Ensuring Safe and Respectful Campuses

To ensure that students are not subject to abuse of power by staff, any intimate or romantic relationships between staff and students are prohibited. Staff may be at risk of disciplinary action in line with LTE Staff Disciplinary Policy.

Students are encouraged to speak up if they ever feel that a staff member is trying to initiate a relationship that goes beyond professional boundaries of learning and teaching. UCEN Manchester takes such concerns extremely seriously, and any reports will be handled sensitively, respectfully and aligned with our policies.

Equally, if a staff member feels that a student is behaving in a way that goes beyond appropriate professional boundaries, they should report their concerns to the Head of Student Advice, Support and Wellbeing. Students may be at risk of disciplinary action in line with our Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy.

UCEN Manchester takes these matters seriously and will ensure that all reports are handled with sensitivity, confidentiality, and appropriate support. Staff and students both have the right to work in a safe and respectful environment, and we are committed to upholding those standards at all times.

All new students receive training on key topics including consent, harassment, and bystander intervention. From Academic Year 25/26, this training is mandatory.

Our staff are also trained to understand, identify, and respond to concerns or disclosures of harassment or misconduct.

We offer contextualised training tailored to the needs of specific groups, such as course cohorts, student societies, or student representatives. For example, students at The Arden School of Theatre take part in TONIC’s Participate programme each October, while students in the Manchester Film School must complete the ScreenSkills Training Passport before being granted access to our film studios.

You can access support whether you:

• Have experienced harassment, sexual misconduct, or gender-based violence
• Are supporting someone who has been affected
• Are the subject of a report or allegation

Support available includes:

• Guidance from the Future U Student Support Team - email wellbeing@ucenmanchester.ac.uk
• Access to counselling via PAM Assist, our Student Assistance Programme - you can telephone them for free on 08081 963533
• Pastoral support from your course team – talk to your Personal Tutor
• See section at the bottom of the page for external organisations who can help too.

If you experience or witness harassment, sexual misconduct, or gender-based violence, you can make a report through UCEN Manchester's confidential reporting route: How to Report an Incident at UCEN Manchester

You have options in how your report is handled:

• Seek support without taking formal action - wellbeing@ucenmanchester.ac.uk
• Make a formal complaint - feedback@ucenmanchester.ac.uk
• Submit a report anonymously - How to Report an Incident at UCEN Manchester

We will always respect your choice and will explain any steps we may need to take if there is a risk to your safety or others.

• Reports are handled sensitively and confidentially.
• You will be assigned a caseworker from the Future U Student Support Team to explain your options.
• Investigations, if needed, are carried out by trained staff who are impartial and professional.
• You will be supported throughout the process, and outcomes will be clearly explained.

UCEN Manchester has never used Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) in relation to complaints, student disclosures, or grievance processes. In line with OfS regulation and our ongoing commitment to transparency, we confirm that this approach will continue and NDAs will not be used.