What improvements are we making?

Behavioural Standards

We have refreshed our Behavioural Standards guidance, which sets out the standards of behaviour that you have a right to expect and are expected to show to others. It also explains how to identify and deal with unacceptable behaviour. We have also updated our e-learning offer, which will be available to from June 2025.

Assessing the Risk

A Corporate risk assessment for sexual harassment has been developed. Allowing managers to make sure they include specific risks within their services in their activity risk assessments. Moreover, it encourages them take reasonable actions to prevent opportunities for sexual harassment from both internal and external sources.

Our existing Personal Safety Toolkit has been reviewed and will be consulted on during May before republishing.

Reporting and Monitoring

In April 2025, the Accident and Incident reporting procedures were expanded, allowing staff to report incidents involving harassment by a third party, such as a customer, client, or contractor.

We consistently monitor and review all Employee Relations cases that involve allegations of bullying and/or harassment.

Communication

We provide regular updates in our manager and employee newsletters that emphasise our zero tolerance to bullying and harassment and provide information on where to get advice and guidance.

Supporting our Managers

The new Managers handbook is now available on Thinqi , our learning management system and provides essential information on addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.

Listening to your Feedback

To get a better understanding of how effective our processes are in terms of ensuring a safer working environment, we conducted a comprehensive staff survey to gather your feedback on your experiences and recommendations for improvement.

Supporting Our Staff

We are committed to supporting you by launching an e-learning programme on violence and aggression in Summer 2025. This will equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to handle such situations, ensuring a safer work environment. Additionally, we will introduce a confidential reporting line for allegations of sexual harassment. We are also reviewing our Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion development offer for all staff and implementing an ongoing communication plan. This plan will encourage you to recognise and call out inappropriate behaviour, while promoting various reporting channels.

Supporting Our Managers 

We will be launching a dedicated training programme for our leaders, Head Teachers, and managers to boost their confidence and set high standards of behaviour within their teams. This initiative will teach them to address incidents promptly and take proactive measures to prevent issues. Leadership training kicks off in Summer 2025, followed by Head Teachers' training in the Autumn term 2025, and People Managers' sessions starting in Autumn 2025.

Supporting Elected Members

In May we held a development session on the Code of Conduct with our Elected Members, which covered behavioural standards, including workplace sexual harassment. By participating in this session, Members will understand the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe working environment, recognise inappropriate behaviours, and be equipped with the knowledge to handle such issues effectively.

Local Actions

The Senior Leadership Teams within Departments have received a comprehensive breakdown of their survey results concerning sexual harassment. They are now tasked with developing action plans to address any specific risks identified within their departments.