Safeguarding
Cheshire College South and West is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have developed a Safeguarding Policy and Procedure that aims to meet this commitment. You can view and download the Safeguarding policy on our Policies and Procedures page.
Safeguarding means
Promotion of your health and development
Ensuring your safety and care
Ensuring you are offered the best life chances
Protection from abuse and neglect
Protection from peer on peer abuse, including sexual abuse, sexual violence and online sexual harassment
Prevention of bullying and harassment
If you have concerns about a student
Talk to their PDT or lecturer
Talk to a member of the Be Safe Team
Send a message via ‘I need help…’ on the College intranet
Contact the Safeguarding Team by emailing besafe@ccsw.ac.uk
Outside College Hours
If you have concerns for the safety of a student outside of college hours you will need to access support or advice directly.
Threat to Life
If you believe that you or the person you are enquiring about is suffering a genuine life-threatening emergency, you should call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.
Emergency Duty Team
If you are concerned that a child (under 18) is in danger of harm, contact the appropriate Emergency Duty Team:
- Cheshire East – 0300 123 5022
- Cheshire West and Chester – 0300 123 7035 (between 7pm and 8am Monday to Friday and weekends)
NSPCC
You can seek advice or report a concern to the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.
Mental Health Crisis Team
If a person over 18 is in danger due to mental health-related issues the Mental Health Crisis Team can be contacted on 0800 145 6485
How we support our students
We have Learner Safety Teams in place at each of our Campuses, providing first aid support and responding to any students concerns, including emotional wellbeing. The Learner Safety Teams also support positive student behaviour and carry out student safety surveys in order to continuously improve the service.
Our team of Wellbeing Coaches work with students to develop strategies to promote positive mental health and wellbing.
We have a team of qualified counsellors across all three of our Campuses who offer one to one person centred counselling.
All of our full-time students have a designated PDT that they will meet with weekly. Our PDTs also deliver an extensive tutorial programme that covers key safeguarding themes, such as online safety, sexual health, consent, exploitation and Prevent.
The Safeguarding Team work in close partnership with local authorities to support students who may be vulnerable and/or known to Children’s Social Care, including students who are in the care of the local authority. These students will be closely monitored by the Safeguarding Team, who will attend meetings to maintain links and open communication with parents/carers and the local authority. The College will ensure that the support identified in the student’s plan is in place and regularly reviewed; any concerns will be communicated with the local authority to ensure appropriate support is in place.
Operation Encompass is a police and education early intervention safeguarding partnership, enabling the College to offer immediate support to children and young people experiencing domestic abuse.
Information is shared with the College’s Key Adult (Designated/Deputy Safeguarding Lead) prior to the start of the next College day, after officers have attended a domestic abuse incident where there are children and/or young people related to either of the adult parties involved.
This sharing of information enables appropriate support to be given, dependent upon the needs and wishes of the student.
