Why commission an independent review?
There are several reasons you might want to commission an independent review: a gap has been spotted in an internal audit or review; a complaint to your ombuds service has gone further than expected, and something needs to change; a regulatory review or registration check is on the horizon; or there is a growing sense that policy and practice have drifted apart and the institution wants an independent assessment to sense-check the current approach.
Between us we bring more than 35 years in higher education, over a decade in student casework including serious and sensitive investigations, and senior experience of developing and implementing institutional safeguarding policy and procedure. We have a clear sense of what good practice looks like and where the gaps tend to appear. Our team includes a member of the OIA steering group that helped develop the new Good Practice Framework section on harassment and sexual misconduct, so we understand not just what the frameworks say, but how they are applied in practice and what the OIA will look for when things go to review.
We have written and implemented institutional sexual misconduct procedures from the ground up, drawing on consultation with students, survivors, decision-makers, senior leaders, and statutory and specialist partners. We have also contributed to policy reviews and rewrites including academic appeals, Freedom of Speech frameworks, and Dignity and Respect policies and procedures. Because we have designed and led services shaped by the voice of those affected, our reviews consider not only whether a policy is compliant on paper, but whether it works for the students and staff who rely on it.
Our knowledge and experience inform every review we carry out. The four levels below are designed to suit different institutional needs and starting points.
Reviews cover:
- Investigation policies and procedures (harassment, hate, sexual misconduct)
- Student conduct and disciplinary frameworks
- Academic appeals and complaints procedures
- Casework handling practices
- Compliance with the OIA Good Practice Framework, OfS E6, and the equivalent frameworks in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland
Level One: Policy Review (4-8 weeks)
A focused, desk-based review of one or more of your policies or procedures, assessed against the regulatory framework that applies to you, wherever you are in the UK or Ireland. You receive a written report with a clear summary of findings and prioritised recommendations.
Best for: Institutions wanting a focused, cost-effective review of a specific policy area.
Level Two: Policy and Practice Review (6-12 weeks)
Everything in Level One, plus a series of conversations with relevant staff to understand how your policies translate into day-to-day practice. This deeper approach surfaces gaps that a document review alone cannot identify, and leads to more meaningful, actionable findings. You receive a written report covering both policy and practice, with prioritised recommendations.
Best for: Institutions wanting a fuller picture of how their processes are working in reality.
Level Three: Policy and Practice Review with Action Plan (2-4 months)
Everything in Level Two, plus a clear, prioritised action plan that turns our findings into practical next steps; sequenced, realistic, and ready to assign. We can also talk the plan through with your team to support implementation and help you decide where to focus first.
Best for: Institutions that want not just findings, but a concrete roadmap for change.
Level Four: Comprehensive Review and Policy Development (4-6+ months)
Our most comprehensive offering. This combines an end-to-end review of your approach to investigations, conduct, safeguarding, appeals, and complaints, assessed against all relevant frameworks, with a prioritised action plan and the drafting or redrafting of the policies and procedures themselves. Rather than only telling you what needs to change, we produce the revised documents with you, written in plain, accessible language and built to withstand regulatory scrutiny.
Best for: Institutions preparing for a regulatory review, responding to an upheld complaint from an ombuds service, or undertaking a substantial programme of improvement.
Why independent review matters
It can be difficult to evaluate your own processes from the inside, particularly when those who developed and deliver them are close to the work. An independent review brings a fresh perspective, grounded in practical experience of what works well and what creates risk. We approach every review constructively and collaboratively, with the aim of leaving your institution better equipped, not simply audited.
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