Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk of harm

Call 999 immediately.

Then follow this up with a wellbeing or safeguarding referral.

Make a safeguarding referral (consent preferred but not needed).

Make a safeguarding referral (consent not needed).

Make a Student Wellbeing Referral (consent preferred but not needed).

Make a Student Wellbeing Referral (consent needed).

Make a Student Wellbeing Referral (consent needed unless risk is present).

Make a report and support referral.

NTU students and staff can report anonymously if preferred.

It is important to be able to distinguish between what is a safeguarding and what is a wellbeing concern so that we can escalate these appropriately.

Safeguarding Concern

Safeguarding is about protecting children and young people who are aged 17 and under from harm.

It is also about protecting ‘adults at risk of harm’ who may have significant care and support needs, that mean they are unable to protect themselves from harm, making them more vulnerable to abuse or neglect.

Student Wellbeing Concern

It is important to consider that as a higher education provider the majority of NTU’s learners would not necessarily fall under the legal definition of a ‘Child’ nor that of an ‘Adult at Risk of Harm’, as defined in the Care Act 2014. In these circumstances a Wellbeing and Support Referral would be the most appropriate escalation route rather than a Safeguarding Referral.

Our NTU Wellbeing Team are there to help and support all NTU Students. They can support students with a range of concerns including:

• Disclosures that identify a risk to self or others (including suicidal thoughts/attempts, self harm, domestic violence)
• Personal, Emotional and Mental Health Challenges
• General Wellbeing - including stress and low mood
• Significant life events impacting study - such as bereavements, illness, being a victim of crime, pregnancy and gender identity
• Estrangement and family breakdown
• Substance addiction
• University pressures - including homesickness, overwhelm or bullying

A Safeguarding Referral Form should be completed for any disclosures or concerns that:

• Relate to a ‘Child’ ( 17 or under) or an ‘ Adult at Risk of Harm’ (who has additional care and support needs) who:
  • has been abused or neglected; or
  • is being abused or neglected; or
  • is at risk of being abused or neglected.
• Or relate to any person regardless of age or need who may be vulnerable to radicalisation or extremism (known as our Prevent Duty).

Key definition: ‘Child/Young Person’

A child/Young Person – is defined as a person who is aged 17 or under, and includes an unborn child.

Key definition ‘Adult at Risk of Harm’

The Care Act 2014 defines adult safeguarding as:

• An ‘Adult at Risk of Harm’ is a person aged 18 or over who has significant additional care and support needs the extent of which mean they are unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

As a University we must act when we have ‘reasonable cause’ to suspect that an adult:

• has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
• as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.’ (Care Act 2014, section 42).

Many of our NTU adult student cohort would fall under section (a) and (b) however the threshold for the last section (C) is very high and all must be met for the person to deemed an ‘adult at risk of harm’.

The majority of our students would not meet the last criteria (c) unless their care and support need meant they lacked capability to make safe decisions or the extent of their care need meant they were unable to protect themselves from harm.

Some Examples of Adults with ‘Care and Support Needs’ could include:

• A significant mental ill health condition – to the extent that it is compromising the person’s capability to make safe decisions, such as:
  • Psychosis, Paranoia, Personality Disorder, PTSD, Dementia
• Significant physical ill health – to the extent that the person at risk is heavily reliant on others for their care and support needs, such as
  • Ongoing or temporary physical/sensory disability or illness.
• A significant learning difference – to the extent that the person at risk is reliant on others for their care needs (Personal/ Financial/Social)
• Significant substance abuse – which may be compromising the person’s capability to make safe decisions.

It is important to consider that this is not an exhaustive list and we would always consider each case on a case by case basis.

It really important that if you are unsure, have that conversation with a NTU Designated Safeguarding Officer and make a Safeguarding Referral.

Reporting concerns where there is no immediate risk of harm

The University has a number of employees who act as the key points of contact for reporting safeguarding concerns.

Please use the forms above to report a Safeguarding Concern on the same day that you receive the disclosure.

If the disclosure or concern relates to an Under 18 learner studying at our Further Education Provision at our Brackenhurst Campus – please use the separate Safeguarding Referral Form. For all other Safeguarding Concerns or Disclosures Please complete the main Safeguarding Referral Form.

The referral will be actioned by a Designated Safeguarding Officer and you will receive an update following your referral.

• It is always best practice to obtain explicit consent to share personal information, however, this is not always possible or practical.
• GDPR should not be a barrier to sharing information. If the information is confidential, but there is a safeguarding concern, or if a risk of harm to self or others is identified, sharing it with relevant parties is justified.
• Never assume another organization has actioned the referral

Should you wish to discuss your referral before submitting it, a full list of NTU’s Designated Safeguarding Officers’ contact details can be found in ‘Further Information, Contacts and Resources’.

