Purpose
To provide a principled, consistent approach to alcohol stewardship in residential halls — balancing student autonomy with duty of care and the Pastoral Care Code 2021 obligations.
Scope
All ResLife staff, Resident Advisors, and Hall Wardens responding to alcohol-related situations in residential accommodation.
Procedure steps
Recognise the situation
Identify the level of concern: social drinking (monitor), intoxication (intervene), incapacitation or harm (escalate). Do not ignore visible intoxication.
Intervene proportionately
Apply the stewardship dial: from gentle check-in (low concern) to mandatory supervisor notification and welfare check (high concern). Document your assessment.
Welfare check for incapacitation
If a student is unable to care for themselves: do not leave alone, place in recovery position if needed, call 111 if there is any doubt about their safety. Call your supervisor.
Do not supply alcohol
ResLife staff must never supply alcohol to students, regardless of the student's age or the social context.
Document the interaction
Log all welfare interventions in StarRez within 2 hours. Include: time, concern level, actions taken, referrals, follow-up planned.
Morning follow-up
Check in with the student the following day. Offer referral to Student Health or counselling if a pattern is evident.
Event pre-approval
Hall events involving alcohol require written approval from the ResLife Manager. Ensure the event follows the approved plan.
Legislation
| Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 s244 | It is an offence to supply alcohol to a person who is intoxicated |
| Pastoral Care Code 2021 s11 | Institutions must have policies and procedures to support student wellbeing, including around alcohol |
| SSAA 2012 s238 | Intoxication is a ground for refusing supply under any licence |
📋 Customise before use — Add your stewardship dial definitions, hall-specific event approval process, and on-call duty contact chain.
Upload this SOP to your workspace
Staff get cited answers from your own document — on mobile or by email, instantly.
Start free → ← All SOPs