Safeguarding our students – and all members of the UWC community – is a top priority for the UWC movement.
We want every member of UWC to be protected from abuse, harm or neglect. We want them to know that they can report any incident, and see it addressed effectively and swiftly, and also with respect, compassion and discretion.
Which is why all UWC entities abide by the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding as established by UWC International to support the well-being and safety of all members of the UWC community. These standards reflect UWC’s core values; personal responsibility, integrity, autonomy, mutual responsibility, respect and compassion.
These extend to children and young people in the care of UWC schools, colleges, national committees, projects and educational programmes, who have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence, as outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Read about the UWC Common Standards for SafeguardingWe are committed to an anti-racist, equal, diverse and inclusive UWC movement, ensuring that everyone who currently is or seeks to be involved with the UWC community can do so safely,being treated with respect and dignity. We aim for an environment where all people, regardless of their background and characteristics, can feel welcome, safe and heard.
We welcome any member of the UWC community or other individuals who wish to report an experience of sexual misconduct, harm, abuse or neglect to do so at any time through the UWC school or college concerned or through the safeguarding reporting mechanisms provided by UWC International.
Individuals who choose to come forward can do so knowing that we are here to listen to whatever experience they choose to share, will always take them seriously and will follow up to help ensure the safety of our whole community.
As a current or former UWC student, we urge you to consider your UWC school or college as your first point of contact in the case of any safeguarding concerns. You can find information about whom to contact on each UWC school or college website. The Head of every UWC school or college can also be contacted with any concern.
The UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding aim to protect not only current UWC students but also applicants to a UWC school or college, participants or applicants for UWC short courses and participants in UWCx initiatives. All of these UWC entities have a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to whom you can report your safeguarding concern. You can also report to any other staff or volunteer member of these entities and they will then contact their DSL.
Any member of the UWC community (including students, applicants, short course participants, former students, volunteers and staff members) and in particular those UWC community members who are not directly affiliated with a specific UWC school or college, may contact UWC International with any safeguarding concerns. You can contact our Safeguarding Officer at UWC International using the button below.
Email the UWC Safeguarding officer