LTA Connect - Exploring and celebrating the SLE: From Policy to Practice: An institutional approach to Gender Based Violence

Session Outline

This session will examine the University of the Highlands and Islands’ comprehensive approach to fostering safer campus environments. It will showcase both the university’s strategic, partnership-led initiatives and the local actions that directly enhance student safety and wellbeing. The discussion will also highlight the achievement of UHI Inverness in gaining the Emily Test Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Charter.

Presenters

Lyndsay Sutherland – UHI Student Support Manager, UHI Executive Office

Lyndsay brings two decades of experience in further and higher education, with a specialist focus on student support. She began her career at UHI Argyll in Oban before taking a nine-month secondment with the UHI Student Experience Team in Inverness as a Student Support Assistant. What began as a temporary role evolved into a long-term commitment, and 15 years later, Lyndsay continues to be part of the UHI Student Experience Team, now as Student Support Manager.

In her current role, Lyndsay coordinates student support activities to ensure a consistent and equitable experience across the university partnership with a focus on creating safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments. Her key areas of responsibility include the prevention and response to gender-based violence, supporting vulnerable student groups, safeguarding, inclusive support, and student hardship.

Lorna Ferguson - Regional Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, UHI Executive Office

Lorna leads on a range of university-wide initiatives focused on mental health, wellbeing, and student support. She was instrumental in developing the university’s Mental Health and Counselling Policy and works across the partnership to design and deliver training that supports both staff and students. Her work includes the creation of the Concerned Parent Protocol, the development of the Suicide and Risk Intervention Policy and guidance, and the delivery of Suicide Intervention Training and Reflective Practitioner Groups.

Lorna also plays a key role in advancing gender-based violence and wellbeing initiatives, leading the university’s annual 16 Days of Action campaign contribution, in collaboration with members of the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership. In addition, she works closely with HISA on projects such as the Student Mental Health Agreement, strengthening collaborative approaches to student wellbeing.

Claire Kilburn-Young – Wellbeing Officer, UHI Inverness

Claire Kilburn-Young is a Wellbeing Officer in the Wellbeing and Learning Support Team at UHI Inverness College. Her work includes frontline student wellbeing support and signposting to partner services (NHS, Rape & Sexual Abuse services, Women’s Aid, etc.). Developing and delivering wellbeing programmes, events and staff/student training (including LISTEN training for gender-based violence disclosures). Coordinating campus wellbeing initiatives (peer support, Therapets/animal-assisted stress relief, wellbeing sessions and summer wellbeing programmes).

EmilyTest / GBV work: Claire was part of the team instrumental in UHI Inverness achieving the EmilyTest Gender-Based Violence Charter Award (work included partnership protocols, training and response pathways).

Kelly Blackmore - Wellbeing & Learning Support Manager, UHI Inverness

Kelly joined the management team at UHI Inverness in February 2024. As Wellbeing & Learning Support Manager, Kelly is responsible for strategic leadership and management of student wellbeing and learning support services across the entirety of UHI Inverness’ provision. Ensuring a high quality, efficient and legally complaint service is provided to enable students to achieve their goals on courses.

Kelly started her career in the Royal Navy as an Operator Mechanic in Underwater Warfare. Upon leaving the Royal Navy, Kelly completed her BA (hons) Youth & Community and pursued a career within the 3rd Sector and education sector, in management roles supporting the development and delivery on both local and national projects.

Learning and Teaching Enhancement Strategy Values

Advance HE Professional Standards Framework

• V1 respect individual learners and diverse groups of learners
• V4 respond to the wider context in which higher education operates, recognising implications for practice
• V5 collaborate with others to enhance practice
• A2 teach and/or support learning through appropriate approaches and environments
• A4 support and guide learners

Professional Standard's for Scotland's Colleges

• 1.1.4 Commits to equality and diversity, and promotes inclusiveness, trust and fairness.
• 1.1.1 Understands student needs, the context in which they are living and studying, and the impact of these on learning
• 3.3.2 Works in partnership with colleagues, students and partners including employers, to design and create innovative learning and teaching activities and environments. 
• 2.2.7 Understands the strategies required to support learning in a range of learning environments.
• 1.1.5 Commits to the safety and wellbeing of all students.

To Book

Please email events.lta@uhi.ac.uk to book a place on this event. This event is open to colleagues across the sector. 

Accessibility

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