Dear All,
 
This seems to be a difficult issue without definitive advice at the moment. "The DfES are working with others, including UUK and GuildHE, to prepare guidance, which they intend to publish early next year."  Collegues may be interested in this conference:

Safeguarding Children: Issues for HEIs Dealing with Under 18s Tuesday 28 November at Woburn House Conference Centre, London WC1

The conference will examine some of the different contexts in which HEIs might have dealings with under 18s and how legislation impacts on those activities. The range of activities will vary from institution to institution but would include the following:

          *        Outreach or widening participation programmes offered by HEIs.

          *        Admissions 

          *        Open days and other events for potential students or the wider community.

          *        Placements for TDA Teacher Training and some healthcare programmes.

As you will be aware the Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education has recently written to all HEIs asking about systems to safeguard under 18s in HE.  The DfES are working with others, including UUK and GuildHE, to prepare guidance, which they intend to publish early next year.  This conference will provide the opportunity for HEIs to discuss the key issues and implications, to share examples of good practice in the sector and to contribute to the proposed guidance. 

The conference will be chaired by Professor Les Ebdon, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bedfordshire and other speakers include:  Julie Walkling, Head of Student Services, London Metropolitan University and Chair, AMOSSHE; Richard Sykes, Associate, Mills and Reeves; Rhiannon Evans, Director Action on Access; Veronica King, Vice President, Welfare, NUS and Gerri McAndrew, Chief Executive, The Frank Buttle Trust. A senior representative from the HE Directorate at DfES will also join us to give the keynote address. 

A full agenda and booking from is available to download on the website at www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/events  or contact Catriona Coyle on  0207 419 5411 or by e-mail [log in to unmask] Details of the programme will be updated on the website as further information becomes available. 

The conference will be of interest to Pro Vice-Chancellors, Academic Registrars, Admissions Officers, Student Services, staff responsible for student placements and all those involved in widening participation activities in HEIs.

Catriona Coyle,  Events Manager, Universities UK

Direct tel  +44 (0)20 7419 5411 Email  [log in to unmask]

 

Registered Office: Press and Public Affairs Team, Woburn House, 20 Tavistock

Square, London, WC1H 9HQ 

Switchboard Tel +44 (0)20 7419 4111  Fax +44 (0)20 8383 5766

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Mel

 
Melanie Landells
Head of Equality & Diversity
Secretariat
Plymouth University
Plymouth PL4 8AA
[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> 
01752 233973

________________________________

From: HE Administrators equal opportunities list on behalf of Smith, Geoff
Sent: Tue 24/10/2006 11:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: 16-18 year olds



Dear All

I am not sure that this is the right group to receive this plea but I will try and apologies to those who receive it on another list as I am going to use a scatter gun approach.

At Sheffield Hallam we used to have minimum age of entry of 18 to our undergraduate courses but we have now got rid of this because of the age discrimination legislation. We envisage that we will have a small number of 16-18 year olds in future and we want to issue some practical guidance to faculties and central departments about what additional support is required for this age group in order to meet our additonal duty of care. We already have specific guidance relating to younger children on summer schools and to widening participation activities. I have also read a number of general child protection policies from other universities. However, none of these seem to address the issues relating to this group where it seems to be risky just to support them in exactly the same way as all other students but, equally, inappropriate to treat them as if they were much younger.  Any examples of what other universities do now or are going to do would be most gratefully received. 

Thanks
Geoff Smith

**************************
Geoff Smith
Assistant Secretary
Sheffield Hallam University
University Secretariat
City Campus
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Telephone: 0114 225 3854
Email: [log in to unmask]