Safeguarding
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is about protecting people’s health, well-being, and human rights — making sure they are safe from harm, abuse, and neglect.
Who does it protect?
- Children (anyone under 18)
- Adults at risk (older people, people with disabilities, mental health challenges, or those who may be vulnerable in certain situations)
Why Safeguarding important?
Safeguarding is important because it protects people—especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults—from harm, abuse, and neglect. Here’s why it really matters:
1. Protects Basic Human Rights
Everyone has the right to live free from fear, abuse, and harm. Safeguarding helps make sure those rights are respected and upheld
It puts systems in place to stop abuse before it happens, whether it’s physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse
In schools, workplaces, healthcare, and community settings, safeguarding ensures people feel safe, supported, and respected
When people are protected and supported, their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing improves
Knowing that proper safeguarding is in place builds trust between individuals and the institutions or professionals responsible for their care
6. Legal and Ethical Responsibility
There are laws and guidelines that require safeguarding in many sectors—especially when working with children or vulnerable adults
Safeguarding at the University
The University works to protect all students from harm. Upon receipt/suspicion of a concern – Staff must report the concern immediately to the safeguarding team. If the safeguarding team is not available by telephone, an email should be sent to safeguarding@ube.ac.uk, followed by a telephone call as soon as possible the next morning. Upon Safeguarding team receipt of concern – The Safeguarding team will respond to all concerns within 1 working day.
If students or employers have a safeguarding concern they can contact the Safeguarding Team by ema telephone on 0118 467 2400.
If the Safeguarding Team is not available by phone, you can send an email to safeguarding@ube.ac.uk, followed by a telephone call as soon as possible the next working morning.
Full details of how safeguarding is administered at the University is available in the Code of Practice. Current students should refer to the Safeguarding page of the VLE for further information on the support available.
Prevent
The Prevent Duty is part of the Government’s Counter Terrorism Strategy, CONTEST. Under the Prevent Duty, “specified authorities” are required to have a “due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism”. It applies to higher education institutions, local authorities, schools, further education institutions, the health sector, prisons and probation, and the police.
The Office for Students regulates HEI compliance with the Prevent Duty and requires universities to have specific policies and procedures in place.
By working with a wide range of partners, those implementing the Duty aim to safeguard and support vulnerable people to stop them being drawn into terrorism or supporting terrorism through early intervention. It also enables those already engaged in terrorism to disengage and rehabilitate. Prevent occupies the non-criminal space of CONTEST and sits separately from the rest of the CONTEST strategy. Individuals who are referred through the Duty can choose to participate in the CHANNEL programme. CHANNEL is a voluntary, confidential, multi-agency programme that seeks to ensure vulnerable children and adults of any faith, ethnicity or background can receive support before their vulnerabilities are exploited by those that would want them to embrace terrorism, and before they become involved in criminal, terrorist-related activity.
The University approach
Our approach to having a due regard to the Prevent Duty is primarily one of safeguarding the welfare of our students, staff and the University’s community. The university takes a proactive, proportionate and risk-based approach to the Prevent Duty, which covers welfare, events, training and partnerships. We also ensure that the Duty is balanced against our fundamental commitment to academic freedom, freedom of expression and other key legislations, such as, the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act.
The underlying considerations adopted by the University in implementing the Prevent Duty are:
- A commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students, including not being victims of, or complicit with any activities linked to radicalisation or extremism
- Preserving equality and diversity as foundations of the University, whilst ensuring that these values are not threatened
- Promoting the fundamental British Values of: Democracy; The rule of law; Individual liberty; Mutual respect and tolerance
- To continue to champion the spirit of academic freedom and freedom of speech set out in our Freedom of Speech Policy
- That the requirements described in this procedure are implemented in a proportionate and risk-based manner
Prevent is an extension of our Safeguarding obligations, and so concerns should be reported in the same way, via the Safeguarding team by calling 01184672400 and following up with an email to safeguarding@ube.ac.uk
Antibullying, Harassment, and sexual misconduct
The University is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and accessible learning environment, which is free from bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. The University will adopt a clear and consistent approach when investigating all allegations of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. This approach will aim to ensure that the behaviour stops, that the victim is kept safe, and that the University enforces their view that bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct are never acceptable.
