Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) For All Users
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Source: www.glos.ac.uk. All Rights Reserved. 2025 University of Gloucestershire
Last updated: 4 May 2021
Effective from: January 2019
Review Date: TBC
Status: Non-contractual (Consulted)
Policy Owner: Human Resources
Appendix A – Safeguarding Reporting Process Flowchart
Appendix B – University of Gloucestershire Safeguarding Concerns Reporting Form
Appendix C – External organization Safeguarding Declaration
Appendix D – Definitions of University Safeguarding Officer Roles and Responsibilities
Record of policy/procedure changes/update
1.1 Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
1.2 This policy is a statement of the University’s commitment to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults (as defined in section 4), in so far as they are engaged in university-related activities and services with the institution, its staff and students.
2.1 This policy applies to any staff member, student, volunteer or visitor within the University community.
2.2 This policy provides guidance on responsibilities in relation to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and highlights the procedures that should be followed if it is suspected that a child or vulnerable adult is experiencing or is at risk of harm.
2.3 The primary responsibility of staff and other members of the University community is to report concerns to the relevant channels.
2.4 The term ‘safeguarding’ is used to refer to a number of areas of concern relating to children or vulnerable adults including:
a) Child protection issues;
b) Sexual exploitation/sexual abuse;
c) Radicalisation;
d) Physical abuse or neglect;
e) Psychological or emotional abuse or neglect;
f) Financial or material abuse;
g) Modern slavery;
h) Discriminatory abuse;
i) Domestic abuse;
j) Organizational abuse;
k) Self-neglect or risk to self/others;
l) Forced marriage;
m) Female genital mutilation
3.1 The University is committed to creating a safe and secure environment for all its staff, students and visitors to its sites and will identify a lead safeguarding officer with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of this policy (as defined in section 4 below).
3.2 The University recognises that in the course of fulfilling their duties members of staff and students will come into contact with children and vulnerable adults (as defined in section 4 below).
3.3 In order to ensure it fulfils its duties, the University will ensure an appropriate member of Senior Management is designated as Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO). The Lead Safeguarding Officer’s responsibilities will include:
a) Implementing and promoting this policy;
b) Ensuring the policy is monitored and reviewed in accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children and vulnerable adults;
c) Appointing Safeguarding Officers (SOs) and ensuring SOs are trained in relevant safeguarding procedures and competent in fulfilling their duties;
d) Ensuring appropriate and adequate resources are available in order that the University is able to meet its safeguarding responsibilities;
e) Ensuring that appropriate University members and University Committees are provided with appropriate reassurance that the University is meeting its safeguarding obligations;
f) Establishing and maintaining contacts with Children’s and Adult Social Care Services, Police authorities and NHS Safeguarding Teams.
3.4 To support the Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO), a number of Safeguarding Officers (SOs) will be appointed to ensure that members of the University community can access advice and share concerns with an SO at their location. The role definitions of the Lead Safeguarding Officer and Safeguarding Officers are outlined in Appendix D.
3.5 Partner organisations working from University premises are expected to have a Safeguarding Policy in place, and an appointed SO in place to be part of the University SO network and to ensure that concerns can be raised easily across the institution (as defined in section 4 below).
3.6 Safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously, will be considered fully and any such concerns will be reported in a timely manner to the relevant person and/or body (e.g. an SO or police.)
3.7 Safeguarding referrals to the relevant statutory body will be made on the basis of identified and evaluated risk.
3.8 Written records and referrals of safeguarding concerns will be maintained centrally. Such written records will be stored securely and only accessed by authorised staff. All personal data will be processed by the University in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the University’s Data Protection Policy and Records Retention Schedule.
3.9 University staff working with students or staff members who are the subject of safeguarding concerns will consider what support may be offered to the individual and will signpost accordingly. This may include referral to internal and/or external services.
3.10 Appropriate support will be available to staff who receive and report disclosures of safeguarding issues through the SO Team.
3.11 At any time there are a number of students across the University who are undertaking a formal placement or work experience opportunity linked to their course. In a number of course areas (notably within the Schools of Education and Health & Social Care) the University has a professional responsibility to our stakeholders to ensure that students who go on formal placement are ‘fit to practise’.
