Safeguarding students during lockdown:

At West Thames College we remain committed to safeguarding our students during these challenging times and irrespective of whether they are learning remotely or physically attending the college. The safety of students continues to be a primary focus and it's business as usual for our team, who remain on hand to provide any advice and support.  A Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSL) with members of the Safeguarding Team will remain available throughout the lockdown period to ensure that we continue to respond quickly to concerns raised.

To ensure all our students are safe we:

• Practice safe staff recruitment and check the suitability of staff and volunteers that work with young students or vulnerable adults
• Raise awareness of child protection, vulnerable adults and safeguarding through staff training sessions
• Implement policy and procedures for identifying and reporting cases or suspected cases of abuse against a young person or vulnerable adult
• Support young students or vulnerable adults who have been subjected to abuse
• Listen to and support our students to ensure their learning environment is safe and welcoming
• Ensuring that our students are safe in their personal lives and in the community is critical to everything we do. The college will be providing continued advice and support to students who are considered to be vulnerable and for those who receive free college meals and bursaries.

Safeguarding and Preventing Radicalisation and Extremism

Prevent is part of the safeguarding process. It is the Government’s strategy to stop people becoming involved in supporting terrorism, in all its forms keeping them safe. Prevent works within the non-criminal space, using early engagement to encourage individuals and communities to challenge violent extremist ideologies and behaviours.
If a student has a concern about themselves or another student, please contact your Student Learning Advisor or Tutor 

Contacting the Safeguarding Teams

If you need to contact a member of the safeguarding team, please contact

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Opening hours

We are available during normal business hours:
9.00am – 5.00pm (Monday – Thursday)
9.00am – 4.30pm (Friday).

Safeguarding Team

Michael Michaelides Chair of Operations (DSL)
Samantha Louisy Operational Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Graeme Baker Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Beverley McGuire Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Jaskaran Sidhu Safeguarding Officer
Monica Goncalves 14-16 Safeguarding Officer
Davinder Marwaha Safeguarding Administrator

Out of hours emergency safeguarding contacts

If there is a life threatening situation:

• Ring for an ambulance and/or contact the police on 999 or 101 non-emergency
• If you think a child, young person or vulnerable adult is being abused or mistreated or you have concerns about a child, young person or vulnerable adult’s well-being you should call the Duty Team at the relevant local authority. The emergency contact details are available on the Local Authorities website.
  
  Click here for a list of external organisation contacts.