Student Death Protocol

This protocol sets out how UCL will respond in the event of a student death. The protocol covers a number of envisaged scenarios, including UCL managed accommodation.

Section A: Responding to a student death in a UCL owned and/or managed accommodation. 

The information below outlines actions to be taken by UCL staff in the event of a suspected student death in a hall of residence and/or managed accommodation. 

First Steps  

1. The first member of staff to become aware of an incident should form a response team at pace. Typically, the response should consist of any Student Residence Advisers, Wardens, Security or other site staff who are available.
2. Security should be informed of all incidents. Access to emergency resources, such as a roaming defibrillator, can be provided through this team. 
3. Brief the team on what they may expect. Designate ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ response leads and other roles if appropriate.
4. If the suspected student death has taken place in a student’s room, knock on the door and announce you are entering. Do not enter alone. Keep the number of people entering the room to an absolute minimum.
5. If necessary, co-opt appropriate people to manage the scene and other students involved or nearby.
6. The primary lead should telephone 999. Ask for an ambulance and take guidance from the emergency operator. Stay on the phone as long as required. Check for responsiveness and administer first aid, if appropriate.
7. Unless you are administering first aid or have been directed to do so by the operator, do not touch or move the person. We need to be mindful that the scene could, potentially, need to be forensically examined. 
8. If it is apparent that the person is deceased, cover the body with a towel or bedsheet. The dignity of the deceased is paramount. 
9. If the incident has taken place in a student's room, close the door and station yourself outside. 
10. Send a member of the UCL staff team to station themselves outside the building's main entrance to direct the emergency services as they arrive.
11. The secondary lead should call UCL Security as well as the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing to inform them of the incident. The primary lead will likely still be on the phone to the emergency services.
12. Once emergency services are on the scene, the primary lead should continue to act as UCL's institutional liaison. The emergency services will then take charge of the situation.
13. The UCL staff team should consider moving affected students to a safe place such as a canteen or common room.
14. A member of the team should make a full list of all student details (student name and number, email address, contact number) for those present.
15. It is important to explain the need to respect the privacy of the family, who should only be informed in person by the appropriate authorities, namely the police. For this reason, students should be instructed to not post any information on social media, such as assumed cause of death or images of the incident. 
16. If possible, students should be given a copy of this leaflet outlining what happens and what support they can expect. Where necessary, for students affected, SSW will offer to contact family, friends, or trusted contacts. 

Section B: Responding to a student death on campus. 

The information below outlines actions to be taken by UCL staff in the event of a suspected student death on campus. 

First Steps  

1. The first member of staff to become aware of an incident should form a response team at pace. Typically, the response should consist of any Security or Building Custodians, as well as other site staff who are available.
2. Security should be informed. Access to emergency resources, such as a roaming defibrillator, can be provided through this team. 
3. Brief the team on what they may expect. Designate a ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ response lead and other roles if appropriate.
4. If the suspected student death has taken place in an isolated space, knock on any doors and announce you are entering. Do not enter alone. Keep the number of people entering the space to an absolute minimum.
5. If necessary, co-opt appropriate people to manage the scene and other students involved or nearby.
6. The primary lead should telephone 999. Ask for an ambulance and take guidance from the emergency operator. Stay on the phone as long as required. Check for responsiveness and administer first aid, if appropriate.
7. Unless you are administering first aid or have been directed to do so by the operator, do not touch or move the person. We need to be mindful that the scene could, potentially, need to be forensically examined. 
8. If it is apparent that the person is deceased, cover the body with a towel or bedsheet. The dignity of the deceased is paramount. 
9. Send a member of the UCL staff team to station themselves outside the building's main entrance to direct the emergency services as they arrive.
10. The secondary lead should call UCL Security as well as the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing to inform them of the incident. The primary lead will likely still be on the phone to the emergency services.
11. Once emergency services are on the scene, the primary lead should continue to act as UCL's institutional liaison. The emergency services will then take charge of the situation.
12. The UCL staff team should consider moving affected students to a safe place. 
13. A member of the team should make a full list of all student details (student name and number, email address, and contact number) for those present.
14. It is important to explain the need to respect the privacy of the family, who should only be informed in person by the appropriate authorities, namely the police. For this reason, students should be instructed not not to not post any information on social media, such as assumed cause of death or images of the incident. 

Section C: Responding to a student death overseas. 

The information below outlines actions to be taken by UCL staff in the event of a suspected student death overseas.  

