Safeguarding

At Halesowen College we’re passionate about safeguarding our students. We believe that we have a moral as well as a statutory duty to ensure that we safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk of harm in our care.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility, all our professionals are trained to make sure that their approach is child-centered.

We commit to:

• Provide a safe environment for children, young people and adults at risk of harm to learn in
• Identify those who are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm or who are at risk of radicalisation
• Take appropriate action to see that students are kept safe at College and also that disclosures of potential abuse occurring at home or elsewhere are reported appropriately
• Report allegations of modern slavery and/or human trafficking in accordance with the Anti-Modern Day Slavery Statement and Policy
• Have a system for identifying concerns in relation to abuse of adults at risk of harm and effective methods of responding to disclosures
• Refer concerns that a child, young person or adult at risk of significant harm or might be at risk of significant harm to the appropriate referral agencies
• Work effectively with others as required by ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’
• Listen to the voice of a child and always act in the interest of the child
• Appoint a Designated Senior Person for child protection
• Ensure appropriate safeguarding responses for children who go missing from College
• Have safeguarding policies and procedures that are consistent with the local Safeguarding Children Board requirements, reviewed annually and made available to parents
• Take a zero-tolerance approach to child-on-child abuse, sexual violence and sexual harassment ensuring that when this is reported the victim is believed, kept safe and that the report is managed as required by Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Identify and respond to mental health issues where there may also be a safeguarding concern in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Educate our students to enable them to recognise safeguarding concerns to keep themselves and others safe
• Operation Encompass is a police and education early information safeguarding partnership enabling schools and colleges to offer immediate support to children experiencing domestic abuse. Operation Encompass ensures that there is a simple telephone call or notification to a school’s trained Designated Safeguarding Lead /Officer (known as key Adult) prior to the start of the next school day after an incident of police attended domestic abuse where there are children related to either of the adult parties involved. Information is shared with a Key Adult (Designated Safeguarding Lead or Officer) prior to the start of the next school / college day after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident. This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the child.

Meet the Team

Well-being and Mental Health Support

At Halesowen college we recognise that well-being and mental health concerns can have an impact on anyone at any time. We have a dedicated team of well-being advisors and counsellors who will: listen, find a safe space and time to talk, show kindness and compassion, be respectful, be open and inclusive and offer support and guidance to support success. Where it is appropriate, we will refer to external services.

All learners have access to Togetherall, a support platform available 24/7 to support mental fitness. We have the support of Hazel Charlton, college Chaplain who runs the ‘Animal Cafe’ – this allows learners to meet in a safe space and handle animals which can promote well-being and improve mental health.

Meet the Team

Useful Links:

Togetherall: https://togetherall.com/en-gb/

Togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. Sign up for free using college email account and access 24/7 support. 

Papryus UK: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am–midnight every day. PAPYRUS UK is a charity for the prevention of young suicide (under 35) in the UK | Call PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 

Shout: https://giveusashout.org/

For free 24/7 Mental Health support TEXT ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ – 24/7 phone line 116 123 

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Kooth: https://www.kooth.com/

Your online mental wellbeing community – Free, safe and anonymous support 

Brook Clinic: https://www.brook.org.uk

Free and confidential sexual health and wellbeing support.

Lets Chat: https://letschatwellbeing.co.uk/resources/

Take It Down: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org

Happier Minds: https://happierminds.org.uk

Shore Space: https://shorespace.org.uk

Support for Parents/Guardians

Are you worried about your child? Please take a look at these recommended websites for advice and support. 

Parent Zone: https://parentzone.org.uk/article/help-and-support

We deliver our work in a variety of ways: in-person training, individual family support, physical and virtual resources, live events, podcasts and much more. 

NSPCC: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/spotting-signs-child-abuse/

If you’re worried about a child, it can be hard to know what to do. We’ve got information and advice on different types of child abuse, how to spot the signs and what you can do to help keep children safe. 

Family Lives: https://www.familylives.org.uk/

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. If you need to talk, we’re here to listen.

Education against hate: https://educateagainsthate.com/parents/

Messages of hate can take many forms. Extremist groups use them to recruit young people. Parents can find answers to common questions and resources to help protect your child below.

CEOP: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

For help and support regarding online behaviour. 

This May Help: https://thismayhelp.me/

This May Help has been created to support parents and carers with concerns about their child’s mental health.

Teenage Relationship Abuse – A parent’s and carer’s guide to violence and abuse in teenage relationships

Additional support for students outside of college

Feeling and staying safe: https://www.themix.org.uk/crime-and-safety/personal-safety

Rape and sexual violence: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/

West Mercia – https://www.wmrsasc.org.uk/

Black Country – https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/

Birmingham and Sandwell – https://rsvporg.co.uk/

Domestic violence support (Includes information for males, LGBTQ+, and those at risk of forced marriage / honour based abuse):

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/

Alcohol issues:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/alcohol-support/

Drug addiction support:

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/

Care Experienced Learners

Halesowen College is committed to supporting our care experienced learners to prepare you to succeed in your lifelong learning and wider life experiences, and to maximise your success in your future working lives. We have developed strong relationships with our neighbouring Local Authorities, and have support in place to help you. The attached policy shows how we will support your engagement, admission, support and progression providing you with the confidence and motivation to succeed in your chosen pathway.

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