Safeguarding

We take our duty to protect young people and adults at risk very seriously, therefore we see Safeguarding as everyone’s responsibility.

We have a set of policies to safeguard students, who may be in need of protection, and to enable the College to meet its duties under the Children Act 1989, and Section 175 of the Education Act 2002. These are listed below. Our policies reflect Keeping children safe in education 2021 (gov.uk - PDF)

Staff are appropriately recruited and trained, and we will take immediate action should there be any serious welfare or safeguarding concerns. 

If you have any concerns

If you have any concerns over a child protection issue or welfare concern, please contact the College’s Welfare and Safeguarding team on 01284 716 397 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will handle all concerns in a sensitive manner.

Our designated safeguarding leads are:

Colin Shaw

Senior Designated Safeguarding Lead

Claire Battey

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Gary Jefferson

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Debbie Coomes

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Policies

• Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy Including Adult at Risk Policy
• Managing allegations of abuse against people who work with children or those in positions of trust
• Policy for Disclosure of Matters of Public Interest (Whistle Blowing)
• Policy and Procedure for Dealing with Bullying and Harassment
• Confidentiality Policy - Pastoral Care
• Procedure for Looked After Children and Care Leavers
• Intimate Care Procedure
• British Values and Challenging Radicalisation, Extremism and Terrorism
• Young Adult Carers Policy
• Response to Self Harm Procedure
• External Speakers Procedure
• Prevention of Modern Slavery
• Early Help Offer
• Fitness to Study
• Online e-Safety and Social Media Policy
• West Suffolk College - Prevent Risk Register

Useful contacts

Childline
Childline.org.uk
Call free on 0800 1111

NSPCC
www.nspcc.org.uk

Samaritans: (Suicide prevention charity)
https://www.samaritans.org/

Customer first (Social Care for out of hours safeguarding concerns)
0808 800 4005

111 - NHS Non-emergency advice line
101 – Police Non-emergency Line

Papyrus Hopeline UK (Suicide prevention charity for young people)
0800 068 4141
 
Mind
www.mind.org.uk
 
Emotional Wellbeing Hub
0345 600 2090 (Monday - Friday 8am-7.30pm)

The source (information and advice for young people in Suffolk)
thesource.me.uk
 
Kooth (online counselling service)
www.kooth.com
 
Domestic abuse helpline
0808 2000 247
www.nationalahelpline.org.uk

Other resources

Supporting your child - self-harm

Spiking - top tips to stay safe

What does spiking mean?

To spike a drink means to put alcohol or drugs into someone's drink without their knowledge or permission. The aim may be to incapacitate someone enough to rob or sexually assault them, although sometimes it is just intended as a joke – a bad joke as it is very dangerous.

There is also some concern at the possibility that people are being ‘spiked’ by needles/syringes containing drugs. Although this is much less likely than drink spiking, many of the same tips for staying safe can protect you here too. Spiking is a criminal offence and venues should take steps to ensure they are safe places to be, but you still need to protect yourself, particularly if you feel unsafe.

Tips to stay safe

• Plan your night out, including your journey there and back.

• Make sure the venue you are going to is licensed – venues are required to take steps to ensure the safety of their customers

• When going to a pub, club or party avoid going alone. Friends can look out for one another.

• Stay aware of what’s going on around you and keep away from situations you don’t feel comfortable with.

• Think very carefully about whether you should leave a pub, club or party with someone you’ve just met.

• Make sure your mobile phone has plenty of charge in it before you leave home and keep your mobile safe.