Ofsted has announced changes to its further education and skills handbook that set out how policies and processes to tackle sexual harassment will be assessed by inspectors.
The changes clarify that as part of the inspection of safeguarding arrangements, inspectors will meet with learners and “this will normally involve meeting with specific groups of learners, in particular single-sex groups”, where the provider is a college with children and young people.
The inspectorate also says inspection activity will include reviewing records about safeguarding, “including those relating to sexual harassment and violence and online sexual abuse”.
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The changes follow the publication of Ofsted’s report on sexual abuse in schools and colleges. It stressed that colleges were expected to recognise their wider responsibilities on tackling sexual harassment, and published a range of recommendations, including a number around using RSHE education to tackle sexual harassment in education.
Ofsted focus on sexual harassment and abuse in colleges
Ofsted today added a section on sexual harassment and violence and online sexual abuse between learners to its handbook for inspecting FE and skills providers. This sets out that, as part of assessing safeguarding, inspectors will consider how colleges that have learners who are children handle concerns about harmful sexual behaviour towards or between learners who are children and young people.
“This includes considering whether the college has followed the relevant DfE guidance about peer-on-peer abuse between children,” says Ofsted
It will also look at whether the college has appropriate college-wide policies and procedures in place “that make it clear that all harmful sexual behaviour is unacceptable and that assume that sexual harassment and online sexual abuse are happening in the college, even when there are no specific reports.”
Ofsted says it will also look at whether the college’s policies are reflected in their curriculum, “which specifically addresses sexual harassment and violence, online sexual abuse and language and consent”.
All college staff need to be clear as to the college’s relevant policy and procedures, learners have to be supported to report concerns about sexual harassment and violence and online sexual abuse, and concerns should be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately, Ofsted adds, stressing that comprehensive records of concerns need to be kept.
“Inspectors will also look at how colleges work to prevent sexual harassment and violence and online sexual abuse between learners using a whole-college approach that includes an effective behaviour policy, pastoral support and a carefully planned curriculum with respect to relationship and sex education.
“Inspectors will not investigate concerns of sexual harassment and violence and online sexual abuse themselves, but will ensure that allegations are reported to the appropriate authority as appropriate, where that has not already happened,” said Ofsted.
“Where colleges do not have effective policies and processes in place, it is likely that safeguarding will be considered ineffective. This is likely to impact on the leadership and management judgement.”
