Welcome to the latest safeguarding bulletin, packed with relevant, engaging and interesting information. If you have any questions or wish to share a concern, please do not hesitate to contact the Safeguarding team: 

Allison Collis Designated Safeguarding Lead 07741 743 618 

Janine Ridley Deputy safeguarding lead and Pastoral support 07771 672491

 

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility 

 

Neurodiversity awareness week:  March 17th-23rd March 2025

This month, we’re celebrating Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17th–23rd March) - a time to recognise and embrace the unique ways our brains work! 

Did you know that 1 in 7 people (15% of the UK population) is neurodivergent? This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia, each bringing incredible strengths and talents. For example, dyslexic individuals are four times more likely to be entrepreneurs, and with the right support, neurodivergent employees can be 30% more productive!

Despite these strengths, many face barriers - only 22% of autistic adults are in full-time employment. 

This week, we aim to foster inclusion and explore how small changes can make a big difference and ensure that not only do we have a neuroinclusive workplace, but that all apprentices are supported too.

 #DifferentNotLess #NeurodiversityWeek

For more information and to get involved check out the website. 

Let’s get talking about mental health

Why It's Time for Men to Talk About Mental Health

For too long, society has conditioned men to keep their struggles hidden. From an early age, many are taught to be unemotional, leaving little room to express vulnerability. But the truth is, mental health matters - and keeping quiet about it can have devastating effects.

The Reality: The Struggles Many Men Face

Studies show that men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, and 75% of all suicides are by men. These shocking statistics highlight a growing mental health crisis that can no longer be ignored. The question is: Why aren’t more men speaking out?

The Stigma of Toxic Masculinity
In many cultures, men are expected to “man up” or “push through” their problems. This harmful stereotype discourages men from opening up about their feelings or seeking help.

Breaking the Silence: It’s Okay to Talk
Talking about mental health isn’t a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of strength. 

It’s Time to Break the Silence
The first step to overcoming mental health challenges is simply talking about them. We need to dismantle the barriers that stop men from reaching out - because when men speak up, they’re not only helping themselves, but also breaking down the stigma for others.

You’re not alone. It’s okay to talk.

Here are some support sites where men can go for mental health help:

• www.mantherapy.org Man Therapy offers a humorous yet serious approach to mental health
• www.menshealthforum.org.uk This UK-based organization provides information, resources, and guidance on mental health for men
• www.samaritans.org The Samaritans are available 24/7 to provide confidential support for anyone who is feeling down or struggling
• www.movember.com Movember also provides mental health support resources specifically tailored for men
• www.headsupguys.org This resource offers support and information specifically for men facing depression
• www.betterhelp.com BetterHelp offers online therapy with licensed counsellors, making mental health support more accessible
• www.reachout.com ReachOut offers advice, tools, and support for young men dealing with mental health challenges 
• www.psychologytoday.com Psychology Today has a therapist directory where men can find licensed mental health professionals specialising in various issues like depression, anxiety, and relationship struggles 
• www.headstogether.org.uk Heads Together is a UK-based mental health initiative that aims to reduce stigma and encourage men (and everyone) to talk about mental health

 

Tech-facilitated abuse

What is tech-facilitated abuse?
Tech-facilitated abuse is a form of coercive control, where a person seeks to restrict another person’s freedom and autonomy through digital means.

Tech-facilitated abuse in relationships can often be subtle and difficult to detect. It can include:

• Constant surveillance: Using tracking apps, spyware or even AirTags to follow someone’s movements
• Hacking or impersonation: Gaining access to emails, social media or online banking to monitor or manipulate another person
• Social media monitoring: Demanding passwords, forcing someone to share their location or using ‘Find My Phone’ functions to control whereabouts; controlling who someone can ‘friend’ or ‘follow’
• Financial control through technology: Forcing someone to make payments or cancel payments, accessing bank accounts, taking financial control and agency from another person
• Misuse of smart home devices: Controlling security cameras, lighting or heating remotely to intimidate someone in their own home; monitoring someone’s location
• Threats involving digital content: Using personal and private photos, videos or messages as blackmail or ‘revenge’, threatening to share them without consent

These tactics are dangerous because they allow a person using abusive behaviour to exert control 24/7, often from a distance, making it harder for the person experiencing abuse to escape, access help and seek safety.

Digital communication is a huge part of young people’s lives—whether through social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms or shared devices. When these digital tools are misused, they can become powerful instruments of manipulation, isolation and control.

A person using abusive behaviours might:

• Exert control through constant digital monitoring: Demanding passwords, checking messages or tracking location 
• Flood the other person with messages or calls: Expecting immediate replies and becoming angry if they don’t respond
• Use social media as a tool for manipulation: Pressuring the other person to share passwords, remove certain friends or post content to prove their loyalty
• Threaten to share private photos or messages: As a means of coercion, blackmail or revenge
• Control online interactions: Restricting who the other person can follow, like or engage with on social media
• Spy through shared or gifted devices: Installing tracking apps or spyware on a phone, laptop, in a car if the young people are old enough to drive or even a smartwatch

Some of these behaviours often become ‘normalised’ in relationships. For example, someone might feel they have the right to track someone’s location because of their relationship status. 

Understanding tech-facilitated abuse and breaking the silence is crucial; we need to empower people to recognise harmful behaviours online and offline, especially when control and coercion are disguised as love and care.

