Safeguarding
Whether you’re learning online or face to face in one of our centres, we promise to keep you safe by listening to any questions, queries or concerns you may have. We have a dedicated safeguarding team who will pick this up and take the correct course of action to ensure you are safe.
Got a question, query or concern?
You can email us at anytime or report a concern.
Please note, if you are concerned about an individual’s immediate safety, please contact the emergency services.
At Skills & Learning, your safety is at the heart of everything we do.
Safeguarding is incredibly important at all stages in life, and as your adult education provider we have a duty to keep all learners as safe as possible. For more information about this, please read the Government website here.
For information about how to stay safe online and online etiquette, please read our guide here.
For information about how to stay safe in our centres, please read our guidance here. We also have information displayed in each centre about health and safety procedures, such as fire evacuation, risk assessments, first aid and smoking.
Our safeguarding team:
At Skills & Learning, we follow the Fundamental British Values. These are:
Democracy
This means understanding the role individuals have in influencing how to elect a representative in the government. It also means listening to views that are different from your own and being free to express your own ideas.
Rule of Law
All individuals in a community should follow the laws set by the government. Laws exist to protect people’s safety, freedom and rights. Each person has a responsibility to follow the rule of law.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Showing respect and tolerance means accepting different faiths, beliefs or ideas. Listening to others is also part of this, showing acceptance and being tolerant of other people.
Individual Liberty
Individual Liberty means understanding that in society, individuals are free to make choices, decide what they wish to believe, and are free to come and go as they please, as long as they live within the boundaries of the law. The freedom to make choices regarding faiths and beliefs is protected by the law.
British Values are referred to in every learner’s induction and also discussed throughout the course. Learners are encouraged to think of how British Values are used in the community and share examples with others.
Mental health and wellbeing support
If while you’re learning with us, or before your course starts, you’re experiencing ill mental health, we can help signpost you to services to support you and improve your wellbeing. Find out more about support we offer our learners here.
Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism (PREVENT)
This section of information focuses on radicalisation and extremism, what it is and what support is available to help prevent extremist behaviours.
Useful information on Prevent, Radicalisation, Who is at Risk and The Channel Process
For support around reporting and preventing radicalisation, terrorist and extremist behaviour please visit the Dorset police website by clicking here.
Understanding PREVENT
Please click here to access a short clip which provides more information of what prevent is and what it means.
Left Behind
This short film describes the devastation caused to families whose loved ones have travelled or attempted to travel to a conflict zone abroad. From the initial shock through to the practical disruption to families and their children, officers who have supported families talk frankly and openly and appeal to people who are concerned about a loved one who may be considering travel, to contact the police before it is too late. Please click here to watch.
ACT Early – Preventing Terrorism and Radicalisation
Action Counters Terrorism is an initiative which provides help and guidance in preventing terrorism. Visit the Action Counters Terrorism website by clicking here.
ACT Early – Spotting the Signs of Radicalisation
This is a useful guide to help you identify and support someone who may be at risk of radicalisation. To access this guide visit the Action Counters Terrorism website here.
ACT Early – Staying Safe Online
For tips on how to stay safe online visit the Action Counters Terrorism website here.
Keeping Children Safe
This section of information focuses on children, issues they may face and how we can help to keep them safe.
Keeping them safe: Protecting children from Child Sexual Exploitation
This short e-learning course is designed for parents and carers. To find out more information please click here. There is also a great page of resources from NSPCC here about how to ‘talk PANTS’ and protect children from sexual abuse.
PACE: Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation
Here is some more information and guidance for people concerned that a child is at risk of sexual exploitation. To access the information please visit the Pace website here.
How you can Safeguard Children from Sexting
Please click here to download the “How can you safeguard children from sexting?” from the Virtual College. For Government guidance on sexting and internet safety please click here.
Think you know: Staying safe online
Please click here for information and guidance for parents about how to help keep children safe online.
Texting Codes – You Could Help Save a Child’s Life
This list of text abbreviations could help you understand to forever changing world of text and could potentially help save a child’s life. To download the list of abbreviations please click here.
Everyone’s invited
Everyone’s Invited is a safe place for survivors of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and sexual violence to share their stories completely anonymously. The act of sharing their story with Everyone’s Invited allows many survivors a sense of relief, catharsis, empowerment, and gives them a feeling of community and hope.
Keeping You Safe
This section of information focuses on you and how you can protect yourself.
Barnados – Keeping you Safe
Download the Barnados “Keeping you Safe” leaflet for advice and guidance on how to be alert, stay safe and spot the signs of exploitation. You can download the leaflet by clicking here.
Domestic abuse
Please see the following resources for more help and information about domestic abuse:
Anti-bullying support
Here you can find a list of useful website which offer support and guidance around bullying.
Hate crimes
Crimes committed against someone because of their disability, transgender-identity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation are hate crimes and should be reported to the police. Find out more about hate crimes here.
Hate crimes can include:
- threatening behaviour
- assault
- robbery
- damage to property
- inciting others to commit hate crimes
- harassment
- online abuse
You can report hate crime online with True Vision here.
Call 999 if you’re reporting a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger. If the crime isn’t an emergency, call 101 or contact your local police.
Staying Safe from Terrorism
This useful resource from Dorset Police can help you learn more how to stay safe when you’re out and about and how to report any suspicious behaviour that could be connected to terrorism. Visit the Dorset Police website here.
