Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
At Blackburn College, we are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student can thrive. Student safety is our highest priority, and we continually work to prevent and respond effectively to harassment, bullying, and sexual misconduct.
This webpage is the College’s Single Comprehensive Source of Information (SCSI), as required by the Office for Students under Condition E6. It summarises our approach to preventing and addressing student harassment and sexual misconduct, including:
- Definitions of harassment and sexual misconduct
- Our policies and reporting procedures
- Guidance on intimate personal relationships between staff and students
- Our responsibilities under freedom of speech legislation
- Sources of support, training, and investigation procedures
We encourage students to contact the Safeguarding and Pastoral Team as the first point of contact. The team provides clear reporting options, access to trained practitioners and officers, and ensures we can monitor and respond effectively to disclosures. As a result, freedom of speech will be respected and any steps taken to prevent harassment or misconduct will not restrict lawful expression.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is a form of sexual misconduct and can include any unwanted sexual behaviour or activity that occurs without consent. It may be:
- Physical – such as unwanted touching
- Verbal – including inappropriate comments or jokes
- Emotional – such as manipulation or coercion
Blackburn College does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.
We recognise our duty of care to protect and promote the welfare of students. All complaints are taken seriously and will be handled with fairness, sensitivity, and urgency. For further details, see our: Sexual Violence, Harassment and Abuse Policy 2024-2025 (PDF)
How to Report Sexual Harassment
You can report incidents by contacting the Safeguarding Team:
- Phone: 01254 29 2424
- Email: safeguarding@blackburn.ac.uk
Where required, investigations will be carried out under the Student Disciplinary or Staff Disciplinary Policies. Following this, a formal risk assessment will be undertaken to reduce the risk of future harm. This assessment considers potential risks to the individual, their peers, and the College community. Where sexual harassment or misconduct may be involved, the College will take affirmative action to mitigate risks. This process is separate from disciplinary action and will not consider the use of NDA’s in relation to dealing with complaints of this nature.
Please note: For students under the age of 18, the College has a legal obligation and duty of care to report allegations of sexual offences against minors to the Police and to the student’s parents or carers. All such incidents will be referred to the College Designated Safeguarding Lead.
The Safeguarding Team will provide advice, guidance, and next steps tailored to your individual circumstances. This includes putting the right support in place and involving the appropriate authorities if needed.
If the incident occurred outside College:
- Call 101 for non-emergencies
- Call 999 in an emergency
Where Can You Get Support?
If you need confidential support, the following organisations can help:
- Lancashire Victim ServicesPhone: 0300 323 0085
Email: info@lancashirevictimservices.org - The Birchall Trust
Phone: 01254 919 505
Email: enquiries@birchalltrust.org.uk
Training and Awareness
For students: You will receive training through the College’s Personal Development Tutorial sessions on:
- the standards of behaviour expected of students and staff
- how to recognise and report harassment and sexual misconduct
You may opt out of this training if you feel it may bring up issues that you find distressing. If you choose to opt out, we strongly encourage you to review the information provided on this page.
For staff: All staff receive training on professional conduct, definitions of harassment and sexual misconduct, and how to respond appropriately to disclosures. This is delivered at induction and updated annually through mandatory training.
Guidance on Intimate Personal Relationships Between Staff and Students
All staff and students must understand the professional standards of conduct expected at Blackburn College.
Staff must not begin or pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with any student of the College. This applies to all learners, regardless of age, and whether full-time or part-time.
The only exceptions are relationships that were established before employment or before the learner enrolled at the College. Such relationships must be formally declared as a close personal relationship. All employees and volunteers fall within the scope of the Staff and Students Personal Relationships Policy.