First Steps  

1. The first member of staff to become aware of an incident should form a response team at pace. Typically, the response should consist of any local Security or Facility staff, as well as other site staff who are available.
2. Brief the team on what they may expect. Designate a ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ response lead and other roles if appropriate.
3. If the suspected student death has taken place in an isolated space, knock on any doors and announce you are entering. Do not enter alone. Keep the number of people entering the space to an absolute minimum.
4. If necessary, co-opt appropriate people to manage the scene and other students involved or nearby.
5. The primary lead should telephone the emergency services in that country. Ask for an ambulance and take guidance from the emergency operator. Stay on the phone as long as required. Check for responsiveness and administer first aid, if appropriate.
6. Unless you are administering first aid or have been directed to do so by the operator, do not touch or move the person. We need to be mindful that the scene could, potentially, need to be forensically examined as well as local judicial practices. 
7. If it is apparent that the person is deceased, cover the body with a towel or bedsheet. The dignity of the deceased is paramount. Be mindful of localised religious and cultural practices in handling deceased bodies. 
8. The secondary lead should call the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing to inform them of the incident. 
9. Once emergency services are on the scene, the primary lead should continue to act as UCL's institutional liaison. The emergency services will then take charge of the situation.
10. The UCL staff team should consider moving affected students to a safe place. 
11. A member of the team should make a full list of all student details (student name and number, email address, contact number) for those present.
12. It is important to explain the need to respect the privacy of the family, who should only be informed in person by the appropriate authorities, namely the police. For this reason, students should be instructed to not post any information on social media, such as assumed cause of death or images of the incident. 

Section D: Follow on steps for all sections 

Next steps: Emergency Services, External Agencies, and Families and Trusted Contacts 

1. Emergency services present at the scene of a death will confirm the outcome and will guide the team on the ground through next steps.
2. If they do not arrive with the initial first response team, police may then be called by the 999 operator or the on-site paramedics.
3. Police and/or paramedics will ask for information to determine events leading up to the incident. For example, they may ask to confirm the identification of the deceased, names of individuals, timeline of events prior to the current situation, actions taken, next of kin information and so on.
4. A private room will need to be assigned with at least one member of the UCL staff team present for possible police interviews.
5. Police may need to take personal belongings for further investigation.
6. Police will inform the coroner. The coroner will then inform the undertaker to the manage the deceased’s body. 
7. Members of the UCL staff team may need to survey the site and liaise with the coroner for the best route to remove the deceased.
8. Police will inform next of kin.
9. If required, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will (once relevant permissions have been obtained) liaise with the Police to obtain any personal belongings. 
10. If required, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will (once relevant permissions have been obtained) collect any certifications issued by the Coroner and/or other legal authorities. 
11. If required, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will (once relevant permissions have been obtained) liaise with an undertaker and make arrangements for a funeral or committal service. The UCL Chaplain and Interfaith Adviser may also be commissioned to assist with this responsibility. 
12. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will communicate with the Head of Patient Services for Camden. 
13. If required, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will make arrangements for family, friends, or trusted contacts to be accommodated in London. 

Next steps: Staff 

Note: At any point of communication, it is paramount that assurances be sought that families, friends, or trusted contacts have been informed. Only in exceptional circumstances should information be conveyed which has not first been relayed to those most affected by the death. 

1. Unless they are already aware, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing (or their nominee) will inform the Vice-President (External Engagement) within 24 hours to follow their processes for media monitoring and engagement. 
2. Unless they are already aware, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing (or their nominee) will email relevant senior members of UCL within 24 hours. This includes: the Vice-President (Operations), the Vice-President (External Engagement), the Registrar, the Executive Director of Operations, the Director of Safety Services, the relevant Dean, the Faculty Director of Operations, and the Faculty Tutor.
3. Student Support and Wellbeing will assign a member of trained staff to act as the liaison point for the family and police drawn from the Student Support and Wellbeing Leadership Team. 
4. Student Support and Wellbeing will assign a member of trained staff to identify any cultural, religious, and spiritual backgrounds of the student and those most affected by the death. 
5. Unless they are already aware, the Deputy Director will email relevant managers within the Service to alert them to potential student support requirements. 
6. Student Support and Wellbeing may need to inform UCL Workplace Health and Wellbeing or UK Health Security Agency if the cause of death was related to a broader, public health consideration. 
7. Student Support and Wellbeing will inform any staff affected of the support on offer via UCL Workplace Health and the Employee Assistance Program if necessary.
8. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will liaise with the Director of Accommodation to ensure the student’s room is closed for the remainder of the academic year and, where appropriate, reimburse hall fees. Consideration will also be given to cultural and religious practices in accessing the space. 
9. If known, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will securely record the cause of death. 
10. Where required, consideration will be given to commissioning the use of translators to communicate with friends, family, and trusted contacts who do not have English as a first language.
11. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will liaise with Student and Registry Services to determine, wherever possible, if a posthumous award can be issued.  
12. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will also inform Central and Faculty Professional Services teams, such as Registry and Student Finance, to close down a student’s electronic record. 
13. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will supply the Provost’s Office with additional information, such as Next of Kin or Trusted Contacts, within five working days. 
14. If a student has a locker or any belongings kept at UCL (outside of UCL student accommodation), the department will arrange for Security to clear the locker and hold any items. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing should be notified to arrange to inform the family and return the possessions.

