ROC College actively promotes the empowerment and well-being of people with Education, Health & Care Plans. The college will act in a way that supports the rights of individuals to lead an independent life based on self-determination and choice.

ROC College has robust policies and procedures to ensure any disclosures or allegations are managed appropriately, health and medical needs are identified and met and that activities are thoroughly risk assessed. There is zero tolerance of abuse in any form and ROC employees are aware of their duty to report all incidents that they observe or that are reported to them.

All staff receives regular training on the protection of children and adults with learning disabilities and this is a mandatory training requirement within the college irrespective of the person’s role.

If you would like to know more about how we safeguard students at ROC College, copies of our Protection of Vulnerable Adults Policy, Whistleblowing Policy, and other associated policies are available on request.

The college has a fulltime Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the Head Teacher, Head of Quality and Improvement and the three Deputy Head Teachers are also trained as DSLs and act accordingly in the absence of the lead DSL. The DSL is responsible for reporting on safeguarding to the governing group on a quarterly basis.

The DSL and Deputy Head pf Pastoral and Safeguarding work in collaboration with United Response’s Quality and Practice Team, Linda Owen, the governing group’s safeguarding lead and organisations independent safeguarding chair, Patricia Dennison. The DSL from ROC College attend the quarterly safeguarding forums.

Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. It is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy and aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and violent extremism. Schools, Colleges and Universities have a statutory duty to take measures to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism or extremism and to support those who might be susceptible to radicalisation.

ROC College (part of United Response) has produced a Prevent Policy and Risk Assessment in order to set out how it will exercise its Prevent duty. This is to ensure that:

  • Staff and students are aware of their responsibilities in preventing radicalisation and extremism.
  • That there are shared values and integration within College communities, including respect for others
  • To protect and support those who may be at risk of radicalisation or engagement in extremist activity.
  • To deal effectively with any threat posed by individuals supporting or engaging in extremism in the name of ideology or belief.

Where there is safeguarding concern related to Prevent, this should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the College (or Deputy) who will assess the risk and where appropriate will contact the Regional Prevent Coordinator and Police (Channel) for further advice and guidance.  Where there is information that a violent act is imminent, or where weapons or other materials may be in the possession of a student or a community member, a 999 call will be made and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or Deputy) will informed as soon as possible.

ROC College