Colchester Institute is committed to safeguarding all of our students and apprentices, all our staff have a responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of our students and apprentices.
We are committed to promoting the wellbeing, protection, and wellbeing of all of our students at all of our learning locations and safeguarding them from all forms of abuse or harm. We aim to ensure that all learners attending college do so in a safe and secure environment.
We have a trained a safeguarding team available for our enrolled learners. The Team are based on campus and are available between 8:30am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:30am to 4:30pm on a Friday, college term time.
Visit the Team
Colchester Campus – Student Services Wellbeing Centre – C block (above Eat Central)
Braintree Campus – Student Services – The Student Hub
If you are not based at the Colchester or Braintree Campus or would prefer to reach out by email or phone the Safeguarding Team can be contacted on 01206 712828 or by emailing sswellbeing@colchester.ac.uk during college term time.
Information and awareness – Safeguarding Themes that may impact our students
Within the College, enrolled students can access the Student Wellbeing and Safeguarding Team. The team work with external partners including Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), voluntary sector support agencies and the Police to keep our students safe.
External support for Safeguarding concerns
If something happens outside of our office hours or out of term time the following services may be of help for students, apprentices, families, carers and employers. If you access assistance from any of the services below please ensure the safeguarding team are informed as soon as possible (next working/term time day) so that we can support the student or apprentice when back in College.
- Worried about a Child – Essex County Council
- Worried about an Adult – Essex County Council
- Mental Health Crisis/support– Call NHS 111 or in an emergency 999 – NHS
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service CAMHS (Ages 0-18 years) CAMHS Contact
- Police 101 or in an emergency 999 – Police 101 online
Safeguarding Newsletters
Safeguarding Newsletter December 2025
Radicalisation
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. If you are worried that you, or someone close to you, is becoming radicalised act early and seek help.
The College works with the local police prevent team to prevent students and apprentices who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. The College engages with the Department for Education Prevent Co-ordinator, local prevent policing team and the multi agency Channel Panel.
The College fully supports initiatives which prevent people being radicalised. Friends and family can also support our students and apprentices and are best placed to spot the signs of radicalisation, so trust your instincts and share your concerns in confidence. To find out more about how to help someone close to you visit actearly.uk.
If you are an enrolled student, a parent/carer of an enrolled learner or a member of the public with concerns that an enrolled student is being radicalised. Please contact the ACT Early Support Line on 0800 011 3764 or alternatively contact the College’s Wellbeing and Safeguarding Team on 01206 712828 or by emailing sswellbeing@colchester.ac.uk during college term time.
Peer on Peer Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Sexual Harassment
The College works swiftly to support students who are experiencing any safeguarding concerns. In response to the increase in cases relating to peer on peer harmful sexual behaviour and sexual harassment being experienced by young people, not just in education but in society, the College has increased its staff training and awareness in this area, follows guidance on how students should be supported and how concerns will be handled. The College has developed a personal development programme which encompasses the opportunity for students to explore this topic in a safe way. We want all of our students to feel safe and encourage any students to come forward with concerns so they can be supported and listened to. The College understands that even if no concerns are reported harmful sexual behaviour and sexual harassment will still happen at our College and between our students. The College works within Government guidance including: Keeping Children Safe in Education and guidance from the local safeguarding board and the Local Authority.
External Support
Safeguarding and associated policies
