fabby ernesta - the pad - security in student accommodation

SECURITY IN STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

7TH ANNUAL CAMPUS AND SECURITY & SAFETY CONFERENCE

PRESENTED BYFABBY ERNESTA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

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Security in Student Accommodation2

Student accommodation providers have aduty of care to provide a safe and secureenvironment for all students to enhancetheir student experience.

A secure student accommodation isproviding students with the freedom fromthe risk of harassment, intimidation,robbery and assault and increased feelingsof safety.

International students may be especiallyvulnerable by being away from their ownhome support networks in a new countryand can face higher safety and securityhazards than their domestic student peers.

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Security is an important aspect when building / delivering a studentaccommodation asset.

Basic Measures include:

• Lockable doors and windows throughout the building including individualbedroom doors. If a the building has multiple stories, windows to be design tonot open 100%. Design outcome to be achieved with architect.

• Careful consideration should be given to the location of recreational areas

• Secure access with Key/Fobs for each resident throughout the buildingincluding individual rooms and recreational areas

• Key/Fobs capable of being recoded in case of theft or loss or refrain access forspecific cards

• CCTV system with strategic placement of cameras throughout the buildingwith storage capacity for at least 30 days of recording

• Dedicated after hour entry / exit door after 6pm

• Reception strategically placed in the foyer with views of all main entry / exitdoors including the dedicated after hour entry / exit door

• Fire compliant building with dedicated evacuation plans and hardwarethroughout the building to comply with regulations

Planning & Implementing Security in Student Accommodation

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Staff Structure• Adequate qualified staff for dedicated

roles• Fire wardens• Residential advisors• After hour operations / response

team• Security – Onsite presence or

monitoring

Staff Training• Intensive induction training at the

start of their covering all itemsdetailed in the company’s policies andprocedures manual

• Ongoing training and audits• Case study training• Annual review of policies and

procedure


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Operating Hours & Ongoing Monitoring

• Standard operating hours of front desk – Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and 9am to 2pm on Saturday

• After hours operation• The prime objective is the

security and personal safety of all residents

o Dedicated team of resident assistants and duty managers conducting regular patrols

o Dedicated emergency numbero Security Patrol with call-out

optiono 24/7 responseo Dedicated after hours contact for

education providers including security team if on campus


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Emergency Response Group

• An integral part of managing emergencies and critical incidents is to be prepared at any given moment and to have structures in place to manage the emergency.

• An Emergency Response Group is highly recommended for this purpose.

• The Group is a structured group of people who are prepared for and manage an emergency in a building as required with various skill sets.

• The Group is specifically trained to address any emergency / critical incident at any time

• The Groups must be led by a Senior Operations Team member.


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Critical Incident

• Any event or business continuity issue that significantly threatens thecommercial position or operability of a student accommodation building.

• Critical incidents will involve all or a substantial part of accommodationbuilding.

• Critical incidents require a coordinated operational response that dealswith control of the emergency situation and the restoration of normalbusiness operations.

• Examples – Fire, flooding, insect infestation, vandalism, theft, diseaseoutbreak, spillage etc.


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Critical Incident Policy

Student accommodation staff must at all times be prepared to manage anincident and must be trained regularly on the organization’s critical incidentmanagement plan. It is recommended to have different levels of incidents.

Example – The Pad has three levels of incidents with different responsetimes and personnel involved.

• Level 1 is for minor incidents. At this level the situation is not required tobe escalated further and capable of management by our in-houseresponse team.

• Level 2 is for moderate incidents. At this level the situation may pose athreat to off-site areas. Significant response by emergency services andexternal reporting is required.

• Level 3 is for critical incidents. The situation is not under control andprotective actions by external entities are necessary and ongoing.


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First Aid

It is important for members of thestudent accommodation staff to undergobasic first aid training to be able to assistresidents and or fellow work colleaguesin an emergency situation.

This includes the skills and knowledgerequired to perform CPR, provide firstaid, life support, management ofcasualty, identify risks on site, until thearrival of medical assistance

The student accommodation buildingmust be equipped with first aid kits instrategic locations within the facility


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Mental Health Issues

• Mental health issues can be common amongst students living in thisenvironment. There can be measures put in place to raise awareness formental health amongst staff and students. For example assisting themto recognize symptoms of mental illness that are most common.

• Such matters are highly confidential and must be reported to the Senior Management team immediately.

• The education provider must also be notified

• Following an assessment of the student’s health if it is determined that the student has a serious mental health state, the accommodation provider must be flexible with releasing the student from the accommodation agreement as appropriate in consultation with their respective education providers to allow them to seek expert help and move to a suitable environment for their situation if required.


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Business Continuity

• It is imperative to have systems in place to ensure that critical businessfunctions will be available to customers, suppliers, regulators, and otherentities that must have access to those functions should an adverseincident occur.

• This will ensure that the operation of the student accommodation facilitycontinue without stoppage irrespective of any adverse circumstances orevents.

• The procedure relating to relocation of residents should the need arisemust be clear and concise including establishing relationships withsuitable accommodation facilities should this occur.


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Application Process

• Completed application form• Contact details of the student• Education Provider• Appropriate identification• Emergency Contact• Processing applications

Documentation

• Accommodation Rules• Illegal Substance use• Serious Breach – Could be physical abuse, sexual assault,

Communication• Communication is key• Correct contact details on file• Electronic communication and regular updates• Debrief after an incident

Managing Residents

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Residential Life Program• Residential life programs are designed to

ensure that students have a positive experience while they are studying. It is important that the connections & friendships that are made as a student on and off-campus can last a lifetime

• Residential life programs must be designed to not only showcase available recreational & social activities, but also includes arranged activities to foster friendships & support throughout our student community as well as enhance their growth academically and professionally

• Leads to student retention and academic success

• Residential life program as a risk management strategy

Managing Residents

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NNATIONALITY

Domestic17%

Indian6%

Sri Lankan

6%

Chinese5%

Brazilian4%

German4%Colombian

4%Japanese

3%Malaysian

3%Singaporean

3%

Other International

45%

Domestic

Indian

Sri Lankan

Chinese

Brazilian

German

Colombian

Japanese

Malaysian

Singaporean

Other International

GENDER AGE

DOMESTIC / INTERNATIONAL

14

63%

37%Male Female

35%

65%

Domestic

International

13%

49%

23%

9%6%

16-20

21-25

26-30

31-35

35+

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RESIDENT MIX BY EDUCATION PROVIDER

15

Aust Cath Uni2%

Griffith Uni9%

Central Qld Uni2%

Qld Academy of Tech

1%

James Cook Uni1%

QUT37%

UQ38%

SB TAFE2% TAFE &

Other College

8%

Vocational4% Private College

3%

Foundation School

2%

TAFE4%

Tertiary Education

87%

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Study groups and group learning activities

Student evenings including Quiz nights,

comedy shows etc

Rec room competitions including billiards, air

hockey etc

Sporting and fitness –rowing, jogging, bike, tennis club, gym etc

Tours and field trips to iconic & historic areas,

theme parks

Rewards for the student exhibiting outstanding

community spirit; student of the month etc

Student exchange (students could exchange

rooms with each other for a week-end)

Cultural Evenings

BBQ & Movie nights Prize for cleanest unit

Charity/volunteer club –One cause across all

states (corporate social responsibility/good

corporate citizen status)

Team building activities –skirmish, lawn bowls,

orientation etc

EXAMPLES OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE PROGRAMS

SECURITY IN STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

QUESTIONS ?

PRESENTED BYFABBY ERNESTA

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

fabby ernesta - the pad - security in student accommodation

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