Safeguarding Policy

University of Bristol policy on the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults

1. Introduction

1.1       The University aims to adopt the highest possible standards and take all reasonable steps in relation to the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

1.2       This policy applies to all staff, students and volunteers who may be working with children (i.e. those aged under 16), young persons (i.e. those aged 16 to 18) and vulnerable adults (i.e. as defined by section 59 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and/or those persons aged over 18 who by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness are or may be unable to take care of themselves or are or may be unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation) whom the University encounters through its teaching and research activities as well as through its outreach programmes.

1.3       This policy does not seek to discourage such activities. Instead, this policy seeks to support these activities and to offer assurances to both staff, students volunteers and visitors that, through its implementation, the University seeks to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe from harm when in contact with University students and staff (whether acting in a paid or unpaid capacity).

2. Aims and objectives

2.1       The University wishes to ensure that it maintains the highest possible standards to meet its social, moral and legal responsibilities to protect and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom the University’s work brings it into contact, whilst recognising that it cannot act “in loco parentis”. Ultimate responsibility will continue to rest with parents and guardians.

2.2       While it is impossible to ensure that a child, young person or vulnerable adult would never come to any harm, the adoption of this policy and associated guidelines aims to facilitate the management of the risk associated with the duty to protect such individuals.

2.3       The aim of this policy is to highlight the four areas that form the basis of the University’s approach to safeguarding the well being of children, young people and vulnerable adults (“the Cornerstones”) and to set out a code of practice (see Appendix) for all staff, students and volunteers at the University who may work with them.

3. The Cornerstones

Risk assessment

3.1       All staff that intend to, or may be put in the position of, working with children, young people or vulnerable adults should ensure that they understand the implications of this policy before commencing any programme, event, visit or other activity.

3.2       A designated individual should complete a risk assessment before any new or changed programme, event, visit or any other activity involving children, young people or vulnerable adults, or before admitting [or employing] an under-18.

3.3       All those involved in the risk assessment process should understand that the risk assessment is not only a way to mitigate or remove any potential risks but may also be a prompt to consider alternative working practices.

Recruitment, selection and employment procedures

3.4       The University will take all appropriate steps to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children. 

3.5       Where the risk assessment has identified that students or staff are likely to have regular contact with or encounter children, young people or vulnerable adults (which might include regular processing of information), rigorous checks into their eligibility will be required. Such processes will be compliant with the University's Equality and Diversity policy.

3.6        The University is registered with the Criminal Records Bureau and will ensure that any member of staff or any student who will have substantial one-to-one contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults will be checked for relevant criminal convictions. 

3.7            Admissions Tutors and Heads of Department will be provided with guidance on the admission and employment of under-18s.

Dealing with suspicions or allegations of abuse

3.9       Concerns for the safety and well being of children, young persons or vulnerable adults could arise in a variety of ways and in a range of different settings. For example, a child may report or display signs of abuse; someone may hint that a child is at risk or that a colleague is an abuser; an individual may witness or hear about abuse in another organisation. It is essential to act quickly and professionally in all cases of suspected abuse.

3.10    Any allegation by a child, young person or vulnerable adult against a member of staff, another student or a volunteer should be reported immediately to the relevant designated individual who has responsibility under this policy.  In dealing with any such allegation the University has a duty of care both to the child, young person or vulnerable adult concerned and to the member of staff, student or volunteer against whom the allegation is made.

Training and support

3.11    The University will provide appropriate guidance and training on this policy.

4. Responsibility

4.1        Guidelines will be issued to implement this policy and designated individuals will be appointed within each Department or Faculty to undertake risk assessments.

4.2       The Secretary’s Office will be responsible for reviewing and updating this policy.  Members of the University are encouraged to discuss any concerns under this policy with the Director of Legal Services/Deputy Secretary.  This responsibility may be devolved as appropriate.

4.3       The Director of Student Recruitment, Access and Admissions will advise on the admission of under-18 students, in conjunction with the Director of Student Services and Employability and the relevant Head of Department. The relevant Head of Department, with advice from the Director of Student Services and Employability, will be responsible for monitoring the welfare of under-18 students.   This responsibility may be devolved as appropriate.

4.4       The Resourcing Manager in Human Resources will advise on the employment of under-18 members of staff and, in conjunction with the relevant Head of Department, will be responsible for monitoring their welfare.  This responsibility may be devolved as appropriate.

4.5       Allegations or suspicions of abuse involving students should be reported to the Director of Student Services and Employability.    Allegations or suspicions of abuse involving staff who are under 18 years of age should be reported to the Resourcing Manager. 

Appendix

Code of Practice

The following code of practice applies to all University staff and students working with children, young people or vulnerable adults, whether acting in a paid or unpaid capacity:

Approved by University Council 11 July 2007

Updated September 2012