The University will offer to support to both victims and alleged perpetrators of harassment and sexual misconduct and a range of support resources are available for current students on the VLE. All information relating to sexual misconduct and harassment will be handled sensitively by the University safeguarding team and support will be provided throughout the investigation process through a named contact within the team.
All university staff undertake antibullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct training which us refreshed ever 3 years and are trained to make referrals as and when necessary. If you are aware of any misconduct having taken place, please make a referral through to safeguarding@ube.ac.uk. A member of the team will respond to you within one working day. If you would prefer to speak to someone over the phone please call 0118 467 2400 , the phoneline is open 9am to 5pm UK time Monday to Friday. For full details on the University’s approach to handling cases of harassment and sexual misconduct please refer to the antibullying, harassment and sexual misconduct procedure.
Welfare support
At the University we recognise that sometimes circumstances that don’t meet the threshold for safeguarding can still have an impact on students’ welfare. The University has a dedicated team of staff from across the organisation that can offer information, advice, and support with a range of welfare related concerns. This includes:
- Stress
- Financial difficulties
- Housing issues
- Workplace concerns
- Addiction
- Bereavement
- Being the victim of crime
- Unstable home life
The team can support students with university processes such as mitigating circumstances or financial support applications or can signpost of external partners such as London Nightline, Silvercloud, and Lionheart to ensure a full support is available to students. In addition the team will provide information and advice on protecting your wellbeing and keeping safe online.
If students have a disability, long term health condition or learning difficulty they should refer to the Disability Support page for information on a range of specialist services available.
I Need Support
No matter what you’re going through, you’re not alone. We’re here to help.
Life as a student can be exciting, but it can also bring challenges – academic pressure, personal issues, mental health concerns, financial stress, or feeling overwhelmed. Whatever you’re facing, support is available.
Not sure where to start? Start here.
Whether you’re looking for someone to talk to, need help with a specific issue, or just don’t know what kind of support you need yet, the Safeguarding and Welfare Team are available to offer information, advice, guidance, and support.
Common reasons students reach out:
- Feeling anxious, stressed, or down
- Academic struggles or falling behind
- Financial concerns or unexpected hardships
- Relationship or family challenges
- Experiencing discrimination or harassment
- Health or accessibility needs
There are a range of support services available to university students though the VLE, these include:
- Mental Health Services – Free, confidential, and here for you. This includes access to Silvercloud, Nightline, and Lionheart
- Academic Support & Advice – Help with coursework, study skills, and staying on track.
- Financial Assistance – If money is tight, we have resources to help.
- Disability and Accessibility Services – Supporting your learning with the accommodations you need.
- Community & Belonging – Spaces to connect, find identity-based support, and feel seen.
If students or employers have a safeguarding concern they can contact the Safeguarding Team by telephone on 0118 467 2400.
If the Safeguarding Team is not available by phone, you can send an email to safeguarding@ube.ac.uk, followed by a telephone call as soon as possible the next working morning.
Emergency & Out-of-Hours Contacts (UK)
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, please don’t wait—reach out right away.
In an emergency:
- Call 999 – For police, ambulance, fire, or mental health crisis
- Go to your nearest A&E (Accident & Emergency) – Open 24/7 for urgent physical or mental health needs
Out-of-Hours Help & Crisis Support
- NHS 111 - Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for urgent but non-life-threatening medical advice (24/7)
- Samaritans - Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org – for anyone in emotional distress or needing someone to talk to
- Shout - Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7) – confidential mental health text support
- International students should refer to Befrienders Worldwide or SafeguardingHE
FAQs
We provide a wide range of services to help you succeed at university, including academic support, mental health and wellbeing services, disability and inclusion support, careers advice, and financial guidance. Current students can access full details of these services on the VLE.
You can book an appointment with our Welfare Team online. Current students can access a range of services, such as Silvercloud, through the Mental Health and Welfare page of the VLE.
Support is available from module leaders and the Academic Support and Enhancement Team. The Welfare Team will work in partnership with them to ensure you are supported in your studies. You can access information through the Study Skills page of the VLE.
Our Disability Support Service provides tailored assistance, including additional support plans, reasonable adjustments, and assistive technology. Contact them early to arrange support.
Yes, the university offers support through a hardship fund, budgeting advice, and guidance on student finance. Current students should look at the My Finance page of the VLE and prospective students should refer to the finance page of the website
The University safeguarding team are available Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm UK time. Outside of this time please contact Samaritans, Befrienders (international) or the emergency services in your area.