Reporting a staff member

If you feel safe and able to do so, write to or tell the person that you are unhappy with their behaviour. However, if this wouldn't be appropriate given the nature of the complaint, then you can skip this stage.

There isn't a set form for reporting staff members. Instead, you are encouraged to email in your complaint. We'd recommend you include the following information in your complaint:

• Explain exactly what happened - give precise dates, times, locations if you can
• Explain how you think this breached the University's Code of Conduct - especially if the behaviour included something (or things) which may not immediately be recognisable as causing harm from the offset
• Explain the impact this has had on you personally and/or your studies
• Attach any evidence (such as screenshots, witnesses or medical evidence to show the impact on you)
• Explain your preferred outcome

We recommend you title the email 'Formal Complaint' so that the Head of Department appropriately actions it.

This ground is used when you believe that there was an error in the way in which your initial complaint was considered by the Head of Department. The Registrar (or their nominee) are seeking to understand:

What the procedural irregularity or error is? - explain clearly what error you are challenging. For example, did they not consider one of your pieces of evidence?

Any underlying facts, including key events and dates - list in chronological order any key information you feel is helpful for the Proctors to understand what's happened. The Proctor's considering this will not have had any role in deciding your initial appeal, and can only make the decision on the information you provide, so ensure you include everything.

The evidence that supports this? - direct the Proctors to specific pieces of evidence which prove this (for example, write: see annex C) and explain how the evidence proves this. This might be evidence you have gotten from the stage two outcome or from a subject access request.

The impact you have faced as a result of this What has been the impact on you? For example, by the evidence not being considered, your appeal was unsuccessful. You need to demonstrate that if the procedural irregularity/error had not occurred, there would have been a different outcome, thus the impact was more than minimal or trivial.

This ground is used where you believe there was the potential for bias - either intentional or unintentional in the decision making. According to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, bias is: "a tendency to treat one person or group, thing or point of view more or less favourably than another, especially in a way that is considered to be unfair". You should explain:

• List whom you are concerned has been biased against you

• Give any reasoning as to why you think there might be bias, or the reasonable perception of bias. For example, have you previously submitted a complaint against the person who decided your complaint? Have they got a evidenced history of being discriminatory towards a group to which you are a part of?

• The impact you have faced as a result of this what has the impact been on you? For example, had the person who is biased against you not been involved in determining your grade, you would have gotten a more favourable outcome.