Immediate protection in an emergency

In the rare event that there is an immediate risk to life, the emergency services should be contacted by calling (9)999.

If a student, member of staff or member of the public is in immediate danger, at risk from someone else or themselves, immediate action should be taken to contact:

• the relevant emergency services (police, ambulance, and fire and rescue service) by dialling 999
• University Security Control Room  on 0115 848 2222 (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

As a predominantly higher education institution, the majority of learners here at NTU would not necessarily fall under the legal definition of a ‘Child’ or meet the threshold for ‘Adult at Risk of Harm’. Therefore, in most circumstances a Wellbeing Referral would be the most appropriate escalation route rather than a Safeguarding Referral.

In these circumstances our NTU Wellbeing Team are there to help and support. They can support students with a range of concerns including:

• Disclosures that identify a risk to self or others (including suicidal thoughts/attempts, self harm, domestic violence)
• Personal, Emotional and Mental Health Challenges.
• General Wellbeing - including stress and low mood
• Significant life events impacting study - such as bereavements, illness, being a victim of crime, pregnancy and gender identity.
• Estrangement and family breakdown
• Substance addiction
• University pressures - including homesickness, overwhelm or bullying

Our specialist wellbeing service teams include:

• Wellbeing Advisors
• Mental Health Support Specialists
• Student Support Advisers
• Counsellors.

Students can access these specialist services by completing the online Support and Wellbeing Referral Form above for themselves or colleagues or any third party can refer on a students behalf:

It is always best practice to gain the student’s consent before making a wellbeing referral on their behalf.

However, disclosures that identify a risk to self or others (including suicidal thoughts/attempts, self harm, domestic violence) should be escalated to the NTU Wellbeing Team, even in the absence of explicit consent.

Where a student has disclosed suicidal thoughts, a recent suicide attempt or there is a risk of significant harm to the student or others:

• If there is an immediate risk to life please call 999.
• In a non-emergency situation please refer the student to the NTU Wellbeing Team using the Support and Wellbeing Referral Form stating the risk clearly. Consent is preferred but not needed in these circumstances.
• Out of Hours? (after 5 pm or weekends) contact NTU Security (Emergencies) or call 0115 848 2222
• In addition to the above consider signposting to the NHS Mental Health Crisis Service on 0808 196 3779.

The NHS crisis line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people of all ages.

It is always best practice to gain the student’s consent before making a Support and Wellbeing referral on their behalf.

However, disclosures that identify a risk to self or others (including suicidal thoughts/attempts, self harm, domestic violence) should be escalated to the NTU Wellbeing Team, even in the absence of explicit consent.

It is always best practice to gain the student’s consent before making a safeguarding or wellbeing referral on their behalf.

However, in some circumstances this is not possible or may take too long given the student’s immediate need.

Any disclosures or concerns that identify a Safeguarding Concern (Children and Adults at Risk Of Harm) or a risk to self or others (including suicidal thoughts/attempts, self harm, domestic violence) should be escalated even in the absence of explicit consent.

The Prevent Duty is a statutory duty which requires Relevant Higher Education Bodies (RHEBs) to have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. Prevent is about supporting and protecting people who might be susceptible to being drawn into terrorism.

To find out more about our Prevent Duty please view these useful videos that have been co-created by NTU and the Department for Education:

• An introduction to the prevent duty for higher education learners 
• What are Prevent and CONTEST?
• What is Radicalisation?
• Behaviours Signs and Symptoms
• Safeguarding under the Prevent Duty
• UK Terror Threats
• What are the main threats from terrorism in the UK?

The University is committed to freedom of speech. We also have a duty to consider whether an external speaker might share extremist views. Such views risk drawing people into terrorism, or are shared by terrorist groups.

If you’re concerned about an external speaker at an event you’re hosting, see our freedom of speech policy. We expect that events will go ahead unless we could not apply mitigations to the risk.

Who to speak to:

Opinion alone is not necessarily an issue. If you have any doubt on whether something is a potential Prevent issue, please speak to your line manager in the first instance. They can then discuss this with the NTU Prevent Lead, Victoria Fanning, if necessary.

Please use the safeguarding referral forms above to report a Prevent Concern on the same day that you receive the disclosure.

Should you need to discuss a safeguarding enquiry please fill in the referral form and the appropriate Designated Safeguarding Officer will contact you within 24 hours.

NTU does not tolerate any forms of sexual violence. All students deserve the opportunity to study, learn, and live in an environment free of all forms of sexual abuse. We have dedicated, trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs) who can support students at their own pace.

