Learner Code of Conduct (Non-Academic)

1. Introduction

The Learner Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) serves to define types of non-academic misconduct not tolerated at Multiverse and links to the procedures employed by Multiverse to address these behaviours.

Learners agree to adhere to the Learner Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) upon signing their Apprenticeship Training Plan. Learners are consequently subject to the Learner Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process, should they breach the Learner Code of Conduct.

Nothing in this Code of Conduct shall be interpreted such that it would amount to illegitimate interference in learners’ human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights, including the rights to lawful freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

2. Scope

2.1. The Learner Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) applies to all learners upon signing the Apprenticeship Training Plan, until they complete or stop studying their programme at Multiverse.

2.2. The Learner Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) covers all enrolled learners at Multiverse. It includes learners at all levels, full-time or part-time.

2.3. Multiverse reserves the right to take disciplinary action (potential sanctions detailed in Appendix 2) for alleged misconduct (detailed in Appendix 1) by learners who have interrupted their programme, taken a break in learning, or who have been temporarily suspended, or excluded, or are in some other way still members of the Multiverse community. If disciplinary action under this Code of Conduct has been commenced against a learner who then leaves Multiverse, the disciplinary process can continue in a bid to reach an outcome. To ensure fairness and clarity, disciplinary action against a learner who leaves Multiverse should ideally conclude within a reasonable timeframe, generally not exceeding three months from their departure date. However, this period may be extended in complex cases, such as those involving criminal investigations or extensive evidence gathering, provided the learner is kept informed of the reasons for the delay.

2.4. This policy covers conduct carried out by learners, both online and in person, during:

1. Programme sessions and training.
2. Assessment and examination processes.
3. Multiverse events.
4. Online usage of Multiverse platforms.
5. Interactions with Multiverse learners and staff.
6. Any representation of Multiverse.

2.5. This policy does not cover Academic Misconduct. Academic Misconduct will be handled under the Assessment Policy for programmes where Multiverse awards academic credit at level 4 and above.

3. Policy Statement

3.1. Any learner alleged to have breached Multiverse’s Learner Code of Conduct (Non-Academic) will be subject to the procedures detailed in the Learner Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process. These procedures detail the process for investigating allegations of misconduct, determining outcomes, and applying any necessary sanctions.

4. Definitions

4.1. Academic Misconduct: Defined as any action or attempted action by a learner that gives or has the potential to give them or any other learner an unfair advantage in an examination or assessment, or any activity likely to undermine the integrity and academic standards essential to examinations and research.

4.2. Appendix 1: A non-exhaustive list of behaviours that could be considered as misconduct or serious misconduct under this code. This is a guide and not an exhaustive list.

4.3. Appendix 2: A non-exhaustive list of actions and sanctions that may be applied in cases of misconduct and serious misconduct under this code. This is a guide and not an exhaustive list.

4.4. Bullying: Defined as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power.​ Power does not always mean being in a position of authority but can include both personal strength and the power to coerce through fear or intimidation.​ Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal, non-verbal and online conduct. Actions may constitute bullying whether or not the person behaving in that way intends to cause offence. This also applies to people who are not the subject of the bullying, but who may witness and be offended by it. ​

4.5. Coercive Behaviour: Defined as an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation, and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, frighten, isolate, or create dependence.

4.6. Controlling Behaviour: Defined as a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent.

4.7. Cyber Bullying: Defined as bullying with the use of digital technologies. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour, aimed at scaring, angering or shaming those who are targeted.

4.8. Discrimination: In line with the Equality Act 2010, discrimination is defined as treating a person less favourably than someone else because of certain protected characteristics.

4.9. Harassment: Defined as unwanted behaviour or conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment, or causing a person distress or alarm. Harassment may consist of persistent behaviour, although one single act may be considered sufficiently serious to warrant disciplinary action. Actions may be harassment whether or not the person behaving in that way intends to cause offence. Actions may also be considered harassment if they are conducted online. These behaviours or conduct might be because of, or connected to, one or more of the protected characteristics. We would also consider harassment to include any incidents of physical violence towards another person(s) on the basis of a protected characteristic.

4.10. Informal Resolution: Defined as the process for addressing and resolving disputes, complaints, or conflicts outside of formal investigative or disciplinary procedures. The primary goal is to find a mutually acceptable solution or understanding between the parties involved.

4.11. Learner Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process: Defined as the process and associated procedures undertaken to identify and investigate allegations of non-academic misconduct, applying appropriate sanctions when those allegations are upheld. This procedural document may also be referred to as the ‘disciplinary process.’

4.12. Misconduct: Defined as an act or failure to act by a learner which is inappropriate and which negatively affects, could negatively affect, or has negatively affected Multiverse (including its property and/or reputation) and/or any member of the Multiverse community.

4.13. Multiverse Community: Defined as being all Multiverse learners, all staff (with any form of contract to undertake work at or for Multiverse), and visitors to Multiverse premises or online events.

4.14. No Contact Order: Defined as a formal notice or agreement put in place by Multiverse to restrict two or more learners from directly or indirectly contacting or communicating with each other. This is typically used as a risk management tool to ensure safety and prevent further problematic interactions.

4.15. Relationship abuse: (Also known as Domestic Abuse or Domestic Violence) is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, and/or violence between those aged 16 or over, who are, or have been, in a personal relationship with the individual(s) abusing them, regardless of gender or sexuality.

