Neighbourhood helpline

Issues are registered with the University through the process detailed in the Neighbourhood Helpline Code. Where our students have been identified as living at a property causing a neighbourhood issue, the Sustainability service begin the University process for handling community complaints. 

The University assesses the severity and impact of the incident reported before deciding on the best course of action. The impact can be classed as minor, moderate or major, and these have different potential outcomes in the disciplinary process. 

Where issues were considered to have had a minor impact and where it is the first complaint received against the students, then all students identified as living at the property are contacted through a letter.  This details the allegation and provides guidance on living locally and the University, as well as explaining the processes and sanctions if further complaints are registered.  It also advises students that if further complaints are received, then further disciplinary action will be taken.

If the issue was classed as having a moderate impact or if they have already been involved in previous complaints then the disciplinary process will proceed to stage 3.

Students involved in issues that had a major impact proceed directly to stage 4 of the disciplinary process.

If the issue was moderate or if students have been involved in previous complaints then they will be invited to Good Citizenship training. 

All students identified as living at the property are contacted through a letter and email to request that they attend the Good Citizenship training workshop within a specified time frame. The letter details the allegations, provides guidance on resident responsibilities and details the University and Leeds City Council processes for responding to neighbourhood issues. 

The workshop has been developed to give students a better understanding of their role and responsibilities in society and how to make a positive contribution to the local community. 

This includes guidance on how to manage conflict with others, identify solutions to neighbourhood disputes, understand the consequences and impacts of nuisance behaviours and help them to prevent further situations that would result in further complaints. 

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: 

• State their need for training around good citizenship; 
• Describe the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the sanctions should these be breached. Including Leeds City Council and University sanctions for community conduct. 
• Describe the impact anti-social behaviour has on people, businesses and organisations in the community; 
• Describe examples of anti-social behaviour and the solutions to resolve situations; and 
• Describe how they might contribute positively to their community and articulate actions to enable them to make such a contribution. 

The Good Citizenship training workshop is compulsory for those who are asked to attend.  Students that fail to attend within the required time frame are referred to the Head of Student Cases for further action. 

If the complaint was considered to have had a major impact or if students have previously attended Good Citizenship training and receive further complaints then they will be directly referred to the Head of Student cases. 

Student behaviour and appropriate action will then be considered under the  General Disciplinary Regulations.