Equality, diversity & inclusion

We are committed to the creation of a fair, welcoming and inclusive environment for all, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

The Department of Health Sciences has an active and impactful Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee as well as several Equality Champions who link with the University’s EDI team. We recognise the importance of equality and fairness for all our staff and students. We work collaboratively across the department to ensure we are at the forefront of EDI matters and that equal opportunities exist in every aspect of departmental working.

We also have an Athena Swan working group which further contributes to promoting a culture of equality in the department through undertaking work to strengthen areas such as recruiting, encouraging and retaining women at all stages of their career. The department currently holds a Silver Athena Swan award in recognition of the achievements that we have already made in this area and the impacts they have had.

For further information about the University’s equality and diversity policies, visit the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages.  To contact the Equality Champions, visit the Key Departmental Roles website. For more information about the EDI committee or Athena Swan please visit the Department’s EDI and Gender Equality webpages.

Bullying & harassment

Dignity Contacts are members of staff who have volunteered to listen to the experiences of reporting students, learners or staff who have concerns about harassment, bullying, or hate incidents, as outlined in the University’s Dignity at Work and Study policy. They provide advice and guidance on the Dignity at Work and Study Policy and procedures, and provide information on how to navigate informal and formal reporting procedures.

The University’s Report & Support tool can be used to report student or learner misconduct and find out about support available for students and learners from the University and other services. 

Safeguarding

Safeguarding our learners is our priority. Working with our partner organisations we will ensure that your safety and wellbeing is taken into consideration throughout the programme. 

Safeguarding at the University is defined as the protection of learners from harm and the promotion of their health, welfare and human rights. The University has an Apprenticeship Safeguarding Policy in place which defines safeguarding; outlines our role and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our apprenticeship learners; and clarifies support and processes in place to report and manage safeguarding concerns. 

Your programme team has a process in place for learners who may present with low-level concerns, this is where the behaviour of an adult does not meet the threshold for a safeguarding referral. Relevant programme team members meet regularly to review your progression and discuss any pastoral, health, safeguarding and programme/ apprenticeship standard related concerns that may impact on your progression. Apprentice learner progression is ‘risk rated’ and an Individual progress plan is developed (should this be required for those learners with an amber or red risk rating), which outlines how we aim to support you with any areas of concern to enable your progression on the programme. 

In addition, monthly Apprentice learner concerns meetings take place, where attendance from the Departmental Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, programme level safeguarding representation, and the Safeguarding Officer for Apprenticeships are present. At these meetings, items are noted within a tracker, risks are reviewed, and feedback provided to Employers for areas of focus and progress made. Referral for further safeguarding support or advice can be taken at this point. Referrals are recorded on the central and departmental safeguarding logs. 

Further information and details of how to report a learner safeguarding concern or the University's approach to safeguarding are available on the University’s safeguarding webpages. 

Prevent & British values

As part of our responsibility to comply with the Prevent duty, learners and staff are expected to understand the Prevent duty, keeping safe from extremism and radicalisation and British values. At the beginning of your programme, you will complete a Prevent awareness course. Following this, the Prevent duty and British values are integrated into the programme through the module content. It is important on the programme that learners can embrace diversity, tackle discrimination, understand equality and human rights, and develop understanding of individual choice whilst valuing the rule of law. 

Accessibility & disability support

For information on support for students and learners with disabilities, please see the Accessibility & Disability Support section of the handbook.