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Lead the Change HE

Preventing harassment and sexual misconduct in universities and colleges

Kindling Founder, Professor Rachel Fenton’s pioneering work for Public Health England established the evidence base for effective bystander intervention training in the UK higher education sector (Fenton & Mott 2016).

Rooted in this work, and combining a decade of subsequent experience and expertise in designing, delivering and evaluating bystander intervention training, we offer in-person and online synchronous training as well as a suite of eLearning options for students and staff.

Meeting the Office for Students Requirements (E6)

Mandatory bystander and sexual consent training is one strategy among others proposed in the 2024 Office for Students guidance on preventing harassment and sexual misconduct in universities (condition E6).

To be compliant with the guidance, the training offered by HEIs should be:

  • Evidence-based
  • Subject to evaluation and review
  • Tailored to the audience
  • Designed and delivered by individuals with credible and demonstrable expertise.
Download our brochure

What we offer

Lead the Change HE eLearning is a modular, asynchronous, online bystander intervention training programme.

It covers sexual consent, harassment and sexual misconduct at universities and can be tailored to the specifics of student experience in accordance with campus/distance, level of study and duration of course.

Lead the Change HE eLearning is provided directly to your Learning Management System via Scorm or the Learning Tools Interoperability protocol to facilitate optimal engagement, monitoring and evaluation.

Rooted in Fenton & Mott’s 2018 evidence review of bystander intervention for the prevention of sexual and domestic violence in higher education institutions (HEIs), Lead the Change HE tackles harassment and sexual misconduct through bystander intervention.

While focused on gender-based harms (e.g. sexual violence), the training is intersectional, cultivating attention to the ways in which inequalities interact contextually.

In recognition of the time and cost pressures facing HEIs, we offer three course lengths: four, six, and eight hours. All of the courses are delivered in two-hour modules. The full eight-hour course includes a standalone two-hour module on race and racism in universities and colleges.

Depending on the cohort, Lead the Change can be tailored to student level (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate) and learning experience (e.g. campus, remote).

Bystander at Work cultivates attention to harmful behaviour across a wide range of axes of difference. These include gender, gender-identity, sexuality, race, dis/ability, age and seniority.

This training focuses on developing participants’ skills to use their privileges accountably to help create more equal and inclusive workplaces. In particular, it develops the confidence to intervene to prevent or interrupt workplace bullying, harassment, microaggressions and harmful institutional/group norms which systematically disadvantage some people over others.

Staff and post-graduate students receive training in separate groups. Training content and scenarios are tailored to their different experiences.

Click through to our workplaces page for more information on Bystander at Work.

A whole organisational approach

Research shows that a whole-organisational approach leveraging multiple methods is the most effective at achieving community-level change. As part of our holistic framework we can offer the following:

  • Review of policy, strategic commitments, reporting and support systems
  • Evidence-based synchronous staff training, including senior leadership
  • Evidence-based synchronous student training, including respected peers (e.g. sport and society representatives and sabbatical officers)
  • Reinforced messaging through a publicly visible communications campaign drawing on organisational values.

Evaluation

There are multiple options for evaluation, with varying degrees of sophistication. We will discuss with you about what you would like to be included in the evaluation.

Shall we start a conversation?

If you’d like more information about our programmes, download our Lead the Change HE brochure.

Then get in touch to start the conversation.

Book a call today

Tailored to student experience

We know that one size doesn't fit all when we're talking about consent and sexual misconduct - that's why we've designed separate courses tailored to the following cohorts and differing student experiences.

All of our eLearning modules can be integrated with your existing LMS via SCORM or LTI protocols to facilitate optimal engagement, monitoring and evaluation.

Trusted to deliver by...

I continue to be impressed by the feedback about the course, the fact that every delegate so far has commented that everyone should receive this training is testament to how impactful it is.
Susan Dungworth
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
"Kindling were highly responsive and collaborative throughout the process, adapting the course materials thoughtfully to reflect the needs and lived experience of our students."
Dr Sammy C.H. Li
Assistant Director of Student Affairs (Postgraduate and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), University of Birmingham
"I strongly encourage all organisations in Wales to make full use of this opportunity. Together, we can create safer, more supportive environments for everyone in Wales."
Jane Hutt MS
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip
"I really enjoyed the session, and the tools are simplified, easily outlined and practical for use. Thank you very much." “I feel empowered and like you turned up the volume on my voice” “I am recommending this training to be provided to everyone. This is very important in everyone's life, and across the organisation”
Mining Company in Southern Africa
Attendees of Bystander Intervention training
“The most insightful learning I've ever been engaged in.” “An excellent course which should be mandatory for all men and boys."
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner
Male attendees of the Active Bystander Project
“The ‘Bystander at Work’ training created a safe space for staff to explore behaviours and gave useful strategies to challenge unacceptable behaviour, especially microaggressions.”
Claire Buchanan
Chief People Officer, University of Bristol
“The training was delivered by knowledgeable and expert colleagues who encouraged participation around a sensitive subject. As a civil servant with over 30 years’ experience, the training was refreshing and made me appreciate that I am still learning.”
Public Health England
Deputy Director
“I congratulate the University of Exeter Law School and Public Health England on this endeavour. I would enthusiastically recommend that other universities and organisations take on bystander projects.”
Dame Vera Baird QC
Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales
"The training was excellent: first-class presenters, good use of technology and brilliant material to reflect on.” "If all staff had bystander training, I think this would have a massive effect on workplace culture as the norms would shift.”
Public Health England
Bystander at Work Training Feedback
“Bystander intervention offers an important tool for people and communities to challenge thinking, behaviour and attitudes at an early stage. I think it can also teach us about being better, kinder and more informed citizens, and personally has given me tools and knowledge to be a better father, partner, colleague and friend.”
Simon Kitchen
Head of Communities, Devon County Council