3.12 In a work placement or professional work experience setting (including teaching, health and social care placements), a member of staff or student should report any safeguarding concern to the employer’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, as per the employer’s policy. The staff member of student must ensure that they read and understand the employer’s policy.
4.1 For the purposes of this policy, a child is defined as a person who is under the age of 18. In legal terms, the Care Act (2014) defines a vulnerable adult as an individual over the age of 18, who:
a) has needs for care and support (whether or not the appropriate local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;
b) is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
c) as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.
4.2 The term ‘safeguarding’ is often misused during situations where individual students are described by colleagues to be ‘at risk’ due to issues they may be facing with regard to their own health or wellbeing. For clarity unless the student(s) in such circumstances are classified either as a child or a vulnerable adult (as defined above) then this policy document will not be an appropriate guide. Colleagues should instead seek advice and guidance from Student Services colleagues.
4.3 As detailed in Section 3, this policy recognises that the University is looking to create a safe environment for all its students, (including associate students on-site who are linked with partner organisations), staff, associate staff from partner organisations, formal visitors and contractors, and for members of the community who informally visit the University.
4.4 As detailed in Section 3, it is expected that the following partner organisations working from University premises have Safeguarding Policies in place and an appointed Safeguarding Officer: • University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union
• INTO
• Uliving
• Baxter Storey (catering contractor)
• Securitas (security provider).
5.1 The following are indicative examples of situations which may present safeguarding concerns and initiate the reporting procedure to the relevant person/body.
• A child or adult raises an allegation of current abuse, harm, neglect or other inappropriate behaviour;
• A student, staff member or visitor discloses information involving themselves, family members or any other child or adult which gives rise to concerns that an individual may be harming or abusing a child or a vulnerable adult;
• There are suspicions or indications that a child or a vulnerable adult is being abused or harmed, or is at risk of exploitation (including radicalisation), harm, neglect or abuse.
• There are observable changes in a child or a vulnerable adult’s appearance or behaviour that may be related to exploitation, harm or abuse, including radicalisation.
• A significant/substantiated concern is raised that an individual presents a risk of abuse or harm towards a child or a vulnerable adult.
• Concerns arise that a student or member of staff is vulnerable to radicalisation and there is an identifiable risk of the individual being drawn into terrorism.
• A historic disclosure of sexual or physical abuse is made.
• Formal advice from police, probation or other government agencies.
5.2 The following incidents MUST always be reported to a relevant person/body:
• If a child or vulnerable adult is hurt or injured (emotionally damaged)
• If you are concerned that a relationship is developing with a child or vulnerable adult which could represent an abuse of trust
• If you are concerned that a child or vulnerable adult is becoming attracted to you
• If you are concerned that a colleague is becoming attracted to a child or vulnerable adult
• If a child or vulnerable adult misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done in a way which could be construed to be abusive or harmful
• If you have to use reasonable physical restraint to prevent a child or vulnerable adult from harming themselves or another, or from causing significant damage to property
• If a child or vulnerable adult reports an allegation of abuse regarding a member of an external organisation using University facilities.
6.1 This section describes the process for reporting a safeguarding concern. A flowchart of this process can also be found in Appendix A.
6.2 The duty to investigate suspected abuse or harm rests with statutory services; primarily the Police and Social Care Services. Staff and other members of the University Community who become aware of a safeguarding matter, whether from a victim or from a third party, should report such incidents by following these steps:
a) Listen carefully and stay calm.
b) Reassure the individual that what they have reported will be dealt with, making it clear however that you may have to share the information with other people to get the best help possible.
c) Keep questions to an absolute minimum, do not interrogate the individual just clarify, record facts and observations. Any questions should be about any immediate health and safety concerns.
d) Explain that you will need to report the matter to a Safeguarding Officer and explain the internal process.
e) Make a full record of what was said and what you have done as a result. You should do so on the Safeguarding Concerns Reporting Form at Appendix A.
f) Report the matter immediately to a Safeguarding Officer. Contact details can be found in section 12.
