Safeguarding

All Designated Safeguarding Officers have received advanced safeguarding training.

All staff involved in delivering courses targeted at under-18s are required to have received basic safeguarding training. This includes any course which is advertised as 16+, as well as those devised for younger students such as Saturday Art School. The training is required by both the tutor and any assistants, as well as any other University staff who are likely to come into regular contact with under-18s.

In the event that course staff change at very short notice, a risk assessment will be conducted to determine how to proceed. In exceptional circumstances, this may include postponing the start of the course, although it is likely that other mitigating actions can be identified so that the course can run as planned.

At any point, these staff members are able to contact a Designated Safeguarding Officer, or email safeguarding@aub.ac.uk, for further advice.

AUB has an agreed list of staff who require a DBS check. This includes all staff teaching on the Foundation diploma to conform with Ofsted’s expectations on safer recruitment; and all staff appointed to deliver a course which explicitly recruits under-18s (including all Saturday Art School tutors and all evening, Saturday and summer school tutors). For undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees, it is usual that those who have completed a Level 3 qualification are 18 or over. There may be a small number who are younger than this, and Course Leaders are notified of any students who are under 18 at the start of the course. They ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place and conduct any necessary risk assessments.

Under child protection legislation, we have an obligation to report to the Police any instance where an under-18 attends the University with an unexplained injury or with obvious signs of harm. We shall report all such cases to the relevant authorities.

We acknowledge that such injuries may be the result of entirely unexceptional activity (such as playing a sport, or simply a domestic accident), but the University recognises that it has a duty to report all such incidents. It is for the Police to determine the level of investigation which is then required.

Students who join full-time courses (minimum age 17) and who move into University residential accommodation will be moving into accommodation alongside a majority over over-18s. We do not make special arrangements for these students, although under-18s are only placed in accommodation where there is 24-hour security. Parents are required to give consent under these circumstances, and we are clear in our information to parents and legal guardians about how we discharge our legal responsibilities in relation to, for example, child protection.

The Residential Managers in our Halls of Residence are experienced and have had safeguarding training.

All Halls have clear arrangements for contractors or other similar visitors, who are required to report to Reception and to wear an ID at all times.

There is no restriction on internet access in Halls.

During the undergraduate summer vacation, the Halls may be used as a residential base for students attending a summer school, for which the minimum age is 14. Specific arrangements are put in place for these periods, with close supervision by Residential Supervisors and Assistants. Any AUB students or staff in these roles are required to undertake safeguarding training and a DBS check.

AUB is primarily an adult environment. It is not a public space, and visitors should be aware that they are entering an area where staff or students may be working on a wide range of projects which may not represent suitable viewing for those who are under-18. We specifically invite visitors to our campus for certain events. This includes Open Days, formal performances (e.g. by Acting or Dance students) and Summer shows. Relevant University staff are aware of the need to ensure that there is clear public information about any issues which may affect under-18s. This may include refusing ticket sales to certain age groups and ensuring that any explicit material (artwork or film) is clearly identified such that visitors are aware of it.

We also invite schools and colleges to visit the University. The staff who organise these visits are well aware of safeguarding legislation and the need to ensure that all under-18s are kept safe.

We acknowledge that it is more difficult for us to guarantee a similar level of consideration to ad hoc visitors. University staff will endeavour, at all times, to ensure that any tour of the campus is adjusted to avoid areas which may be unsuitable, but the nature of casual and unplanned visits means that it is not always possible to guarantee this.

AUB staff have a legal duty to report any safeguarding concerns to a member of AUB’s safeguarding team or to relevant external agencies. Where possible, staff will work openly and transparently to gain consent to share sensitive personal information. However, the principles of safeguarding and child protection over-ride data protection, and there is a lawful basis for safeguarding concerns to be shared with agencies who have a statutory duty for child protection or the safety of vulnerable adults. Direct action may be taken without consent in order to protect any young or vulnerable person who may be at risk.

AUB’s Safeguarding Team makes an annual report to the Vice Chancellor’s Group and the Board of Governors on safeguarding and Prevent matters to provide regular confirmation that the University has continued to meet its legal requirements in respect of safeguarding.