This supporting guidance is intended to assist institutions and individuals with interpreting and implementing the Staff and Students Relationships Policy.

1. Introduction

1.1. The Policy concerning Personal Relationships between staff and students (hereafter ‘the Policy’) is intended to protect members of staff and students from misconduct and allegations of actual or perceived conflicts of interest by providing a framework of guidance and regulations and by ensuring appropriate safeguards and processes are in place to prevent abuses of power and sexual misconduct.

1.2. Positive professional relationships between members of staff and students are an essential part of supporting our students’ educational development and ensuring their welfare whilst at the University. However, when relationships between staff and students become personal in nature, they may lead to actual or perceived imbalances of power or authority, accusations of bias or exploitation, and questions about the nature of consent. This can undermine trust and confidence in the academic process, impair academic progress and negatively affect the welfare of the student.

1.3. This Guidance is designed to help staff and students, including Heads of Institutions, in determining how the Policy should be implemented and provides further information about disclosure, staff responsibility and behaviours.

1.4. This Guidance should be read in conjunction with the Policy and does not form part of employees' terms and conditions of employment.

1.5. Relevant staff members are prohibited from pursuing or entering into an intimate relationship with any student for whom they have any direct or indirect academic responsibilities, or other direct professional responsibilities.

1.6. Relevant staff members are strongly discouraged from entering into a close personal relationship with any student for whom they have any direct or indirect academic responsibilities, or other direct professional responsibilities. When such relationships do occur, they must be declared so that an assessment can be made of any potential conflict of interest and influence.

1.7. Failure to comply with the Policy will be considered as a Disciplinary matter.

1.8. The terms in 1.5 and 1.6 are defined in Section 3.

1.9. The Policy is not intended to restrict informal relationships between postgraduate students working closely in teams with other postgraduates, who are also employed as staff, or post-doctoral researchers, where the relationship between them is one of ‘support’ not ‘responsibility.’ See Section 8.