Encounters with students

[Scarlett]

Does anyone know the legal implications of College (FE) lecturers having affairs/snogs/sex or no sex with students age 16+?

I saw on the news today a teacher who has lost her job, got community service and is now on the sex offenders list because she kissed her 16 year old students on several occasions- romantically, as her marriage was falling apart and he gave her support.

Obviously in a school situation it is a sackabale offence. In university it seems nobody bats an eyelid- students are 18+ and can do what they please.

But what about 6th form colleges/HE Colleges and students of, say 18?

[Buenchico]

A further education college would probably have disciplinary procedures which make it clear that, from the college's point of view, inappropriate relationships between staff and students aged 18+ are just as likely to lead to disciplinary action as when the students are under 18.

From a legal standpoint, however, an 'abuse of a position of trust' only applies when the student is under 18 years of age

For the precise wording of the law, read sections 16 to 24 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/30042--b.htm

Chris

[MangoPete]

Hi Scarlett
Yes it does happen at Uni's but it is breach of the lecturers contract. Innapropriate behagviour, breach of trust etc just as a Social worker having a relationship with a client