What support is available for students under the age of 18?

The University is committed not just to its provision of education services to you, but also to your support needs. While the University is not a statutory service that provides health or social care, we are clear in our aim to seek to support you where possible, in all aspects linked to your study, including your safety and wellbeing.

If you are under the age of 18, you will be treated the same as students who are 18 and over, as a mature, independent individual. As such, we will correspond with you directly, rather than your parents or legal guardians. However, there may be some slight differences in the support available to you. 

As a student who is under 18, when you study and/or live on our campus, there are measures that are put in place to support you, as a student who is under 18 you are legally seen a child and therefore some laws and legislations apply to seek to protect you.  

You are able to view our full safeguarding policy (PDF).

Admissions

You should be aware that you are applying to study in an adult environment and there may be a small number of limitations for you while you are under 18 but we do our best to reduce these to ensure you have a good experience. You must be over the age of 16 to study at the University.

The University is not able to take on the usual rights, responsibilities and authority that your parents or legal guardian would have.

If you are an international student aged 16 or 17 you must provide the written consent of a parent or legal guardian(s) that you can live and travel independently when applying for a UK student visa.

Accommodation 

Parents and legal guardians should recognise that residential accommodation offered by the University is generally intended for the use of adults and that special arrangements cannot be made for students who are under the age of 18 years.

Other students who share your accommodation are not advised of your age and the University has no right or ability to undertake UK Disclosure and Barring Service checks on those who live or study with you. However, as part of the guidance to our under 18s, we recommend you disclose your age to your housemates.

The University will be aware of under 18s residing in campus accommodation and will ensure the appropriate teams are aware of this including Campus Safety and the Principal Safeguarding leads to ensure that support is available to you and can raise any concerns if needed.

On campus

The University recognises that you are under the age of 18 and legally you are a child and there are some legal restrictions that apply to you. It is illegal in the UK for people under the age of 18 to buy alcohol and tobacco or for it to be bought by other people.

You will have access to internet services, content for over 18s only will not be disabled.

Placements 

Students under the age of 17 will not be able to go on placement. If you do go on placement when you are 17, safeguarding measures will be taken to ensure you receive the correct level of support. You should normally report any safeguarding concern to your employer’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, and per the employer’s policy. As a matter of course, the safeguarding concern will also be reported to the University’s Principle Safeguarding Lead.

Education and learning

Under 18s have access to the same education and learning opportunities as their peers. You will have an allocated Personal Tutor and all Personal Tutor’s for students under the age of 18 will be DBS checked.

Support services

The usual personal and academic support arrangements will apply to you.

If you reside in University campus accommodation, you will be allocated a student Residential Adviser and a member of the Community Support team, who are all DBS checked. A comprehensive range of general and more specialist student services may be available on campus to support individuals with specific learning difficulties or those requiring more specialist support.

Wellbeing

The Centre for Wellbeing can provide counselling and mental health support services to you.

If you are living on campus, we would advise you to register with the local GP (Doctor).

The local and crisis mental health differs slightly to students who are over the age of 18 so please be aware of the services listed below.

Local mental health and crisis support:

• Local Surrey mental health services
• Children and young people Haven
• 24/7 mental health crisis line: 0800 915 4644 (confirm you are under 18).
• For ADHD/ASD advice contact the Mindworks out of hours advice line on 0300 222 5755 between 5-11pm to be transferred to the NHS or Barnados.

National mental health and crisis support:

• Samaritans 24/7: Call 116 123 for free
• Shout 24/7: Text Shout at 85258
• Childline 24/7: 0800 1111
• Papyrus Hopeline 24/7: 0800 068 4141
• Kooth

Campus Safety are available 24/7 on campus with an aim to provide a safe and secure place to be.

Safeguarding

Concerns raised about any student under 18 will be managed by the safeguarding team within the Centre for Wellbeing. The team will seek to support the student and ensure that all referrals to statutory services are made in an appropriate and supportive manner.

You can contact the Safeguarding team by emailing safeguardingadvice@surrey.ac.uk for support and advice.

What can you expect if you raise concerns:

• As a student you will be listened to and your matter taken seriously, we will ensure you will have the correct level of support which may include statutory services such as Children’s Services or the Police. We will ensure that you have continued pastoral support and that all appropriate internal and external services are part of your support structure as appropriate.
• Confidentiality is important to us and only the information that is required will be shared, in line with the University’s Privacy statement, however, as an under 18, the threshold for sharing information with statutory services and your trusted contact may differ from students over 18. All cases will be documented, and the information stored safely.

For all reports of safeguarding matters complete our Safeguarding Safety Concern form.