Parliamentary petition …..
Twenty-five bereaved families have petitioned Parliament, wanting a statutory duty of care for students in higher education. University documentation frequently refers to a duty of care, so most people will be astonished to learn that it is only a ‘moral intention’. The call comes after a judge ruled that no relevant common law duty of care existed in the case of Abrahart v University of Bristol.
Ministers are naturally confused. Michelle Donelan, for example, speaking on behalf of the Department for Education in October 2021, said:
Higher education (HE) providers … have a duty of care to students when delivering services, including the provision of pastoral support, and taking steps to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of students.
