safeguarding

ACC believes that the welfare of the individual is paramount and recognises its duty and responsibility to protect when there is a cause for concern. We are committed to the safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all staff.

All students and staff have the right to:

  • Live and work in a safe environment and be protected from harm
  • Experience emotional well-being
  • Feel valued and be supported by a network of professional relationships
  • Have a positive self-image
  • Have a secure sense of cultural, social and racial identity
  • Understand, recognise, model, support and promote a culture based on fundamental British values including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and/or beliefs
  • Develop good interpersonal skills and confidence in social situations.

We believe:

  • That all students and staff without exception have the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexuality or beliefs and the right to challenge and protection from extremist behaviour, ideologies or those who promote them.
  • That all concerns, and allegations of abuse including attempts to radicalise them will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

how we
support you.

We want you to feel supported during your time with us, and we’re committed to helping you thrive. Our Learner Services Manager or Assistant Head of Support leads a team who offer a safe, confidential space where you can focus on your personal growth through one-to-one sessions or easy drop-ins — whatever works for you.

Each campus also has a number of Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to help and support you with any safety or wellbeing concerns. All staff are safeguarding trained, so you can approach anyone for advice or support. The DSLs will make sure you get the right help, whether that’s check-ins, external referrals, or signposting to useful resources, including the Hub of Hope.

Your Designated Safeguarding Leads are listed below and are available to support you directly.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can also contact the safeguarding team by emailing safeguarding@accesscreative.ac.uk or contact us by phone.

how we support you.

We want you to feel supported during your time with us, and we’re committed to helping you thrive. Our Learner Services Manager or Assistant Head of Support leads a team who offer a safe, confidential space where you can focus on your personal growth through one-to-one sessions or easy drop-ins — whatever works for you.

Each campus also has a number of Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) to help and support you with any safety or wellbeing concerns. All staff are safeguarding trained, so you can approach anyone for advice or support. The DSLs will make sure you get the right help, whether that’s check-ins, external referrals, or signposting to useful resources, including the Hub of Hope.

Your Designated Safeguarding Leads are listed below and are available to support you directly.

If you have any questions or concerns, you can also contact the safeguarding team by emailing safeguarding@accesscreative.ac.uk 

or contact us by phone.

Online Safety

Your safety online matters to us. As a training provider, we are committed to creating a safe digital environment where learners can study, communicate, and grow with confidence.

Supporting Safe Digital Learning

We are dedicated support a safe digital learning environment. We help learners:

  • Understand online risks
  • Build confidence using technology
  • Think critically about what they see online
  • Use social media and AI responsibl

How We Keep You Safe

Your online safety is an absolute priority. We take online safety seriously by:

  • Monitoring and filtering internet use on our systems
  • Training staff to respond to online risks
  • Teaching learners how to stay safe
  • Promoting respectful and responsible behaviour

Understanding the Risks

We support learners to recognise risks such as:

  • Cyberbullying and online abuse
  • Scams and fraud
  • Harmful or inappropriate content
  • Misinformation and fake news
  • Online exploitation

A Supportive Environment

We encourage all learners to:

  • Speak up if something feels wrong
  • Support each other online
  • Use technology responsible

Reporting a Concern

If you’re worried about something online:

  • Speak to a member of staff
  • Contact our safeguarding team
  • We will always take your concerns seriously

Prevent Duty

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all learners.

As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we follow the Prevent Duty, which aims to protect individuals from being drawn into extremism or terrorism.

Promoting a Safe and Inclusive Community.

We actively promote:

  • Respect for others
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Open discussion and critical thinking

Building Awareness

Learners are supported to:

  • Recognise harmful or extremist ideologies
  • Question information and online content
  • Understand the risks of radicalisation

How We Keep Learners Safe

We are committed to:

  • Training staff to recognise signs of radicalisation
  • Providing safeguarding support and clear reporting routes
  • Working with external agencies where needed
  • Promoting British Values across learning

Understanding the Risks

Extremism can involve:

  • Promoting hate, intolerance, or violence
  • Encouraging people to reject others’ rights
  • Influencing vulnerable individuals
  • We take all concerns seriously and act quickly to support learners.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding means keeping you safe from harm, both in and outside of your learning environment. It’s about making sure you:

  • Feel safe and supported
  • Are treated with respect
  • Know where to go if something is wrong

 

Safeguarding includes things like:

  • Bullying or harassment
  • Online safety
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Abuse or neglect
  • Being pressured, controlled, or exploited

Your Safety Matters

You have the right to:

  • Feel safe at all times
  • Be listened to
  • Be treated fairly and with respect
  • Get help when you need it

 

We take all concerns seriously—no matter how big or small.

When Should You Report Something?

You should speak up if:

  • Something is worrying you
  • Someone is being hurt, bullied, or treated badly
  • You feel unsafe (online or in person)
  • Someone is pressuring or threatening you
  • You’re concerned about a friend

 

If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always okay to tell someone.

How to Report a Concern

You can talk to:

  • Your tutor
  • A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
  • Any member of staff you trust

 

You can also:

What Happens Next?

If you report something:

  • You will be listened to and taken seriously
  • We will support you and keep you safe
  • We may need to share information with safeguarding staff to help protect you
  • We will explain what is happening and what support is available
  • You will never be blamed for speaking up.

Supporting Each Other

Looking out for others is important too. If you’re worried about a friend:

  • Encourage them to speak to someone
  • Or report it yourself

 

It’s always better to say something than stay silent.

And Remember

You are not alone. Support is always available, and we are here to help.