At ARU we take our responsibility to ensure the safety of our students very seriously.
We treat everyone with respect, will not tolerate sexual misconduct, violence, or abuse and we will take all reasonable steps to keep our campus and community safe.
This also extends to our students who have chosen to study at the University as part of an apprenticeship programme.
We are committed to working together to create a fantastic learning experience for our apprentices, and to ensure the highest levels of safety and wellbeing.
This document supports our compliance with the Office for Students’ new condition of registration on student wellbeing and safeguarding, ensuring apprentices are protected from harm and supported throughout their learning journey.
Safeguarding governance is overseen by the University Prevent and Safeguarding Steering Group, chaired by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The group meets quarterly to review incidents, training compliance, policy updates and latest safeguarding developments.
All staff working with apprentices complete mandatory safeguarding training, including modules on Prevent, sexual violence, and mental health awareness. Enhanced training is provided for designated safeguarding leads.
Report and Support is our online reporting tool to make it easier for apprentices to tell us their situation.
There is also advice available if an apprentice is worried about someone.
Employers have a duty to comply with all current and future UK legislation and statutory responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.
There is a particular expectation that as an employer, you should take responsibility for an apprentice’s welfare in the workplace and to also seek appropriate advice when you feel an apprentice may be at risk in their personal lives.
The following information explains the different university support available and provides information you may wish to incorporate into your own internal guidance.
Safeguarding is about protecting a person's right to live in safety; it is about working together to prevent and stop both the risk and experience of abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding traditionally focusses on the responsibilities of institutions to protect young people under the age of 18, and vulnerable adults who lack capacity, or are unable to keep themselves safe.
However, on a day-to-day, operational level the University also manages safeguarding by supporting adult apprentices who are affected by behaviour that is intentionally harmful to them.
This includes:
Concerns around individual apprentices’ safety are addressed through a suite of complementary University processes.
The Cause for Concern process enables staff from across the university to refer an apprentice to the Counselling & Wellbeing Service if they have concerns about their wellbeing. The service will contact the apprentice within 24 hours to offer confidential support.
We also have emergency procedures for individuals at imminent and/or immediate risk which complement our Cause for Concern process.
Report and Support is our confidential online platform where apprentices can report concerns related to safeguarding, harassment, or wellbeing. Reports can be made anonymously or with contact details, and all submissions are reviewed by trained staff.
Employers can also share any safeguarding concerns they may have using Report and Support and can find out more on our comments and complaints page.
Risk Case Review meetings occur weekly. and are attended by representatives from across the University to discuss incidents of concern, actions are agreed and then monitored.
These processes form part of a continuum of University responses which support the safety and wellbeing of apprentices. They also enable staff to reflect on concerns which, on closer consideration, may require further action and involvement from external services.
Key to their effective delivery is the understanding that safeguarding is best managed collectively and iteratively through a continual process of risk assessment, risk management and agreed interventions.
These processes interact closely with the University’s Prevent Policy and Rules, Regulations and Procedures for Students which provides clarity about the behaviours which are not acceptable within the university community.
For apprentices enrolled on courses leading to professional registration our fitness to practice protocol also applies. Details can be found in the Rules, Regulations and Procedures for Students.
ARU’s Ofsted’s February 2025 inspection rated our safeguarding arrangements as effective, highlighting our proactive use of ‘Cause for Concern’ reports and swift action by the student support and wellbeing team.
The Prevent Duty is part of the Counterterrorism and Security Act and places legal requirements on universities to have due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism and to ensure vulnerable individuals receive timely and appropriate support.
There is no single way of identifying a person who may be vulnerable to extremist ideology, and it is often the culmination of several influences. These can include family, friends, or relationships they have made online. Extremism can also include non-violent action.
ARU believes that honest, thoughtful, and respectful debate forms a vital part of education, and we provide a safe and welcoming environment where apprentices have the freedom to express and discuss varying views.
An important part of Prevent, is also the promotion of British values. These are the norms that shape our society, and which are enshrined in law, through legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.
British values are described as:
Apprentices are encouraged to explore ideas in a context where these values are recognised and respected.
As digital engagement forms an integral part of how we work and study, it’s important we take measures to safeguard our apprentice’s digital wellbeing.
We want our apprentices to be confident in the ways in which they can protect themselves online and ensure the security of their personal data.
An important part of an apprentice’s development at university is becoming a critical thinker. Developing this critical mindset will also help apprentices to examine and appraise the validity and authenticity of information online.
Safeguarding in practice
If you find that you need help managing a particular set of circumstances with an apprentice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to support you.
An apprentice may feel comfortable talking to some people about an issue and not others. The University will endeavour to be as transparent as possible with employers, while respecting the apprentice’s trust.
Although a lot of safeguarding activity is reactive, we encourage you to have regular meetings and supervisory sessions with your apprentice so that you can act on any concerns that arise.
An apprentice may not seek help, but there are common signs which can help you to recognise when things are wrong:
If the apprentice or someone else is at immediate risk of harm please do not hesitate, call the emergency services.
Safeguarding and Prevent enquiries
[email protected]
Apprenticeship queries
[email protected]
Lead Safeguarding Officer
Paul Bogle, Secretary & Clerk
[email protected]
Deputy Lead Safeguarding Officer (Students)
David Walmsley, Deputy Director, Student and Library Services
[email protected]
Deputy Lead Safeguarding Officer (Staff)
Dawn Taylor, Deputy Secretary (Compliance & Risk)
[email protected]
Apprentice Safeguarding Co-ordinator
Cliona O'Dunlaing, Dean of the ARU School of Apprenticeships
[email protected]