Heatstroke Awareness

Update week commencing 19th June 2023

With the hot weather upon us, we share useful posters created by Quality Compliance Systems.

The posters include the symptoms to look out for in relation to heatstroke, preventative measures that can be put in place, and the key steps to take in an emergency, should someone have heat exhaustion and need support.

Conquering Exam Stress

Update week commencing 22nd May 2023

As the GCSE exams approach, we wish our learners the best of luck! Here is a helpful YouTube video on tackling exam stress.

Please also speak with your tutor or a member of staff if you are feeling anxious, we are here to support.

Understanding Anxiety

Update week commencing 15th May 2023

Our #FEnomenal Counselling Tutor, Victoria, has put together this informative PowerPoint Presentation on ‘Understanding Anxiety’ for Mental Health Awareness Week.

As an ATTFE learner, if you require support with your Mental Health, please complete the ‘I Want to Talk‘ button.

NIDAS Information

Update week commencing 8th May 2023

NIDAS support women and families to stay safe, grow their self-esteem and go on to build happy, healthy relationships.

If you need support, you can contact them on 01623 683 250 or email hello@nidas.org.uk.

Looking After Your Mental Wellbeing

Update week commencing 1st May 2023

Here is a Mental Wellbeing Pie Chart from Mind which can be used to plan your daily activities in order to promote good mental and emotional wellbeing.

For more information, resources and support, please visit the Mind website: Mind

Looking After Your Mental Wellbeing

Update week commencing 17th April 2023

For information please find below a link to a Government Emergency Alert exercise scheduled for 23 April (Sunday) at 3.00 that may come through to your device like your mobile or tablet, if you have a compatible device – the link has fuller information.

Government emergency alert scheduled for 23rd April

This is just for information as the exercise will be a test only but it will obviously be helpful to be familiar with the Government Alert process, should it ever need to be for real.

NIDAS – The Freedom Programme

Update week commencing 27th March 2023

NIDAS are providing a 10-week programme for women aged 18+ who have been impacted by domestic abuse.

For more information visit: Home – NIDAS – Nottinghamshire Independent Domestic Abuse Services

Safer Schools App

Update week commencing 20th March 2023

We would like to remind you that the Safer Schools app is available and free to download!

The app provides news, information and guidance across the whole range of safeguarding issues, and for learners with children, younger brothers and sisters or other younger relatives then it is also a source of valuable information about how to keep them safe in various ways.

Information about the app, download instructions and a QR Code can be found here.

Updated ATTFE Safeguarding Team Posters

Update week commencing 13th March 2023

The ATTFE Safeguarding Team posters have now been updated. You will see copies of these around our sites, providing information on who our safeguarding team are and a helpful QR code to access the ‘I Want to Talk’ button should you need it.

ATTFE College Safeguarding Team

Cost of Living Support

Update week commencing 27th February 2023

One of the greatest current risks to health and wellbeing, for most people, families and households, is the ongoing cost of living pressure and stress.

At ATTFE we are doing a great deal to help alleviate that, especially through our Let’s All Eat Food Pantries, and our 10,000 Dinners campaign. These have been outlined in previous Newsletters and on our social media but if you would like some information and to find out how to benefit from these please call 07867 451424.

The local councils are also doing what they can to support their local residents in lots of different ways. They have this information on their websites, so you can find it pretty easily, but here also are links straight to them as below:

Ashfield District Council Cost of living support – Ashfield District Council

Newark and Sherwood District Council Cost of Living Support | Newark & Sherwood District Council 

Please talk to a member of ATTFE staff if you or your family would like any help in
accessing any of these services.

