Who makes up your safeguarding team, and what roles do they play in supporting students?

Natalie Charman and Carly Lancaster, our deputy campus leads, handle a lot of what comes through the safeguarding system. Caroline Underwood and Saff Butler joined less than a year ago and have already done amazing work. The team is incredible and has made such a difference in so many students’ lives. I’m so proud of them.  

I also work incredibly closely with Amy Langford (Group Director of inclusion), who is my Line Manager and Safeguarding Lead for the college. She is a fountain of knowledge and a huge support to myself and my team.

What qualifications or experiences have been most important in preparing you for this role?

We’re all trained in safeguarding, and I have advanced safeguarding qualifications. We’re always learning and staying updated with the latest laws and best practices. Right now, I’m taking a ‘train the trainer’ course so I can train others in safeguarding.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I’m very focused on students. I love solving problems and knowing I’ve helped someone. It’s a privilege to be trusted with confidential information and to make a real difference.

What does your role as Head of Safeguarding involve on a day-to-day basis?

I support the team with safeguarding cases and crises. We work closely with safeguarding agencies like the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), the police, and local GPs. We also collaborate with the college’s wellbeing team, counsellors, and external services like Arthur Ellis (youth counselling), CAMHS, and the Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service. It’s a real team effort.

How does the safeguarding team ensure the safety and well-being of all students?

Staff can log any concerns into our safeguarding system. We assess the need and decide if we can handle it or need outside help. Amy and I also train staff regularly and remind everyone that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We share information through posters, the website, and other resources to keep everyone informed.

What are some key safeguarding policies or procedures parents should be aware of?

Parents can find the College’s Safeguarding Policy on the website, which includes details of helplines for extra support. We also offer Togetherall, a 24-hour online counselling service for students and staff. It’s monitored, and any serious concerns are flagged to us. We use an IT system called Smoothwall to alert us to worrying online activity so we can check if students are safe.

What steps can parents take if they have concerns about their child’s well-being or safety?

If it’s urgent, parents should go straight to A&E or call the police. For extra support, the Samaritans helpline is a fantastic resource, and Kooth offers free online support for students. There’s also a mental health drop-in run at the local hospital from 5 – 11 pm. If parents are concerned about their young person walking to and from college, I recommend the Hollie Guard app. It can send an alert to someone if the user feels unsafe.

If you could give one piece of advice to parents about supporting their children through college, what would it be?

Keep talking to your child. Don’t feel like you have to manage everything on your own. We’re here to support both students and their families. If you need help, reach out – you’re not alone.

If you have a safeguarding concern about your child which is impacting their college journey, you can reach out to the safeguarding team via the web form on our website or call us on 01908 684444.