you're going through a difficult time and want to make sure you get the help you need. They can use a process called 'Student of Concern' to let our Welfare Team know. This is mostly used by staff, but students can use it too to if they're worried about another student.
- If you want to reach out yourself: You can always contact our Welfare Team directly! We've created a Welfare Referral Form just for students. This is the quickest and easiest way for you to get in touch with us personally.
What if I am not sure what service is right for me?
There’s a wide variety of support available at King’s. For more information, read our article What student support services are available at King’s?
If you’re not sure which service you need, you can book in to speak with your Faculty Wellbeing Advisor. They can provide practical and emotional support if you’re experiencing personal problems, particularly where these might interfere with your academic work. This isn’t a counselling service but they can provide information on sources of professional help and, if appropriate, guide you through the mitigating circumstance process.
What kind of problems can the Welfare Team help with?
We know that sometimes university life can throw unexpected curveballs, and our dedicated Welfare team is here if you’re facing a range of complex personal and practical challenges that might be putting your safety and wellbeing at risk. We understand how these difficulties can affect your academic journey and your overall university experience.
While we're here to help you with practical challenges, we're not a counselling service. Think of us as your go-to team for navigating the 'doing' side of things. If you're looking for a safe space to explore your feelings and develop coping strategies for emotional challenges, our Counselling & Mental Health Service are there to offer that support.
Our services work closely together, to ensure you receive the right support for you.
These are some of the most common issues we can help with:
We can help identify signs of abuse, prioritise safety with a plan and offer referrals to specialist services.
We offer non-judgmental support, inform about harm reduction, and refer to specialist services and/or support groups.
We can assist with documenting evidence, reporting incidents to platforms, and signposting to counselling to address the emotional impact.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
We provide confidential support, refer to medical and legal services, and connect with advocacy groups.
We prioritise safety planning, and connect with specialist charities and legal services.
Harassment & bullying
We will listen empathetically, explain reporting procedures, and offer support in making formal complaints.
We support reporting, offer emotional support, and connect with organisations combating hate crime.
Sexual harassment and violence
We offer a safe space to disclose, explain reporting options, and provide emotional support while connecting students with specialist services.
We advise on finding emergency housing, connecting with housing authorities, and can refer you to resources for basic needs.
Threats or intimidation
We prioritise safety planning, explain reporting procedures and advise on reporting to the Police if necessary.
We provide emotional support, explain reporting options, and assist with practical needs like finances or housing.
What can I expect from an appointment with the Welfare team?
Will the information I share remain confidential?
Our service is confidential, meaning we won't share information about your situation without your permission. However, there are some exceptions. If we have serious concerns about your safety or the safety of others, we may need to share information with relevant services. We will always try to discuss this with you first unless there is an immediate risk of harm.
Find more details about how we manage your information and examples of when we might share it in our article When I share information with a student support service, is this kept confidential?
What can I expect from an appointment?
Upon receiving your referral, a Specialist Adviser from the Welfare Team will contact you within 48 working hours. You'll be offered an initial 45-minute appointment, which can be conducted in one of three ways:
- Telephone call
- Teams call
- In-person meeting on campus
If you prefer, advisers can also provide advice via email.
During an appointment, they will:
- Listen carefully and ask questions to help them better understand your situation
- Help you explore your options without judgment
- Support you in making decisions
- Connect you with other resources and support services if needed
- Advocate for you with your faculty to help minimise the impact on your studies
- Work with you to create an action plan
- Wherever possible, the team is committed to supporting you until your situation is resolved
How has the Welfare Team supported students?
Here are some examples of how the Welfare Team have supported students.
Case study: Supporting a student experiencing domestic abuse and family estrangement
- Disclosure and initial response: Student A disclosed a difficult home life involving controlling and sometimes violent parents, culminating in being locked in their room and threatened with being disowned. The Welfare Team met with Student A to discuss options and offer support.
- Understanding and risk assessment: The Adviser listened to Student A's account, understanding the escalating abuse and its impact. The risks of remaining at home were discussed.
- Safeguarding and referral: Safeguarding measures and safety planning were discussed.
- Supporting immediate needs:
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- Accommodation: The Adviser discussed emergency housing options with Student A.
- Financial Support: The Adviser coordinated with the Money Advice Team and explored hardship funds.
- Specialist services: Student A was referred to Women's Aid and connected with the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
- Academic Support:
- Mitigating Circumstances: The Adviser met with Student A's department to discuss mitigating circumstances.
- Academic Plan: A plan was created to help Student A to stay on track with their studies.
- Wellbeing Support: The Adviser connected Student A with counselling services.
- Ongoing Support: The Adviser maintained regular contact with Student A.
Case study: Supporting a student experiencing bullying and harassment
- Disclosure and initial response: Student C disclosed bullying and harassment to a Welfare Adviser, who listened compassionately.
- Understanding and Risk Assessment: The Adviser gathered information about the incidents and their impact.
- Safeguarding and referral: Safeguarding measures considered e.g. if Student C is feeling at risk of harm consideration might be given to how on-site security might help or, how Safe Zone might support the student or, where appropriate, reports to the Police.
- Immediate needs: Student C's emotional well-being and safety were addressed.
- Specialist services: Student C was encouraged to access the Counselling & Mental Health Support Service.
- Academic support: The impact on studies was considered, and options like extensions were explored.
- Reporting & Complaints:
- Report & Support System: The Adviser explained the Report & Support system.
- Formal Complaints: The formal complaints process was explained.
Ongoing Support: The Adviser committed to ongoing support
