Disclosure of Pre-Existing Staff and Student Relationships
The University of Wolverhampton is committed to maintaining a safe, fair and professional environment for all members of its community.
In January 2025, the University introduced its Personal Relationships Policy. The policy reflects the University's commitment to safeguarding, professional boundaries, fairness, transparency and the management of conflicts of interest.
As part of the implementation of the policy, colleagues who were already in an existing intimate or personal relationship with a student were required to disclose that relationship within one month of the policy's introduction.
The requirement to disclose pre-existing relationships remains in place.
What Is a Pre-Existing Relationship?
A pre-existing relationship is a personal or intimate relationship that existed before:
- the individual became a member of staff at the University; and/or
- the individual became a student at the University; and/or
- The Personal Relationships Policy came into force.
Examples may include:
- spouses or civil partners
- long-term partners
- cohabiting partners
- established intimate relationships
The policy recognises that such relationships may legitimately exist.
The purpose of disclosure is not to prevent or penalise these relationships.
Instead, disclosure allows the University to identify and manage any actual or perceived conflicts of interest, safeguarding concerns or professional boundary issues.
Who Must Disclose?
All members of staff must disclose a pre-existing intimate or personal relationship with a student enrolled at the University.
This requirement applies regardless of:
- whether the staff member teaches the student;
- whether the staff member works within the same Faculty or School;
- whether the student has ever been directly supervised by the staff member;
- whether the relationship is widely known; or
- whether the relationship existed before the policy was introduced.
The requirement to disclose applies across the entire University.
When Should Disclosure Take Place?
Disclosure should be made immediately upon:
- commencement of employment with the University;
- enrolment of a student where a relationship already exists;
- Becoming aware that an existing partner has enrolled as a student;
- Becoming aware that a partner has become a member of staff.
Staff should not wait until a conflict of interest arises before making a disclosure.
Early disclosure allows appropriate safeguards to be considered and implemented where necessary.
Why Is Disclosure Important?
Disclosure helps the University:
- maintain professional boundaries;
- protect students and staff;
- manage conflicts of interest;
- uphold academic integrity;
- safeguard individuals from actual or perceived abuse of power;
- ensure fair decision-making;
- protect public confidence in University processes.
Disclosure does not automatically mean that any action is required.
In many cases, no further intervention will be necessary beyond recording the relationship and considering whether any safeguards are appropriate.
How Do I Make a Disclosure?
Disclosures should be made by emailing:
safeguarding@wlv.ac.uk
The Safeguarding Team will review the information provided and determine whether any conflict of interest, safeguarding considerations or management arrangements need to be discussed.
Information will be handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.
What Happens After a Disclosure?
The University may:
- record the disclosure;
- conduct a conflict of interest assessment;
- consider any safeguarding implications;
- Identify whether any management arrangements are required.
- Provide advice regarding professional boundaries.
The purpose of this process is to support transparency and protect all parties involved.
What If a Relationship Is Not Disclosed?
Failure to disclose a relationship that falls within the scope of the Personal Relationships Policy is a serious matter.
Where concerns are identified regarding a non-disclosed relationship, the University may:
- undertake a safeguarding review;
- consider whether professional boundaries have been maintained;
- assess whether any conflicts of interest have arisen;
- initiate formal investigations where appropriate.
Depending on the circumstances, this may result in the matter being considered under relevant University procedures, including disciplinary processes.
The University takes a particularly serious view of situations where non-disclosure may have created safeguarding risks, compromised professional boundaries, or affected the integrity of University processes.
Seeking Advice
If you are unsure whether a relationship should be disclosed, you are encouraged to seek advice.
In most circumstances, early disclosure and discussion are preferable to uncertainty or retrospective consideration.
For advice or to make a disclosure, please contact:
safeguarding@wlv.ac.uk
Remember
The requirement to disclose pre-existing staff and student relationships is intended to protect students, staff and the University community.
Disclosure does not imply wrongdoing.
It is a professional responsibility designed to promote transparency, safeguard individuals, and maintain trust in University processes.