Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Ms J Ellis Principal Telford College of Arts and Technology Haybridge Road Wellington Telford TF1 2NP Dear Ms Ellis

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Ofsted 2010 11 best practice survey: safeguarding in colleges

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 6 October 2010 to look at your provision for safeguarding students.

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Ofsted 2010 11 best practice survey: safeguarding in colleges

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our publication about best practice in safeguarding in colleges. The publication will include case studies about individual providers. If Telford College of Arts and Technology is included as a case study, you will have an opportunity to comment prior to publication. Individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

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Features of good practice

 Safeguarding of students and staff has high profile. Safeguarding is well resourced and is fully embedded in policies, procedures and practices at all levels. The college is proactive in seeking to identify and minimise risks for individuals and groups of students.  Extensive safeguarding training ensures all staff understand their role in and responsibilities for safeguarding.  Extensive and effective safeguarding procedures are in place and are integral to the recruitment and selection of all staff as well as to the involvement of other people involved with the college in their dealings with students.  Comprehensive and effective partnerships with external agencies which increase significantly the college’s expertise in safeguarding provision and in identifying and managing risks that may be associated with individual or groups of students.  Comprehensive risk assessment is used effectively to keep students and

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Features of good practice

staff safe.  Students have high awareness of their own safety and good understanding of the actions that the college takes to keep them safe. Students are actively involved in keeping the college’s environment safe. Expectations of behaviour are high and students are educated to develop independence and to make decisions which promote their own and others’ safety. Students behave well, feel safe and demonstrate safe working practices.  The college knows its students well. Levels of support for students are high. The tutorial and college-wide programme of safety workshops are well developed and encourage students to make healthy and safe decisions. Students are encouraged to discuss, debate, and reflect on a range of ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes.  Extensive policies, procedures, safe working practices and educational resources reduce the risks associated with using the internet.

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Area for development

 Consider ways of ensuring that all students can access the programme of safety-related workshops, as these are highly valued by the students who are able to attend.

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Area for development

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop safeguarding provision within the college.

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Area for development

As explained previously, a copy of this letter will be published on the Ofsted website. It will also be available to the team for your next college inspection.

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