Staff training

Outlining welfare training available to staff across the University

Student Welfare and Support Services offer high quality, professional training to support staff across the collegiate University. A summary of the training courses that are available can be viewed below, along with details on how to book.

Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service

The Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service provides a variety of training for staff at the University. The key aims of our training are to raise awareness of the prevalence and impact of sexual violence, ensure students receive safe and appropriate responses when seeking support, and to share details of the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service so that students can be signposted and referred with confidence. A range of specialist training is available, tailored to key student-facing roles. 

  • To book onto any of the in-person training, please complete this form.
  • All in person training will be delivered at: Student Welfare and Support Services, 3 Worcester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BX.
  • To arrange a bespoke session for groups of 10 or more staff, please email supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk.   

For all university staff, including Junior Deans 

Responding to Student Disclosures of Harm is a 45-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 

Working with Survivor Students is a 3-hour in-person workshop designed to upskill university and college welfare staff in supporting student survivors of sexual harassment and violence. The training covers sexual misconduct, safeguarding, trauma-informed support, and handling disclosures through interactive activities and case studies. It aims to promote student wellbeing by building staff confidence and improving practice.  

When: 7th Week of every term.

Michaelmas term 2025: Wednesday 26 November, 10.00 - 13.00.  

Hilary term 2026: Wednesday 4 March, 10.00 - 13.00.  

Trinity term 2026: Wednesday 10 June, 10.00 - 13.00.   

For Porters and Security Staff 

First Response to Incidents of Sexual Violence is a 3-hour in-person workshop designed for university and college staff in front-line roles, such as Porters and staff in Security Services, who may act as first responders in incidents involving sexual violence. The training focuses on trauma-informed approaches to disclosures, covering topics such as understanding trauma responses, building trust and safety, responding in the moment, and managing the impact of sexual violence. Using case studies and practical guidance, the session equips staff to respond with empathy, clarity, and confidence.  

When: 5th Week of every term.

Michaelmas term 2025: Wednesday 12 November, 10.00 - 13.00.  

Hilary term 2026: Wednesday 18 February, 10.00 - 13.00.  

Trinity term 2026: Wednesday 27 May, 10.00 - 13.00.   

For all staff 

Domestic Abuse Awareness is a 2-hour training session for university and college staff, designed to increase understanding of domestic abuse. It covers key topics including coercive control, the cycle of abuse, and understanding victim behaviour, including student specific challenges. Through case studies and practical tools, staff will increase their confidence in identifying abuse, responding safely, offering appropriate support and referring students on to further specialist services.  

When: 4th Week of every term, dates TBC 

 

 

For all staff 

Sexual Misconduct in Context is a 2-hour in-person workshop, offering staff a reflective space to explore sexual misconduct in depth. It covers the prevalence and impact of sexual misconduct, cultural factors that sustain it, and approaches to instigate cultural change. Through discussion and interactive activities, participants will deepen their understanding of consent and common misconceptions, whilst considering ways to foster a safer, more informed community.  

When: 6th Week of every term, date TBC 

For college welfare teams 

Supporting Reported Students is a 1.5 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 

Mental Health Awareness Training

Mental Health Awareness Training is now available to all staff across the university.  Approximately 1 in 4 adults experience symptoms associated with common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression. Mental health awareness can help with the identification of early signs of poor mental health, in yourself or others. Talking about mental health openly reduces the stigma that is often associated with mental health problems and makes it more likely that someone will get the right support in place at an early stage. Early intervention gives someone the best chance of resolving their difficulties and learning healthy practices to maintain good mental health and wellbeing. 

We offer a range of training options, including tailored MHA trainings for specific groups and settings. The training is offered on a regular basis at 3 Worcester Street and other venues. Onsite training can be booked by Colleges or Departments on request. For further information about our training options and training fees, please contact Dr Ruth Collins, Staff Mental Health and Skills Training Service Lead at mha.training@admin.ox.ac.uk or visit: https://staff.web.ox.ac.uk/mental-health-awareness-training 

This free foundational 90-minute training is a basic introduction to mental health awareness in the workplace. We spend a considerable proportion of our time at work; engaging in practices that encourages an orientation towards positive wellbeing, resilience and self-care reduces the likelihood of stress and illness allowing you to function at your best. In turn, a healthy working environment supports engagement and productivity leading to the possibility of a richer, more fulfilling quality of life. This workshop looks at the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace; indicators of poor mental health; managing stress; the importance of early intervention; the importance of self-care; strategies for maintaining good mental health; cultivating a healthy working environment. 

This training, available to all staff at Oxford, aims to promote a consistent approach to student welfare, in line with the Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Strategy. The training incorporates relevant material from the nationally and internationally recognised Mental Health First Aid syllabus but focuses on issues most relevant to the adolescent and young adult age group, and is tailored to the specific Oxford setting. The aim of the training is to speak directly to the specific needs of staff, helping them to feel more skilled and confident when encountering students in distress. This context specific training provides guidance on how to recognise and respond to common mental health presentations, issues of risk, including the risk of self-harm and suicide, managing boundaries and confidentiality. Important information on signposting to appropriate support services is also explored. 

This more comprehensive training will provide an overview of common mental health presentations in the workplace along with guidance on how to respond to colleagues in distress, whilst clarifying role expectations and managing boundaries. The importance of confidentiality and record keeping will also be explored as will the management of risk, including the risk of self-harm and suicide. There will also be discussion of context specific case studies along with an overview of strategies which contribute to the development of a safe and healthy working environment.

Poor mental health is costly to employers. The health and Safety Executive (HSE) say that work-based stress is a significant issue responsible for approximately 40% of mental and physical health problems. Managers play an important role in identifying and supporting staff with mental health difficulties. Understanding more about mental health in the workplace and engaging in practices that support a healthy working environment, will reducing absenteeism and allow you to get the most from your team. The aim of this training is to provide an overview of common mental health presentations in the workplace, along with guidance on  how to recognise and respond to mental health difficulties in your team. Other areas covered include: managing team stress; mental health at work and the law; making workplace adjustments; managing sickness absence and the return to work; the role of the line-manager in cultivating a healthy working environment; self-care for managers. These sessions are available to all line managers, supervisors and principal investigators.

Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service

Register for training

Contact us

If you are having any difficulties booking onto training, or need to contact us, please email supportservice@admin.ox.ac.uk.