Let’s All Eat Food Pantries

Update week commencing 23rd January 2023

The economic and financial difficulties experienced by many in our communities are continuing unabated. To help learners, their families and households with this, we are ramping up our food poverty relief.  We have Let’s All Eat Food Pantries operating in Ollerton, Sutton and Huthwaite, where for a one-off joining fee of £1 and then £3.50 per week for each visit, people in need can collect around £15 worth of good quality food. There is no ‘means testing’ or anything like that – they are for the whole community. The days and times are:

  • St . John’s Church Sutton – Monday 13.00-16.00
  • Huthwaite Methodist Church – Wednesday 13.00-15.00 and Thursday 15.00-17.00
  • Lifespring Church Ollerton – Thursday 13.00-15.00.

We are also operating the 10,000 Dinners campaign over the Winter, which supplies people, families and households with pre-prepared meal portions. We have distributed over 1000 such dinners already.

The contact number to ring for both Food Pantries and 10,000 Dinners is: 07867 451424

Please do not hesitate to ring and get the details/information to use these valuable services that we are providing. It is there for you, and for everybody, so please use it.

Let's All Eat Food Pantries

Staying Safe at Christmas

Update week commencing 19th December 2022

Please see the below PowerPoint presentation which suggests ways that you can keep safe over the festive season, with thanks to our DDSL Lisa.

Staying Safe At Christmas

The Power and Control Wheel

Update week commencing 12th December 2022

The wheel serves as a diagram of tactics that an abusive partner uses to keep their victims in a relationship. The inside of the wheel is made up of subtle, continual behaviours over time, while the outer ring represents physical and sexual violence.

Please speak to a member of the Safeguarding Team or use the ‘I Want to Talk’ button if you have concerns regarding abuse.

“Knowledge is power and when knowledge is shared, the power is multiplied”

Power and Control Wheel

Student Mental Wellbeing Toolkit

Update week commencing 14th November 2022

Here is a wellbeing toolkit provided by NHS England Midlands with useful websites and contacts that can support with mental health and wellbeing.

Simon Martin, DSL

Mental Wellbeing Toolkit

Student Mental Wellbeing – Christina Aguilera

Update week commencing 7th November 2022

You may well be aware of, and heard and seen, Christina Aguilera’s re-release of her hit song ‘Beautiful’ – see link below.

It has a very powerful and moving video accompanying it which focuses on the issues of social media, body image and mental health.

These are serious issues for young people and adults in our society and culture and Christina must be applauded for coming out and making a stand against the pressures that many are feeling in a very destructive way.

If you are feeling difficulty or pressure in this way – we know that many learners do – please talk to us. We can help, and if we can’t, we have access to a wide range of other support and agencies who can.

Are you feeling unsafe online? – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 24th October 2022

If you are worried about online safety please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

You can find more information on how you can stay safe online from Homepage – UK Safer Internet Centre

If you don’t have access to basic necessities – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 3rd October 2022

If you are worried about basic necessities please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

Child on Child Abuse Posters

Update week commencing 26th September 2022

You will see that new posters about Child-on-Child Abuse are being put up around our sites. These replace the previous Peer-on-Peer Abuse posters because the terminology has changed, although ‘peer-on-peer’ is clearly more appropriate for those of you who are older learners rather than under-19. They are for your information so please have a look at them.

Abuse and harassment between students is as unacceptable as abuse and harassment from an adult towards a younger person, or from a stranger. If you feel that you are being subjected to abusive or unacceptable behaviour from other students, please report it straightaway to whichever member of staff you feel most comfortable in talking to – it will be dealt with.

Remember you can also raise concerns via the ‘I Want to Talk‘ Button.

I Want to Talk Button

Update week commencing 19th September 2022

A reminder of our learner safeguarding and welfare facility called I Want to Talk‘. This is a mechanism on our website that enables you to make online contact with us if you have any issues or concerns that you would like to raise/discuss further. If you select the ‘Learner Life’ tab, and drop down to ‘I Want to Talk’, by entering your email address (because we need to know who to get back to), a simple text box comes up that you can then type your message into. It is entirely confidential – no-one else can see it or would know about it other than us as the recipient. There is also a link to other advice and guidance contacts as appropriate, found here: Safeguarding Information.

