Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct

Domestic Abuse Policy 

Dignity at Study 

Freedom of Speech Code of Conduct 

The University is an adult environment; students are expected to act as adults and to assume an adult level of responsibility. Students are expected to have the necessary skills to study independently alongside people from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. Places are offered on the understanding that, where relevant, students will be able to adapt to living away from home and manage the practicalities that this involves.

The University treats all students as independent, mature individuals and students who are under the age of 18 years will be treated in the same way. The usual personal and academic support arrangements will apply to students who are under 18 years. This will normally include: 

• Allocation of a Personal Academic Coach or Personal Tutor 
• Access to a range of support services

However, the University acknowledges that anyone under the age of 18 is legally a child and recognises that students under the age of 18 may therefore have different needs in relation to their support and wellbeing. Admission of such applicants therefore requires additional consideration in order that the University can ensure that it fulfils its obligations and meets any additional needs in relation to support and wellbeing. A parent/guardian is to sign a consent form before an applicant is offered a place on a programme of study. Should a parent or guardian not wish to sign the agreement, the University reserves the right not to process the application further. Where any applicant does not have a parent or guardian they could contact Admissions for guidance on arranging a formal guardian.

The University is not able to take on the rights, responsibilities and authority that parents have in relation to a child and it will not act in loco parentis in relation to students who are under the age of 18 years. The parent or guardian is required to accept this and acknowledge the other possible conditions and arrangements set out below - by signing the consent form before a student may be admitted to the University. International students who are under the age of 18 (and British students whose parents live overseas) are required to appoint a guardian within the UK, accessible to the University and the student should the need arise. Where international students do not have appropriate contacts in the UK to fulfil this role, guardianships accredited by AEGIS can be arranged.

More information is available for parents and families. 

Advice and student responsibilities: 

• It is illegal for alcohol or tobacco to be sold to or bought by anyone under the age of 18. We expect students to abide by the law and cannot be expected to supervise students in this respect.
• Programmes may involve compulsory or optional field trips, excursions or other periods of study away from the University. The University cannot take additional responsibility for a student under 18 participating in those activities. Where these activities are not a formal part of the programme of study, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the organiser of their age.
• Where a student who is under 18 is required to undertake a placement as part of the programme of study, appropriate arrangements will be made with the workplace to safeguard the student and to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, (such as Health and Safety and Working Time Regulations). 
• The University can not make any special arrangements for restricting access to particular internet sites for students who are under the age of 18. They will be expected to comply with the usual rules and regulations for the use of IT as all other students.
• Academic programmes are designed and validated to be delivered to students over the age of 18 years. Therefore, they may contain teaching materials that are 18-rated. If students and their parents/guardians are concerned about the content of the programme that they wish to enrol on, they are advised to discuss the content of the programme with the Programme Leader.
• Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours, so lectures and contact time with tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. The University cannot undertake to supervise any student travelling home during these extended hours.
• It is particularly important that emergency contact details are provided for students under the age of 18 years and such students and/or their parents are required to supply this information prior to their arrival at the University. If a medical emergency arises these emergency contact details will be provided to the appropriate statutory services.
• The Safeguarding team will be responsible for notifying the relevant Dean, Course Leader and Student Support services, prior to the enrolment of any student who will be under the age of 18 years on entry to the University. 
• It is the University's usual policy to communicate with students (with whom it has a contractual relationship) and not with parents or guardians and this approach will normally apply to students who are under the age of 18 years. The university will therefore correspond with students, and not normally with parent or guardians. 

University of Suffolk Commitment to Addressing Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

On 19 April 2021 the Office for Students (“OfS”) published a statement of expectations for preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct affecting students in higher education.

The 7 expectations are set out below:

Higher education providers should clearly communicate, and embed across the whole organisation, their approach to preventing and responding to all forms of harassment and sexual misconduct affecting students. ​

Governing bodies should ensure that the provider’s approach to harassment and sexual misconduct is adequate and effective.​

1. Higher education providers should appropriately engage with students to develop and evaluate systems, policies and processes to address harassment and sexual misconduct.​
2. Higher education providers should implement adequate and effective staff and student training with the purpose of raising awareness of, and preventing, harassment and sexual misconduct.​
3. Higher education providers should have adequate and effective policies and processes in place for all students to report and disclose incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct.​
4. Higher education providers should have a fair, clear and accessible approach to taking action in response to reports and disclosures.​
5. Higher education providers should ensure that students involved in an investigatory process have access to appropriate and effective support.​

The University of Suffolk is committed to creating a study environment free of harassment and sexual misconduct, where all students are entitled to protection and treated with dignity. The table below set outs our efforts to eliminate harassment and sexual misconduct and identifies where activity aligns to OfS expectations.