More interesting reads can be found here: 

• How smart devices are exploited for domestic abuse - BBC News
• Technology and domestic abuse - POST 
• No safety net: technology-facilitated domestic abuse | Withersworldwide

What to do next:

• If you are worried about someone controlling yours or someone else’s accounts, passwords should be changed, and you can enable a two-factor authentication on social media, email and banking apps.
• Regularly check privacy settings on social media accounts to limit who can see posts and location check-ins.
• Consider a separate, secure email address for important accounts that an abusive partner does not know about.
• Consider having a separate device, in a safe place, on mute and with location permissions turned off, that you use to access your support network, help and advice (e.g. a mobile phone with a Pay as you Go SIM card). 
• Be aware that AirTags, smartwatches or shared accounts can be used to track locations. If you suspect spyware on yours or someone else’s phone, reset the device or seek professional tech support.
• Check ‘Find My Phone’ and other location-sharing settings to ensure they are not being misused.
• Take screenshots of abusive messages, emails or online activity as evidence.
• Keep a record of incidents, including dates and times, in a safe, private location.
• Ask trusted friends who may also see potential evidence of coercive or controlling behaviour through online accounts to document this on your behalf.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) offers confidential support

Organisations like Refuge’s Tech Abuse and Safety Service provide specialist advice on online safety.

Let Me Know is an education charity working with young people to prevent relationship abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.

 

Terrorism and National Emergencies

Current Threat levels in the UK

There are 5 levels of threat:

• Low - an attack is highly unlikely
• Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely
• Substantial - an attack is likely
• Severe - an attack is highly likely
• Critical - an attack is highly likely in the near future

The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5).

Threat levels do not have an expiry date. They can change at any time as different information becomes available.

The Threat Level for the UK currently is at SUBSTANTIAL.

Local updates:

It's important to remember that the police and security services are working hard to keep us all safe especially as Terrorism related arrests hit a five year high | Counter Terrorism Policing 

Yorkshire and Humberside
Leeds Man Charged with Possessing and Disseminating Terrorist Material | Counter Terrorism Policing

Humberside man convicted of sharing Daesh propaganda and encouraging terrorism | Counter Terrorism Policing

North East
Gateshead Man Sentenced for Inciting Racial Hatred | Counter Terrorism Policing 

Northumberland Teenager Charged with Terrorism Offences | Counter Terrorism Policing

South East
Group convicted of being part of Russian spying operation | Counter Terrorism Policing

Midlands
Warwickshire woman guilty of terrorism offences | Counter Terrorism Policing

Your vigilance is essential, and staying informed is key. If you notice changes in the behaviour and attitudes of anyone you know, share this with us. 

The Better Health Generation Learner Health Advisory Service

In partnership with the Better Health Generation (TBHG) we wanted to remind you of the great additional health and wellbeing support and guidance that is available.

The Learner Health Advisory Service can provide:

• A free telephone counselling service provided by qualified Mental and Physical Health Nurses, Counsellors, and Occupational Therapists
• A completely confidential service
• Up to six 1-1 counselling sessions

Support Available:

• Managing emotions, stress & anxiety, depression/low mood
• Alcohol and drug support
• Emotional wellbeing assessment & support
• Overcoming loneliness in self-isolation & anxiety in times of change
• Grief & loss
• Wellbeing & lifestyle management, such as sleeping, exercising & eating well
• Challenging unhelpful thinking

Speak to your tutor or contact a member of the Safeguarding team to be referred.

After a referral to TBHG is made, the TBHG team will make contact to book an appointment. A clinician will then complete an initial assessment to determine individual needs and circumstances, with a plan of support.

The Learner Health Advisory Service is:

• Confidential What you speak about will be confidential between yourself and your clinician; unless there are safeguarding concerns for yourself, the learner or someone close to you, then the clinician may need to share this concern
• Commitment To ensure to get the best from this service we ask for full engagement and commitment once the referral has been made. When arranging times think carefully about what time best suits and when less likely to have interruptions, if you are unable to make an appointment you must contact your counsellor to let them know

If you are unable to attend an appointment, 48-hour notice must be given to TBHG.

Please note:
We are charged for each session if you do not attend and have not given notice. If 2 or more sessions are missed the service maybe withdrawn. This service can only be provided to learners, so withdrawals from your training programme or apprenticeship, we mean that we are unable to continue funding the support.

 

Workplace Problems? Know Your Rights!

Starting out in the working world can be exciting, but what if things don’t go as planned? Whether it’s a dispute with your employer, concerns about unfair treatment, or just questions about your rights, ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) is here to help – for FREE!

What Can ACAS Help With?

• Not getting paid correctly or on time?
• Feeling stressed or struggling with work pressures?
• Worried about redundancy or unfair treatment?
• Need support with workplace discrimination or reasonable adjustments?

ACAS provides free, confidential, and impartial advice on workplace rights, resolving disputes, and best practices at work.

ACAS Helpline: 0300 123 1100 (Monday - Friday, 8 am - 6 pm)

Know Your Rights: Reasonable Adjustments

Work and employment law advice | Acas
If you have a physical or mental health condition affecting your work, your employer must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. This could mean:

• Adjusting job tasks to make them more manageable
• Offering flexible working hours
• Providing extra support, equipment, or training

If you need help asking for adjustments, ACAS can guide you through it!

 

Having Issues at Work? ACAS Can Help Sort It!

• Early Conciliation: ACAS helps resolve problems before they reach an employment tribunal
• Collective Conciliation: If a group of employees has an issue, ACAS helps negotiate fair solutions

Get the Right Support & Training
ACAS also runs training courses to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an apprentice.

Got a workplace concern? Don’t wait - call ACAS today and take control

Stay informed. Stay safe.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility