Stoke on Trent College is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students. This page serves as our Single Comprehensive Source of Information (SCSI) in line with the Office for Students’ Condition E6. It outlines our approach to preventing and responding to harassment and sexual misconduct, including policies, procedures, support services, and reporting mechanisms.

Definitions of Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

• Harassment: As defined under Section 26 of the Equality Act 2010 and Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, harassment includes unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.
• Sexual Misconduct: Encompasses any unwanted or attempted unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, including but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape.

Reporting Harassment or Sexual Misconduct

If you experience or witness harassment or sexual misconduct, you can report it through the Safeguarding Team

• Email safeguarding@stokecoll.ac.uk
• Telephone 01782 603670
• Online reporting via the college’s Student Portal
• In Person reporting to a member of the Safeguarding team

Reports can be made anonymously or with your name. All reports are treated seriously and confidentially.

What Happens After a Report is Made

1. Initial Review – Reports are received confidentially and reviewed by a safeguarding lead to determine immediate safety needs and next steps.
2. Investigation – A formal investigation is initiated where appropriate, conducted by trained staff following safeguarding protocols.
3. Support During the Process – Students are offered support from academic tutor, Counselling and wellbeing teams, as appropriate.
4. Outcome and Follow-Up – Outcomes may include disciplinary action, mediation, or referral to external agencies. Students are kept informed and have access to appeal procedures.
5. Ongoing Monitoring – Safeguarding concerns are tracked and analysed to identify trends and improve response strategies.

Support Services

We offer a range of support for students affected by harassment or sexual misconduct:

• Counselling and wellbeing services
• Academic support and adjustments
• External referrals (e.g. local support organisations)

Visit our Help & Support area for more information.

Policies and Procedures

Our policies set out how we respond to incidents, including:

• Investigation and disciplinary procedures
• Safeguarding protocols
• Staff responsibilities and training

You can download the current and previous versions of our policies here:

Policy Documents – Stoke-on-Trent College :Stoke-on-Trent College

Staff-Student Relationships

To protect students from potential conflicts of interest or abuse of power, Stoke on Trent College enforces a ban on intimate personal relationships between staff and students. This is a key part of our compliance with Condition E6.

Non-Disclosure Agreements

Stoke on Trent College does not use non-disclosure agreements in relation to complaints of harassment, sexual misconduct or other forms of abuse. 

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you’re unsure about anything on this page or need further support, please contact:

• Safeguarding Lead – safeguarding@stokecoll.ac.uk / 01782 603670