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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Below is a video clip to help improve understanding and skills of identifying fake news.
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.
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:
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’.
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.
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)
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.
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
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
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.
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
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)
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
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
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)
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)
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)
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.
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
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:
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.
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:
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.
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
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
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.’
Update week commencing 28th June 2021
As we enter the summer months, it is vital that you take care of your skin and practice sun-safety. Take a look at this information below provided by Teenage Cancer Trust on statistics around Skin Cancer, spotting the signs and taking preventative measures.
Update week commencing 21st June 2021
Mencap have a page of information with links to visual guides to staying safe, specifically designed for people with learning disabilities or additional needs, such as the one shared below on Cyberbullying.
Update week commencing 14th June 2021
We would like to draw attention to this news article around some advice for anyone who may be at risk of forced marriage: Pupils at risk of forced marriage told to put spoons in underwear to set off detectors | UK News | Sky News
As the article explains, Karma Nirvana, a human rights charity which runs a telephone helpline for victims of forced marriages and honour-based abuse worked with a school. ‘Students were given spoons in educational sessions at the school, and were told to conceal the cutlery if they feared they were being taken overseas to be married.
The spoons would trigger airport metal detectors meaning the child would be taken to one side to be searched away from their parent or guardian.
This would allow the youngster to tell airport staff that they were being forced into a marriage.’
Update week commencing 7th June 2021
Safeguarding continues to be a priority for ATTFE, please always feel you can alert your tutor or a member of staff to any safeguarding concerns that you may have. Likewise, if you are feeling low or suffering with any mental ill health. Please do not suffer in silence. ATTFE College has a vast amount of experience to support anyone who is feeling low, depressed, or suicidal. We care greatly about the well-being of our learners are always here to help if you are upset. If you are concerned ‘out of hours’ then click the ‘I want to talk button’. If you complete the form on the website linked to this, someone will be in touch as soon as possible to link in and help you.
Please also see available crisis contact numbers: Safeguarding Information
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Update week commencing 19th April 2021
Below is a YouTube video on sexual consent, told through comparison of making someone a cup of tea.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Update week commencing 22nd February 2021
For more information on visit: https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/
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 
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.
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!
Update week commencing 11th January 2021
Update week commencing 4th January 2021
Update week commencing 21st December 2020
Update week commencing 14th December 2020
Update week commencing 7th December 2020
Update week commencing 30th November 2020
Update week commencing 23rd November 2020
Update week commencing 16th November 2020
Update week commencing 9th November 2020
Update week commencing 2nd November 2020
Update week commencing 19th October 2020
Report Harmful Content is provided by UK Safer Internet Centre and operated by SWGfL.
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.
Update week commencing 12th October 2020
Update week commencing 5th October 2020
Update week commencing 28th September 2020
Public Health England says about 85% of people with Covid will have at least one.
Update week commencing 28th September 2020
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.
Update week commencing 21st September 2020
