The document provides information about a university's Widening Participation (WP) program, which aims to increase access to higher education for underrepresented groups. It discusses:
- The goals of WP in promoting social justice and mobility through supporting students from partner schools.
- The indicators used to identify WP students and the comprehensive support provided from primary through post-16 education, including advice, campus visits, and summer programs.
- Guidelines for safe working practices when interacting with minors, including avoiding inappropriate contact or comments, maintaining confidentiality, and procedures for reporting any disclosures or concerns.
2. What is Widening Participation (WP)?
• Not all students have the same opportunities and for some
progression to university can be more challenging.
• The Compact Plus Programme provides additional support for
groups who are under represented at university.
• Targeted Primary and Secondary Schools – in depth analysis
undertaken
• Post 16 students complete an online application form
3. Widening Participation
• Why we do it?
• - Government targets
• WP is an important part of ACCESS/OFFA agreement
• - Belief in the principles of WP
• Social justice and social mobility
• - University policy
• Commitment to social engagement
• Responsibility to local community
•
4. - Work with our partner Primary Schools, Secondary
School, 6th Forms and FE College
- Encourage students with non-traditional backgrounds
to consider university
- Dispel common myths and misconceptions
What we do?
5. Widening Participation indicators
• First generation in immediate family to go to university
• Are eligible for Free School Meals or in receipt of a 16-19
college bursary
• Are living in an area where fewer than average people go
to university – based on postcode
• Have a disability or learning difficulty
• Are currently in or have been in the care of a local
authority
• Are a young carer
• Have refugee or asylum seeker status in the UK
• The main wage earner in household is in one of the
National Socio Economic Class groups 4-8
6. How we do it …
Compact offers support for students from partner schools and colleges:
• Impartial information, advice and guidance to help students make a strong
application to higher education
• Talks and workshops on choosing the right course and support with UCAS
applications
• Advice on student finance and funding
• Opportunities to visit the University of Brighton
• Advice for parents and carers
7. • Primary Outreach Activities – Professor C Gull & Primary Mentoring
• Pre 16: Visits to our Campuses including Student Led Tasters
• Pre 16: Outreach activities in schools and colleges – Revision Sessions;
Assembly Talks; University Game
• Pre 16: Connected Hub Mentoring
• Post 16: Subject Tasters and Conferences
• University Modules: Fashion for Schools; Set Design; Photography in
the Community; Printmaking; Inclusive Arts
• Opportunities to shadow current University of Brighton students
• One to one support with writing your personal statement
• Help preparing for interviews
• Summer Schools & E Mentoring
8. First Steps
Years 3-6
1. Professor C
Gull
2. Mentoring
3. Challenge
Camp
4. Transition
Project
Next Steps
Year 7
1.University
Game
2.Transition
Project
3. RAP*
4. Spring
School (LAC)
Moving
Forward
Year 10
1. Student Led
Tasters
2. Freshers’
Fortune
3. Revision
Techniques
4. Parent/Carer
Evenings
5. Master chef
6. Fashion Club
7. STEM Club
8. Arts Summer
School
9. Thinking about
University Talks
Progression
Years 12, 13 &
Access to HE
Compact
IAG:
Thinking about
University
Choosing a Uni/Course
Preparing for an HE
Fair
Applying to Uni
Personal Statements
Student Finance
Student Life
Getting Ready for Uni
Parent/Carer
Seminars:
Applying to University
Thinking about
University
Getting Ready for
University
Compact Plus
Priority booking on
subject conferences &
Academic led tasters
Student shadowing
Personal
Statement/Interview
1:1
Open Day Buddy
Scheme
Clearing Support
Summer schools
Looking
Ahead
Year 9
1. Student Led
Tasters
2. Freshers’
Fortune
3. Parent/Carer
Evenings
4. Fashion Club
5. STEM Club
6. Art Summer
School
7. Spring School
(LAC)
Moving
Forward
Year 11
1. Student led
Tasters
2. Thinking
About Uni Talks
3. Revision
Techniques
4. Parent/Carer
Evenings
5. Subject
Specific Events
6. Moving On
Summer School
Looking
Ahead
Year 8
1. University
Game
2. Campus visit
3. Parent/carer
evenings
4. Print making
5. Spring School
(LAC)
9. Safe Working Practices
When working with individuals under
18 years of age, their physical and
emotional welfare is paramount.
10. Scenario 1
The young person you are working with
has asked you why you haven’t responded
to the Facebook request they sent you a
week ago.
11. Scenario 2
You are driving home from and event and
it’s really raining – one of the young
people who you were speaking to at the
event asks you for a lift.
12. Scenario 3
You are walking down the street and are
on your way to meet some friends in the
pub, you bump into one of the young
people you have been working with and
they ask if they can come with you.
13. Scenario 4
One of the young people in the group your
are working with at an event tells you that
they can’t concentrate, they have been
partying hard at the weekend and tell you
that they have taken MDMA.
15. Scenario 6
One of the young people that you are
working with tells you that their Mum is ill
in hospital and they ask you if you can lend
them some money.
16. Key points:
- - Avoid any unnecessary physical contact
- - Avoid travelling alone in a car with a minor
- - Avoid having to take the minor to the lavatory alone
- - Try to may sure that others can observe you if you need
to be alone with a minor
- - Try not to make any suggestive or inappropriate comments
as they can easily be misconstrued
- - Listen without making or implying judgement about the
truth or validity of an accusation or complaint
17. Key points continued …
- - Do not attempt to investigate any complaint about abuse or
any suspicion you may have – make a record of what has been
said/observed as soon as possible and report it to staff who
will take appropriate action.
- - Do not enter into a sexual relationship with any of the
participants at the event.
18. Confidentiality
- You must act on any information that indicates the
young person may be at risk, this includes drinking, sex,
drug taking.
- You must make explicit the kind of information that you
can’t keep secret.
- - Do this at the beginning of the conversation or at the
time you feel they are about to reveal something so
that they have the option not to tell you.
19. What to do if a young person discloses
- React calmly
- Listen and let them know you are taking them seriously
- Explain that you can’t promise to keep a secret
- Avoid leading questions
- Make sure you have clearly understood what they are saying
to you
- Tell them that they have done the right thing in telling you
- Explain to them what will happen next
20. Reporting disclosure or any other concerns
You are obliged to report (in writing) any concerns to a
member of the WP Team:
- Day, time & place of disclosure or observations
- What was said (use the young person’s words)
- Presentation of young person (how they were, how
they looked …)
- Description of any injuries (use the ‘body map’)
21. Practical Considerations
Mobile phones – on silent
Do NOT take photographs of young people on your on a
personal camera or phone
Always check toilets are clear by pushing the doors open
and checking the cubicles – then wait outside
NEVER give or accept personal contact details, including
your email address
ALWAYS ensure you are physically safe
AVOID being alone with a young person and any situation
where an allegation could be made
22. In case of emergency
Identify the First Aiders at the event and know how to
contact them
Inform the WP Team
If the incident is serious and requires the emergency
services call 999 first
Safeguard the uninjured members of your group
Don’t panic
Don’t put yourself at risk
23. Being Safe and Being Aware
Treat everyone with equal respect
Respect the right of young people to privacy
REMEMBER! - you are a role model for young people and
represent the University
Discourage negative attitudes and behaviours
Let staff deal with discipline
