Bullying Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

If you experience any form of bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct or sexually inappropriate behaviour, or you witness someone experiencing any form of sexually inappropriate behaviour, report your experiences using the form found below. You can make requests in the reporting document, for support in contacting police or any other referral service. Scholars School System encourages use of the reporting document as a first point of contact, as this allows for timely access to trained advisors from our student wellness team.

If an allegation is reported, the next steps are to assess the situation and take necessary steps as required while the matter is investigated. The complaint process map posted above, for student complaints, will be followed to address and investigate Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct complaints.

If you report an allegation, please:

• Seek for advice and support: We have appropriate advice and support mechanisms for both staff and students. Staff should reach out to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In case of students, please contact a Safeguarding Campus Representative.
• Limit sharing comments about the allegation with colleagues, classmates or others. The allegation will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and it is requested that all parties involved do the same.

If someone accuses you of BHSM, it can be disturbing and stressful, but be rest assured we have internal mechanisms that ensures all complaints are handled fairly and transparently, and you will be given all the necessary advice, support and guidance you need. The institution’s position on fairness and justice is sacrosanct.

If an allegation is made against you, please do the following:

• Seek for advice and support: We have appropriate advice and support mechanisms for both staff and students. Staff should reach out to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. In case of students, please contact a Safeguarding Campus Representative.
• Please do not contact the reporter whilst the situation is investigated further.
• Limit sharing comments about the allegation with colleagues, classmates or others. The allegation will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and it is requested that all parties involved do the same.

We are committed to protecting students. Intimate personal relationships between staff and students are not allowed and are a violation of this policy.

With the exception of excluded relationships, any relevant staff member is prohibited from having an intimate personal relationship with one or more students; and ii. any breach of such prohibition by a relevant staff member would result in the provider taking appropriate steps in line with its usual disciplinary process, including the possibility of the breach resulting in dismissal of the relevant staff member.

‘Excluded relationships’ means any ongoing intimate personal relationship that:

• i. existed before the date this condition comes into force and that remains in existence; or
• ii. existed before the date that the staff member became a relevant staff member in relation to that student or
• iii. existed before the date that the student enrolled in a programme of study.

Relevant staff member’ means a member of staff who has direct academic responsibilities, or other direct professional responsibilities, in relation to that student

We ensure confidentiality in all matters connected to bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, and will take all reasonable steps to protect the confidentiality of anyone who choose to disclose harassment or sexual misconduct. There may be circumstances where we are required to share information with other departments or agencies or to share information internally with our support teams. Further details about information sharing can be found in our Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct policy, found in the link below.

We are committed to ensuring that all members of the Scholars School System community understand what constitutes Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct. Training is provided during our induction week.

We understand that participating in training or discussion related to incidents of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct can be difficult for some people.

If students wish to opt out of training, please speak to a Safeguarding Campus Representative who will guide you further on the next steps.

We provide training for staff that explains the definitions of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, along with advice and guidance on their responsibilities for supporting students who disclose an event.

We understand that participating in training or discussion related to incidents of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct can be difficult for some people. Please speak to a HR representative if you wish to opt-out of the training.

• Student Support
• Safeguarding and Welfare
• Mental Health resources

• NHS Support after Rape and Sexual Assault
• Rape Crisis
• Women’s Aid
• The Survivors Trust
• Male Survivors Partnership
• The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline
• Rape Crisis: 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line
• Samaritans
• Hate Crime Support
• Stop Hate UK
• Transgender Hate Crime
• Disability Hate Crime
• Action against stalking