At MidKent College, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and the safety, wellbeing and welfare of our students are our highest priorities. We take safeguarding extremely seriously and have a dedicated, well-resourced safeguarding team in place to provide support, advice and intervention when needed. Our approach reflects the high standards that parents and carers would expect to see in schools, ensuring that students are able to learn in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.
The College has clear safeguarding policies and reporting procedures, enabling concerns to be identified, reported and addressed quickly and appropriately. Students are regularly reminded of how to seek help for themselves or others, and all staff receive safeguarding training to ensure they can recognise and respond to concerns effectively. We work closely with parents, carers and external agencies where appropriate, helping to ensure that students receive the support they need to thrive, both academically and personally.
If you need to contact the Safeguarding Team during College operating hours: Monday–Thursday, 08:30–17:00 and Friday, 08:30–16:30
Please use our main safeguarding contact details:
📞 01634 383567
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Online Safety
As young people spend increasing amounts of time online, it is important that both students and parents remain aware of potential risks, including cyberbullying, online scams, inappropriate content, misinformation, disinformation, and contact from individuals who may seek to exploit or manipulate young people. We encourage parents and carers to take an active interest in their young person’s online activity by maintaining open conversations about their digital experiences, helping them to understand how to recognise risks, and encouraging them to speak up if something online makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Students can help keep themselves safe by protecting their personal information, locking their laptops when not in use, using strong passwords, adjusting privacy settings on social media accounts, thinking carefully before sharing content, and reporting any concerning behaviour or content. At MidKent College, we provide guidance and support on online safety as part of our wider safeguarding approach and encourage students to seek advice from a member of staff whenever they have concerns about their online experiences. By working together, parents, carers, students and the College can help ensure that young people enjoy the benefits of technology while staying safe and responsible online.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
At MidKent College, we recognise that good mental health and wellbeing are fundamental to student success, both academically and personally. A range of support services is available to help students manage challenges they may face during their studies. Students can access guidance and support through their course tutor who is often the first point of contact for wellbeing concerns, as well as specialist Welfare Support, Performance & Progression Tutors and the Safeguarding teams.
The College also offers access to wellbeing advice, mental health support, counselling or referral services where appropriate, and assistance with issues such as anxiety, stress, low mood, confidence, relationships, financial concerns and managing the transition to college life. We encourage students to seek support early if they are experiencing difficulties, and parents and carers can be reassured that the College is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where students feel valued, listened to and able to thrive.
If a student's wellbeing is affecting their learning, staff will work with the student and, where appropriate and with consent, their family or carers to identify suitable support and help them remain engaged with their studies.
Martyn’s Law and Lockdown Procedures
The safety and security of our students, staff and visitors is a priority at MidKent College. In line with the requirements and principles of Martyn’s Law (The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act), the College has procedures in place to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including the very unlikely event of a terrorist or other serious security incident. To ensure everyone knows how to respond safely, the College will carry out periodic simulated lockdown exercises. These exercises are carefully planned and designed to familiarise students and staff with the actions they may need to take, such as remaining in a secure location, following instructions from staff and emergency services, and maintaining effective communication during an incident. Lockdown drills are conducted in a calm and supportive manner, with students informed about their purpose and importance. By practising these procedures, we aim to ensure that all members of the College community are prepared, confident and able to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency while maintaining a safe learning environment.
