Safeguarding is important to everything we do. It’s about keeping our staff, students and visitors safe. It’s also about keeping them well and protected from har. This way, everyone can be their best and reach their goals. This includes what is happening outside of college, as well as in college.

The government sets out guidance that we have to follow. We do this in a number of ways. However, we pride ourselves on doing more. We make sure that we provide a safe and happy environment. This means that everyone can do and be their best.

Report a concern

If you have an urgent concern you can report it by

• During working hours call 07825 175729.

• Outside of working hours call 101. In an emergency call 999.

If you have a less urgent concern you can report it by emailing our Safeguarding Team.

Help and support during holidays

We know that people still need help and support while we are closed to students. Find out more about services that can support you outside of term time.

Preventing

Preventing abuse and harm before it happens is the best way of working. We have many initiatives and ways of working to help keeping people safe from a potential harm. This includes raising awareness of potential issues. It means making safeguarding important in all parts of our teaching. We need to support students. And we make sure everyone knows what to do if they have concerns.

Protecting

Our policies and procedures are designed to minimise risks of harm to our staff and students. This includes having a dedicated team of trained specialises. They are led, by the College’s designated Safeguarding Lead. They can respond to safeguarding concerns sensitively and swiftly, during the working day. Outside of working hours emergency concerns should be reported to the Police.

Supporting

People who are a victim of abuse or radicalisation are able to access support in a number of ways. We have a dedicated counselling service. We also work closely with specialist organisations who can provide support for specific needs.

What are safeguarding incidents?

There are many things that could put people at risk including:

• Abuse: sexual; emotional; financial; physical; verbal; and neglect.

• Hate crime.

• Self-harm

• Homelessness.

• Grooming; sexual exploitation; radicalisation; modern slavery.

• Forced marriage and so called honour based abuse.

What we do to keep people safe

We do this in many ways, including:

• getting Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on all staff and volunteers. We also do other pre-employment checks.

• getting DBS checks on students who will be working with children or vulnerable adults as part of their course.

• organising student risk assessments where needed. These may be carried out if students have an unspent criminal record, or pending court cases.

• mandatory safeguarding training for all staff.

• operating a College wide Safeguarding Team that are easily contactable

• developing a clear process for reporting cases of suspected abuse.

• taking bullying and harassment extremely seriously – if you have any concerns or this affects you speak to any member of staff.

Every year we review our policies and procedures. We do this to ensure that they are up to date with current laws and advice.

Information for Employers

Please read the following if you are an employer hosting a student for work experience, a placement, or an apprenticeship.

British Values

We promote the government's British values: Democracy, Individual Liberty, Rule of Law, Mutual Respect, and Tolerance. We also promote their place in our expectations, vision, and values.