Maths Masterclass Safeguarding
The University of Glasgow (UoG) is committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk and promoting their well-being. All individuals associated with the University of Glasgow, such as staff and student assistants, are required to share this commitment, to work together to help achieve the best possible outcomes for children and adults at risk and to protect them from harm.
The UoG Safeguarding Policy documents are available on the University website.
Key contacts
The University of Glasgow's Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs) are the first point of contact for anyone who has a safeguarding question or concern, needs to report a disclosure or who needs advice. If you are unsure, it is much better to ask than to risk not reporting something which may be a genuine safeguarding concern.
Main contacts: Designated Safeguarding Officers
All safeguarding concerns or disclosures MUST be reported to the UoG's Designated Safeguarding Officers or relevant responsible person (as detailed below) ASAP, within 24 hours.
- Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs): contact details of UoG Leads at UoG Safeguarding Policy
- Dr Neil Bowering -- UoG Lead Officer, Safeguarding
- Mrs Christine Barr -- UoG Lead Officer, Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme
- Matt Durey -- On-the-day safeguarding lead (Staff in Maths and Stats)
- DSOs' contact email address:
- On-the-day safeguarding lead: matthew.durey@glasgow.ac.uk,
- UoG safeguarding mailbox: safeguardingteam@glasgow.ac.uk.
Emergencies
If anyone is at immediate risk of harm or you think a crime is being committed, you should call the appropriate emergency services on 999, without delay and without having to seek consent.
Urgent assistance on campus is available via contacting Campus Security during Masterclasses on 0141 330 4444.
You should then also immediately call the DSOs (or relevant responsible person at the UoG if you cannot reach the DSOs or if it is not appropriate to involve them). You can also seek advice via a national helpline.
Safeguarding helplines
If you cannot reach the DSOs or a relevant responsible person, you can also seek advice via national helplines for safeguarding children or adults at risk, as appropriate:
Safeguarding concerns
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and you are obliged to report any genuine concern that you have. Remember that the welfare of the individual child or adult at risk is paramount.
What is a safeguarding concern?
This is anything which may indicate that there is a concern over the welfare of a child or adult at risk, or that there is a risk of abuse or harm. This may include:
- A child or adult at risk disclosing abuse, or another child or adult sharing a concern
- Something you see or overhear
- Unusual behaviour by a child, including inappropriate behaviour for their age
- Concerning behaviour of an adult
The key steps in dealing with any safeguarding concerns are known as the four Rs:
Recognise
- Recognise a concern, disclosure or accusation
- Take these seriously and do not dismiss them
- Listen to everything being shared
- Do not ask leading questions or investigate
Respond
- Respond appropriately
- Reassure anyone sharing a concern, disclosure or accusation that they are doing the right thing in speaking up
- Do not promise confidentiality and don't make judgements
Report
- Report all concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSOs) or appropriate responsible person ASAP - see key contacts above
- Tell anyone sharing concerns that you will pass them on to the appropriate people to help keep everyone safe
Record
- Record all the relevant information, in the person's own words and separating fact and opinion
- This will be required so the Designated Safeguarding Officers can assess what to do, and in case concerns need to be passed on to external organisations
Details of the reporting procedure (including a flowchart) can be found in the UoG Safeguarding Policy documents where is it referred to as Appendix 2.
Safeguarding top tips
When working with children or adults at risk:
- Avoid being alone with an individual or small group
- Avoid any physical contact
- Follow the UoG's policies and procedures on taking and sharing pictures or recordings including children, and never do so without the appropriate written permission
- Never share personal contact details (or vice versa) or connect on any social media
- Listen to and take seriously any concerns or allegations reported to you
- Know who to talk to and what to do if you have any safeguarding concerns
- Challenge any poor or unsafe practices, taking action if you feel something isn't right
- Always behave professionally and avoid any conduct which may lead to a reasonable person questioning your motivation or intentions.
For a more detailed code of conduct, see the Maths Masterclass Code of Conduct.
This page was last updated on 5 October 2026.