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Support

24/7 Support for Boarding Students

As a boarding student you have access to support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please see below for who to see and when.

Who is my House Parent?

Students and parents/guardians are encouraged to bring ideas to us, or raise issues or concerns, at any time. In the first instance boarders can make their wishes known by speaking to any of the boarding staff directly. We have an ‘open door’ policy so students are encouraged not to wait for their personal tutor meeting to speak to someone and we check that the issue has been resolved. Our student council meets regularly during term time and boarders can speak to one of their student representatives.

Parents/guardians can email or phone the main College number during office hours. The boarding staff are available after office hours for urgent boarding matters. Boarders should make sure that they have these numbers in their phones. Boarding staff also collect boarders’ mobile numbers.

Student Assistance Programme

The Rochester Independent College Student Assistance Plan

The SAP offers a complete 24/7 support network offering expert advice and compassionate, confidential guidance for RIC students covering a wide range of issues. Through this programme our students are able to access counselling for emotional problems and a pathway to structured therapy sessions if appropriate. There is no charge to students for using this service.

The programme is run by Health Assured and also offers support for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year by calling 0800 028 3766. You just have to say you are a Rochester Independent College student.

The My Healthy Advantage smartphone app

In addition to the SAP, we are also offering access to My Healthy Advantage, Health Assured’s comprehensive health and wellbeing app.

Through My Healthy Advantage, you will have access to a range of features, all aimed at improving your health and wellbeing. These include:

Live chat and support
Coping with exam pressure
Personalised news feed
Exercise
Weekly mood tracker
Four-week plans
Mini health checks
Breathing techniques
Smoking cessation support
Coping better with pressure
Drinking less alcohol

HA Calling the SAP Helpline (1).pdf

HA SAP Poster (1).pdf

Safeguarding & Child Protection

Safeguarding is a serious issue and treated as such. The College’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with special responsibility for students’ safety and welfare is Ben Garton.

If you have any concerns on a safeguarding issue please see him. Our safeguarding policy can be found on our website

There are posters around college and in boarding with the picture, name and contact details of the safeguarding officers. You are able to contact them at any time.

Safeguarding Governor Mr Tim Fish +44 (0) 203 696 5300

Independent Listener Poster Harry Gilbert 2022-23-01.png

External agencies

There are also external agencies that boarders can contact and these numbers are included in the ‘Who to see for what’ list in each room.

Childline

0800 1111

This is a national charity that provides a private and confidential advice service for young people. Calls are currently free from all mobile networks

Samaritans

116 123

This number is free to call even if you are out of credit

NSPCC helpline

0808 800 5000

help@nspcc.org.uk

We Are Here With You

We Are Here With You (Kent) Phone us or use our online chat if you’re worried about your drug or alcohol use. We can help you stop or cut down on what you’re using, and help you with other problems you may be having.

You don’t have to pay for any of our services and we won’t tell anyone about anything you tell us without your permission.

Sexual Abuse Helpline

The dedicated NSPCC helpline number is 0800 136 663

This is a new helpline from 1st April 2021.

Mermaids

https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/

Support for gender diversity

Kooth

An online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform

www.kooth.com

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger

For urgent help text YM to 85258

for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.

All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.