Safeguarding

What is safeguarding? 

Safeguarding means protecting someone’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. If you feel you are at risk or believe someone else is at risk, it is important to report this and receive the necessary support. 

Safeguarding support at University Centre Leeds

You can report a concern about yourself or someone else through the “Report it” button. (link: https://docs.google.com/a/leedscitycollege.ac.uk/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd6bRrf7tAI1N269M4sMwsykYiojfn-X1FfDBbT5tAYSp1hgw/viewform) 

You can also visit the safeguarding page to find out more about the support available and how to report a concern: https://sites.google.com/leedscitycollege.ac.uk/studentvle/support-and-wellbeing/wellbeing/safeguarding 

External services

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• someone's life is at risk - for example they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose

• you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe

• A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline (England only) - https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

Find your local A&E if you are having a mental health crisis - https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Accident-and-emergency-services/LocationSearch/428

Get advice from 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

• you are not able to speak to your local NHS urgent mental health helpline

• you need help urgently for your mental health, but it's not an emergency

• you're not sure what to do

• 111 will tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.

Use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111.

You may be able to speak to a nurse, or mental health nurse, over the phone.

A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.

Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/

Samaritans is a 24/7 service for anyone who needs to speak to someone about their mental health. You do not need to be in crisis to access this support, there is someone to listen at any time of the day or night. 

What to expect? If you call the Samaritans helpline, a trained volunteer will answer the phone by saying ‘Hello, Samaritans’. The Samaritan will stay on the phone until you feel comfortable to speak; you will not be asked to discuss anything you are not comfortable with. Everything you discuss is confidential and you don’t even have to give your name. If you feel unsafe or at risk, the Samaritan will offer to help by calling the necessary service for you. 

Shout - https://giveusashout.org/

If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout Volunteers are there for you, day or night. If your life is at imminent risk, please call 999 for immediate help.

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text from wherever you are in the UK.

What to expect? By texting the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 you will start a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer, who will text you back and forth, sharing only what you feel comfortable with.

Their volunteers will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. They will always try to respond to texters as quickly as possible, however responses will be longer at times of high demand. Shout will always respond to high risk texters as a priority.