Safeguarding & Well-being Newsletter - Autumn 2025

Safeguarding & Well-Being Newsletter Autumn 2025

Welcome to our first Safeguarding & Well-being Newsletter As your child begins or continues their journey with us here at York College, we want to take this opportunity to introduce the Safeguarding and Well-being Team and share some key information about the support we provide.

At York College, student safety, happiness and emotional well-being are at the heart of everything we do. We know how important it is for you as parents and carers to feel confident that your child is supported, not just academically, but personally and emotionally too.

This newsletter will keep you updated on our services, how we can help, and how to contact us if needed. It will also give you a window into the work we’re doing across college to help students stay safe, informed, and confident. Each edition will include an overview of the awareness sessions and enrichment activities we’ve delivered, as well as a look ahead at what’s coming up.

Throughout the year we’re excited to welcome a range of visitors into college including York Young Carers, IDAS, and York CVS, who will be delivering ongoing sessions through the year, on the Five Ways to Well-being, helping students build positive habits for mental and emotional health and emotional health. We will also be joined by the Fire Service, RNLI, British Transport Police, and our Neighbourhood Policing Team. These sessions will focus on key topics such as water safety, staying safe when travelling and property marking, all important life skills that support young people as they become more independent.

Safeguarding

Well-being

At York College, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for all our students. Our Safeguarding Team is here to support any student who feels unsafe, worried about something in their personal life, or concerned about someone else. We understand that young people can face a range of difficult experiences, both inside and outside of college, and we’re here to help them navigate those challenges with care and professionalism. Our onsite safeguarding officers are available every day to support students and apprentices.

College life can be exciting, but it can also bring challenges. We understand that well-being is key to helping young people thrive, both academically and personally. That’s why we offer a wide-ranging well-being programme tailored to meet the needs of all students.

Some of the areas we regularly support include:

• Managing feelings of anxiety or low mood.

• Building a more positive mindset.

• Improving sleep and rest routines.

• Navigating relationships and friendships.

We regularly support students facing a wide range of • Managing stress and feelings of overwhelm. issues – from problems at home or in relationships, • Healthy self-care practices. to concerns about safety online, peer pressure, or Here’s how we support our students: something they’ve witnessed. These can include more serious concerns such as abuse, neglect, • Students can use Spectrum Life, a 24/7 digital domestic abuse, drug and alcohol use, harmful platform offering mental health and well-being behaviours from peers, or concerns linked to culture, support, 24/7 helpline, self-help tools, digital gym, beliefs or risk of exploitation. No matter the issue, well-being series www.spectrum.life our team is trained to respond appropriately and • Guidance Through the WRAP Model sensitively, always putting the student’s safety and We introduce students to the Wellness Recovery voice first.

Action Plan (WRAP) model, helping them develop personalised strategies for managing their mental Students can speak to any member of staff if they’re health and building emotional resilience. worried, or they can contact the Safeguarding Team directly by visiting us in college or submitting • Dedicated Well-being Advisors a concern through our website or the QR codes Our on-site Well-being Advisors are available for displayed around college and in this newsletter. one-to-one support, offering a safe space to talk and strategies to help when it’s needed most.

We take every concern seriously and, where Students can access us via our daily ‘Open Door’ appropriate, we work closely with external services session where students come for support, no to make sure each student gets the right support at appointment needed, or students can complete the right time. our referral form (see QR code below) and a member of the team will contact them.

• Counselling via York Mind We are excited to offer in-house counselling provided by York Mind. Students will be referred to this service via the Well-being Team, students can complete the referral form below as the first step.

Should you be a concerned parent/carer please encourage your young person to scan the QR code below and they can self-refer (a member of the Well-Being Team will respond within 2 working days)

Meet the Safeguarding & Well-being Team Our dedicated team brings a wealth of experience and expertise in areas such as education, youth work, policing, social care and mental health support.

We’re here every day to listen, help, and ensure all students are learning in a safe, respectful and supportive environment.

Astrid Croasdale - Safeguarding & Well-being Manager I am proud to be the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at York College and Safeguarding and Wellbeing manager, supporting our students’ safety, welfare, and wellbeing.

We want you to know who we are, what we do, and how your child can reach us. Whether they’re facing serious difficulties or just need a quick chat, we’re here.

I have been at the college since February 2024.

Prior to that I served for 21 years as a Police Officer, specialising in safeguarding, child protection, Prevent, and offender management.

Jenny Rudling - Well-being Advisor

Julie Murgatroyd - Well-being Advisor

I have had many varied careers within Education including teaching and pastoral care.

I have over 20 years’ experience working in education settings specialising in intensive one-to-one support, advice and guidance around Welfare and Well-being issues.

I am also a qualified yoga practitioner.

Carrie Watson - Safeguarding Officer

Jenny Edwards - Safeguarding Officer

I completed a Criminology degree in 2023 and have since worked with victims of domestic abuse at IDAS, as a Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) Support Worker for Changing Lives supporting those at risk of homelessness, criminal activity and substance abuse, and with CYC Youth Justice overseeing reparation and volunteering as a Youth Mentor.

I have worked at York College for 5 years as a Safeguarding Officer in the Safeguarding Team. Previous to this I worked at the York Drug and Alcohol service in the young people’s team. I have worked with young people in various roles for 19 years. I enjoy supporting young people to overcome barriers and achieve their goals.

How to Contact Us Email: safeguarding@yorkcollege.ac.uk or wellbeing@yorkcollege.ac.uk Visit:

www.yorkcollege.ac.uk/student-life/student-support

Students can also speak to their tutors or any trusted member of staff if they are unsure where to start – we’ll make sure they get the right help.

We know how important your child’s college journey is, not just academically, but personally too.

Please be assured that we are here to support them through every step. If you ever have any concerns or questions, you are always welcome to contact us directly.

Thank you for your support, and we’re looking forward to a positive and successful year ahead.

With best wishes,

The Safeguarding & Well-being Team

STU0427/0725