Safeguarding at Bridgend College

We are committed in our duty of care that all students are kept safe from harm, which may consist of abuse, neglect or radicalisation.

We must recognise the signs of potential harm /abuse to students and pass concerns on to the Student Wellbeing Team at the earliest opportunity.

Staff and students alike at Bridgend College are continuously reviewing their knowledge of threats and attend regular training courses.

Here are a number of key activities and procedures that have enabled us to strengthen our approach to safeguarding and wellbeing in 2018-19:

• Safer recruitment training delivered to recruiting managers across the organisation by NSPCC Cymru
• One day workshop delivered to the Wellbeing Team and Junior Apprenticeship staff on managing self-harming behaviours
• Student Wellbeing workshops hosted across campuses
  
• Rollout of ‘Being Well’ wallet cards and Reset Boxes
• One day workshop delivered to the Wellbeing Team and Junior Apprenticeship staff on counselling skills
• Successful application of ‘College Mental Health Award’ via Leeds Beckett University and the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health. Work is now ongoing to secure the award based on evidence assessment to follow in 2019-20
• Highly commended by the AoC Beacon assessment for Mental Health and Wellbeing. Bridgend College is now in the second stage of the assessment and is awaiting results to hear of possible shortlisting
• Facilitation of a ‘Whole college approach’ mental health visioning day, which included staff from across the organisation, students and a governor. A six-strand action plan has since been created
• Joined a pilot with Mental Health UK called ‘Bloom’, a UK wider programme for young people, funded by Lloyds Banking Group. An initial focus group with staff was held prior to the programme materials being created, with the student pilot groups taking place in the 2019/20 academic year
• Each individual is expected to wear a lanyard / ID badges at all times, on all campuses
• All external visitors register their details online to confirm their attendance, member of staff they are meeting and how long they are expected to be onsite
• All staff are required to conduct online training and/or attend workshops throughout the year to continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and PREVENT
• The Wellbeing Team at Bridgend College has met individual departments to raise the awareness of how important it is to connect with the Wellbeing Team if there is a student needing help/support or advice and guidance
• The Wellbeing Team is easily identifiable by their purple lanyards and purple uniform

If you need further advice and guidance, please contact the Student Wellbeing Team on 01656 302302 ext. 488 or on wellbeing@bridgend.ac.uk.