B&FC has a zero-tolerance stance towards bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct. We are committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, both physically on our campuses and virtually within our online systems.
We prioritise the prevention of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct, whilst also providing clear lines of reporting and support for students and apprentices when matters do arise.
This webpage is the centralised source of information on how we prevent and respond to issues of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, as required by the Office for Students’ Condition of Registration E6: Harassment and Sexual Misconduct.
Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy (Students and Apprentices) 2025-27
Our policy outlines our recognised definitions of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct, details the college’s zero-tolerance stance, and outlines arrangements for reporting and support. Our policy states our firm commitment to never using a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) in any instance involving bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. Our policy embraces freedom of speech, providing it is within the parameters of the law, as outlined in the B&FC Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.
Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy (Students and Apprentices)
Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech
At B&FC we offer a comprehensive range of support services aimed at helping you reach your full potential.
Preventing Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
Training for Students
All new students and apprentices will undertake training and awareness-raising activities as part of their induction, to ensure that they recognise what constitutes harassment and sexual misconduct. This will highlight this webpage as our single comprehensive source of information, identifying all relevant guidance, policies and support in relation to bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. Through this training, all students and apprentices will know what B&FC is doing to address such issues, how they can report any concerns, and what support is available for any student or apprentice who is affected.
Adjustments
We understand that personal circumstances may mean that engaging with training on the subject of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct may be particularly difficult for some students or apprentices due to their own previous experiences. Our induction processes will ensure that students and apprentices can express their preference to have adjustments made to training to suit their circumstances and to ensure that they are accessing appropriate support.
Training for Employees
All employees are required to undertake bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct training to help identify, address, remove, and prevent such issues. This is covered as part of annual training in safeguarding matters which is compulsory for all employees. All employees are aware of how to direct students and apprentices to sources of support, and how to report incidents of bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct to B&FC.
Relevant colleagues within the student services directorate receive targeted training from local external partners, to support students and apprentices to make a disclosure or report.
Reporting Bullying, Harassment or Sexual Misconduct
B&FC has an online form which you can use to report an instance of bullying, harassment, or sexual misconduct. You can also speak directly to colleagues within our safeguarding and wellbeing team. Any reports will be considered through our Safeguarding Policy (Students and Apprentices) 2024-25.
Reports through our online form can be made anonymously, however we would encourage anybody making a report to include as much information as possible to enable us to provide advice, support, and determine appropriate actions. Reports made anonymously will be fully investigated to the greatest extent possible based on the information provided.
Report bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct to B&FC online
Please note that B&FC does not operate a crisis service.
If you are in immediate danger or are seriously injured, you should contact the emergency services on 999. If an incident has just happened, try to find somewhere you feel safe. You can also contact one of our local support partners detailed below in the ‘External Organisations and Immediate Support’ section.
- The UK Government guidance on ‘Domestic abuse: how to get help’ contains information on free, confidential support across the UK, including how to access Safe Spaces.
- The UK Government Enough campaign provides advice on how to help stop and report abuse, how to get support, and how to check for inappropriate behaviours of abuse.
- You can also access information, advice and support on the NHS Domestic violence and abuse page.
B&FC Formal Complaint
A formal complaint can also be made to B&FC regarding any matters relating to bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct. Further details are available on our Compliments, Complaints and Feedback page.
External Organisations and Immediate Support
Police
If you would like to make a report to the police, you can do so by reporting online by clicking the logo below or over the phone by calling 101.
Victim Support: Lancashire Victim Services
If you have been a victim of crime, whether recently or in the past, Lancashire Victim Services is there to help. It provides emotional support, information, and practical help, regardless of whether you have reported the crime to the police. All its services are free and confidential. You can call on 0300 323 0085.
Sexual Misconduct: Safe Centre
SAFE stands for the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Centre, and provides forensic medical examinations, counselling, support, and advice for all genders and ages who make a complaint of rape or sexual assault. You can self-refer to the SAFE Centre, which is based at Preston Royal Hospital if you want to make a complaint or rape or sexual assault.
The SAFE Centre operates a 24hr telephone support line where either a Sexual Offence Examiner or Crisis Worker is available to talk to.
Call: 01772 523344 Mon-Fri (8am-4pm)
Call: 01772 716565 Outside of the above hours
Sexual Misconduct: Trust House Lancashire
Trust house is a leading provider of specialist counselling and support service for survivors of rape and sexual abuse in Lancashire.
Trust House offers play therapy, young people’s counselling, adult counselling, family support and well-being projects for people who have experienced sexual violence. Opening hours are Mon-Fri, 9.30am-5pm.
Call: 01772 825288
Sexual Misconduct: Survivors UK
SurvivorsUK support male and non-binary survivors of sexual violence, providing counselling and practical help for affected individuals, loved ones, professionals and survivors.
Sexual Misconduct: Revenge Porn Helpline
The Revenge Porn Helpline is a UK service supporting adults (aged 18+) who are experiencing intimate image abuse, also known as, revenge porn.
Sexual Violence at Sea
Safer Waves was established in 2019 to support merchant seafarers who experience sexual violence, harassment, or gender discrimination while working at sea. The charity offers a confidential email support service, allowing survivors to share their experiences safely and receive guidance tailored to the unique challenges of life on a ship.
Support is provided empathetically, without judgment, and survivors can choose how much information to share, with follow-up support offered as needed.
Stalking: Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Operated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the National Stalking Helpline gives practical information, support, and advice on risk, safety planning and legislation to victims of stalking, their friends, family, and professionals working with victims.
Hate Crime: Stop Hate UK
Stop Hate UK is a free dedicated 24-hour anti-hate crime helpline service for all monitored strands of a person’s identity or perceived identity (Disability, Race, Faith/Religion/Belief, Sexual Orientation, and Transgender identity, as well as Alternative Subculture and Gender/Misogyny).
Employee / Student Relationships
All B&FC employees are required to maintain professional and appropriate relationships with students of all ages, apprentices, other employees and stakeholders. Employees must not use their status and standing to form or promote relationships with students or apprentices, which may include those of a sexual or personal nature. Employees must not establish or seek to establish social contact with students or apprentices, including online, for the purpose of securing a friendship or to pursue or strengthen a personal relationship.
Where a person aged 18 or over is in a position of trust with a child under 18, it is a criminal offence for that person to engage in sexual activity with or in the presence of that child, or to cause or incite that child to engage in or watch sexual activity. Where the person is an adult who is vulnerable, it is potentially also an offence.
Employees who have an existing personal relationship with a student or apprentice must declare this relationship to their line manager. It is not expected that employees would normally develop relationships with students or apprentices, however in circumstances where this does occur for example through a new family relationship, this relationship must be declared.
Declaration will then enable a senior colleague to undertake a risk assessment to determine what, if any mitigating actions are needed to ensure any possible conflict of interest and/or abuse of power is reduced and managed proactively. The following list is not exhaustive, but provides examples of personal relationships in this context:
- A family relationship
- A social relationship (for example, a close personal friend)
- A business, commercial or financial relationship
- A sexual/romantic relationship (in the case of adult students and employees only)
Further information for employees is detailed in B&FC Employee Professional Boundaries (Code of Conduct) – available internally.
Any concerns relating to a member of staff can be reported using the Reporting section above.