Safeguarding

The University is committed to providing support to all students and staff and it recognises that its duty is to protect people’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

The University has a holistic approach to ensuring safeguarding issues are dealt with appropriately across all Faculties. Some Faculties will have their own safeguarding process e.g. Health, Medicine and Society, which are integrated with the central university policy.

The University does not expect individual students or members of staff to identify the reasons someone may need support, therefore any concerns should be referred to your safeguarding coordinator (you can find details in the Safeguarding Policy) or the safeguarding lead as per the policy. 

Students and colleagues can also report concerns internally using  Report a Concern or by emailing report@chester.ac.uk.

• Undertaking specific actions relating to IT facilities including specific reference to safeguarding in our Acceptable Use Policy
• Ensure policies and procedures are in place for the management of events both on site and events that are University affiliated, funded or branded but which take place off site, while balancing our legal duties in terms of both ensuring  freedom of speech  and academic freedom, and also protecting student and staff welfare;
• Deliver online mandatory safeguarding training to all University staff
• Provide staff training and awareness and overview of welfare referral arrangements (please see the  When to Refer document)
• Regularly highlighting to students, the range of support which is available to them from Student Services
• Engage with other partners including other universities, law enforcement and the Government;
• Share information about Safeguarding across the University, working closely with the Students’ Union (SU) and engage and consult with elected student officers on our plans at the Safeguarding and Prevent Steering Group;
• Have procedures for sharing information about vulnerable individuals e.g. internally and with relevant external agencies; and
• Provide sufficient chaplaincy and pastoral support with policies for the use of faith-related facilities.

The Director of Student Services is the strategic safeguarding lead for the university. They report on a regular basis to University senior management and to Council. The University also ensures that all members of senior management is aware of our duty in relation to safeguarding and  also provides briefings to SU sabbatical officers and staff.

Safeguarding and Prevent Steering Group: 

• Chaired by the Strategic Safeguarding Lead, or by the Operational Safeguarding Lead (Students), as the designated deputy;
• Meets at least twice per year to monitor compliance with and review the University Safeguarding Policy and Protocols; to monitor training needs and organise training as required; and to plan associated communications;
• Also acts as the Steering Group to monitor and oversee the University’s compliance with the statutory Prevent duty. 
• Membership to include: Strategic Safeguarding Lead; Operational Safeguarding Leads; at least one Faculty and one Service Safeguarding Coordinator; an executive representative from the Students’ Union.

Safeguarding referrals are documented and reported on annually by the Director of Student Services to the Safeguarding and Prevent Steering Group.

Safeguarding Apprentices: Employer Responsibilities 

All employers with apprentices should have an awareness of safeguarding. We all play a vital role in safeguarding our apprentices and, as such, it is important that employers are aware of how to detect and report a safeguarding issue. 

Read further information and guidance. 

What do I do if I am concerned about an apprentice? 

If apprentices identify any concerns, or others raise concerns with them they should inform a Safeguarding Coordinator immediately. Please note that apprentices must wait until they have made contact with the Safeguarding Coordinator before returning to their studies or other activities.  

All Safeguarding concerns should be reported to the relevant safeguarding co-ordinator as per the Safeguarding Policy.

Safeguarding and wellbeing is discussed at every progress review meeting with the Learner mentors, however, students are not expected to wait until a progress review meeting to inform us of concerns.

What do employers need to do? 

Employers should have a named contact available to discuss any safeguarding concerns. This individual should:

• Have a foundational understanding of safeguarding and prevent duty
• Understand what to do in the instance of a safeguarding concern
• Be able to report the concern to the university as soon as possible

For more information around safeguarding, codes of conduct and reporting, please refer to the University of Chester Safeguarding policy.