First reported 28 Aug 2015•Latest report 10 Jul 2024
Definition
What this concern includes
Includes failures of an explicitly identified pastoral support system or function that affect its ability to identify, engage, assess, coordinate or provide appropriate support for welfare concerns, including dedicated role clarity, training, proactive contact and service coordination.
Not included
Excludes generic staff training deficiencies not explicitly tied to a pastoral support function.
Excludes failures belonging solely to clinical, emergency, safeguarding or mental-health services without a pastoral support-system component.
Excludes isolated communication, documentation, staffing or contact failures that are not dedicated to the pastoral support system.
Excludes neutral descriptions of pastoral care, education settings or student welfare without an unsafe-system assertion.
Reports
6
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
9
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2024
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
13
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Cardiff University1
Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency1
Church of England1
Hewett Academy1
Universities UK1
University of Exeter1
University of Reading1
University of Southampton1
University4
Academy1
Education sector body1
Other public body1
Private limited company1
Type not available1
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
Berkshire
Concerns raised1
Lack of named pastoral tutors for students on taught research courses
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
Action
Provide every Master’s by Research student with two academic points of contact and monthly meetings throughout the programme.
Stated by University of ReadingStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 29 July 2024.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Position
Professional welfare support from central teams, alongside academic pastoral support, is considered more appropriate than restoring specialist welfare duties to Academic Tutors.
Stated by University of ReadingExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
The organisation lacks regulatory authority to mandate specific mental-health actions by member universities.
Stated by Universities UKOutside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Position
Individual universities are responsible for their own governance, procedures and decisions on specific mental-health actions.
Stated by Universities UKRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
Concerns raised1
Gap between academic assessment and pastoral support for students
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Concerns raised1
Lack of a policy enabling pastoral tutors to exchange mobile numbers with students
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Existing out-of-hours support is considered sufficient, so staff will not exchange mobile numbers or receive work mobiles for student contact.
Stated by University of ExeterExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Inner North London
Concerns raised1
Insufficiently proactive pastoral support
This report raised 16 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
Action
Develop and roll out mandatory safeguarding leadership training on professional curiosity, reflection and support for respondents.
Stated by CSSAStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 15 July 2021.
Action
Launch national Safeguarding Standards requiring information, pastoral, professional and legal support for respondents.
Stated by CSSAStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 15 July 2021.
Action
Update practice guidance to emphasise prompt notification, timely investigations and ongoing support for respondents.
Stated by CSSAStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 15 July 2021.
South Wales Central
Concerns raised2
Insufficient training of Personal Tutors to identify and signpost students needing additional help
Failure of Personal Tutors to initiate contact with tutees needing pastoral support
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
Action
Review and improve Personal Tutor training, incorporating concerns about identifying students needing additional help.
Stated by Cardiff UniversityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Action
Revise the Code of Practice for Personal Tutors through the wider Policy Framework review.
Stated by Cardiff UniversityStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 9 June 2019.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
Position
The University disputes the conclusion that personal tutor pastoral support is patchy and that students consequently slip through the net.
Stated by Cardiff UniversityDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Position
Existing personal tutor arrangements, including recorded meetings and minimum standards, are relied on while allowing variation between academic Schools.
Stated by Cardiff UniversityExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Norfolk
Concerns raised3
Failure of the Pastoral system to provide sufficiently robust and structured support
Failure to ensure Pastoral Team training for expected roles
Lack of clarity about the Pastoral Team’s purpose and operation
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.7
Action
Implement a new safeguarding team and structure.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
Action
Establish a fully trained safeguarding team.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
Action
Appoint an Assistant Principal to lead safeguarding and provide weekly leadership feedback.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
Action
Arrange a follow-up audit of the new safeguarding structures later in the term.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated plannedThe respondent said that this action was planned when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
Action
Upskill key safeguarding team members and train all staff in safeguarding.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
Action
Review safeguarding approaches to identify deficiencies and required improvements.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
Action
Commission an external audit of the safeguarding approach.
Stated by Hewett AcademyStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 28 August 2015.
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Includes failures of an explicitly identified pastoral support system or function that affect its ability to identify, engage, assess, coordinate or provide appropriate support for welfare concerns, including dedicated role clarity, training, proactive contact and service coordination.
