Safeguarding
and well-being
LOOKING AFTER OUR STUDENTS
At TyneMet, it’s our duty to protect you. Every student’s well-being and safety is our number one priority, and we’re committed to offering a space for you to feel safe, secure, valued and respected – because everyone has the right to protection from all forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Whether that’s looking after those who are vulnerable, needing a bit of help, creating a good work-life balance, or those worried about the financial side of studying – we make sure you’re supported in every way possible.
Duty of Care
It’s our staff members’ responsibility to protect young people and vulnerable adults, and we aim to make sure all adults who may have unsupervised access to the above student groups are deemed fit to work with them.
In light of recent legislation, we also know we have a responsibility to safeguard staff and will provide clear guidelines and systems regarding staff responsibilities towards the protection of young people and vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding Process
If you have a concern, please speak to one of our Wellbeing Advisors in the Student Services Hub or email wellbeing@tynecoast.ac.uk
WHAT SUPPORT CAN I GET?
ADDITIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT
We take care of you and help you succeed with support services called ‘Additional Learning Support’. This is to support, guide and advise you alongside your studies, and it’s available to everyone – even if you already receive another form of support. Whether you need a little extra help with your studies, specialist equipment, or a chat, the team is here and will create a personalised support package for you.
THE KIND OF SUPPORT WE CAN GIVE YOU INCLUDES:
- Special exam arrangements
- One-to-one support inside and outside the classroom
- Help with personal care needs
- Specialist software and equipment
- Communication Support Workers
- Qualified Teacher of the Deaf
- Assessment and support for dyslexia
- Note takers/scribes
- Maths, English and ESOL (Improve your English) support
- Personal tutor to monitor progress and assist with day-to-day queries
- Learning Support Assistants (LSA) to provide support in and out of class as needed
- Supervision over lunch, break and transport (if necessary)
- Sensory room and quiet areas within specialist provision and across the College
These are just examples, and if you’d like to talk about any support that hasn’t been outlined, pop along to our Learning Support base or get in touch.
COUNSELLING AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Your time at college can be rewarding, fun and exciting, but it can also be a time of stress and there may be other problems that affect your life and studies. Our Counselling Service is here to help. With a qualified counsellor, all students and staff can have one-to-one, confidential counselling on any personal concerns or difficulties, both inside and outside the classroom.
COUNSELLING CAN HELP WITH SUCH THINGS AS:
- Dealing with a crisis or immediate concern
- Support with longer term difficulties
- Getting access to specialist help
- Referring on to other resources
Counselling aims to give you the time and space to explore and understand any issues that may be affecting you. The counsellor will help you think about your problems from a different perspective. Sessions with our counsellor usually last for 50 minutes and are held in confidence in a counselling room. Your first appointment will give you an opportunity to explore your reason for coming and will help build a clearer picture of your needs.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The College Counselling Service is highly confidential. There are some limits to confidentiality, and these are discussed with you in the first session. For example, risk of harm to yourself or someone else.
COMMON ISSUES TALKED ABOUT INCLUDE:
- Anxieties about aspects of study, inc. exams and presentations
- General stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship difficulties
- Eating problems
- Bereavements and parental separations
- Loneliness
- Lack of self-confidence or low self-esteem
- Managing transitions
- Making difficult decisions
- Traumatic experiences, including violence or abuse
- Difficulties with alcohol or drugs
- Issues around sex and sexuality
- Self-injury
- Suicidal thoughts
- Anger management
- Worries about appearance
GET IN TOUCH
If you’d like to make an appointment, you can pop to Student Services, speak to your tutor who can make an appointment for you, or get in touch.
ACCESS ONLINE WELL-BEING SUPPORT
TyneMet has partnered up with Togetherall for students to join a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and well-being.
NORTH EAST SPORTS ACADEMY
Another way we take care of your well-being is through the North East Sports Academy (NESA).
You can pursue your future as well as your interests with NESA. Fitted in around your course and timetable, you’ll train, learn and progress in your desired sport with dedicated coaches, who bring you first-class, professional and personalised sports programmes. You can enhance your university application or employability by completing nationally recognised qualifications and awards, taking part in regional and national competitions, accessing work placement opportunities, as well as our leadership and volunteering academy.
STUDENTS’ UNION
As the communication link between the students and College management team, our Tyne Coast College Students’ Union reps help you make the most of your time outside the classroom through social and extracurricular activities, volunteering opportunities and the North East Sports Academy. Working across TyneMet College, South Tyneside College, South Shields Marine School and Queen Alexandra Sixth Form, the Students’ Union elects a committee made up of a President, Vice President and numerous officers from the student body every year.
Want to stand for election to the Students’ Union or be involved? It looks great on your CV or personal statement as it shows you’re a team player or strong individual as an ambassador and voice for other students.
Meet the Safeguarding team
Additional Links
Looking for something else?
Here are some links you may find useful.
And don’t forget, we’re always happy to help, so feel free to get in touch.
Get in touch
Our team is always ready to help. So if you have questions on courses, your career, or anything else, complete this contact form and we’ll be in touch.