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 A Clynch CBE Principal Loreto Sixth Form College Chichester Road South Manchester M15 5PB

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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 7 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 Loreto College 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

 A strong sense of community exists within the college which is valued by students and makes them feel exceptionally safe. A high level of mutual respect is in place across the college’s very diverse community. Students recognise that the college has a strong focus on health and safety and on ensuring that a safe working environment, with clear safe working practices, is provided.  The leadership maintains a strong focus on developing a culture of safeguarding within the college. Safeguarding is integrated into the college’s strategic plan and evaluation of its effectiveness is a significant part of the self-assessment process. Comprehensive training for both staff and governors, along with the initial staff induction, play an important part in prioritising safeguarding throughout the college. Key managers are extremely knowledgeable about safeguarding.  Comprehensive risk assessments are carried out for all activities, based on

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Features of good practice

thorough procedures, including seeking advice from an external health and safety advisor where an activity is considered high risk. Staff who intend to take students on external visits receive specific training using case studies to highlight key areas of risk. The visits coordinator oversees all external visits to ensure that staff involved are appropriately qualified and sufficiently experienced.  Vulnerable students are identified early very effectively based on a well- developed and longstanding relationship of trust between college managers and local school staff. Identification of vulnerable students is a key priority and ensures that support is planned prior to enrolment at the college.  Well-developed and extensive support systems are in place for vulnerable students, including the use of fully trained counsellors and highly skilled support staff. Students who have severe and complex special educational

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Features of good practice

needs and/or disabilities are supported skilfully in developing practical and social skills to allow them to travel independently and safely.  A highly effective system is in place to provide support for students with specific medical needs through the use of a well-developed recording system which also provides clear guidance to staff on how they should respond. The system can be accessed throughout the college and remotely from off-site locations and has proved extremely effective in providing a rapid and correct response to medical emergencies.

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Features of good practice

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

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Features of good practice

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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