We want you to feel safe, respected and supported in every interaction at our University. That’s why we’ve launched a new Personal Relationships Policy. This policy replaces the old Consensual Relationship Policy and clearly explains which relationships are prohibited and what is expected of employees – including students who are also employees. It’s here to protect you by maintaining professional boundaries, tackling power imbalances and ensuring fairness across our community.
What the new policy covers
- Prohibited relationships: Employees (including students who are also employed by the University such as Graduate Teaching Assistants or Student Ambassadors) must not enter in to intimate or close personal relationships with anyone they have an element of responsibility for e.g. teach, supervise, assess or support, or with under 18s and vulnerable adults.
- Discouraged relationships: Even where no formal responsibility exists, employee–student relationships are strongly discouraged.
- Employee–employee relationships: While relationships between employees are not prohibited, they must be declared if there is an element of responsibility, or potential conflict of interest.
Who needs to act
Employees (including students who are also employed by the University): Employees are responsible for declaring any existing qualifying relationships by 30 September 2025, and any new ones within one month of the relationship starting.
Students: Students do not need to do anything unless you wish to raise a concern or feel a conflict exists. You can report any undeclared relationship or boundary concern through the Report & Support platform.
How to declare (for students who are also employees)
Log into MyView to complete the online Personal Relationship Declaration Form.
FAQs
We’ve put together a full list of Student FAQs, which aim to answer any questions you may have about the new policy.
The FAQs cover why the new policy has been introduced, what it means for students and key information for any students who are also employed by the University who may need to make a declaration.
Support Available
Students can get independent and confidential support and guidance via the Report and Support platform, ResLife Advisors or the Students’ Union Advice Service.
If you have concerns about a relationship that you or another student has with a member of staff, or you think it is potentially crossing a boundary where you/they are being coerced, always reach out immediately via the Report and Support platform. You can speak to a trained advisor or report anonymously.
More information
The wellbeing and safeguarding of both our students and staff is paramount to us at the University and this policy is in place to uphold the highest standards of integrity, fairness and professional conduct across the institution.
Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful, safe and supportive University community.