ProtectED is the first national accreditation scheme for UK universities that looks at student safety, security and wellbeing. It is the result of four years of research and development by academics, professional services and security experts, guided by a board of sector experts.
ProtectED was created in response to national concerns for student safety and wellbeing – including the 79% increase in student suicides, and reports of ‘epidemic levels’ of sexual violence at universities – the purpose is to raise standards in student support at UK universities.
Currently, there is no minimum standard for UK universities on what assistance they should provide for student’s safety, security and wellbeing. This means the quality of support that students receive can vary widely between universities. This also means that prospective students have no way of clearly knowing which universities take a responsible approach.
UK universities now have the option to join ProtectED— a not-for-profit membership organisation — and begin working towards the ProtectED Accredited Institution Award.
To do this, universities must follow the ProtectED Code of Practice, which brings together good practice guidance and case study examples that support a comprehensive range of measures aimed at raising standards in student safety, security and wellbeing.
