Safeguarding

We take the welfare of all students and staff extremely seriously. We have a team of qualified Safeguarding and Welfare officers that work to ensure that students feel safe and supported.

We take the safeguarding and welfare of all students and staff extremely seriously. We have a team of qualified Safeguarding and Welfare officers that work to ensure that students feel safe and supported.

The College is committed to:

Providing a safe learning environment for all students with equal protection from all types of harm and abuse.
Identifying children, young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and taking appropriate action to see that such children, young people and vulnerable adults are kept safe, both at home and at the College.
Working in partnership with students, staff and other institutions to promote a safe learning environment.

View our Safeguarding policy here.

Key Contacts:

Paul Smith

Designated Safeguarding Lead (Multisite)

0121 667500

[email protected]

James Blunt

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

0121 415 7244

[email protected]

Sian Whitehouse

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead & Additional Learning Support Manager (SEND)

[email protected]

Safeguarding Officers

Lyn James

0121 4157244

[email protected]

Madison Shanahan

0121 4157244

[email protected]

Mental Health Support

At Cadbury College, we prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of our students. We have a team of trained Mental Health First Aiders and Suicide First Aiders who are available to provide a safe and supportive environment where students can share their concerns and receive attentive listening.

We offer a counselling and mentoring service that all students can access through a self-referral via the links below.

Counselling

Mentoring

Operation Encompass

Sandwell College works in partnership with Operation Encompass which is a proactive safeguarding initiative that ensures students affected by domestic abuse receive timely support. Through this collaboration, the Police notify the college about any domestic incidents involving students, allowing designated staff members, known as ‘Key Adults’, to provide appropriate support to students. This partnership underscores the commitment to the well-being and safety of our students.

Operation Encompass

Peer on Peer abuse

We recognise the potential for abuse between young people, especially in the context of a College setting, face-to-face or online. All staff are vigilant to the signs of what is called peer-on-peer abuse, including those between young people who are not currently attending our provision, and report any concern, no matter how small, to the college Safeguarding Team.
We’re here if you’re worried about something you’ve seen or heard, if you’re concerned for yourself or another student, or just looking for some advice.

There is also an independently run Report Abuse in Education dedicated helpline. The helpline is run by the NSPCC and is free and anonymous for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse or harassment at school and/or College or for adults or professionals who need support and guidance. Whether it’s happening now or it happened in the past, you can call Report Abuse on 0800 136 663 or email [email protected]

Online Safety

It has never been more important to keep yourself safe online. Here are some useful tips from the UK Safer Internet Centre to remember:
1. Protect your online reputation and ‘think before you post’. Content posted online can last forever and could be shared publicly by anyone.
2. Report anything that concerns you to service providers and use blocking and deleting tools. If something happens that upsets you online, it’s never too late to tell someone.
3. Don’t give in to pressure. Remember, if you lose your inhibitions, you’ve lost control and once you’ve pressed send, you can’t take it back.
4. Respect the law! Use reliable services and know how to legally access the music, film and TV you want.
5. Acknowledge your sources. Use trustworthy content and remember to give credit when using others’ work or ideas.

Safeguarding Out of Hours

If you suspect a child or young person is being abused, you should contact your Local Authority Out of Hours Social Care number.

If you feel that a child or any other student is at immediate risk and in need of protection you should contact the Police immediately (999 emergency, 101 non-emergency).

Birmingham Children’s Safeguarding Referrals