Safeguarding

Safeguarding at the University of Bolton

As a University community, we consider the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff to be very important. We want to ensure as far as possible, that students are able to learn and achieve safely, free from abuse, harassment and harm. Safeguarding at the University of Bolton, is everyone’s responsibility.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding is about protecting children and adults from the risk of harm. It includes preventing those who are deemed unsuitable to work with them from doing so and being alert to and acting upon situations where they may be caused harm. The University has a zero-tolerance approach to any forms of potentially harmful behaviour.

What is Prevent?

Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. Prevent is one of the four elements of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Under the Prevent duty introduced by the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the University, as a higher education body has need to assess the risks of people being drawn into terrorism/extremism and has plans in place for mitigating these risks in a proportionate and risk-based way.

Government guidance defines extremism as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The definition includes calls for death of members of armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.

The University takes seriously its responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and the wider community from being drawn into radicalisation and terrorism whilst protecting academic freedom and freedom of speech.

What to Do if you have a Safeguarding Concern?

In an emergency always contact the emergency services on 999.

For out of hours concerns, our University security team are available 24 hours a day on +44 (0)1204 903700.

If you are a student, and are experiencing bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct and the perpetrator is a member of the University community, you can report this via Bullying & Harassment reporting tool.

If you are a student, and you are experiencing bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual misconduct and the perpetrator is NOT a member of the University community, you can get support from either the Students’ Union or Life Lounge.

If you are a member of staff, and wish to report a safeguarding concern, in the first instance speak with your Designated Safeguarding Champion or email safeguarding@bolton.ac.uk

If you are a Designated Safeguarding Champion, and wish to submit a safeguarding referral you can do so by clicking here.

A list of the Senior Designated Safeguarding Champions and Designated Safeguarding Champions is available in the Appendix of the University of Bolton Safeguarding Policy & Procedure in the Policy Zone - Student Policy Zone | University of Bolton

Useful Links:

Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (legislation.gov.uk))

Prevent related links

For further information on Prevent and the universities legal duties please see: https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/student-wellbeing-and-protection/counter-terrorism-the-prevent-duty

Or you can read the full duty here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance

Reporting online material promoting terrorism or extremism to central government: Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism - GOV.UK

Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) – Counter Terrorism Policing - Reporting suspicious activity: Report terrorist or extremist content online – Action Counters Terrorism (campaign.gov.uk)

Safeguarding related links

The NSPCC Helpline is staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support. We’re here if you’re concerned about a child, if you’re a parent or carer looking for advice, or if you’re a professional in need of information and guidance. NSPCC | The UK children's charity | NSPCC

Bolton Council Safeguarding and protecting children: Safeguarding and protecting children – Bolton Council

Bolton Council Safeguarding and protecting adults at risk: Safeguarding adults at risk – Bolton Council