Learner Safeguarding Cards

Update week commencing 12th September 2022

A reminder regarding your Learner Safeguarding Cards!

Remember to refer to your Safeguarding Card for helpful QR codes for you to scan with your smart phones to easily access key areas of our website and the ‘I walk to talk‘ button.

Welcome to the 2022/23 Academic Year

Update week commencing 5th September 2022

Hello Everyone

Alongside my colleague Lisa Chapman, I will be introducing myself to classes and student groups if we haven’t done so already. I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Lisa is the Deputy DSL. Our job is to ensure that all learners feel safe and secure, and that they are free from harm and abuse. That includes situations and issues outside College as well as in College, because we recognise that students can only learn effectively if they feel  secure and are free from anxiety.If you have any problems or issues that are causing you concern, whether in College, at home, in the community, or in any of your relationships in and out of College, then please speak with whichever member of staff you feel most comfortable talking to.You will be listened to and taken seriously, and we will do everything we can to help.We have access to a wide range of external agencies of we do not have the expertise to provide the support and deal with it in-house.If you do not want to actually talk to someone but you still want to raise a problem,whether it is for yourself or for another student who you can see is experiencing difficulties, then you can email on: l.chapman@attfe.org.uk

We also have our ‘I want to talk‘ button. You can access this 24/7 from anywhere so please use this as well – it goes straight through to the safeguarding team and someone will be back in touch with you as quickly as possible.

Many thanks

Simon Martin, DSL

Safeguarding Key Contacts

Update week commencing 30th May 2022

If you need support during the half term break, there are lots of organisations that are available to help you. These can be found on our Safeguarding Information page.

You can also use the ‘I Want to Talk‘ button if you would like support from ATTFE.

Stay safe and enjoy the Platinum Jubilee Weekend!

Legal Marriage Age – Now 18

Update week commencing 23rd May 2022

The legal age for marriage in England and Wales has been raised from age 16 and is now 18. This applies to both male and female and means that it is now illegal for an adult over 18 to marry anyone under 18 of either sex. Two links about this are below, one to a news article about it, and the other to the international ‘Girls not Brides’ which has campaigned against under-age marriage across the world for years.

This is an important step in helping to protect young people from potentially being drawn into ‘fixed’ relationships with older adults where there may be power imbalances and the potential for abuse.

https://news.sky.com/story/legal-marriage-age-raised-from-16-to-18-and-adultsto-face-jail-for-aiding-underage-weddings-12599678 

https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/

ATTFE Safeguarding Team Posters

Update week commencing 16th May 2022

A reminder that you will see our ATTFE Safeguarding Posters around our sites, providing information on who our safeguarding team are and a helpful QR code to access the ‘I Want to Talk’ button should you need it.

New ProtectUK App

Update week commencing 9th May 2022

Please see information sheetfrom UK Protect about how to download their new app (ProtectUK). This will enable app users to share feedback with UK Protect, as well as receive updates and bulletins etc.

The sheet also explains how to transition from the former ACT app to the ProtectUK app if you have formerly downloaded the ACT one.

Please download this as soon as you get a chance. It is a very useful source of security and safety update information in ‘real time’ about terrorist threats etc. and so it will help to keep you, your friends and your families safe.

ProtectUK – Apps on Google Play

ProtectUK on the App Store (apple.com)

Change of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead – Lisa Chapman

Update week commencing 2nd May 2022

Please note that our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) is now LISA CHAPMAN instead of Rosie Riley.

Rosie has shouldered this work for several years but with being part-time and a full teaching timetable, it is right for Lisa to now take this up as the Safeguarding Manager.

Learners will know Lisa well from her presence around our sites at Sutton and Dukeries. She will now work with Simon Martin (DSL) and the Safeguarding Team, and directly deputise for Simon as the DSL when he is not available.

Learner Safeguarding Cards

Update week commencing 18th April 2022

A reminder regarding your Learner Safeguarding Cards!

