Staff training

For all university staff, including Junior Deans 

Responding to Student Disclosures of Harassment and Sexual Misconduct is a 30-minute online session developed for all university staff. The training provides guidance on recognising, responding to, and referring on students who have experienced harm, including harassment, stalking, sexual misconduct, and domestic abuse, as well as students who have been reported for causing harm. It introduces key support services and reporting options, outlines staff responsibilities, and offers practical advice for handling disclosures sensitively and appropriately.  

More information, including how to access this training, will be shared in due course.  

We recommend completing this session before booking onto in-person training.   

For college welfare teams 

Supporting Reported Students is a 3 hour in-person training, designed to support college teams in responding to, and supporting students who have been reported for, or accused of sexual misconduct. The training includes responding to disclosures of harmful sexual behaviour or allegations, the impact of shame, the language we use and how to work with students in a way ensures they feel heard, validated and supported. Using interactive activities, case studies and practical guidance, the session equips staff to respond to Reported Students with confidence. 

When: Dates TBC 

With a growing number of students in the UK reporting mental health difficulties, it is important that staff feel confident and equipped to respond with confidence and consistency when encountering a student in distress. The focus of this training is to deliver a context-specific introduction to mental health awareness focusing on issues most relevant to the adolescent and young adult age group, and tailored to the specific Oxford context. This Mental Health Awareness training is offered to all staff to promote a unified and informed approach to student welfare in alignment with Oxford’s Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy. The training aims to enhance participants’ understanding of mental health challenges and strengthen their ability to support students in distress with empathy, clarity, and appropriate action.  

This training provides practical guidance and skill development across the following key areas:  

• Recognising and responding to common mental health presentations  
• Understanding the spectrum of mental health and wellbeing  
• How to have a well-being conversation  
• Applying practical techniques to assist students in distress  
• Identifying and managing risk, including self-harm and suicide  
• Maintaining boundaries, information sharing and record keeping  
• Guidance on when, where, and how to make appropriate referrals 

Sessions are available on site for up to 25 participants at a cost of £620, or twice termly at 3 Worcester Street for individuals, at a cost of £62.

Follow the links below to book upcoming sessions at 3 Worcester Street:

Thursday 30 October 10am - 1pm

Tuesday 11 November 1 - 4pm

Mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent in the workplace, with approximately one in six adults experiencing symptoms related to mental ill health. This half-day training session provides participants with essential knowledge and practical skills to support mental wellbeing in the University context. The session provides practical guidance on recognising signs of mental distress and offers strategies for effectively supporting both personal wellbeing and that of colleagues who may be experiencing difficulties. Key topics include:  

• Recognising signs and symptoms of common mental health difficulties   
• Active listening  
• Establishing and maintaining professional boundaries  
• Confidentiality and record keeping  
• Risk management, including the risk of self-harm and suicide   
• Discussion of context specific case studies   
• Strategies contributing to the development of a safe and healthy working environment.

Sessions are available on site for up to 25 participants at a cost of £620, or twice termly at 3 Worcester Street for individuals, at a cost of £62.

Follow the links below to book upcoming sessions at 3 Worcester Street:

Tuesday 14 October 10 am - 1pm
Tuesday 18 November 1 - 4pm

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 1.8 million workers experienced work-related ill health in 2022/23, with stress, depression, and anxiety comprising half of these cases. Managers play a key role in recognising and responding to signs of mental distress within their teams, and in fostering a psychologically safe and supportive work environment. This half-day training session is designed to equip managers with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to promote mental wellbeing, respond effectively to challenges, and contribute to a healthier workplace culture. These sessions are available to all line managers, supervisors and principal investigators.  

Key topics include:  

• Identifying and responding to mental health difficulties within teams   
• Understanding and managing workplace stress  
• Implementing and supporting reasonable workplace adjustments  
• Managing sickness absence and facilitating successful return-to-work processes  
• Creating and sustaining a healthy working environment  
• Self-care for managers  

It is highly recommended that you attend the Mental Health Awareness: Supporting Colleagues in the Workplace training before attending this training.

Sessions are available on site for up to 25 participants at a cost of £620, or twice termly at 3 Worcester Street for individuals, at a cost of £62.

Follow the links below to book upcoming sessions at 3 Worcester Street:

Tuesday 21 October 1 - 4pm
Thursday 13 November 10am - 1pm