Recipient

University of Reading

First report 10 Jul 2024•Latest report 10 Jul 2024

Recipient record

Reports, concerns and published responses

Other public bodies · University. This page brings together reports naming this recipient and response statements clearly connected to concerns raised in those reports.

Reports: 1
Published responses: 100%
Concerns addressed: 8
Stated actions: 9

Reports over time

Reports naming this recipient by issue year.

Evidence profile

Report topics

Share of this recipient’s reports compared with all other recipients.

100%published responses found

9stated actions described

Topic comparisons are not available in the current evidence snapshot.

Concerns and recipient responses

Statements from University of Reading linked to the concerns in each report. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

10 Jul2024
Berkshire
Concerns raised8
1. Failure to maintain contact with vulnerable students during unresolved academic situations
2. Lack of follow-through for students offered suspension of studies
3. Failure to identify students unfit to study and initiate enforced suspension
1. Failure to recognise continuing vulnerability and risk from known academic and mental health concerns
2. Failure to monitor engagement and identify academic or welfare issues at an early stage
3. Risk of vulnerable taught research students being overlooked, isolated, or left in academic limbo
4. Lack of named pastoral tutors for students on taught research courses
5. Lack of individual responsibility for resolving vulnerable students’ academic situations
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response 8
1. Action
  Assign SDATs responsibility for ensuring Master’s by Research student-support processes are completed.
  Stated completed
2. Action
  Implement an SDAT notification process using regular staff reminders, engagement reports and SSC-provided templates.
  Stated planned
3. Action
  Trigger the Fitness to Study Process when a vulnerable student takes no suspension action, enabling suspension in appropriate circumstances.
  Stated planned
1. Action
  Circulate guidance to SDATs and Heads of Schools reinforcing SDAT responsibility for Master’s by Research student-support processes.
  Stated planned
2. Action
  Have Student Support Centre staff actively support vulnerable students to suspend their studies, including completing paperwork with consent.
  Stated planned
3. Action
  Circulate guidance instructing welfare officers on prescriptive escalation, clarifying welfare information, and promptly sharing high-risk concerns with SDATs.
  Stated completed
4. Action
  Flag vulnerable students discussing withdrawal or suspension to relevant Student Support Centres and Student Wellbeing Services teams.
  Stated planned
5. Action
  Provide every Master’s by Research student with two academic points of contact and monthly meetings throughout the programme.
  Stated completed
Respondent positions 2
1. Position
  Professional welfare support from central teams, alongside academic pastoral support, is considered more appropriate than restoring specialist welfare duties to Academic Tutors.
  Existing arrangements considered sufficient
1. Position
  The relevant School Director of Academic Tutoring is responsible for ensuring student support processes are followed through to completion for MbR students.
  Redirects responsibility
AI-generated summary

Benjamin Faux · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Benjamin Faux was a taught research Master's student at the University of Reading who had severe mental health difficulties, disengaged from his studies, and took his own life in his student accommodation on or around 5 August 2023. The concerns included inadequate pastoral support and monitoring, the absence of a process to ensure completion of study-suspension arrangements, unclear responsibility for resolving his academic situation, and a lack of University contact with him before his death.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to maintain contact with vulnerable students during unresolved academic situations
Wider context from the report
“(5) By March 2023 Ben’s department at Reading University knew that Ben was a student with severe mental health concerns linked to management of his academic work, who had not taken any exam and had not completed sufficient research to file a dissertation and by late June they also knew that he had not completed paperwork to suspend his studies and yet: a. The University staff who knew this did not appear to appreciate what it meant for Ben and his continuing risk of vulnerability; and b. There was no individual who was given or took responsibility for what should happen next with regard to resolving Ben’s academic situation; and c. Apart from brief further contact from the Student Support Centre the suspension forms, no-one from the University contacted Ben between 24 April 2023 and when he took his life on or around 5 August 2023; ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Lack of follow-through for students offered suspension of studies
Wider context from the report
“(3) Ben was appropriately encouraged to use University procedures such as ‘exceptional circumstances’ applications through to a conclusion, however there was no process for ensuring that after being offered the option to suspend his studies Ben was supported through to a conclusion of that process one way or another, and that remains the case for students in that position now; ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to identify students unfit to study and initiate enforced suspension
Wider context from the report
“(4) There is an established process for enforced suspension of studies and the University agreed that with hindsight Ben was clearly not fit to study and should have been identified as such and put on that pathway instead of leaving it to Ben to decide and take action to suspend his studies; ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to recognise continuing vulnerability and risk from known academic and mental health concerns
Wider context from the report
“(5) By March 2023 Ben’s department at Reading University knew that Ben was a student with severe mental health concerns linked to management of his academic work, who had not taken any exam and had not completed sufficient research to file a dissertation and by late June they also knew that he had not completed paperwork to suspend his studies and yet: a. The University staff who knew this did not appear to appreciate what it meant for Ben and his continuing risk of vulnerability; and b. There was no individual who was given or took responsibility for what should happen next with regard to resolving Ben’s academic situation; and c. Apart from brief further contact from the Student Support Centre the suspension forms, no-one from the University contacted Ben between 24 April 2023 and when he took his life on or around 5 August 2023; ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to monitor engagement and identify academic or welfare issues at an early stage
Wider context from the report
“(2) The nature of taught research courses (largely independent work) makes it more challenging to monitor students’ engagement and identify issues at an early stage. Ben’s difficulties with his academic work started after Christmas 2022 but were not addressed by the department until he raised them himself in March 2023 by which point he was at a crisis point; ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Risk of vulnerable taught research students being overlooked, isolated, or left in academic limbo
Wider context from the report
“(6) The primary responsibility to meet acute mental health needs when they arise lies with mental health care services. I acknowledge that Reading University have engaged with and are continuing to implement lessons learned process since Ben’s death. However I consider that circumstances at Reading University continue to present a risk to vulnerable graduate students on taught research courses who struggle with their work and develop mental health issues. The risk is of being overlooked until a crisis is reached, or becoming isolated, or of being left in academic limbo, as Ben was, with tragic results. ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Lack of named pastoral tutors for students on taught research courses
Wider context from the report
“(1) About 5 years ago, following concerns from academic staff that they were not equipped to support students with welfare issues, Reading University stripped out the pastoral care function from the academic supervisor role, leaving only ‘academic advisors/tutors’. There is alternative provision made for welfare but it is not part of the tutor role and students on taught research courses do not have named pastoral tutors; ”
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to University of Reading; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Lack of individual responsibility for resolving vulnerable students’ academic situations
Wider context from the report
“(5) By March 2023 Ben’s department at Reading University knew that Ben was a student with severe mental health concerns linked to management of his academic work, who had not taken any exam and had not completed sufficient research to file a dissertation and by late June they also knew that he had not completed paperwork to suspend his studies and yet: a. The University staff who knew this did not appear to appreciate what it meant for Ben and his continuing risk of vulnerability; and b. There was no individual who was given or took responsibility for what should happen next with regard to resolving Ben’s academic situation; and c. Apart from brief further contact from the Student Support Centre the suspension forms, no-one from the University contacted Ben between 24 April 2023 and when he took his life on or around 5 August 2023; ”
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Assign SDATs responsibility for ensuring Master’s by Research student-support processes are completed.