Next steps: Students and the UCL Students’ Union  

1. Student Support and Wellbeing team will reach out UCL students who were directly involved in the incident to offer one-to-one appointments and inform them of all the support available. 
2. Student Support and Wellbeing will also inform a senior Students’ Union officer of any death to ensure any potential students involved in clubs and societies can be offered support. 
3. Student Support and Wellbeing who may organise a group session or one-to-one sessions for any students affected by the incident.
4. Student Support and Wellbeing will recommend any students affected contact their local GP support for additional support if required.
5. Student Support and Wellbeing will diarise the date of death and potential trigger dates (for example, the deceased's birthday) to send out appropriate communications to those affected in the future. 
6. Student Support and Wellbeing will provide student support with inquest involvement and support through the process.
7. If the student has a faith or spiritual custom, the UCL Chaplain and Interfaith Adviser will work to ensure cultural practices are adhered to in a sensitive manner. 

Next steps: Governance 

The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will inform the Head of Student Support and Wellbeing (Strategy, Governance, and Projects) who will commission a Serious Case Review within five working days of the death (see below for further information). 

Next steps: Overseas deaths 

1. Unless they are already aware, The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will inform the Head of Study Abroad and International Student Support of any reported deaths. They will liaise with any institutional partners and advise of any issues. 
2. At the earliest opportunity, the local UK Embassy, Consulate, or Diplomatic Mission should be informed of the death. 
3. If required, the Director of Student Support and Wellbeing, in liaison with the Head of Study Abroad and International Student Support, will arrange for the repatriation of a student body to a country of their family, friend, or trusted contacts choice. 
4. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing will coordinate discussions around insurance considerations in returning the deceased student to the country of choice. 
5. The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing, in liaison with the Head of Study Abroad and International Student Support, will plan for additional support for UCL students travelling with the deceased student including (but not limited to) returning to the UK. 
    

Serious Incident Review 

The actions below outline the processes and procedures that take place following a student death. 

Serious Incident Review Actions

UCL assists the coroner and other legal bodies by providing any information as available and required. UCL reviews the circumstances leading up to the student’s death, this can include how they were coping with their academic work, any support arrangements both within and external to UCL, friendships and peer networks at UCL, financial concerns and any other personal pressure points.

Where appropriate, UCL engages external consultants to conduct an incident review and implements changes in line with the recommendations of the review. Students struggling with their mental health will most likely be under the care of NHS services. If a student is under the care or had been recently referred to any NHS service, UCL will work collaboratively with that service to review the incident and identify and address any potential issues, gaps or contributory factors. The review process will include highlighting any recommendations and an action plan to ensure timely completion. As many UCL students live and study in the Borough of Camden, UCL has committed to working specifically with the NHS Camden and Islington Foundation Trust. There are established protocols in place to ensure this close connection, and an agreement to work in partnership to review a student death.

The Serious Case Review will comprise members drawn from across UCL including (but not limited to):

• The Director of Student Support and Wellbeing (or nominee) 
• The Deputy Director of Student Support and Wellbeing
• General Counsel (or nominee) 
• The Head of Security (or nominee) 
• The Director of Accommodation (or nominee)
• The Vice-President (External Engagement) (or nominee)
• The Director of Safety Services (or nominee) 
• Any other relevant parties.

The Serious Incident Review will be overseen by the Head of Student Support and Wellbeing (Strategy, Governance, and Projects). 

UCL strives to create an inclusive, caring and supportive environment for all students. Inclusion and care for each other reduce isolation and as such reduce the risk of student suicide.