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What is a trusted contact? 

A trusted contact is someone who a student nominates as a person we can contact in certain, and usually rare, circumstances.

It is likely this would usually be a parent, guardian or partner, but it can also be someone who is over the age of 18, such as a family member or friend. It is up to the student to decide who this is, but we would recommend that this is someone the student trusts and who they can ask for help.

It is also vital that the trusted contact agrees that they will act in this role. Students should not put forward someone who has not agreed to be a nominated contact.

Why do students need to provide a trusted contact?

At the ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓý of Sheffield, we want to ensure that students are supported and empowered throughout their student journey to succeed in their studies and are committed to supporting their wellbeing along the way.

We recognise that, from time to time, students may need a little extra support from outside of the ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓý community. Studying at ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓý is an exciting phase in a student’s life, but we recognise that each student will probably have a network of trusted people outside of university who can help them along the way. This might be parents, siblings, grandparents, partners, guardians, friends.

A named trusted contact is likely to be a person a student would want to go to to keep them updated on their life, and someone they can rely on for support and guidance. This person should be made aware that they are being listed as a trusted contact.

Sometimes, the ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓý may want to make contact with a student’s trusted contact, if they feel that the student requires a little more support in rare and specific circumstances.

What do I need to do if I am a trusted contact?

For most trusted contacts, there will not be any action to take at any point during a student’s journey with us.

In some rare instances, we will make contact with a trusted