The University has updated its policy on personal relationships between staff, and between staff and students. The policy, which sets out expectations around intimate relationships, aims to help safeguard and protect students and staff from inappropriate behaviour. The updated policy outlines the requirement to declare relevant existing and new intimate relationships and provides a new electronic declaration process for staff and students to do this.
The policy has been updated to bring it into line with the Worker Protection Act (2023) and the new E6 Condition of Registration from the Office for Students which comes into effect from 1 August 2025. Condition E6 introduces requirements for institutions to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct, see more information in our recent news item. The policy was updated in consultation with the trade unions, the Students’ Union and staff networks.
What does the new policy and procedure cover?
As with the previous policy, there is a requirement for staff to declare any staff-student relationship and also staff-staff relationships where there is a supervisory or line management arrangement. There is now a requirement that the supervisory or reporting arrangements cease where personal relationships have developed. Existing relationships, however longstanding, must also be declared so that they are captured under the new procedure.
The declaration process is now electronic. Personal data will be held securely by Human Resources and shared as necessary and proportionate, with records only held for as long as necessary.
See the updated policy and procedure on the HR webpages, where you will also find a link to the declaration form.