Gateshead College Safeguarding Gateshead College Safeguarding

We want to provide a safe and supportive environment for all of the learners who use our college.

This page has been set up to help you easily find relevant information on safeguarding.

We want to protect you by helping you protect yourself.

It is important that you are familiar with the safeguarding guidance promoted by the College and behave in line with it.

Every person who comes into Gateshead College is important.

Therefore we want to ensure that what you say is listened to and that you feel safe, respected and treated well.

If you are unhappy, worried or frightened about anything that happens during your time at College, or in your personal life we want to help you.

College staff are available to speak to you during normal College opening hours.

Find out more about safeguarding at Gateshead College here and about our Prevent Duty here

Health and Wellbeing

We all have a sense of when we feel mentally and physically well.

But sometimes we need extra support or a gentle nudge to look after ourselves so that we keep well.

Our Student Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator is here to listen to you and will work with you in a non-judgmental, accepting way. 

Some of the issues that the Student Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator can support you with:

  • Emotional Wellbeing
  • Stress/Anxiety
  • Sexual Health
  • Divorce/Loss
  • Counselling Services/Referral
  • Physical/Emotional Issues
  • Staying Safe
  • Health Issues
  • Friendship/Peer Pressure
  • Bullying

All support is confidential depending on the issues raised.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 0191 490 4611 or email [email protected].

If you'd prefer to speak to someone in person, drop in to Student Services on the Ground Floor at our Baltic Campus.

Or, you can speak to your tutor who will support you in making an appointment.




OurGateshead

The young people section of the OurGateshead site  is a one-stop shop for events, news and resources for subjects that would benefit young people.

Click here to find out about Help in a Crisis.




ONE YOU Gateshead

Everyday habits and behaviours, such as eating too much unhealthy food, drinking more than is recommended, continuing to smoke and not being active enough, are responsible for around 40% of all deaths in England, and cost the NHS more than £11 billion a year.

‘One You’ aims to encourage adults, particular those in middle age, to take control of their health to enjoy significant benefits now, and in later life.

On the webpage you will find links to a number of useful sites, apps and interactive tools to help you make lifestyle changes. Click here for more.




Bullying

There is no legal definition of bullying.

However, it’s usually defined as behaviour that is:

  • Repeated
  • Intended to hurt someone either physically or emotionally
  • Often aimed at certain groups, e.g. because of race, religion, gender or sexual orientation

It takes many forms and can include:

  • Physical assault
  • Teasing
  • Making threats
  • Name calling
  • Cyber-bullying - bullying via mobile phone or online (e.g. email, social networks and instant messenger)

Incidences of bullying should be dealt with in a clear consistent way.

Although every situation will be different it is vital to make the student feel that they are being listened to and that their individual situation is being taken seriously to ensure that they are safe and that the bullying is investigated.

In all cases the goals of any intervention should always be the same:

  • To ensure the student is safe.
  • To stop the bullying, and change the bullies behaviour.
  • To make clear to every student that bullying is unacceptable.
  • To learn lessons from the experience that can be applied in future. 

Click here to find out more about dealing with bullying.

Contact trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support on [email protected] or 0808 800 5000

If you are worried do not bottle it up, speak to your teacher or learning facilitator and they will provide support.

You can make contact in other ways to raise your concern.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Stay Safe Online

The internet is a great way to connect with friends and learn new things.

It's also important to stay safe and make sure you don't share things that could put you or others in danger.

People can pretend to be your age and unfortunately there have been cases where adults have pretended to be teenagers and lured young people into meeting them in dangerous situations.

Some of these cases have ended up in court in the UK.

Danger signs

  • If the person tries to insist on having your address or phone number
  • If the person sends you pictures which make you feel uncomfortable and which you would not want to show to anyone else
  • If the person wants to keep their chats with you secret
  • If the person tells you that you will get into trouble if you tell an adult what has been going on
  • If the person wants you to send them pictures of yourself or use a webcam in a way which makes you feel uncomfortable
  • If the person shares information with you and tells you not to tell anyone else about it
  • If the person wants to meet you and tells you not to let anyone know
  • If you find any of these danger signs it's important that you tell your parents or another adult.

The S.M.A.R.T. rules to staying safe on the Internet

S – SAFE
Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information – such as your name, email, phone number, home address or school name – to people who you don’t know online.

Use a nickname that doesn’t reveal your name, or even the area you live.

M – MEETING
Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous.

Only do so with your parents’/carers’ permission and when they can be present.

Remember online friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them for a long time.

A – ACCEPTING
Accepting emails, instant messages or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don't know or trust can lead to problems - they may contain viruses or nasty messages.

R – RELIABLE
Someone online may be lying about who they are, and information on the internet may not be true.

Always check information with other websites, book or someone who knows.

T – TELL
Tell your parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried or if you are or someone you know is being bullied online.

If you are worried about something, do not bottle it up.

Call ChildLine free on 0800 1111.

Calls are confidential and won’t appear on your home phone bill.