6.3 If a member of the University community has an immediate and/or significant concern for a child or vulnerable adult’s immediate safety, they should refer the matter directly to the Police or Social Care Services using the contact details in Section 12. After they have done so they are expected to then report the incident to a Safeguarding Officer using the Safeguarding Concerns Reporting Form at Appendix B.
6.4 Where the situation is not urgent, safeguarding concerns should be reported to a Safeguarding Officer using the Safeguarding Concerns Reporting Form at Appendix B.
6.5 On receipt of a referral the Safeguarding Officer will limit their enquiries to what is necessary in order to:
a) Address any serious and immediate risk to the child, vulnerable adult or any other party.
b) Preserve any evidence likely to be lost before external agencies can respond.
c) Determine the appropriateness of a referral to Social Care Services, the Police or another appropriate agency and provide sufficient information to the relevant external agency to enable an effective response.
d) Determine any further University procedures which should be invoked.
e) Identify any internal support required by the child or vulnerable adult.
This may be carried out in conjunction with relevant colleagues and/or the Lead Safeguarding Officer.
6.6 The receiving SO will liaise with the LSO to determine the need to refer to Social Care Services, the Police or any other external agency; if a referral to an external agency is deemed appropriate the LSO or SO will make the referral.
6.7 If a member of staff wishes to discuss a potential referral before completing the form they may contact a Safeguarding Officer and discuss the referral in principle without providing any names or identifying details. Contact details for Safeguarding Officers are included in detailed in Section 12.
6.8 Where the suspected abuse is alleged to have been carried out by a member of the University community, the University will work alongside external agencies during any investigations. If necessary, the appropriate University investigation and disciplinary procedures may be invoked.
7.1 Upon receiving a report the Safeguarding Officer will be responsible for ensuring that a full record is kept of the risk assessment process and of any action taken subsequently. This will be done in accordance with the University’s Data Protection Policy.
7.2 The Safeguarding Officer will report brief details of all referrals, regardless of whether the matter was referred to an external agency, to the Lead Safeguarding Officer.
7.3 The Lead Safeguarding Officer will hold on record details of all referrals.
8.1 In admitting students under the age of 18 the University acknowledges that it will have an enhanced duty towards these individuals as they are children. The following steps will be taken to ensure that the University meets its obligations to safeguard students under the age of 18:
a) As per the process set out in our Admissions Policy the University will require the student’s parent/guardian to sign a Consent Form confirming that they have understood that the University is not in loco parentis. Where the child is looked after away from home, appropriate contact will be made with their Local Authority, including with their Social Worker.
b) The University will ensure that it holds a list of the student’s emergency contact details, in particular those of parents/ guardians.
c) The University will ensure that a DBS disclosure has been obtained for any staff members the University considers will have close, unsupervised contact with the student. The University will apply ‘safer recruitment’ practice for posts requiring a DBS enhanced check.
d) The University will provide a list of students who are under 18 years of age to:
i) The Head of Student Accommodation & Welfare
ii) The Head of Student Wellbeing
iii) The Student Registrar
iv) All Safeguarding Officers
v) The appropriate Personal Tutor
vi) The appropriate Senior Tutor
vii) The Chief Executive of the Students’ Union
viii) The Designated Premises Supervisor responsible for the operation of campus bars
e) The University will not normally allow students under the age of 16 to live in University Hall accommodation.
9.1 A number of the University’s facilities, most notably sporting facilities, are hired by external organisations for events, some involving children or vulnerable adults. In such cases the University assumes no liability for the conduct of individuals from these organisations. However, the University wishes to ensure that safeguarding risks are mitigated as far as possible for such external events/bookings.
9.2 In organising any event the University and the external organisation will comply with University Safety Policies.
9.3 All external organisations requesting the use of University facilities for activities involving children or vulnerable adults will be asked to sign a declaration confirming that they have obtained appropriate checks on their staff and volunteers before they are permitted to use University facilities. A copy of the declaration form can be found in in in
9.4 If an organisation that intends to use the University’s facilities for an event with children or vulnerable adults present does not have a Safeguarding Policy in place they will not be permitted to use University facilities.
