Supporting a Student at Edinburgh College
We know that students are more likely to thrive when they feel supported at college and home. Whether you're a parent, carer, guardian or another trusted adult, your encouragement and involvement can make a real difference to a student’s experience at Edinburgh College.
Learn how to stay informed, what support is available, and what we can (and cannot) share with you, especially if your student is 16 years old or older.
How We Work with Those Supporting Students
At Edinburgh College, we value collaboration with families and supporters while also promoting student independence and self-advocacy. Many students, particularly those aged 16 to 19, benefit from having someone to help them manage new responsibilities.
However, once a student turns 16, they are legally entitled to make their own decisions about who can access their information.
Age of Legal Capacity in Scotland
- Under the Age of Legal Capacity (Scotland) Act 1991, a person has full legal capacity from the age of 16.
- From this point, individuals are presumed capable of making decisions about their education, welfare, and personal data.
- This presumption can only be overturned if there is clear medical evidence that the individual is unable to make such decisions.
Legal Responsibilities and Privacy: What You Need to Know
We are committed to protecting students’ data and upholding their rights.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- GDPR protects personal information linked to individuals.
- Personal information shared with the college is considered confidential.
- We can only legally share information with third parties if:
- The student has given explicit written consent
- There is another lawful basis for doing so.
- A breach of confidentiality occurs when personal information is disclosed without consent or a legal basis.
When Information May Be Shared Without Consent
We may share information without student consent if it is:
- Required by law (e.g. safeguarding, crime prevention)
- Justified in the public interest (e.g. serious risk to safety or wellbeing)
- Related to a care-experienced student, where we are acting in our capacity as a Corporate Parent (link to Corporate Parenting info)
What Is a Privacy Breach?
- A privacy breach involves the loss of, unauthorised access to, or disclosure of personal data.
- This can occur through theft, accidental loss, or error, and we treat all breaches seriously.
Staying Informed
We encourage students to complete a consent form at enrolment or during the year, if they’d like us to share updates with a parent or carer.
We encourage you to talk to your student about whether they’d like to give consent — it’s their choice.
If your student has given consent, we can provide updates on request about:
- Key dates and timetables
- Attendance summaries
- Progress or engagement concerns
- Access to support services
How Does a Student Give Consent?
Students can complete a Designated Supporter Authorisation and Disclosure Form if they would like someone else to be involved in conversations with the college.
These are available to students from their Learning Development Tutor, Learning Support, Wellbeing/Safeguarding team, Curriculum Team Managers, Heads of School and from Funding.
This form allows students to inform us with whom we may share information, and what types of information they’re happy for us to discuss. More information will be shared at enrolment.
Wellbeing and Student Support
College life brings new challenges and opportunities. We offer a range of support services to help students thrive, including:
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Team
- Learning support and additional needs
- Safeguarding
- Financial guidance and bursary support
- Careers and employability advice (link to SDS)
- LDT Information
- Learning Development Tutors (LDTs) act as the main point of contact for full-time further education students. They play a key supporting role between lecturing staff and support staff. Each LDT is assigned to a particular course area where they work in partnership with lecturing staff to support and enhance students’ retention, achievement and progression.
- Course Tutor
- Course Tutors are the main point of contact for students in higher education (HNC/D). They provide academic support to students on higher education programmes.
Visit our How We Support Our Students page for more information.
Need Help or More Information?
If you're unsure what you're allowed to know or would like advice on how to support a student, our Student Experience teams are here to help.
FAQs
Only if they’ve given written consent. We encourage students to involve their supporters, but supporters must respect students’ legal rights.
If your concern relates to abuse, neglect or significant harm, please email: