The Safeguarding Students in Higher Education Conference 2026
Supported by
Overview
The safeguarding landscape in higher education is shifting rapidly, driven by heightened awareness of mental health challenges, online risks and the urgent need to tackle harassment and misconduct. Universities are under growing pressure to create safe environments that protect students from harm and encourage wellbeing.
Agenda
Online Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Chris East, Co-Founder, Cornerstone Safeguarding (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Latest Government Priorities on Student Safeguarding
- Examining the evolving concept of duty of care in universities, including lessons from recent legal cases and national debates
- Comparing approaches to safeguarding across the UK nations and assess the impact of uneven public service provision
- Clarifying government policy updates, including the rejection of a statutory duty of care and the role of initiatives like the Mental Health Charter
- Exploring future directions: balancing institutional responsibility with the role of NHS and social services, and advocating for stronger systemic support
Alex Sobel MP, Chair, APPG for Students (invited)
Keynote: Safeguarding in Universities: What is our Policy?
- Navigating the legal and regulatory space of safeguarding in higher education, balancing duties under legislation as well as Duty of Care
- Balancing confidentiality and data protection with the imperative to share safeguarding concerns in students’ vital interests
- Recognising institutional and service boundaries through understanding the external statutory landscape
- Transforming institutional culture by recognising safeguarding as a shared responsibility
Donny McCormick, Director, Safeguarding HE (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Evidence-based practice in embedding student wellbeing: 2 Case Studies from the University of Southampton
- Acknowledge the stressors and risks study can involve for our students
- Build inclusive systems that help mitigate stress, burnout, and disengagement among students
- Actively design wellbeing and institutional cultures of safety into academic life
- Recognise the distinct lived experiences and needs of international students
Professor Bonnie Latimer, Associate Dean Education, Member of the Advancing Assessment Team, University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
Professor Bryony Whitmarsh, Associate Dean International, University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
Professor Amanda Bragg-Mollison, Deputy Head of School University of Southampton (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Uprating and Standardising Safeguarding in HE: The Need for Regulatory Reform
- Learn how the current regulatory regime leads to varying standards across institutions
- Discover the impact of reform in other sectors and how reforms such as ‘The Duty of Candour’ & ‘Opt-out’ reforms could be mirrored to increase wellbeing on campus
- Hear how taking an interdisciplinary approach by ensuring academic, pastoral, and wellbeing departments are integrated, helps prevent students ‘falling through the cracks’
Emma Roberts, Head of Law, University of Salford (invited)
Questions and Answers
Lunch Break
Case Study: Digital Burrowing and the 5P Approach to Teaching and Assessment
- Identifying patterns of student disengagement linked to digital reliance and AI tools
- Promoting active campus engagement through the 4 P framework
- Developing strategies to reduce social isolation and support wellbeing in digitally dominant learning environments
- Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions on student participation and learning outcomes
Professor Berry Billingsley, Director of AI, Digital and Online Development, Department of Education, University of Swansea (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Prevent in Higher Education Settings
- Communicating key Prevent messages to staff and students through newsletters and social media
- Engaging external Prevent advocates and speakers to illustrate real-world safeguarding examples
- Implementing clear referral pathways for early intervention when radicalisation concerns arise
- Showcasing accessible resources to raise awareness of Prevent and support services
Sam Slack, Regional Prevent Education Manager, Department for Education (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Breakout Networking: Participate in group discussions and share a success story from the past year, focusing on an initiative that was implemented in your organisation to improve safeguarding practices.
Comfort Break
Keynote: Implementing E6: Developing Safeguarding Cultures Against Harassment and Misconduct in Higher Education
- Discussing how E6 reshapes institutional duties and what compliance looks like in practice
- Strengthen institutional responses through effective reporting systems and specialist staff training
- Developing safeguards that address power imbalances, preventing exploitative staff–student relationships and setting clearer professional boundaries
- Advancing culture change by adopting practices such as safe hiring and shared accountability
Annelli Peavot, Head of Safeguarding, Canterbury Christchurch University (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: The Benefits of Universities Linking with Local Adult Safeguarding Boards
Andrew Rabey, Independent Chair Safeguarding Adult Board Bexley and Kent & Medway (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Chairs Closing Remarks
Chris East, Co-Founder, Cornerstone Safeguarding (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Get in Touch
Previous Speakers Include:
Christopher East
Co-Founder
Cornerstone Safeguarding
Claire Dan
Director of Safeguarding and Director
SACPA
Ann Marie Christian
Ann Marie Christian Safeguarding Consultant, Speaker and Author
Professor Steve Pilling
Director and Service Champion
University College London
Josh Freeman
Policy Manager
The Higher Education Policy Institute
Emma Roberts
Head of Law
University of Salford
Irene Glendinning
Honorary Teaching Fellow
Josh Hanson Trust
Testimonials
‘A highly engaging and informative conference, featuring a range of sessions focusing on many aspects of safeguarding within HE’
‘This has been one of my favourite online events as I feel I have learnt so much and feel inspired to drive forward changes within my University, thank you.’
‘A varied and thought provoking conference with good opportunities to network.’
‘An excellent agenda with some insightful speakers.’
Why You Should Attend
- Understand the impact of E6 and how to implement compliant safeguarding policies
- Learn from case studies tackling harassment, misconduct, and digital safeguarding
- Gain insights into improving student wellbeing and suicide prevention strategies
- Hear from policymakers, university leaders, and safeguarding specialists
- Network with peers to share challenges and best practice solutions
- Take away practical tools to strengthen safeguarding culture in your institution.
Who Should Attend
| Job Titles | Organisations |
| Safeguarding Officer | University |
| Student Wellbeing Manager | Local Authority / Council |
| Head of Student Services | NHS / Mental Health Trust |
| Director of Human Resources | Private Education Provider |
| Digital Safety Coordinator | Charity / Non-Profit (Youth Services) |
| Prevent / Counter-Extremism Officer | Department for Education |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