10.1 The University will ensure that any staff or students working with children or vulnerable adults on a substantial basis, or having close, unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults, will have an appropriate DBS check carried out; this will always be an ‘enhanced check’. Responsibility for ensuring such checks are conducted rests with the line manager.
10.2 Students enrolled on a specified course related to initial teacher training, social work or health at the University will be required to have an enhanced DBS check as a matter of course, and before enrolment.
10.3 The procedure for carrying out DBS checks for students and staff are detailed in the University’s guidance documents on the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
11.1 This policy will be reviewed by the Director of HR and the Lead Safeguarding officer on a two-yearly basis or more often if there are any changes in legislation or the statutory duties which fall on the University.
| Organisation | Role | Name/Job title | Tel | |
| University | Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO): | Stewart Dove (Student Registrar) | 01242 714536 | [email protected] |
| University | FCH Safeguarding Officer (SO) | TBC | ||
| University | Oxstalls Safeguarding Officer (SO) | TBC | ||
| University | Park Safeguarding Officer (SO | TBC | ||
| University | Pittville Safeguarding Officer (SO) | TBC | ||
| Students’ Union | Safeguarding Officer | TBC | ||
| INTO | Safeguarding Officer | TBC | ||
| Uliving | Safeguarding Officer | TBC | ||
| Baxter Storey | Safeguarding Officer | TBC | ||
| Securitas | Safeguarding Officer | TBC |
University Security:
• FCH & Hardwick Campus: 01242 71 4836 / 07736 692087
• Oxstalls Campus: 01242 71 5231 / 07793 245017
• Park Campus: 01242 71 4402 / 07801 183630
• Pittville Student Village: 01242 71 4934 / 07854 560861
Gloucestershire Police:
• Emergencies: 999
• Non-emergencies: 101
Gloucestershire County Council:
• Children’s Social Services: 01452 426565
• Adult Social Services: 01452 426868
Childline: 0800 1111
Appx A: Safeguarding Reporting Process Flowchart
Appx B: Safeguarding Concern Reporting Form
Appx C: External Organisation Safeguarding Declaration Form
Appx D: Definitions of Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities
See list of examples below.
If YES – take details from the individual and refer to either Social Services or Police as appropriate.
If NO – proceed to next step.
Complete ‘Safeguarding Concerns Reporting Form’ and send to university Safeguarding officer.
Safeguarding Officer reviews & assesses risk, and liaises with LSO.
If YES – SO makes referral to relevant agency.
If NO – proceed to next step.
Details submitted to LSO.
Examples of safeguarding concerns
• A child or adult raises an allegation of current abuse, harm, neglect or other inappropriate behavior;
• A student, staff member or visitor discloses information involving themselves, family members of any other children or adult which gives rise to concerns that an individual may be harming or abusing a child or a vulnerable adult;
• There are suspicions or indications that a child or a vulnerable adult is being abused or harmed, or is at risk of exploitation (including radicalization), harm, neglect or abuse;
• There are observable changes in a child or a vulnerable adult’s appearance or behavior that may be related to exploitation, harm or abuse, including radicalization;
• A significant/substantiated concern is raised that an individual presents a risk of abuse or harm towards a child or a vulnerable adult;
• Concerns arise that a student or member of staff is vulnerable to radicalization and there is an identifiable risk of the individual being drawn into terrorism;
• A historic disclosure of sexual or physical abuse is made, where the perpetrator still has access to children or adults at risk.
Important Contacts:
Lead Safeguarding Officer: Stewart Dove
01242 714536
[email protected]
Safeguarding Officers: TBC
Police: 101 / 999
Gloucestershire Children’s Social Services: 01452 426565
Gloucestershire Adult Social Services: 01452 426868
If you have immediate and significant concerns about a child or vulnerable adult’s safety you should make the referral to the Police or Social Services first, and then submit this form to a Safeguarding Officer.
• For referrals concerning a child:
• For referrals concerning vulnerable adults:
For all non-urgent referrals please complete this form as fully as possible and send to a University Safeguarding Officer without delay.