Verbatim wording from the response
“5b and 5c | The University has clarified that the student support in place for MbR students should be aligned as far as possible with those on taught programmes. Therefore, it is the relevant SDAT who is responsible for ensuring that student support processes are seen through to completion for these students. | 1. New notification system to be implemented whereby the SDAT emails reminders to relevant academic staff at regular intervals to monitor and report engagement of MbR students. SSCs to provide”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 3 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Implement an SDAT notification process using regular staff reminders, engagement reports and SSC-provided templates.

Verbatim wording from the response
“We recognise there is a need for further pro-active follow-up with students whose non-engagement has been identified. To address this, the University will introduce a new process for MbR programmes whereby the relevant School Director of Academic Tutoring (“SDAT”) emails relevant academic staff at regular intervals to request reports of any significant engagement concerns back to the SDAT (who would then follow up appropriately).”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 2 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Trigger the Fitness to Study Process when a vulnerable student takes no suspension action, enabling suspension in appropriate circumstances.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The University will take the necessary steps to ensure that:”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 2 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Circulate guidance to SDATs and Heads of Schools reinforcing SDAT responsibility for Master’s by Research student-support processes.

Verbatim wording from the response
“2. New guidance to be circulated to SDATs and Heads of Schools in all schools with MbR students to reinforce the SDAT’s responsibilities in relation to student support processes.”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 4 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Have Student Support Centre staff actively support vulnerable students to suspend their studies, including completing paperwork with consent.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The University will take the necessary steps to ensure that:”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 2 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Circulate guidance instructing welfare officers on prescriptive escalation, clarifying welfare information, and promptly sharing high-risk concerns with SDATs.

Verbatim wording from the response
“5a | In response to this Concern, the University has circulated new guidance to key staff. This has included:”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 3 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Flag vulnerable students discussing withdrawal or suspension to relevant Student Support Centres and Student Wellbeing Services teams.

Verbatim wording from the response
“3 | There will be a range of circumstances in which students, outside of our formal fitness to study process, may need to consider the possibility of suspending their studies. Our system for supporting students through to the conclusion of such discussions, is a weakness that the Coroner has correctly identified.”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 2 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Provide every Master’s by Research student with two academic points of contact and monthly meetings throughout the programme.

Verbatim wording from the response
“This change was an institutional decision made to reflect the view that it was more appropriate for academic staff to focus on providing academic and general pastoral support, with trained professionals providing more specialist welfare support where required. | 1. Strengthen support system for MbR programmes to ensure that all MbR students have monthly meetings with two academic points of contact.”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 1 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Professional welfare support from central teams, alongside academic pastoral support, is considered more appropriate than restoring specialist welfare duties to Academic Tutors.

Verbatim wording from the response
“1 | The Academic Tutor role was revised a number of years ago, with a stronger provision of professional welfare support made available within the central student services teams.”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 1 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
The relevant School Director of Academic Tutoring is responsible for ensuring student support processes are followed through to completion for MbR students.

Verbatim wording from the response
“5b and 5c | The University has clarified that the student support in place for MbR students should be aligned as far as possible with those on taught programmes. Therefore, it is the relevant SDAT who is responsible for ensuring that student support processes are seen through to completion for these students. | 1. New notification system to be implemented whereby the SDAT emails reminders to relevant academic staff at regular intervals to monitor and report engagement of MbR students. SSCs to provide”

Source location
Response from Reading University
Page 3 · response
Published 29 July 2024
Open published response

Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026

Reports, concerns and published responses

Reports over time

Concerns raised8

Failure to maintain contact with vulnerable students during unresolved academic situations

Lack of follow-through for students offered suspension of studies

Failure to identify students unfit to study and initiate enforced suspension

Failure to recognise continuing vulnerability and risk from known academic and mental health concerns

Failure to monitor engagement and identify academic or welfare issues at an early stage

Risk of vulnerable taught research students being overlooked, isolated, or left in academic limbo

Lack of named pastoral tutors for students on taught research courses

Lack of individual responsibility for resolving vulnerable students’ academic situations

Actions described in response An action is something this recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.8

Respondent positions A position is what this recipient says about the concern when it does not describe a specific action.2

Actions described in response 8

Respondent positions 2