Page 19 - AUCSO Newsletter 5_Neat

enhanced training and upskilling of security officers. Universities will also need to re-evaluate the
resources available to support such an ambitious transition and shift in emphasis.

Security teams are more often than not the first on the scene in the event of an incident on campus
and are having to deal with a growing number of incidents involving mental health, self-harm and
drugs issues. This is important when we consider their role, and if indeed the service provides 24/7
cover. There’s no such thing as ‘normal’ business hours when it comes to mental health and drug
issues, and there’s a growing need to ensure 24/7 cover, where this is not already in place.

Looking after the mental health and wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors is a 24hr challenge
and we, in security, need to be ready to address it in whatever guise it presents itself. Nowhere is
this highlighted more strongly than in the limitations of our emergency services in regards both
resources and response times.

There are also many moral dilemmas to consider when working in Higher Education, with regards
to acting in the best interests of the student. For example, travelling in the ambulance with the
student to hospital, the issues around restraining a student (and whether this should be videoed),
moving a student into alternative accommodation against their will, and many other situations
which security teams are increasingly faced with.

If a student needs to go to hospital, there are then considerations around how they are discharged,
as they may well be physically fit – but not mentally fit. Does the university accept the NHS
discharge, how do we support a student in those circumstances, or are we not able to provide the
required support? When a student is discharged from hospital, how often do we check on that
student? And if something happens when we leave – are we responsible?

Alongside the insurance and legal risks of such incidents we also need to consider the impact on
those involved: the student, the teams involved, friends and flatmates, and parents and guardians.

We also need to look at how we
proactively help educate our
students around the worrying
issues and concerns around
drugs. Universities can be seen
to have their heads in the sand
on such issues and there is a
tendency to ignore the issues
rather than face them head on –
the classic ‘Ostrich effect’.

Gender Based Violence (GBV)
has also seen a sharp increase –
some allegations of which are
reported to the police, and some
are not. We need to address why
victims aren’t reporting to the police but instead only reporting incidents internally, and ensure we
have robust processes in place to respond to such alleged incidents. This would necessitate
collaborations with other internal services and support from various agencies.

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