Remember to refer to your Safeguarding Card for helpful QR codes for you to scan with your smart phones to easily access key areas of our website and the ‘I walk to talk’ button.

Safeguarding Key Contacts

Update week commencing 4th April 2022

As we enter the Easter break, we share a reminder of some key Safeguarding Contacts that can be contacted if you need support during the break. These can be found on our Safeguarding Information page.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine

Update week commencing 28th March 2022

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is continuing as one of the world’s greatest current concerns for security and humanitarian suffering.

Please see attached PowerPoint that covers some basic information on the conflict. This includes the context and history behind the invasion, and a timeline of current events,. It also outlines the reactions of world leaders and some detailed information about the sanctions being imposed upon Russia by other countries. These sanctions are increasing all the time as Russia’s incursion into Ukraine continues. There is also a signpost to The Mix which provides support for younger adults who may be feeling anxiety, which is likely to be the case with the Rusiia-Ukraine situation.

Spotting Fake News

Update week commencing 21st March 2022

The prevalence of fake news in our society has increased and can lead to false or misleading information being presented as news, as the author’s aim is often to damage the entity’s reputation and is often associated with politics, which we saw during 2016 presidential election in America.

In view of this, we have listed be a few tips to help you work out if the information is fact or fiction/real or fake.

  • Check the source/website:- this is because not all news sites are legitimate and if you don’t recognise the source/website, then you should give the article extra scrutiny. Some of these sources/websites may use similar URLs to mainstream news organisations.
  • Read beyond the headlines:- Headlines can be outrageous in an effect to get views.
    What is the whole story about?
  • Supporting sources:- click away from the story to investigate the site, its mission and
    its contact information.
  • Check for biases:- Consider if your own beliefs could affect your judgement
    Assess Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar:- Check the article and if the article has
    misspelled words, poor grammar or lots of “!!!!”, then it is probably unreliable.

Below is a video clip to help improve understanding and skills of identifying fake news.

 

What is fake news and how can you identify it? – BBC News

Conflict in Ukraine

Update week commencing 14th March 2022

The conflict in Ukraine is turning more and more into a situation that is worrying people. The longer it goes on, the more it seems like a full-scale war and the more anxious we all become that it might spread to a more general war across Europe and involve the use of weapons that we really don’t want to think about.

However, one of the most important aspects is to ensure that what you are hearing and seeing in the media is accurate because misinformation and conspiracy are rife, and they feed anxiety. For this reason it is best to get your baseline information from a reliable and trusted source. This means main news producers like the BBC Home – BBC News and Newsround Home – CBBC Newsround where you are much more likely to receive a balanced account.

British Values

Update week commencing 7th March 2022

We are focusing upon British Values for learners in the coming half term to Easter and these are very relevant in the current climate (e.g. democracy, related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine), and in the local context (e.g. tolerance for those of different faiths and beliefs, related to the local threat of right-wing radicalisation and extremism. As a reminder, the 5 Fundamental British Values are:

  • Democracy.
  • The rule of law.
  • Individual liberty.
  • Mutual respect.
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

We will be working together over the next few weeks to see how these apply in the wider world at the moment, and in our own ‘patch’.

If you don’t have access to basic necessities – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 28th February 2022

If you are worried about basic necessities please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

Communities Defeat Terrorism

Update week commencing 21st February 2022

The terror threat level in the UK has been downgraded from SEVERE to SUBSTANTIAL. This is welcome, although still expresses a level of risk to be aware of.

If you see something that doesn’t look right, report it at gov.uk/act 

Find out more: Report terrorist or extremist content online – Action Counters Terrorism (campaign.gov.uk)

Updated I Want to Talk Button

Update week commencing 14th February 2022

A reminder that you can access our ‘I Want to Talk‘ button to raise any issues or problems online, at any time, from anywhere. It goes straight through to our Safeguarding Team and is completely confidential: I want to Talk

This has now been updated so that you can self refer for Mental Health / Wellbeing Intervention Support.

Are you feeling unsafe online? – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 7th February 2022

If you are worried about online safety please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

You can find more information on how you can stay safe online from Homepage – UK Safer Internet Centre

If a family member says cruel things to you or hurts you  – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 24th January 2022

If you are worried about abuse please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

You can also call childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline | Childline

Radicalisation – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 17th January 2022

If you are worried about radicalisation please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

Safeguarding at ATTFE College

Update week commencing 3rd January 2022

Happy New Year and welcome back for the Spring Term. We hope that everyone had a good Christmas break!

If you have experienced any difficulties or problems over Christmas that you think we can help with, then please get in touch. We also have access to a wide range of external agencies that can offer specialist help and advice. You can talk to your tutor or whichever member of staff you feel most comfortable with.

And remember, you can also access our ‘I Want to Talk‘ button to raise any issues or problems online, at any time, from anywhere. It goes straight through to our Safeguarding Team and is completely confidential: I want to Talk

Safeguarding over Christmas

Update week commencing 20th December 2021

Christmas is a happy and festive time for most people. However, it may also be a time of increased family and household tensions, especially with the Covid restrictions which may be coming back and limiting what we can do.

So, here you can find a list of agencies that you can contact over Christmas if you need support with any difficult situations: Safeguarding – Academy Transformation Trust Further Education (attfe.org.uk)

Feeling Stressed? – That’s Not Okay

Update week commencing 13th December 2021

If you are worried struggling to cope with stress at home or college, please speak to an ATTFE College Staff Member, or use the ‘I Want to Talk Button‘ to raise your concerns online.

You can also access free mental health and wellbeing tips from kooth.com

Christmas Event Safety

Update week commencing 6th December 2021

It’s the time of year when Christmas Markets start popping up around the country. With so much to do and see, we encourage everyone to remain alert. If you see something that doesn’t seem right, report it to gov.uk/ACT It’s quick, easy, and saves lives.

#CommunitiesDefeatTerrorism

Going Too Far – Extreme or Not Extreme?

Update week commencing 8th November 2021

An Ofcom study found that 20% of child gamers chat to strangers. Can you spot extremist grooming techniques to stay safe and avoid breaking any laws?

#GoingTooFar by LGfL DigiSafe & The Department for Education has scenario-based activities & guidance discussion starters at Going Too Far? (lgfl.org.uk)

Report Harmful Online Content

Update week commencing 1st November 2021

Report Harmful Content is provided by UK Safer Internet Centre and operated by SWGfL.

UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading organisations with one mission – to promote the safe and responsible use of technology for young people.

To report online harmful content visit: Submit a Report of Harmful Content (reportharmfulcontent.com)

Stream Safe – Netflix

Update week commencing 11th October 2021

Safer Schools have released guidance on their app about StreamSafe – Netflix Guidance to support with viewing restrictions, setting PIN codes and more.

See the helpful guidance on their website here: streamsafe_netflix.pdf (ineqe.com)

Learner Safeguarding Cards

Update week commencing 4th October 2021

We have been busy making changes to our Learner Safeguarding Card! Soon we will be sharing printed versions of this card with all learners. It contains helpful QR codes for you to scan with your smart phones to easily access key areas of our website.

Young Minds – Fighting for Young People’s Mental Health

Update week commencing 27th September 2021

Next week is ATTFE College’s Well-being week! During the week ahead ATTFE College staff and learners will be embedding well-being activities and raising money for Young Minds, as we celebrate #HelloYellow and raise awareness for mental health well-being 💛

Young Minds have lots of amazing advice and guidance on their website, and are there to help support you and your mental health. Check them out here: Mental Health Support For Young People | YoungMinds

Peer-on-Peer Abuse, Sexual Violence, Sexual Harassment and Harmful Sexual Behaviours

Update week commencing 20th September 2021

ATTFE College are currently focusing on Peer-on-Peer Abuse (POPA), Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SV/SH) and Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB) because, as you may have seen in the news and media, these have become forefront topics of societal concern. Even in schools and colleges, very recent research has revealed some shocking statistics:

  • Four out of 5 girls, and 2 out of 5 boys, are put under pressure to provide sexual images of themselves in school/college.
  • 64% of girls, and 24% of boys, experience unwanted physical touching in school/college.
  • 92% of girls and 74% of boys are subjected to sexist name calling in school/college.

ATTFE College does not tolerate any forms of peer-on-peer abuse or sexual harassment between students. Our new Safeguarding Manager Lisa Chapman will be carrying out our own research into students’ experiences of these areas next week and you may be invited to participate. We really value your contribution so if you would like to be involved anyway, or if you have experiences that you would like to share, please let your tutor know or contact Lisa on l.chapman@attfe.org.uk.

Life in Modern Britain – British Values

Update week commencing 13th September 2021

The theme of the month for ATTFE College is ‘Life in Modern Britain’ and the promotion of British values.

Remember, the ‘Fundamental British values’ comprise:

  • democracy
  • the rule of law
  • individual liberty
  • mutual respect for and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs, and for those without faith.

Safeguarding at ATTFE College

Update week commencing 6th September 2021

Hello and welcome to back to another academic year with ATTFE College.

We are a College that has the safety and safeguarding of students at our heart. You will receive lots of information and guidance about safeguarding from your tutors, and from the College, as you progress through your course.

However, we also want you to know that you can contact us at any time if you have any issues or concerns, whether that is for yourself, or for another student. Our staff will always listen to you and take you seriously if you have any problems that you want to talk to us about. We will help, and we have access to a wide range of organisations that can provide expert and specialist support for a wide range of problems.

You can speak with any member of staff who you feel most comfortable with. That might be your tutor, or it might be someone different. It doesn’t matter. You can also email us on: safeguardingreferrals@attfe.org.uk

You can also access our ‘I Want to Talk‘ button which means that you can use this raise any issues or problems online, at any time, from anywhere. It goes straight through to our Safeguarding Team and is completely confidential.

❗️ Action Counters Terrorism ❗️

Update week commencing 19th July 2021

Are you worried that someone you care about is at risk of radicalisation, but not sure what to do?

 #ActEarly and find out what support is available at www.actearly.uk

NSPCC Reporting Abuse in Education

Update week commencing 12th July 2021

If you are facing unwanted sexual behaviour whilst in education, please report this to a member of ATTFE College or contact NSPCC who are available to listen.

You can call them on 0800 136 663 for free and you can remain anonymous.

Protecting children from harmful sexual behaviour | NSPCC Learning

Women’s Aid – Keeping Safe Digitally

Update week commencing 5th July 2021

Women’s Aid have provided this useful advice on staying safe online. For more information visit: Online and digital abuse – Womens Aid

‘Many relationships that begin romantically can quickly become controlling, with partners reading emails, checking texts and locations of social media posts. This can be just the beginning, with a third of survivors who responded to a Women’s Aid survey on online abuse telling us that their partner or ex-partner had used spyware or GPS locators to track them down.’

The Sun and Skin Cancer – Teenage Cancer Trust

Update week commencing 28th June 2021

Mencap – Learning Disability Online Safety

Update week commencing 21st June 2021

Risk of Forced Marriage – Advice

Update week commencing 14th June 2021

ATTFE Safeguarding Reminder

Update week commencing 7th June 2021

Step Up, Speak Up!

Update week commencing 31st May 2021

‘As part of the Step Up, Speak Up! campaign to raise awareness around online sexual harassment, Project deSHAME has produced films for young people aged 13-17 to help identify, define and understand what online sexual harassment is.

These films set out to encourage the viewer to recognise that online sexual harassment is not acceptable and to take positive action if they see this happening.’ – Childnet International 

Put an end to online sexual harassment video.

Coercive Control – Where is the line?

Update week commencing 24th May 2021

Below is a YouTube video on Coercive Control, created by Ards and North Down PCSP, North Down and Ards Women’s Aid, South Eastern Sexual and Domestic Violence Partnership and Neep Pictures.

If you need support from the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline you can call 0808 802 1414
or email help@dsahelpline.org.  For more information visit: DSA Helpline – DSA Helpline

What is online sexual harassment?

Update week commencing 10th May 2021

Below is a YouTube video on Sexual Harassment from Childnet International, which explains that online sexual harassment is not acceptable and positive steps you can take if you see this happening.

Inappropriate sexual behaviour or language

Update week commencing 3rd May 2021

At ATTFE we are committed to ensuring that learners and staff do not experience inappropriate sexual behaviour or language, and we are continuously working upon this to ensure that everyone in ATTFE has a common understanding and agreement about acceptable conduct, language and expressed attitudes.

A dedicated NSPCC helpline is now available to support anyone who has experienced sexual abuse in educational settings or has concerns about someone or the issues raised. The dedicated NSPCC helpline number is 0800 136 663 and more information is available at: Dedicated helpline for victims of abuse in schools NSPCC.

I Want to Talk Button

Update week commencing 26th April 2021

We have introduced a new learner safeguarding and welfare facility called I Want to Talk‘. This is a mechanism on our website that enables you to make online contact with us if you have any issues or concerns that you would like to raise/discuss further. If you select the ‘Learner Life’ tab, and drop down to ‘I Want to Talk’, by entering your email address (because we need to know who to get back to), a simple text box comes up that you can then type your message into. It is entirely confidential – no-one else can see it or would know about it other than us as the recipient. There is also a link to other advice and guidance contacts as appropriate, found here: Safeguarding Information.

Consent – it’s as simple as tea!

Update week commencing 19th April 2021

Below is a YouTube video on sexual consent, told through comparison of making someone a cup of tea.

Right-wing Extremism

Update week commencing 29th March 2021

Extreme right-wing organisations have deliberately used lockdown as a time to target and exploit people online, especially younger adults and teenagers, because everyone has been more isolated and spending more time online. This has been very much the case across north Nottinghamshire. Such involvement rarely ends well for the people who are recruited, usually leading to exploitation, violence and criminal convictions, even for younger people because it is viewed so seriously. However, there is a national programme (called CHANNEL) which is aimed at helping people (not criminalising them) if they are getting drawn into extremism. It means that they get advice and guidance and don’t have any kind of criminal record or conviction, so it’s obviously much better all round. Please let us know if you have concerns for any fellow students (or for yourself) who you think may be at risk of being drawn into extremism or who seem to have been radicalised. It may be that we can help before their journey into darkness goes too far.

You can see below a recent newspaper article on this issue in the national press.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/14/how-far-right-uses-video-games-tech-lure-radicalise-teenage-recruits-white-supremacists

iREPORTit App – Report suspected terrorist activity

Update week commencing 22nd March 2021

See below a link to a new app – iREPORTit – which has been designed to help the public report suspected terrorist activity or concerns – available to download from the usual sources, please do so, it is designed for public use so people can immediately and easily report their concerns.

‎iREPORTit on the App Store (apple.com)

Online Safety Definitions

Update week commencing 15th March 2021

Below are some definitions of aspects of online safety you should be aware of as an Internet Citizen, provided by Be Internet Citizens.

Citizens Advice New Number

Update week commencing 8th March 2021

Please note that Ashfield Citizens Advice now have a new contact number.

They provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people’s lives in Ashfield.

Citizen's Advice Number

Online Safety and Disinformation – From Educate Against Hate

Update week commencing 1st March 2021

Please see information written by ‘Educate Against Hate’ on disinformation. For more information see the full blog post.

Disinformation is the deliberate creation and dissemination of false information that is intended to deceive and mislead, either for the purposes of causing harm, or for political, personal or financial gain. It can lead to health scares, false accusations and potentially damaging hoax stories. Recently, there has been various kinds of false information about coronavirus and the vaccines designed to tackle it.

It’s not always easy to spot disinformation. To limit the spread of false information, students should use the SHARE checklist before sharing news online.

Share Checklist

Protect and Prepare – How to deal with the threat from terrorism?

Update week commencing 22nd February 2021

For more information on visit: https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/

Safer Internet Day – Top Tips for #AnInternetWeTrust

Update week commencing 8th February 2021

On Tuesday 9th February 2021 It’s #SaferInternetDay , where organisations across the UK work together to make #AnInternetWeTrust

The theme this year is “Together for a better internet”, what can you do to help keep yourself and others safe online?

Find out more information at www.saferinternetday.org.uk 💻

Shout – Text 85258

Update week commencing 1st February 2021

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Since launching publicly in May 2019 Shout have had more than 500,000 conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support. As a digital service, Shout 85258 has become increasingly critical since Covid-19, being one of the few mental health support services able to operate as normal at this time.

 

shout 85258

Radicalisation PowerPoint – Learner Made

Update week commencing 18th January 2021

Please see this excellent PowerPoint about Radicalisation and Extremism made by our learner Stephen Mountjoy.  These issues are so important to understand in current times, with turbulent national and international political events, and domestic issues like Covid-19 and Brexit.  Events like these increase the risk of extremism significantly.  Please have a look through, and many thanks to you Stephen!

 

Radicalisation

Safer Schools App – Reminder to Download!

Update week commencing 11th January 2021

Prevent – 7 Minute Briefing

Update week commencing 4th January 2021

Youtube Safety Card from Safer Schools

Update week commencing 21st December 2020

Facebook Messenger Safety Card from Safer Schools

Update week commencing 14th December 2020

Instagram Safety Card from Safer Schools

Update week commencing 7th December 2020

Snapchat Safety Card from Safer Schools

Update week commencing 30th November 2020

Streaming – Staying Safe Online

Update week commencing 23rd November 2020

Staying Safe Online – Sharing Images Online

Update week commencing 16th November 2020

Staying Safe Online

Update week commencing 9th November 2020

Mental Health Over Lockdown

Update week commencing 2nd November 2020

Report Harmful Content

Update week commencing 19th October 2020

Report Harmful Content is provided by UK Safer Internet Centre and operated by SWGfL.

https://reportharmfulcontent.com/ 

Why can we help?

We have our experience of running two successful helplines, the Professionals Online Safety Helpline and The Revenge Porn Helpline. This experience has given us the unique set of skills, insights and relationships with industry to provide specialist support.

We studied the community guidelines of several different platforms to determine which types of content are likely to violate terms. We have worked hard to create a safe and effective platform to report harmful content.

There are some types of content for which Report Harmful Content cannot offer support. This is because there are dedicated, specialist services that exist already – for example, Action Counters Terrorism. Read the Advice section of our website for more information on these harms and to find simple and clear instructions on what you should do to find the best support.

E-Safety – Strong Passwords

Update week commencing 12th October 2020

E-Safety

Update week commencing 5th October 2020

Covid symptoms

Update week commencing 28th September 2020

Visit the BBC website for full details: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51048366 

What are the symptoms?

  • New and continuous cough – coughing a lot for more than an hour, or having three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
  • Fever – a temperature above 37.8C
  • Change in smell or taste – either you cannot taste or smell anything, or these senses are different to normal.

Public Health England says about 85% of people with Covid will have at least one.

Self-Isolation Legal Duty

Update week commencing 28th September 2020

New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force today

From today, people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. This law has been introduced to ensure compliance with self-isolation rules and to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Fines will also be introduced from today for those breaching self-isolation rules, starting at £1,000, in line with the existing penalty for breaking quarantine after international travel. This could increase to up to £10,000 for repeat offences and the most serious breaches, including for those preventing others from self-isolating.

Employers who force or allow staff to come to work who they know should be self-isolating will also be liable for fines of up to £10,000.

Learner Safeguarding Information

Update week commencing 21st September 2020