Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our students.

Navigating being a teenager is complex and it is important that students have adults they can turn to and information to hand. We work with students to develop trusting, consistent and professional relationships. We acknowledge that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and all of our staff are trained to be vigilant and aware of a wide range of potential concerns. We work closely with a range of organisations and support services to make sure that our students and their families are supported.

Our Safeguarding team at the UTC is very experienced and will be happy to help or give advice. If you have any concerns about the safety of your child or any child at the UTC then please contact us immediately.

Resources and guidance

We have a comprehensive calendar of education for students, which is delivered through briefings, crew time, PaCE and drop down days. We also have a programme of communication for parents to help reinforce key safeguarding messages and provide guidance; this is largely through the weekly email communications.

Staying safe and reporting concerns

As well as contacting us directly, if you have concerns you can contact the police on 101 or your Local Authority. For Durham that is First Contact on 03000 267 979. For Darlington that is Children’s Services Front Door on 01325 406222 (option 2).

Further advice can be found on NSPCC’s website.

Contacts

Tom Dower

Principal & Designated Safeguarding Lead

Tel: 01325 430 251

Julie Bushby

Student Support Officer and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Tel: 01325 430 257

Leanne Tippey

Director of Wellbeing and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Tel: 01325 430 269

Resources

E-safety and staying safe on line

We live in a fast moving world in which increasingly sophisticated methods of communication are becoming available to all, including our children. As a school we embrace new technology and seek to harness its power in a safe manner. All of our students receive comprehensive e safety awareness throughout their time with us. Our e-safety policy may be read here. Valuable advice is available through the following websites:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/online-abuse/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers

Preventing Bullying

Good quality information is available through the NSPCC and Childline:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-bullying/

Mental health awareness and support

There are many resources online but the NSPCC, Place2be, Childline and YoungMinds have very good advice:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/

https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/supporting-your-child-s-mental-health/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/mental-health/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Support through exams

Exams are stressful for teenagers and parents. We run sessions at the UTC to provide support and further valuable advice is available on the Childline and NSPCC websites:

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/homework-revision/

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/

Domestic violence support

We are part of the Operation Encompass https://www.operationencompass.org/ scheme to support young people involved in domestic violence. Useful advice can be found on the NSPCC and Childline websites:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/domestic-abuse/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/family-relationships/domestic-abuse/

Drugs, alcohol and smoking support

Support can be found on the Childline website:

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/drugs-alcohol-smoking/

Preventing radicalisation

All staff have undertaken training to help them identify signs of radicalisation. You can find further valuable information on the NSPCC and Educate Against Hate website:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/dedicated-helplines/protecting-children-from-radicalisation/

https://www.educateagainsthate.com/parents/

Gender identity support

Students and parents often ask for guidance about issues of gender identity and sexual orientation. Here are some useful links:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/gender-identity/

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/sexuality-sexual-orientation/

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/