You can make a report to any member of staff. The member of staff will be able to listen and refer you to more specialist support from the staff detailed below.
For students – Student Engagement, Wellbeing and Success (SEWS)
The SEWS Team are based at our Bedford Square building on the ground floor. SEWS advisors are trained to talk through any problems you may be experiencing and offer appropriate internal support or, when required, refer you to external specialists You can make an appointment to speak with a SEWS advisor by emailing sews@bil.ac.uk.
SEWS Advisors can:
- Listen to you without making any judgments about what you say.
- Offer confidential information on issues relating to harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct.
- Explain the informal and formal procedures under the Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures and Dignity and Respect Policy.
- Help you to explore the various options available to you.
- Help you to explore other sources of support which may be available to you.
SEWS Advisors cannot:
- Offer advice or solutions on what you should do.
- Act as your advocate.
- Make decisions on whether bullying or harassment has taken place.
- Maintain confidentiality if they believe that there is a risk of harm to you or others.
For staff – Head of People and Development or Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DCOO)
The Head of People and Development provides options for both informal resolution and formal procedures in reports of misconduct by staff members. The Head of People and Development cannot provide support if the reported party is a student (please refer to SEWS Advisors above for reports involving student misconduct).
A report involving staff misconduct is assigned to the Head of People and Development who will further support the reporting party in either informally resolving the situation or through escalating it to the formal grievance or disciplinary procedure if an informal resolution cannot be reached or would be inappropriate. In reports relating to sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, the Head of People and Development will refer the reporting party to the DCOO who is a trained Sexual Violence Liaison Officer and can provide initial specialist support and advice. If formal action is decided upon, the DCOO will refer the reporting party back to the Head of People and Development.
Anonymous reports are also passed to the Head of People and Development for an oversight on their respective academic school, division/department, though no contact is possible with the anonymous reporter.
The Head of People and Development can also provide anonymised information on a no-names basis if you’d want to take his advice without reporting it through any channel. The Head of People and Development is Antony Charles (antony.charles@bil.ac.uk).
Please note that the Head of People and Development is unable to provide advocacy which means that he will not be able to provide representation for you during any formal processes. Further independent advice on workplace rights and responsibilities can be found on the ACAS website.
Sexual Violence Liaison Officers (SVLO)
Our SVLOs are here to support students and staff who have experienced sexual violence. They offer a safe space for students and staff to discuss their experiences, understand their options, and access appropriate resources and support. The Director of SEWS and the Deputy COO are trained SVLOs, and you can access this service by emailing svlo@bil.ac.uk to make an appointment.