Skip to content
Skip to main content

About this free course

Become an OU student

Download this course

Share this free course

Being an OU student
Being an OU student

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

5 Safeguarding

The majority of OU forums are moderated and any inappropriate comments will be deleted. The general rules to follow are being polite and courteous in posts and avoiding posts that are not suitable for our small number of students who are aged under 18.

It’s very rare to encounter any problems in OU forums or tutorials. However, the OU does have a safeguarding team you can contact if you have any concerns about anything another student or anybody involved with the OU says or does. You can contact the safeguarding team by email: safeguarding-referrals@open.ac.uk [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .

Prevent (Counter-Terrorism) Duty

As a higher education institution, the OU has an important role in providing appropriate platforms to challenge extremist views and ideologies through the provision of learning and research. The University values and supports the right of students and staff to academic freedom of speech in line with our Student Charter. Preventing people from being drawn into terrorism is synonymous with our concern for student and staff welfare and wellbeing.

If you, at any point in your studies, believe that you are being targeted in any way to be drawn into extremism or being radicalised, or you observe this occurring in any OU environment, we have a dedicated Prevent Co-ordinator you can contact for confidential advice on how to deal with the matter.

If you wish to, find out more about the OU Prevent Principles and how to contact the OU Prevent Co-ordinator.