The Office for Students (OfS) has introduced new regulations aimed at addressing sexual harassment, violence, and misconduct in UK universities and higher education providers. These requirements, which take effect from September 2025 (with an earlier ban on non-disclosure agreements by 2024), will become conditions for institutional registration – meaning that all HE providers must comply in order to continue awarding degrees and qualifications. This step follows a months-long consultation, responding to significant concerns about student safety and institutional accountability in handling sexual misconduct cases.
What the new OfS Regulations mean for HE providers
Under these regulations, HE providers must take several actions to enhance student safety and transparency in handling sexual misconduct. Key requirements include:
Clear Definitions of Sexual Misconduct: The OfS mandates a comprehensive definition encompassing unwanted sexual conduct, harassment, assault, and rape.
Ban on NDAs: NDAs can no longer be used in sexual misconduct cases, allowing survivors the freedom to speak out about their experiences.
A Single Comprehensive Document: HE providers must provide a unified, accessible policy document detailing prevention, support, reporting, and investigation procedures related to sexual misconduct.
Monitoring of Student-Staff Relationships: Institutions must maintain a registry of relationships involving academic staff to mitigate potential abuses of power, aiming to protect students within unequal power dynamics.
Sexual misconduct in Higher Education: Why these regulations matter
According to a recent survey, 30% of UK students report experiencing sexual harassment, with 16% facing sexual violence during their time at university. However, only about 50% of students know where to access support in these instances, highlighting the critical need for transparent information and accessible resources. Survivors often cite barriers such as lack of clarity in reporting mechanisms and inadequate institutional support as obstacles to seeking help.
How Training Works supports compliance and cultural transformation
Bringing together specialists in delivering sexual violence prevention training and consultancy, Training Works offers support to HE providers with meeting OfS requirements and transforming campus culture. We deliver impactful, evidence-based training for students and staff.
Specialist staff training
Our staff training focuses on:
Understanding Key Definitions: Staff gain a clear understanding of what constitutes sexual misconduct under UK law and institutional policy.
Trauma-Informed Response to Disclosures: We train staff to respond compassionately and effectively to student disclosures, reducing the risk of retraumatisation.
Navigating Institutional Policies: Staff are equipped with knowledge of reporting processes, support options, and ethical standards, such as the avoidance of NDAs in handling cases.
Student workshops on Consent and Bystander Intervention
Our interactive workshops have consistently received high ratings, with 95% of student attendees rating our consent workshops as “excellent” or “good.” These sessions cover:
Consent Education: We provide practical guidance on boundaries, entitlement, and online safety, ensuring students understand both legal and ethical aspects of consent.
Bystander Intervention: This interactive training empowers students with skills to safely intervene when witnessing harassment, helping foster a campus culture of accountability and support.
Policy and crisis management consultancy
Training Works also offers to help HE providers meet OfS standards through policy review, crisis management, and training design. We assist institutions in developing clear, effective policies that align with OfS requirements, from building comprehensive resources to managing complex incidents and fostering a safer campus environment.
How to support your team and institution?
Meeting the OfS standards isn’t just about compliance – it’s about creating a lasting, respectful, and safe campus culture. Training Works is here to support your institution through every stage. Contact us to learn how our experience and tailored approach can support your staff, students to help you foster a culture of safety, accountability and compassion.
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