What's important to remember?

• Applicants may consider you a role model: your behaviour should reflect this. 
• Applicants may be stressed or lacking in confidence: advice should be constructive and delivered kindly. 
• Applicants may have diverse backgrounds and identities: recognise that different applicants may require different approaches and be sensitive with the language you use. 
• You may be the only person an applicant knows at Oxbridge: share your experience enthusiastically and honestly, highlighting the variety of possible experiences and flagging if your knowledge in an area may be lacking. 

What are the basic rules?

• All communication with applicants must be appropriate and relevant. 
• All communication with applicants must occur on the UniReach platform. 
• Mentors must not share contact details of any kind (including university email addresses) with applicants. 
• Mentors must not share personally identifiable information with applicants​.
• Mentors must protect applicants' privacy. 

What other safeguarding provisions are in place?

If necessary, UniReach Admin Staff can:

• read any communication between coaches and applicants
• enter any video call between a mentor and an applicant 
• download files shared between mentors and applicants 
• block mentors/applicants from using the platform 
• contact appropriate authorities

What if I see something concerning?

If someone is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed, you must call 999 immediately. 

For other concerns, you should immediately:

• contact the Nominated Child Protection Lead (Naman Gupta; [email protected]; 07783 005060)
  • Deputy Child Protection Leads: Rachel Gould ([email protected]) and Rachel Blackhurst ([email protected])
• complete an Incident Report Form  (available here)

If an applicant discloses a safeguarding concern to you directly, as well as the above you should:

• advise the applicant that you will offer them support, but that you will pass the information on to the Nominated Child Protection Lead
• listen carefully to the applicant without interrupting them, seeking clarification with open and non-leading questions
• reassure the applicant that sharing their concern/allegation was the right thing to do

If a safeguarding concern involves the Nominated Child Protection Lead, you should contact a Deputy Child Protection Lead and the Board of Trustees.