Overview

Safeguarding of young people under 18 and vulnerable adults

The University of York is legally obliged and committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people under 18 and vulnerable adults who access its activities or services. These include visits to the campus, users of the campus nursery, registered students who are under 18, children and vulnerable adults who come onto University premises as part of organised activities such as visits or summer schools and University staff and students engaged in activities off campus, including widening participation activities in local schools and volunteering. Also taken into consideration are the requirements for some students, as part of their course, to work with or undertake research or placements that will bring them into contact with children or vulnerable adults.

The University must ensure that reasonable steps to promote and safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults are taken and that relevant legislation and government guidance are complied with. In accordance with Aimhigher and the City of York Safeguarding Board the University has appointed the Academic Registrar as University’s lead member of staff in relation to safeguarding issues.

A number of procedures and guidelines have been established and agreed within the University to work towards ensuring fulfilment of the duty of care towards young people and vulnerable adults. All members of staff who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults are in a position of trust and are responsible for being aware of this and act accordingly in ensuring their role in the University’s duty of care is fully carried out.

Students

Students under 18

Offers of admission to students who will be under 18 at registration may be made and the University recognises that it has a particular duty of care to these students which may require the implementation of specific procedures. The University has a robust system of pastoral support for all students.

Details of the Admissions processes for students under 18 can be obtained from Student Recruitment and Admissions. Student Support Services is responsible for ensuring that Departments and Colleges are made aware of any student in their area who is under 18 at the beginning of the academic year.

Procedures are in place for students under 18 occupying residential accommodation on campus. Further details are available from Accommodation Services.

Prospective students

Departments are responsible for managing their own safeguarding measures. Students accepted onto undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Social Work, Medicine, Midwifery, Teacher Training and Nursing are required to obtain a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) or Disclosure Scotland. The department to which the student has applied will send these applicants details of the CRB process. Further information is available from the Department of Health Sciences, the Department of Social Policy and Social Work and the Hull York Medical School websites.

The Department of Health Sciences is currently involved in a trial for an electronic online application system for CRB checks through Atlantic Data.  The decision will be taken at the end of the trial period whether to extend the system further within the university.

Students applying to the Department of Education are advised that the department follows the guidelines issued by the TDA/TTA and that CRB disclosures are required in some cases. Further information is available from the department.

Widening participation and recruitment activities

The University carries out a wide range of activities form young people in order to increase the levels of successful participation in HE for students and University staff are likely to go into local schools as part of widening participation and recruitment activities in addition to running residential summer schools on campus. Separate guidance has been produced in line with Aimhigher guidance.

Childcare provision

The University Nursery provides childcare services on campus and is covered by comprehensive child protection policies and procedures in accordance with Ofsted requirements.

CRB checks for other students who work with children and vulnerable adults

The University of York Students' Union (YUSU) and the University Careers Service coordinates opportunities for staff and students to engage in volunteering (CAVU) and also runs ‘York Students in Schools’ (YSIS) which provides students the opportunity to volunteer as student tutors in local schools. It is a requirement that all YSIS members must obtain a disclosure from the CRB before they begin a placement.  The department has established a series of safeguarding policies and procedures for students and staff engaged in volunteering activities. Further information is available on the website:

Sports Centre

All Sports Centre staff at the Unviersity are CRB checked and approved to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Payment for CRB checks

Staff

Safer recruitment and selection processes

Many staff across the University will be in regular or significant occasional contact with under 18s or vulnerable adults in the course of their work.

The University will maintain robust recruitment practice and take steps to ensure that it complies with safeguarding legislation and guidance. This will include CRB checks where it is deemed necessary by a department.  It is the responsibility of the department to ensure that CRB forms are completed and counter signed by the appropriate HR manager. HR Services will then ensure that the process is completed.

The University is committed to ensuring that relevant staff and students have appropriate checks in accordance with accepted practices to ensure their suitability to work with under 18s and vulnerable adults or their fitness to practice on certain courses.

Widening Participation and student recruitment activities

The University carries out a wide range of activities form young people in order to increase the levels of successful participation in HE for students and University staff are likely to go into local schools as part of widening participation and recruitment activities in addition to running residential summer schools on campus. Separate guidance has been produced in line with Aimhigher guidance.

Childcare provision

The University Nursery provides childcare services on campus and is covered by comprehensive child protection policies and procedures in accordance with Ofsted requirements.

CRB checks for other students who work with children and vulnerable adults

The University of York Students' Union (YUSU) and the University Careers Service co-ordinates opportunities for staff and students to engage in volunteering (CAVU) and also runs ‘York Students in Schools’ (YSIS) which provides students the opportunity to volunteer as student tutors in local schools. It is a requirement that all YSIS members must obtain a disclosure from the CRB before they begin a placement.  The department has established a series of safeguarding policies and procedures for students and staff engaged in volunteering activities. Further information is available on the website: add link

Sports Centre

All Sports Centre staff at the Unviersity are CRB checked and approved to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Payment for CRB checks

The University pays for CRB checks required for staff working at the University. Departments are expected to pay for CRB checks for staff on a casual engagement.

Any members of staff working with children or vulnerable adults who need advice or have concerns should contact Jill Ellis, Student Support Services.

Links

• CRB Website
• Aimhigher
• City of York Safeguarding Board
• North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board

Contacts