Policy changes for students and colleagues

Earlier this year, the Office for Students published its ‘Statement of Expectations for preventing and addressing harassment and sexual misconduct affecting students in higher education’. This is a set of recommendations to support higher education providers in England to develop effective systems, policies and processes to prevent and respond to incidents of harassment and sexual misconduct.

Following this, the University has been working closely with the Students’ Union to review student- and colleague-focused policies and procedures. 

As part of this, extensive consultation has taken place with a range of key stakeholders including our recognised trade unions, Student Experience Committee, Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and colleague networks.

How have policies at Westminster changed?

• We have revised the Student Disciplinary Regulations and Student Code of Conduct to outline the support we provide to students using the procedure and how we will us a risk assessment approach to casework. 
• The Student Complaints Procedure has been updated to clarify how the cases involving both staff and students will be investigated and responded to and how we will keep students informed of outcomes. The Procedure also sets out how we will use a risk assessment approach to casework.
• The University has also developed a new Professional Boundaries and Personal Relationships Policy (colleague/student) which provides clarity on staff obligations in relation to their engagement with students – including personal relationships between staff and students. This new policy expressly states the circumstances in which personal relationships (as defined in the policy) between staff and students are prohibited – and sets out the provisions around family and business relationships between colleagues and students, with associated obligations on staff 

These changes came into effect on 1 August 2022 and are accompanied by a revised Diversity and Dignity at Work and Study Policy. This policy supports the University’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity and protects the well-being of all members of the University community. 

It also sets out the University’s position on bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation and microaggressions, and provides a framework for colleagues and students to understand the routes by which issues and concerns about such matters may be raised and resolution sought. 

Additionally, the revised policy sets out the support available for staff and students to report issues to the University through our Report and Support portal.