Ashford College - Safeguarding
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Safeguarding

We all want Ashford College to be a safe and secure place for everyone to work and learn together. 

Safeguarding is about our legal duty and moral obligation to ensure that the welfare of all young people and all vulnerable adults is promoted. It means that all staff are trained to provide help as soon as possible, always act in the best interest of the young person and know about systems to make referrals.

In relation to young people and vulnerable adults, safeguarding means:

  • Protection from harm
  • Preventing impairment of young people's health or development
  • Making sure that the environment is safe and provides effective care
  • Taking action to make sure that the best outcomes can be achieved

Safeguarding action may be needed to protect young people and vulnerable adults from any forms of neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse or emotional abuse.

A fuller list can be found in “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (DfE latest update September 2016).

Safeguarding is not just about protecting young people and vulnerable adults from deliberate harm, neglect and failure to act. It relates to broader aspects of care and education including:

  • Learners’ health and safety and wellbeing including their mental health
  • Meeting the needs of learners who have special educational needs and/or disabilities
  • The use of reasonable force
  • Meeting the needs of learners with medical conditions
  • Providing first aid
  • Educational visits
  • Intimate care and emotional wellbeing
  • Online safety and associated issues
  • Appropriate arrangements to ensure learners’ security, taking into account the local context

What do I do if I or someone I know has a concern about safeguarding?

Tell someone. Any student or visitor can approach any member of staff anytime about safeguarding and they will listen to you sensitively and act upon what you say.

The College has procedures in place to investigate and deal with any safeguarding concerns and we take these very seriously.

If you have concerns about your wellbeing or that of others, please share them with a member of staff on the list, your personal tutor, any tutor or any member of staff.

How can I contact someone?

You can contact a Safeguarding Officer by either calling 01843 605005 and selecting Option 7 or emailing safeguarding.ashford@ekcgroup.ac.uk.

Tutors and Mentors

Student Progression Mentors support full-time learners in their personal development, enabling them to become independent learners who enjoy their time at the College and reach their full potential.

Individual support and guidance

We have a tutorial system so that every student receives the individual support and guidance they need to recognise and achieve their full potential.

Student Progression Mentors

A student who is perceived to need extra support with pastoral issues will be referred to the Student Progression Mentors. Students are also able to self-refer if they feel they would like to talk to someone about any issues they are having. We encourage all learners to approach our staff with any concerns they might have. We would also encourage parents, carers and guardians to contact a Student Progression Mentor if they have any concerns regarding a young person’s wellbeing.

Reviewing progress

Parents, carers and guardians will also receive progress reviews and the opportunity to attend at least two Parent/Carer/Guardian Evenings a year (the dates of which will be published at the start of the academic year).

Each student will have a minimum of three formal review sessions every academic year. These reviews consider attendance, attitude to work, participation in class and work record, amongst other factors. Written progress reviews will be issued to the student and their parents/carers/guardians.