I recently wrote an opinion piece for FE Week on the growing debate around introducing a statutory duty of care for higher education providers — and why this conversation matters far beyond universities.

While the proposed legislation is focused on HE, the underlying expectation is clear: education providers should be able to demonstrate that they take reasonable steps to prevent harm and protect learners. That principle does not stop at the university gate. It is already shaping regulatory thinking, inspection frameworks, and public expectations across further education, training providers, apprenticeships and workplace learning.

Even without immediate legislation, the direction of travel is unmistakable. What we define today as “good practice” in safeguarding, wellbeing and organisational responsibility is fast becoming a baseline expectation — and, in time, may become enforceable.

This is a moment for the FE and skills sector to engage early: not out of fear of regulation, but out of commitment to learner safety, trust, and accountability.

You can read the full article here:
https://feweek.co.uk/duty-of-care-law-may-start-in-he-but-its-effects-will-impact-us-too/