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 peer-on-peer 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

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 and to the FIKA app 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.

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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Meet the Team

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