If you have any questions or concerns about safeguarding, please contact UWC International’s Safeguarding Officer
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UWC International provides the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding to protect the well-being and safety of everyone in the UWC community.
These standards reflect UWC’s core values: personal responsibility, integrity, autonomy, mutual responsibility, respect and compassion.
Read about the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding
Statement from UWC International Board
The Trustees of UWC International confirm their commitment to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all members of the UWC community. This commitment reflects UWC’s core values and extends to all children and young people in the care of UWC schools, colleges, national committees, projects and educational programmes. The Trustees also affirm every child’s right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence, as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Statement from UWC ARDEI Committee
Embedding Anti-Racist, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ARDEI) in Safeguarding
We are committed to an anti-racist, equal, diverse and inclusive UWC movement. Everyone who is part of the UWC community – or wishes to be – should feel safe, respected and welcome. We aim to create an environment where people of all backgrounds and characteristics can feel welcome, safe and heard.
We recognise that harm, abuse, prejudice and discrimination can occur. Our safeguarding approach is intersectional. This means that we understand that some people face a higher risk of discrimination and marginalisation, and that harm and prejudice can take different forms and may build up over time.
ARDEI and safeguarding are interconnected. Both work to challenge power imbalances, protect people and ensure communities feel safe to speak out. We will keep strengthening our policies and practices in this area. Everyone should be able to access safeguarding support and trust that any concern will be taken seriously, handled fairly and followed up.
Find out more about our work on ARDEIOur safeguarding reporting system
Anyone in the UWC community – or outside it – can report experiences of sexual misconduct, harm, abuse or neglect at any time. You can report through the UWC school or college, entity or initiative concerned, or through the UWC International safeguarding system.
Anyone who comes forward will be heard. We take every concern seriously and will follow up to help protect the safety and well-being of the community.
Reporting to a UWC school or college
If you are a current or former UWC student, volunteer or staff member, we encourage you to contact your UWC school or college first if you have any safeguarding concerns. Each school has its own Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and clear information about who to speak to. The Head of every UWC school or college can also be contacted directly.
Reporting to UWC national committees, short courses or UWCx initiatives
The UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding apply to all parts of UWC – including national committees, short courses and UWCx initiatives. These also have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You can report a concern to the DSL or to any staff or volunteer member, who will pass it on to the right person.
Reporting to UWC International
If your concern cannot be resolved directly with the relevant UWC school, college or entity, you can report it to UWC International. This applies to students, applicants, short course participants, alumni, volunteers and staff, especially if you are not directly connected to one UWC entity.
We will always try to work with the local UWC entity to address your concern fairly and promptly.
Contact: [email protected].
UWC International will confirm that we’ve received your concern straight away. We understand that safeguarding issues can be sensitive, and we’ll work to support the relevant UWC entity to address the issue as soon as possible.