This month's key message is simply:

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility 

We put safeguarding as a priority in all roles and adopt a mindset of 

‘It could happen here’

Why do we say this?

These alarming 2024 statistics speak for themselves:

• 2.3 million people reported experiencing Domestic Abuse – this is only the reported ones and 757,000 of these were men
• 1 in 15 have been emotionally abused
• 1 in 20 have been sexually abused
• 1 in 10 have been neglected

We make sure we record even the smallest observations to ensure a learner gets the support that they need before things escalate. These concerns may also be just the tip of the iceberg and the small thing that have been noticed today may add to another report that someone else has written. Writing these up quickly is also essential too. 

What do we do when we have a concern about a learner?

Recognise

• Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, stress, behavioural changes or radicalisation.
• Listen carefully to the conversation. 
• Show professional curiosity – ask open questions such as:
  • You don’t seem yourself lately—would you like to talk about anything?
  • Is there anyone making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe?
  • Is everything okay at home?

Respond

• Reassure the learner but do not promise confidentiality
• Remember the conversation and record key details factually

Report

• Log the concern on our safeguarding system 

Contact the DSL immediately by phone or email it is felt that urgent action is needed. 

Once again…

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility 

Contact

We have two full time roles in the safeguarding team:

Allison Collis Designated Safeguarding Lead 07741 743 618 

Janine Ridley Deputy safeguarding lead and Pastoral support 07771 672491

Safeguarding is closely linked to Wellbeing and Welfare and therefore pastoral support. Providing pastoral support to our learners is part of Janine’s role. 

Pastoral Support & Safeguarding

Our pastoral support helps learners navigate crises, life challenges, and complex learning needs. We provide guidance, advice, and, where necessary, referrals to The Better Health Generation or external services. Our goal is to remove barriers to learning by fostering resilience, confidence, and well-being. We support students facing welfare concerns, emotional or mental health challenges, or vulnerabilities requiring extra care.

Janine works closely with other Woodspeen Training/JTM staff to identify learners with complex needs through Cognassist. Janine will work directly with these learners and their skills tutors to create a more tailored, person-centred approach.

Learners with diagnosed conditions (e.g., Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s) or those with an EHCP/SEN statement are referred to Janine. In addition to Cognassist, they receive an Additional Support Plan (ASP), integrating their diagnosis and personal goals to shape a structured path forward. Learners remain at the heart of their support plan, ensuring their voice is heard and their needs are met. Plans are regularly reviewed for effectiveness, adapting as needed. Those with lower to moderate Cognassist needs continue receiving tailored support from skills tutors with support.

Prevent

The current UK national terrorist threat level is ‘substantial’, which is defined as ‘an attack is likely’. This level has been unchanged since February 2022 and is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5).

Prevent is a part of safeguarding and we are aware of the importance of being aware of extremism and radicalisation. 

• Extremism: The vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. This also includes calls for the death of members of the armed forces.
• Radicalisation: The process by which an individual comes to support terrorism or extremist ideologies that may lead to terrorism. This can happen through online content, peer influence, or targeted recruitment.

If you have any concerns about a learner, or member of the public who may be at risk of radicalisation, please follow our safeguarding procedures, and report it to the DSL or Deputy. 

Further guidance can be found on the Government Counter-Terrorism website.

Eating disorder awareness week  Feb 24th - 2nd March

Right now, at least 1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder. That’s more than 1 in 50 people – but the real number could be even higher. 

Eating disorders like ARFID, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and OSFED are complex mental health conditions which are often misunderstood, mislabelled or undiagnosed. Eating disorders don’t just affect the person with the condition, friends and family often become carers – feeling helpless and heartbroken, as they watch their loved one struggle. Eating disorders are one of the biggest mental health challenges of our time and they can affect anyone at any time.

Find out more about the different types of eating disorders here: Types of Eating Disorder 

People with eating disorders use disordered eating behaviour to cope with difficult situations or feelings. This behaviour can include limiting the amount of food eaten, eating very large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food eaten through unhealthy means (e.g. making themselves sick, misusing laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise), or a combination of these behaviours.

It’s important to remember that eating disorders are not all about food itself, but about feelings. The way the person treats food may make them feel more able to cope, or may make them feel in control, though they might not be aware of the purpose this behaviour is serving. An eating disorder is never the fault of the person experiencing it, and anyone who has an eating disorder deserves fast, compassionate support to help them get better.

Always remember:
Do you think you or someone you know may have an eating problem? 

Experiences of people who have had eating disorders can be read about here

Further reading, support and signposting:
Overview – Eating disorders - NHS

Health For Teens | Everything you wanted to know about health

Types of eating disorders - Mind 

BEAT Helpline tel: 0808 801 0677