DN Colleges Group expects acceptable conduct at all times. We want to be sure that all our members of our College community have an enjoyable, safe and successful time while learning.
All staff, students and Apprentices have a responsibility to promote and maintain our supportive, safe and respectful environment.
We do not tolerate any form of bullying, victimisation or harassment. Students or Apprentices behaving in this way will be subject to the Learning and Behaviour disciplinary procedure.
We will support students – both the perpetrator and target – at every stage and can offer restorative work where appropriate.
We also expect our students and Apprentices to behave as responsible citizens in their own communities, whilst respecting the rule of law.
If you have a concern about bullying, harassment and victimisation please report it using the form on this page.
Restorative practice
Restorative practice is a term used to describe interactions and conversations which help to build and maintain positive, healthy relationships, resolve difficulties and repair harm where there has been conflict.
We know sometimes there can be difficulties in groups, conflict between friends and misunderstandings with peers. The Student Union Team are committed to offering impartial mediation to help students resolve conflicts and learn from the experience. Students can request this service as can Tutors and other staff. All students will be offered support regardless of their role in the conflict. Meetings are facilitated by skilled staff to create an environment where students can share their thoughts and feelings in a way which is constructive. The focus of these meetings is to build relationships, solve specific problems or repair harm where there has been conflict.
We want to all work in an environment where we all feel safe and supported but we know this isn’t always straightforward. We are committed to resolving issues and guiding our students through this process.
Contact Donna Robinson in the Student Union to find out more, via email: donna.robinson@don.ac.uk or telephone: 01302 558261
The Diana Award
DN Colleges Group are a supporter of the work of antibullyingpro.com from The Diana Award, which is an online resource for young people, parents, carers and education staff to turn to for issues around bullying behaviour. They provide resources and support for people who are experiencing bullying behaviour, those who want to support someone who is experiencing bullying behaviour and for those who are passionate about promoting an anti-bullying culture.
The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
DN Colleges Group are committed to tackling any form of bullying, harassment or victimisation and each year recruit students to be Anti Bullying Ambassadors.
The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme is available to schools and colleges across the UK, sees trainers working with students and other young people to change the attitude surrounding bullying. The programme has a strong peer-to-peer focus, with trainers giving young people the skills and confidence to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors to tackle bullying in their schools long after the training has finished. The Diana Award’s anti-bullying work is recognised as world-class thanks to this sustainable approach.
The training looks at bullying in different situations including face-to-face and online. At the end of the session, students make an action plan of how to manage bullying issues that may arise in their schools and state their commitment to their roles as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
Donna Robinson, the lead on this work in the Student Union noted, “We are committed to The Diana Award programme and are proud to have worked with them over the past few years.”