You can also use a mobile.

Calls from 3 (Three), BT Mobile, EE, O2, Orange, T Mobile, Virgin or Vodafone mobiles won't show up on the phone bill either.  

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Prevent

Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. 

  • Responds to the ideological challenge we face from terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views;
  • Provides practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support; and
  • Works with a wide range of sectors (including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, online and health) where there are risks of radicalisation that we need to deal with.

Prevent covers all forms of terrorism and extremism and some aspects of non-violent extremism.

The Home Office works with local authorities, a wide range of government departments, and community organisations to deliver the Prevent strategy.

The police also play a significant role in Prevent, in much the same way as they do when taking a preventative approach to other crimes.

It may seem insignificant, but your call could be vital.

Trust your instincts - it could disrupt terrorist planning and save lives.

Let's talk about it - Working together to prevent terrorism website.

Click here for guide on online radicalisation - Parent/guardian information and support.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Forced Marriage

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not (or in cases of people with learning disabilities, cannot) consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used.

It is an appalling and indefensible practice and is recognised in the UK as a form of violence against women and men, domestic/child abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

The pressure put on people to marry against their will can be physical (including threats, actual physical violence and sexual violence) or emotional and psychological (for example, when someone is made to feel like they’re bringing shame on their family).

Financial abuse (taking your wages or not giving you any money) can also be a factor.

Click here to find out more about Forced Marriage.

Worried about a friend or relative: 

Forced Marriage Unit

[email protected] 
Telephone: 020 7008 0151
From overseas: +44 (0)20 7008 0151
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Out of hours: 020 7008 1500 (ask for the Global Response Centre)

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services. Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Self harm

Self-harm, or self-injury, describes a wide range of things people deliberately do to themselves that appear to be harmful but usually do not kill them.

Self-harm is not usually a failed attempt at suicide, but it can still be very hard for parents or carers to understand.

Cutting the arms or the back of the legs with a razor or knife is the most common form of self-harm, but self-harm can take many forms, including burning, biting, hitting or taking overdoses.

A young person may self-harm to help them cope with negative feelings, to feel more in control or to punish themselves.

It can be a way of relieving overwhelming feelings that build up inside, when they feel isolated, angry, guilty or desperate.

To FIND your local CAMHS service: 

  • Speak to our Student Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator – see contact details below
  • Speak to your GP who can make a referral to CAMHS
  • Search online for 'Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services' in your area - your local NHS trust website should have the details. You will still need to be referred by a professional

Click here to find out more about Self Harm.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services. Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Hate Crime

Hate Crimes happen because of hostility, prejudice or hatred of:

  • disability
  • gender identity
  • race, ethnicity or nationality
  • religion or belief
  • sexual orientation.

They include things like name calling and verbal abuse, bullying and harassment, spitting and physical attacks, damage to property, graffiti, and written notes, emails and text messages.

Report Hate Crime in Gateshead

If you have been a victim of hate crime because of your race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability please report it. 24 hour tel: 0191 433 2648

If you or anyone you know has experienced a Hate Crime, please report it.

You can talk to Gateshead Council anonymously about something that has happened to you or something that you have witnessed.

You can report:

  • Without giving your name
  • Something that has happened to you
  • Something you have witnessed

They can help by:

  • Referring you to an agency that can support you
  • Taking action against the perpetrator
  • Believing you and taking you seriously

Click here to find out more about hate crime.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.

It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.

Religious, social or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM.

However, FGM is child abuse.

It's dangerous and a criminal offence.

There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM.

It doesn't enhance fertility and it doesn't make childbirth safer.

It is used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional health. 

Click here to find out more about Female Genital Mutilation.

Worried about FGM?

Call the FGM helpline if you're worried a child is at risk of, or has had, FGM.

It's free, anonymous and available 24/7. 0800 028 3550 or email [email protected].

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

A private telephone is made available should students need to seek advice from the above organisation or other relevant groups discreetly.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status.

Children or young people may be tricked into believing they're in a loving, consensual relationship.

They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol.

They may also be groomed online.

Some children and young people are trafficked into or within the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Sexual exploitation can also happen to young people in gangs. 

Click here to find out more about Child Sexual Exploitation

Download Children's Society/NPCC poster.

Worried about a child?

Contact the NSPCC trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services. 

A private telephone is made available should students need to seek advice from the above organisation or other relevant groups discreetly.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected]




Modern Slavery and Trafficking

Modern slavery is a complex crime that takes a number of different forms.

It encompasses:

  • Slavery
  • Servitude
  • Forced and compulsory labour
  • Human trafficking

Traffickers and slave drivers coerce, deceive and force individuals against their will into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.

Victims may be sexually exploited, forced to work for little or no pay or forced to commit criminal activities against their will.

Victims are often pressured into debt-bondage and are likely to be fearful of those who exploit them, who will often threaten and abuse victims and their families.

All of these factors make it very difficult for victims to escape.

