When to escalate a disclosure

There are specific circumstances where we may be required to escalate details of a student’s circumstances, without their consent. This page provides guidance on when this is appropriate.  

Our hope is to empower students and PGRs to make informed choices about what to do after they have experienced or witnessed any kind of violence, abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct or discrimination. This means that we should not share student’s personal information without their consent. However, we must remember that there are times when it is necessary to do so. This includes:  

If there is good reason to believe that a student or PGR or someone else may be at serious risk of harm. Unless the situation is an emergency, or we think otherwise inappropriate, we should always try to discuss things with student or PGR and obtain their consent before making the disclosure.   

Being legally bound to disclose personal information. For example, under a Court Order or under the general law, such as under the Safeguarding and the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and the Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering Act.   

In line with the code of practice on student health and conduct (on the Secretariat website) in relation to students registered on programmes leading to award by relevant statutory bodies in medicine, dentistry, midwifery, nursing, radiography, other healthcare professions and teaching.  

In these instances, please consult with your line-manager and/or the Harassment and Misconduct team on reportandsupport@leeds.ac.uk or the Harassment and Misconduct Manager, Charlotte Webster, on c.e.webster@leeds.ac.uk.