We define sexual violence as any sexual act occurring without the consent of all parties. This includes, but is not limited to:

• sexual assault
• rape
• sexual harassment
• stalking
• the sharing of sexual images without consent.

At NTU we have a team of trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLOs). They offer support to students who have experienced any form of sexual violence.

Students can self-refer for sexual violence support via report with contact details through Report + Support.

To refer a student for sexual violence support, fill out our online form.

Our support is confidential, respectful, and non-judgmental. You do not need to disclose anything to the team that you are not comfortable doing so. We will respect your wishes and needs.

Our support for you consists of:

• offering students a single point of contact within the University to support them on what they may need
• sharing information about specialist support within the university and in the community
• Sharing information about what reporting to the police or the university can look like
• Working with course teams in cases where
  • there are impacts on studies, or
  • students may need adjustments or time out
• advising students about the Notification of Extenuating Circumstances process
• offering a point of contact during the period of any police investigation.

External sexual violence support services

NTU is proud to be a member of The Nottingham Consent Coalition. The coalition works within the community to prevent and respond to sexual violence. We've worked with other local services to create an exhaustive guide that details:

• what external support can look like in Nottingham, and
• what reporting to the police may look like.

For more information, see the coalition's support information for adults. You can also take a look at the Consent Coalition’s campaigns.

Nottingham Sexual Violence Support Services (Notts SVSS) - Notts SVS Services offer a range of specialist sexual violence support. This includes:

• a variety of counselling options
• Independent Sexual Violence Advisors
• a specialist sexual violence helpline
• a variety of other therapeutic support.

Visit the SVSS website or call 0115 941 0440.

Refer to the Topaz Centre, Nottinghamshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre. The Topaz Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). It offers free professional and confidential support and practical help. It's available to anyone in Nottinghamshire who has experienced sexual violence and / or sexual abuse. The Topaz Centre has trained specialist workers. They'll will guide you through an assessment of your needs and the options available for you. For more information, visit the Topaz Centre website or call their 24-hour helpline on 0800 085 9993.

East Midlands Children and Young People's Sexual Assault Service (EMCYPSAS). EMCYPSAS is the Sexual Assault Referral Centre for anyone who is 17 years old or younger. Visit the EMCYPSAS website or call them on 0800 183 0023.

NTSU Respect and Consent. NTU works closely with Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU). Together we run campaigns and provide support for students. Find out more about how NTSU is working to support students around sexual health and consent.

Refuge national domestic abuse helpline. Refuge operates a national domestic abuse helpline. It's free, and it's open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call 0808 2000 247. If you are unsure of local services in your area, please email student support services. We'll be able to advise you.

Revenge Porn Helpline. The Revenge Porn Helpline is a specialist service. It supports anyone who's had their nude or sexual images shared without their consent. It doesn't matter why the images are shared — it doesn't just have to be revenge.

It also offers support in instances of:

• threats to share intimate images, even if they're not shared
• the non-consensual taking of images e.g. upskirting, downblousing, and secret filming.

The Revenge Porn Helpline can:

• help remove images
• offer legal advice and emotional support
• provide step-by-step guides for removing images. This includes performing reverse image searches and setting up alerts.

You can also call the Revenge Porn Helpline on 0345 6000 459.

The University expects all students to adhere to the Student Code of Behaviour on and off campus and for all staff to adhere to University policies and procedures.

If you have experienced, or have observed, student or staff behaviour that breaches these policies and procedures, you can report it either anonymously or with contact details. If you make a report with contact details, an adviser will be in touch to offer support, guidance and agree next steps.

Reports may include:

• Sexual misconduct or assault. Our team of trained Sexual Violence officers can offer you confidential support, with incidents that have happened now or in the past.
• Bullying and harassment.
• Hate Incident or discrimination based on a protected characteristic, including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Alternatively, you can view our support articles on Report + Support, for advice and guidance.

You can tell us about alleged inappropriate behaviour of NTU staff through Report + Support, either with your contact details or anonymously. This includes allegations of sexual misconduct, discrimination, bullying, harassment and hate incidents. We encourage you to provide your contact details as we cannot investigate a complaint or support you unless we have your contact details.

The university is committed to high standards of openness and accountability to tackling any malpractice within the workplace. The UK Government introduced legislation in the form of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, (PIDA), which was amended in June 2013. PIDA is designed to give protection to employees and workers who disclose confidential information about malpractice in the workplace, whether carried out by another employee or the employer. Such disclosures are commonly referred to as whistleblowing and the university policy for this is held on the HR webpages.

The NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line (0800 028 0285 / help@nspcc.org.uk) offers free advice and support to professional with concerns about how child protection issues are being handled in their own or another organisation.