Modern Slavery crimes are being committed across the UK and are taking place in many different sectors including factories, fields, brothels, nail bars and even within people’s homes.

There is no typical victim of slavery – victims can be men, women or children of all ages and nationalities.

Many victims are brought to the UK specifically so they can be abused and exploited for the benefit of others.

Some are tricked into believing they are simply paying others to facilitate their journey to the UK, or that they are being smuggled here.

Many often do not find out that they are destined for a life of abuse and servitude until after they arrive.

However, we also know a high number of victims are UK nationals, including children.

Click here to find out more about Modern Slavery and Trafficking. 

If you have any concerns about Modern Slavery or Human Trafficking contact the Police on telephone number 101 or to find out more about support available:

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected]




Victim of Sexual Assault

If you’re the victim of rape or sexual assault, the police and other organisations are there to help you.

Call 999 to report a rape or attempted sexual assault, as soon as possible after the crime.

If the offence has recently happened: 

  • Keep the clothes you were wearing and don’t wash them - the police may need them as evidence for the investigation
  • Try not to shower as there may be evidence which the police can use

If you’re under 17, the Child Protection Unit of your local police station will deal with your case.

If you don’t want to report it to the police

Some areas have Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).

They can offer you medical support and collect evidence that can be used later.

You can also contact a support organisation:

None of these organisations will make you report the assault to the police unless you want to.

What happens next

The police (if you have reported it to them) or SARC staff will:

  • Arrange for you to have a medical examination - and treatment for any injuries you have
  • Give you support and advice
  • Explain what happens next 

The police have specialist teams who are trained to deal with rape and sexual assault.

You can ask to speak to an officer or staff member who’s the same sex as you.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services. Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].




Sexual Health Services

South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust provides Sexual Health Services for people in Gateshead and South Tyneside.

The service provides contraception and sexual health screening/testing, treatment and follow up. 

All forms of contraception, including longer acting methods are available from the majority of clinics, with some clinics specifically for under 25’s.

Hub clinics at Stanhope Parade Health Centre in South Tyneside and Trinity Square Health Centre in Gateshead offer a full range of contraception plus screening/testing for sexually transmitted infections. 

Some infections can be diagnosed at the hub clinics and treatment for any infection is available free of charge.

Treatment and tracing of partners who may have an infection is carried out by Health Advisors.

C Card scheme is a condom distribution service for under 25’s and once registered for the scheme, condoms and lube can be accessed at a variety of settings across Gateshead and South Tyneside, including Pharmacies, Youth Clubs and GP Surgeries. 

Emergency contraception is available at all clinics.

Most clinics are drop in but there are some appointments available for contraception and follow up. 

Advice and support is available by contacting:

For further information, please visit the South Tyneside Sexual Health Service Clinic.

Telephone: (0800) 42 20 200
Gateshead: (0191) 2831586
South Tyneside: (0191) 2832525

Support at college:

Help and advice regarding sexual health at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected].

Our Student Enrichment Team is able to provide further details about the C Card Scheme distribution which operates at Gateshead College, contact: [email protected].




County Lines

‘County Lines’ is a term used when drug gangs from big cities expand their operations to smaller towns, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell drugs.

These dealers will use dedicated mobile phone lines, known as ‘deal lines’, to take orders from drug users.

Heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine are the most common drugs being supplied and ordered.

In most instances, the user or customers will live in a different area to where the dealers and networks are based, so drug runners are needed to transport the drugs and collect payment.

A common feature in county lines drug supply is the exploitation of young and vulnerable people.

The dealers will frequently target children and adults - often with mental health or addiction problems - to act as drug runners or move cash so they can stay under the radar of law enforcement.

As we have seen in child sexual exploitation, children often don't see themselves as victims or realise they have been groomed to get involved in criminality.

So it's important that we all play our part to understand county lines and speak out if we have concerns.

The best advice is to trust your instincts.

Even if someone isn't involved in county lines drug dealing, they may be being exploited in some other way, so it's always worth speaking out.

Click here to find out more about county lines.

You can speak to your local police by dialling 101, or in an emergency 999.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services. Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected]




Knife Crime

‘Knife crime’ is simply any crime that involves a knife.

This includes:

  • carrying a knife or trying to buy one if you’re under 18
  • threatening someone with a knife
  • carrying a knife that is banned
  • a murder where the victim was stabbed with a knife
  • a robbery or burglary where the thieves carried a knife as a weapon

The consequences

Some young people say that they carry a knife for protection or to make them feel safer, even though they wouldn’t think of using it.

However, research has shown that you’re actually more likely to become a victim of crime if you’re carrying a knife.

In some cases, teens have been injured or killed by someone else using the knife they were carrying.

Not only do you put yourself at risk of serious injury, or death, you could also face a £5,000 fine and four years in jail – even if you don’t use it.

Click here to find out more about knife crime.

You can speak to your local police by dialling 101, or in an emergency 999.

Help and advice at Gateshead College is available in Student Services.

Telephone 0191 490 461 or email [email protected]