4.16. Reporting Party: Defined as the person(s) who has made an allegation of, or raised a concern about possible misconduct. The Reporting Party can be an individual inside and outside of the Multiverse Community.

4.17. Responding Party: Defined as the learner(s) about whom an allegation of misconduct has been made.

4.18. Serious Misconduct: Defined as misconduct (as defined above) where the negative impact is, could have been, or could be serious or significant. This may include sustained or repeated misconduct.

4.19. Sexual Misconduct: Covers a broad range of inappropriate, unwanted, or attempted unwanted, behaviours of a sexual nature. It covers all forms of sexual violence, including penetration without consent, sexual assault, sexual abuse (including online and image-based abuse), non-consensual sexual touching, sexual harassment (unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which violates your dignity; makes you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated or creates a hostile or offensive environment), stalking, abusive or degrading remarks of a sexual nature, and a vast range of other behaviours.

4.20. Stalking: Defined as a specific type of harassment involving a pattern of unwanted, fixated, or obsessive behaviour that is intrusive and causes fear or distress, occurring both online and in person.

5. Associated Policies

1. Learner Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process
2. Community Guidelines
3. Support Hub Users Code of Conduct
4. Devices and Acceptable Use Policy
5. Online Safety Policy
6. Health and Safety Policy
7. Attendance Absence and Withdrawal Policy
8. Assessment Policy- Advanced Programmes Policy
9. Safeguarding Policy
10. Prevent Policy

Appendix 1 - Examples of misconduct

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of misconduct and Multiverse is able to take action under this code for any type of misconduct.

It is recognised that these examples might fall into the category of either misconduct or serious misconduct, depending on the circumstances of the allegation and the impact on others. The categorisation of the examples provided below is intended to be indicative rather than prescriptive. There will be occasions where an investigation highlights that the misconduct is more, or less, serious than first assessed and it should be escalated or de-escalated as appropriate.

Misconduct includes:

1. Disruption to, or improper interference with, the learning, coaching, administrative, social, or other activities of Multiverse.
2. Disruption to, or obstruction of, or improper interference with, the functions, duties, or activities of any member of the Multiverse Community.
3. A breach of Multiverse regulations or policies (e.g., the Community Guidelines).
4. Anti-social conduct, including causing a public nuisance by drunkenness or disorderly conduct.
5. Unauthorised use of, theft of, or minor damage to Multiverse property.
6. Failure to leave any part of Multiverse premises when reasonably required to do so.
7. Offences against the criminal law involving other learners directly, thereby compromising their safety, or directly affecting Multiverse’s interests (these may also be considered serious misconduct depending on severity).
8. Breach of the Devices and Acceptable Use Policy or Online Safety Policy where the instance is minor (low-risk, unintentional, or isolated).
9. Encouraging or assisting another person to commit misconduct, where the nature and impact of the misconduct is minor.

Serious Misconduct includes:

1. Offences against the criminal law involving other learners directly, compromising their safety, or directly affecting Multiverse’s interests, such as its reputation, operations, or financial well-being.
2. Breach of the Devices and Acceptable Use Policy or Online Safety Policy where the instance is serious (deliberate, high-risk activities that compromise security, expose Multiverse to legal or reputational harm, or create an unsafe environment).
3. Encouraging or assisting another person to commit misconduct where the nature and impact is serious.
4. The making of malicious complaints.
5. A serious or persistent breach of any Multiverse policies. This includes significant violations of a single policy (e.g., fraud, discrimination) or repeated, uncorrected violations of any policies, even if minor individually (e.g., consistent lateness, misuse of company property).
6. Failure to comply with a previously imposed warning, precautionary measures, or sanctions.
7. Falsification or serious misuse of Multiverse records, including degree or qualification certificates.
8. False pretences or impersonation of others, including in connection with academic attainments or financial awards.
9. Significant breach of health and safety requirements, endangering the wellbeing of the Multiverse community (including but not limited to tampering with or misusing fire or safety equipment).
10. The use of physical violence, force, or power, either threatened or actual, against another person, group, or community.
11. Harassment.
12. Discrimination.
13. Sexual misconduct.
14. Stalking.
15. Relationship abuse.
16. Controlling behaviour.
17. Coercive behaviour.
18. Bullying.
19. Cyber bullying.

Appendix 2 -Possible Sanctions Following the Learner Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process

The following is a list of actions and sanctions that may be applied in cases of misconduct or serious misconduct, following the Learner Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Process.

The specific sanction to be applied will be determined on an individual basis for each case, based on the circumstances and seriousness of the misconduct, along with any relevant mitigating/ aggravating factors.

Multiverse may deem it appropriate to employ informal resolutions, such as mediation, coaching, guidance, a verbal warning, education and training, instead of or alongside sanctions.

Below is a list of all possible sanctions following a disciplinary process:

1. Written apology/ reflection (if appropriate)
2. Formal Written Warning
3. The requirement to make good the cost in whole or in part of any damage caused and/or repay/make good any financial loss to Multiverse
4. No Contact Order
5. A requirement to undertake suitable training or awareness programmes
6. A requirement to undertake an informal resolution
7. Formal Performance Improvement Plan
8. Loss of progression (for learners on advanced programmes)
9. Partial Suspension, such as a ban from the Multiverse premises or platform
10. Limitation of references provided by Multiverse (e.g. provision of a factual reference only)
11. Temporary withdrawal from Multiverse
12. Permanent withdrawal from Multiverse
13. Exclusion from future programme participation at Multiverse