Safeguarding policy

Introduction

This document sets out the policy and procedures of the University of Leicester to ensure a safe environment for children and adults who may be at risk.

Scope

This policy applies to all university staff, applicants, students, volunteers, anyone representing the University, and visitors to the University. It applies to all activities involving contact with children or adults who may be at risk. The policy includes face to face activities and activities delivered online.

Definitions

A 'student' is any person enrolled on a University of Leicester programme of study, as defined in the University’s Academic Regulations.
'Children' are people under the age of 18 years.
'Adults who may be at risk' are defined by government as people over the age of 18 years who receive assistance or support in the form of a Regulated Activity.
'Regulated Activity' includes health care; personal care; social work; daily assistance; teaching, training or instructing and advice or guidance provided mainly for children.
In the context of Higher Education, the University also recognises that there may be adults within the university community who may be at risk but who fall outside the government definition of Regulated Activity.

Policy statement

The University believes all individuals have a right to learn and develop within a safe environment, and is committed to protecting children and adults who may be at risk from harm. The University is not however ‘in loco parentis’ (having the legal status of a parent) and cannot accept the responsibilities of guardian to any member of its community.

The University of Leicester:

Believes that it is always unacceptable for a child, young person or adult to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all by a commitment to practice which protects them.
Recognises that all people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religious belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
Recognises its responsibilities to protect staff, students and volunteers against unfounded allegations of abuse.

The University of Leicester will seek to safeguard children and vulnerable adults through:

Adopting a broad approach to its safeguarding responsibilities which encompasses well recognised forms of risk and abuse but also considers issues such as self-harm and the causes and risks of radicalisation.
Appointing and training staff with specific responsibilities for Safeguarding (Designated Safeguarding Officers).
Promoting safe staff and volunteer recruitment strategies, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
Providing basic safeguarding awareness training to give information and guidance to staff and students about how to recognise potential abuse, how to respond appropriately and how to report it, and by making staff aware that they have a responsibility to report any concerns they are aware of regarding a safeguarding matter to the appropriate person.
Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice, with children, parents, carers, staff and volunteers.
Managing an effective internal process for dealing with reported concerns.
Sharing information about concerns within the university and with external agencies where appropriate.
Working in partnership with relevant agencies, ensuring that all parties recognize their responsibilities to each other, act upon them and accept collective responsibility for safeguarding arrangements.
Reviewing policy and supporting processes annually, through the Safeguarding Steering Group.