Safeguarding at FutureLearn

This article covers the safeguarding policies of FutureLearn as a platform. If you are looking for information on how to get a certificate on the course Safeguarding Adults: Level 3 Training you can either check the information within the course itself (see step 1.1) or follow the instructions in this help centre article- Certificates for NHS staff.

As a company, we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all who use our services, and provide a safe learning environment that protects those who are most vulnerable.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults who use our services and we take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying, harassment, sexual exploitation or abuse.

All adults, including our learners, our partners, and FutureLearn staff, have a responsibility to respond when they are concerned that a child may be at risk of harm.

Child safety

For general advice on how to use FutureLearn safely if you are aged between 13 and 17, please see our Child Safety page. There is a link to this advice at the bottom of every page on FutureLearn.

Please note that new registrations since 11 February 2022 must be age 16 or over.

Reporting comments

If you see a comment by another learner that concerns you, press the flag button to report it to our moderators for review, and write a note in the Supporting Information box explaining why you are concerned. 

The person whose comment was reported will not know who reported it, but FutureLearn may get in touch with you to follow up.

It’s especially important to do this is you believe that a child or vulnerable adult is in immediate danger. 

We have further advice if you are worried about potential online bullying.

Reporting an educator

Learners and educators on FutureLearn’s open courses should only communicate via the comments in the course, and should not have any private contact outside of the course.

However, if you are worried about the behaviour of an educator (or any other member of a team who is running a FutureLearn course) inside or outside of a course, please email [e-mail] and include any supporting information you are comfortable to share.

Your email will be sent to FutureLearn’s Safeguarding Officer and Deputy, who will escalate it with the safeguarding lead at the partner institution. Any information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Reporting FutureLearn staff

As a user of FutureLearn you may come in to contact with FutureLearn’s user support, user research, or marketing teams among others.

If you are worried about the behaviour of a member of our staff, please email [e-mail] and include any supporting information you are comfortable to share.

Your email will be sent to FutureLearn’s Safeguarding Officer and Deputy, who will follow up the issue internally according to our Whistleblowing Policy. Any information will be treated with strict confidentiality.