UNIVERSITY SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS:
| Name and Role | Campus | Phone | |
| Stewart Dove | Park | [email protected] | 01242 714536 |
| FCH | |||
| Oxstalls | |||
| Pittville |
SECTIONS A-F TO BE COMPLETED BY THE REFERRER
Referral to: Safeguarding Officer
Date of Referral:
Time of Referral:
| A. Details of child / vulnerable Adult |
| Child / Vulnerable adult’s name and ID number if a student / staff member: |
| DOB and Age: |
| Gender: |
| Disability (if known please specify) |
| Address: |
| Postcode: |
| Tel No: |
| Name of child’s primary carer/s |
| Relationship to child |
B. Family Composition/Significant Others (If known/appropriate)
| Name | DOB | Relationship to child/ vulnerable adult |
C. Details of the alleged perpetrator / individual causing concern
| Name (&ID if a student/staff member) |
| DOB & Age |
| Gender: |
| Address (if known) |
| Postcode: |
| Tel No: |
D. Reason for Referral
| State the key areas of concern about harm or neglect |
E. Details of any alleged incident (if there are no specific incidents to report then insert N/A below)
| Date of alleged incident: | Time: |
| Name of Witnesses (if appropriate) | Contact Details (if known) |
| Describe in details what happened. If the child/vulnerable adult gave an account, please record what they said. Use additional paper if required. |
| F. Details of any action already taken by the referrer |
| Note any referrals made to internal or external support / agencies |
To be completed by the safeguarding officer
| G. Details of action taken following |
H. Details of External Agencies contacted
| Police | Force & Contact, Incident Number | |
| Social Services | Dept & contact, advice received | |
| Other | Organisation, contact & advice received |
I. Other Information
| Record any other relevant information |
| Signature of Safeguarding Officer | |
| Print Name | |
| Date |
On behalf of ………………………………………………… (name of hiring organisation) I confirm that we have received a copy of the University of Gloucestershire’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures document dated 2019 and further that:
• Our organisation has a formal safeguarding policy (please attach a copy when returning this declaration to the University)
Appropriate checks (e.g. DBS) are made on our staff and volunteers in accordance with safeguarding legal requirements.
Signed: _______________________
Print Name: _______________________
Position with organization: _______________________
Date: _________________________
Please note that your booking cannot be confirmed until a completed copy of this form is returned to:
University of Gloucestershire
Estates Department
Dunholme Villa
Park Campus
The Park
Cheltenham
GL50 2RH
Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) will:
Safeguarding Officers (SOs) will:
Status: Non-Contractual (consulted)
Policy Owner: Human Resources
| Effective date | Change / update | Policy agreed at JNCC | Policy agreed at RHRC (or equivalent) |
| New * Jan 2019 | Replacing Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Procedures Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Framework and Policy Statement The following provides a summary of the key changes o – Updated terminology to reflect current language used, for example, reference to Adults at Risk instead of Vulnerable Adults o – Inclusion of additional areas of concern that can relate to children or adults at risk, for example domestic abuse, radicalisation, modern slavery o Introduction of local safeguarding officers in addition to the Lead Safeguarding Officer. This is to ensure the University is not “one deep” and there are contacts on each campus o Updated in relation to GDPR requirements o Clarification of the expectation that partner organisations will have safeguarding policies and an appointed safeguarding officer in place before a booking to use our facilities is confirmed o Revision of the steps to ensure the University meets its obligations to safeguard students under 18 years of age – this has been particularly important for nursing programmes o Recognising a commitment to Safer Recruitment processes when there is a need o Inclusion of a safeguarding process flowchart for ease of reference o Inclusion of a Safeguarding Concerns Reporting Form and an External Organisation Safeguarding Declaration to ensure much better documentation of how concerns are dealt with and assuring that other organisations are compliant. | 23 Jan 2019 | |
| Child Protection & Vulnerable Adults Procedures | |||
| Nov 2009 | Oct 2009 | ||
| Aug 2006 | |||
| Child Protection and Vulnerable Adults Framework and Policy Statement | |||
| Jun 2009 | |||
| Apr 2005 |
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