Ensuring the safety and well-being of students at West Somerset College is our top priority and, therefore, we have policies and procedures which surround the issue of safeguarding young people. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined for the purpose of this guidance as:

• protecting children from maltreatment;
• preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development;
• ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;

• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.

No single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances. If children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.

Please click on the below link for more information:

STEPS THE COLLEGE MIGHT TAKE:

• Meeting with the young person to explore the issue;
• Meeting with the parent/s to explore the issue;
• Liaising and meeting with other agencies or professionals;
• Somerset Referral to Early Help: targeted early help services to address the assessed needs of a child, young person and their family, which focusses on activity to significantly improve the outcomes for them. What is Early Help?

Social Services are first and foremost a preventative agency – they seek to support families to get back on track and make change happen in their lives to ensure that young people are kept safe. It is with this in mind that the college might refer to Social Services: to seek support for the family and young person. Unless the risk is presented by a parent, the school will either consult with them about the referral or inform them that a referral is taking place. Please click here for our child protection / safeguarding policy.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL THAT A YOUNG PERSON IS AT RISK:

If you are a student at the college:

• Tell a member of staff about it if you’re in college;
• Tell your parent about it if you’re at home;
• Call Childline (0800 1111) or The Samaritans (08457 909090). Childline is free to call from any phone.

If you are a parent:

• You can contact any member of the safeguarding team at safeguarding@westsomersetcollege.org or call 01643 706061. If outside of school, you can contact Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224 or the police on 101.

Key Guidance and Legislation