Why this training matters now
Across the UK and Ireland, universities are now expected to respond to reports of harassment, hate, and sexual misconduct fairly, robustly, and with real care for the people involved. What that looks like in law and regulation differs from one nation to the next, but the direction of travel is the same everywhere: investigations need to be carefully planned and carried out by people who have the appropriate training and expertise. Wherever your institution sits, the duty you are working to is outlined below.
Since August 2025, providers must be able to show that the staff running investigations have the knowledge and skills to do so; it is a condition of registration.
From 2026, acting on gender-based violence is a condition of Scottish Funding Council funding, with annual reporting on how institutions are progressing.
Since 1 August 2026, providers must have effective arrangements in place to promote and support staff and learner wellbeing and safety; safety is defined to include freedom from harassment, misconduct, and sexual violence.
There is no dedicated HE regulator; universities follow Universities UK guidance voluntarily, and the Public Services Ombudsman hears student complaints.
Institutions are required to implement the national Framework for Consent, with the Higher Education Authority driving progress through its national action plan.
From September 2026, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator’s new section on handling reports of harassment and sexual misconduct is expected to set out trauma-informed practice as the benchmark for good complaint handling.
Tiles with a dashed top edge are not yet in effect.
Whichever framework applies to you, the expectation underneath is the same: a fair, impartial, and trauma-informed investigation, carried out by someone equipped for the task. This training is built to help your team meet that expectation. It is written and delivered by practising HE specialists, and it draws on current regulatory knowledge and the real work of investigating in a university setting, rather than a policing or legal model adapted for higher education.
Why Campus Resolve
The training is rooted in more than 20 years of working in higher education, including a decade of specialist student casework and six years leading serious and sensitive investigations. It is evidence-based, drawing on the research literature on trauma, investigative practice, and procedural fairness, developed by specialist practitioners within the sector.
Our combined background spans investigation, senior safeguarding, and the development of institutional policy and procedure, so the training reflects how investigations connect to safeguarding, risk, and the experience of those affected.
What participants will be able to do
By the end of the two days, participants will:
- Understand the regulatory framework governing investigations into reports of harassment, hate, and sexual misconduct in higher education across the UK and Ireland, and how it applies to your institution
- Have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities as an investigator
- Have the knowledge and tools to plan and conduct a fair, impartial, and trauma-informed investigation
- Know how to produce a comprehensive and well-reasoned investigation report, appropriately communicate the outcome, present findings at a disciplinary panel, and engage in any subsequent appeal process
- Recognise what fair, defensible practice looks like against the standards regulators, ombuds services, and the courts apply
- Understand how to learn from cases, pursue continued professional development, and find helpful resources
Format and delivery
- Two days, 9.30am–3.30pm
- Online via Microsoft Teams or at your institution
- Interactive: breakouts, discussion, reflection
- Case study developed across both days
- Digital certificate of attendance
The training is delivered over two days (approximately 9.30am to 3.30pm each day) either online via Microsoft Teams or in person at your institution. It is interactive and engaging throughout, with breakout sessions, group discussions, and time for reflection.
A sexual misconduct case study is followed and developed across both days, giving participants the opportunity to apply learning to a realistic and complex scenario as it unfolds.
A digital certificate of attendance is provided to all participants. The course is not formally assessed and is not currently accredited.
Packages
Online delivery
Two-day online training for up to 15 of your staff, with a digital delegate handout provided at the end. Additional participants (up to 20 in total) can be accommodated for an additional per-participant fee.
Tailored to your framework
The training content and case study can be fully customised to your institution’s own internal regulatory framework. A template toolkit and policy consultation can also be provided.
At your institution
The training can be delivered at your institution for an additional fee, plus reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses. Venue, AV equipment, refreshments, and any printed materials are provided by the institution.
What clients and trainees say
It was a really informative and engaging programme for both our newer and more experienced investigators, with a great mix of theory, discussion and practical exercises. Most importantly, it was genuinely relevant to the work we do in higher education, which made the learning easy to connect with our day-to-day practice. I’d happily recommend this training to any team involved in investigations or casework.
The content was clear, relevant, and easy to follow, with practical examples that made the investigation process much easier to understand.
Brilliant balance between presenting and slides. Jenny was really knowledgeable and engaging, and the process plans will help me approach investigations with confidence.
Pace, pitch, and experience of the presenter; slides not overloaded, with a nice balance of case examples. A useful refresher on topics that arise regularly in my work.
The group activities were really helpful for drawing out your own views and hearing those of others.
Jenny was very engaging throughout, and I never felt my mind wandering. The pace was good, with enough time for group discussion.
Jenny is amazing; such a thorough way of explaining.
I really enjoyed it. The balance of the content and the group work was excellent.
The practices, principles, and PEACE techniques were really useful and easy to apply.
Get in touch
You can contact us for a quick conversation about what you need and a no-obligation quote by emailing info@campusresolve.co.uk or by submitting the form on our contact page linked below.
Get in touch