Safeguarding at LSE

LSE is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all members of its community. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we operate a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.  

We take our responsibilities to protect all children and adults-at-risk from all forms of abuse or harm seriously:

• A child is anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday 

• An adult-at-risk is anyone over 18 who has needs for care and support, who is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and who, as a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves.

• An adult may have needs for care and support because of a range of factors, for example:
  
  – they are experiencing acute mental ill health, such as psychosis or severe depression 
  
  – they have a disability or long-term health condition
  
  – they are misusing alcohol or drugs
  
  – they are homeless.
• An adult may be unable to protect themselves due to a range of factors, for example:
  
  – they may have disabilities which impair their capacity to make decisions about protecting themselves or need support to enact decisions
  
  – they may have disabilities which impair their capacity to make decisions about protecting themselves or need support to enact decisions 
  
  – they may not understand an intention to harm them 
  
  – they may be trapped in a domestic situation which they are unable to leave or where coercion and control mean they cannot make a decision about enacting change 
  
  – their resilience and resourcefulness to protect themselves from harm is eroded by, for example, coercive control and / or a high-risk environment.

You should report a safeguarding concern if you: 

• are worried that a member of the LSE community who is under 18, or may be considered an adult-at-risk, is at risk of harm or abuse 
• have seen, heard or been told something in your role at LSE that relates to a concern about harm or abuse towards a child under 18 or an adult-at-risk, whether or not they are directly linked to LSE
• want to report a concern about the behaviour or conduct of a member of the School community towards a child under 18 or someone who may be considered an adult-at-risk 
• want to report any kind of safeguarding concern linked to any LSE-organised activities, including teaching, research, placements, events or community engagement activities in the UK or internationally. 

Any member of the LSE community is encouraged to also contact the DSL at any time for safeguarding advice and support via LSE.Safeguarding@lse.ac.uk.  

If it is an emergency:

If you believe someone is at immediate risk of harm or abuse, you should call the Emergency Services on 999.  

If you are on campus, contact LSE Security for support at 020 7955 6555 or 666 using internal phones.  

If you are in one of LSE’s Halls of Residence, contact your residence's reception directly or the Halls Wellbeing Team on 0800 058 4100. 

Follow the reporting procedures below for advice and support, and to ensure central recording of concerns. If you are unsure who to report to, report to the LSE Designated Safeguarding Lead by emailing LSE.Safeguarding@lse.ac.uk.

If it is not an emergency:

• If the concern is regarding an LSE student, complete the LSE Student Cause for Concern form. If the case is a safeguarding concern, it will be referred to the LSE Safeguarding team.
  
• If the concern is regarding an LSE staff member, contact your HR Partner via email or hr.partners@lse.ac.uk if they are unavailable. If the case is a safeguarding concern, it will be referred to the LSE Safeguarding team.
• If the concern relates to an activity organised by the LSE Recruitment and Admissions teams, contact the relevant Local Designated Safeguarding Lead for this area.
• In all other cases, including matters relating to third parties or external organisations, or if you are unable to use the reporting mechanisms above for any reason, contact the LSE DSL by emailing LSE.Safeguarding@lse.ac.uk or calling 07840 961662. 

The Safeguarding email is only accessible to the DSL and Deputy DSLs, and the LSE Safeguarding team. A DSL will be available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, except during School closure periods. Urgent concerns will be addressed as soon as possible on the next working day. 

Our safeguarding duties apply to all students, staff, visitors, partners and anyone engaging with the School, whether in-person or online.    

They also apply to all LSE activities, whether on campus or at other locations in the UK or internationally.  These include core functions such as education and research, as well as wider activities including, but not limited to, LSE Widening Participation, student recruitment, outreach activities, alumni engagement activities, work experience placements, public engagement events or volunteering programmes.  

LSE Council, as our university’s Governing Body, is ultimately responsible for safeguarding the School. LSE’s Strategic Safeguarding Lead is Jane Cunliffe, Chief Operating Officer. 

LSE also has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with day-to-day responsibility for all aspects of safeguarding and advising colleagues, as well as responding to safeguarding queries, incident and concerns. 

Meet our people:

LSE DSL: Jess Bond, Head of Safeguarding.

LSE Deputy DSL: Amy Norton, Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.

LSE Deputy DSL: Professor James Walters, Professor in Practice and Director, LSE Faith Centre.

Prevent Duty (preventing people being drawn into extremism through radicalisation)

LSE has a legal duty under the Prevent Duty to help prevent people from being drawn into extremism through radicalisation, while protecting freedom of speech and academic freedom. We take a proportionate, risk-based approach to the requirements of the Prevent Duty. Concerns will be handled sensitively and proportionately, with a focus on safeguarding and early support.  

If you are concerned about someone’s vulnerability to radicalisation, contact one of our Prevent Leads to report this so they can provide support.

PREVENT LEADS

Student Cause for Concern 

The Student Cause for Concern process enables staff and others to share concerns about a student’s wellbeing, safety or behaviour so that appropriate support can be coordinated.

STUDENT CAUSE FOR CONCERN

LSE Report + Support 

LSE Report + Support enables anyone (students, staff, alumni, members of the public) to report bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual violence and hate crime.  

Reports can be made with contact details or anonymously.

Further information about how LSE is tackling harassment and sexual misconduct can be found on our website.

REPORT + SUPPORT

LSE Safe Contacts 

LSE Safe Contacts are trained members of staff who can listen, provide information, and help you understand your options if you have experienced or witnessed bullying, sexual misconduct or harassment.

LSE SAFE CONTACTS

LSESU Advice Centre (for students) 

The LSE Students’ Union (LSESU) Advice Centre provides independent, confidential, free advice to students on a wide range of issues, including welfare, wellbeing, and navigating concerns about treatment or safety.

LSESU ADVICE CENTRE

Support through HR Partners (for staff) 

All LSE staff members can speak to their dedicated HR Partner for advice and support if they have concerns relating to the workplace, a colleague, or their own wellbeing. HR Partners can help explore support options and escalate safeguarding issues and liaise with the LSE Safeguarding Team where appropriate.

LSE HR PARTNERS