Student Personal Safety in Placement Settings
The University is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students undertaking health and social care placements.
Many of our programmes involve shift work including nights, weekend and evening working. Our guidance ensures you have all the information needed to stay safe during your placement.
Placement induction
Information about each placement area is held on ARC. Useful information about traveling and parking should be included for you.
When you make initial contact with your mentor/educator you are also able to ask them any additional questions that you have about travel arrangements and safety.
If you are working in a community or lone working setting you should be inducted into the safety practices of staff and students in that setting e.g. how you let other staff know where you are, carrying a mobile phone etc.
Personal safety when travelling to and from practice placement settings
Below is some ideas of things you can do to ensure personal safety:
- Inform someone of your shift pattern/travel plans
- If using a car to commute, try to park close to your workplace, in a well-lit area and close to a carpark exit. Have your keys ready before your leave your workplace and lock the doors when you are inside the vehicle.
- When walking stick to well-lit routes and avoid shortcuts through quiet or isolated areas. In addition, avoid distractions, such as headphones or looking at your phone.
- When using public transport plan your route, sit near the driver if you are on a bus. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, get up and move away.
- Take extra care at crowded bus stops or on crowded buses and trains.
- Keep your bag closed and make sure your personal items such as phones and laptops are not accessible.
- Report any safety concerns immediately to your practice placement area and University contact.
Useful links for personal safety
Preventing harassment and sexual misconduct
All new students across the University are expected to undertake a training module to ensure they comprehend what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct including understanding consent.
All students will understand how they can report incidents to the University, what the University is doing to address such issues and what support is available for any student affected.
Sexual safety in the NHS and Practice Placements
On 4 September 2023, NHS England launched its first ever sexual safety charter in collaboration with key partners across the healthcare system.
The policy:
- describes what sexual misconduct is and how to report it
- outlines our approach to tackling sexual misconduct and dealing with perpetrators
- provides a summary of support available to employees/students
Support for Sexual Safety
University of Gloucestershire is committed to providing a safe, inclusive environment. We support anyone experiencing sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, spiking, domestic abuse, or hate crime.
Get support
We have our Student Centres– one in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester where our advisors are trained in receiving disclosures and all conversations are confidential:
- Book an appointment – Book face-to-face or online appointments
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 01242 714444
You can also speak to:
- A Dignity Adviser (staff who promote respectful attitudes)
- Your Personal Tutor/placement link tutor/coach in practice
- Your Residential Support Adviser (if you are living in halls)
External support services
Victim Support or call 08081 689111
Report a sexual safety incident
You can report incidents using the online reporting tool found within the MyHelp section “Health and Wellbeing”
You can report an incident anonymously or with details, or speak in person to an advisor at one of our Student Centres. The University can also support you if you wish to report to the police.
University Campus based concerns about safety
Students and staff are reminded that the University’s security team are on hand should you need them on campus at any time.
Should you witness or be involved in an accident, incident, something doesn’t seem right on campus, you are encouraged to call our security comms room at the earliest opportunity on 01242 714934 (Park, FCH, Oxstalls, City). As Pittville is managed by a third party, please call 07740 913684 if you need security within the student village.
The person on-duty will then radio the nearest security team member, who will come and find you. If, for whatever reason, there is no answer, you can call the relevant site mobile number:
- Security comms room – 07984 560861
- Park – 07801 183630
- FCH – 07736 692087
- Oxstalls – 07793 245017
- City – 07425 349501
Save these numbers in your phone for easy access when you need them.
We encourage you to contact security if you need help when on campus, especially out of normal working hours; they are on hand to help. Every member of our security team is first aid trained, and is able to offer support with any kind of incident on campus.
In an emergency
If the incident you are reporting requires the emergency services, please call 999 in the first instance, and then contact campus security.
If something happens on campus and you feel you need to go somewhere safe where you will find someone to talk to, you can drop into any of the security offices. These are located as follows:
- Park – Fullwood Lodge FWL004
- FCH – Hospitality Centre, adjacent to the Refectory entrance
- Oxstalls – Mulberry Lodge ML002
- City – GC021C, opposite the reception desk.
Supporting Each Other
We all play a role in keeping our university community safe. If you see someone who may need help, or something that doesn’t seem right, please report this at the earliest opportunity.
Reporting an incident
All accidents, incidents and near misses must be reported at the earliest opportunity, to allow the health and safety team to complete an investigation, and where necessary, arrange for any remedial actions to be carried out.
You can report an incident using the form on MyGlos and Staffnet.
Reporting incidents helps to keep everyone safe and prevent re-occurrence in the future.
If you are unsure if something should be reported, or you have any queries, please contact the health and safety team at [email protected]
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