East Surrey College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to ensure that action is taken to support our learners.
The College ensures that procedures and policies are in place and all staff are aware of these procedures. Students, parents and carers are welcome to read the Policies on request.
Occasionally we may need to share information and work closely with other agencies when there are concerns about a student’s welfare. We will ensure that any concerns are discussed confidentially with the student or their parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would jeopardise the young person’s welfare.
To ensure that appropriate support is in place during your time at college we can provide the following services:
- Financial support
- Food and transport
- Careers advice and guidance
- Pastoral care and counselling
As part of the application process we also provide support prior to you starting your college programme.
We understand that at times you may experience pressures in college or at home and our Safeguarding Officer can provide individual support through any aspect of your time at college and ensure you get the help you need.
For further information please contact the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Lead, by emailing dsl@esc.ac.uk or call 01737 772611 ext: 8278.
Wellbeing
To support your mental health and wellbeing, scroll down to find useful links to external support resources and useful self-help tips, videos and more!
College Support Services
We understand that at times you may experience pressures and challenges in life. Our Safeguarding Team can provide individual support through any aspect of your time at College and ensure you get the help you need.
If you need individual support you can talk to your Tutor or a member of our Safeguarding Team by Phone: 01737 772611 or Email: DSL@esc.ac.uk
Occasionally we may need to share information and work closely with other agencies when there are concerns about a student’s welfare. We will ensure that any concerns are discussed confidentially with the student or their parents/carers first, unless we have reason to believe that such a move would jeopardise the young person’s welfare. If you would like more information about Safeguarding at East Surrey College, click here.
We are very saddened by the conflict going on in the world right now between Russia and Ukraine. We recognise that this may affect many students in our community in different ways. We would like to assure you we will continue to support you at this difficult time. Please contact DSL@esc.ac.uk who can refer you to the relevant services available.
There is also a range of support services that you may find useful:
Refugee Council – Telephone: 0207 346 1047 and Email: rij@refugeecouncil.org.uk
Confidential counselling sessions are are available to students in the College with a YMCA counsellor on:
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays during term time.
To book a confidential session, please click here or email: ESCCounselling@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk 
Sexual assault and abuse can happen to anyone, no matter their age, sexual orientation or gender identity. Please click on the links below for further support and information. 
If you would like to speak to someone or report sexual abuse please speak to a member of our Safeguarding Team.
The following information is provided by Surrey Police to help inform parents and carers about County Lines and enable them to support their children as needed:
Wellbeing is an essential part of Enrichment at East Surrey College. You can check out our new Activity Programme to find out about the range of fun activities planned this half term. Learn more about Enrichment here.
Other Support Resources
Frank | www.talktofrank.com 
For friendly, confidential drugs advice, talk to FRANK
Young Gamers and Gamblers Education Trust | www.ygam.org
Providing the tools and information to build digital resilience, educate and safeguard young people against problematic gambling and gaming.
Catch 22 | www.catch-22.org.uk 
Catch22 are specialists at providing targeted substance misuse services for young people with a truly holistic approach, putting the young person at the centre of the treatment.
Cruse Coping with Grief at Christmas | www.cruse.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Support helps to support people to understand grief.
GriefChat | www.griefchat.co.uk
GriefChat is a safe space for grieving or bereaved people to be able to share their stories, explore their feelings and be supported by a qualified bereavement counsellor. This service is suitable for mature students. 
Child Bereavement UK | www.childbereavementuk.org
Providing help to children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. 
Pet Bereavement and Pet Loss| www.bluecross.org.uk
Blue cross supports people who are currently experiencing grief for a pet, or facing loss, by phone, email or webchat. 
The Lucy Rayner Foundation  | www.thelucyraynerfoundation.com
The Lucy Rayner Foundation offers a number of different support services for people with mental health challenges including free counselling and practical support and advice for families bereaved by suicide. For Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, the charity is hosting a cinema event, enquire by emailing:  info@thelucyraynerfoundation.com
Mental Health Crisis Line | www.sabp.nhs.uk 
24 hour support for people in Surrey and North East Hampshire experiencing a mental health crisis. You don’t need to book an appointment and calls are free of charge.
Samaritans | www.samaritans.org 
If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won’t judge or tell you what to do. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Off The Record | www.talkofftherecordonline.org 
Off The Record is a charity supporting young people in tough times. Services include online counselling and online workshops for young people in Croydon, Sutton or Merton.
Childline | www.childline.org.uk 
Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
Metro Charity | www.metrocharity.org.uk 
METRO provides health, community and youth services across London and the South East for anyone experiencing issues around sexuality, gender, equality, diversity or identity. 
Getting It On | www.gettingiton.org.uk 
Getting It On provides information and services for 13-19 year olds on sexual and mental health issues, drugs & alcohol and relationship problems.
YoungMinds | www.youngminds.org.uk 
YoungMinds is leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
Mind | www.wokingmind.org.uk
www.westsussexmind.org 
Mind provide advice, support and training to empower individuals and organisations to help promote and manage good mental health and wellbeing.
Place2Be | www.place2be.org.uk
Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity that provides counselling and mental health support and training in UK schools.
Kooth | www.kooth.com
An online mental wellbeing community.
CYP Haven | www.cyphaven.net
The CYP Haven is a drop-in and virtual emotional wellbeing and mental health service for children and young people age 10-18 living in Surrey. Click here  for a useful guide on how to access virtual support from CYP Haven.
Papyrus | www.papyrus-uk.org
PAPYRUS is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
MindOut | www.mindout.org.uk
MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer people. 
Hub of Hope | www.hubofhope.co.uk
The Hub of Hope is the UK’s leading mental health support database.
Every Mind Matters | www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Brought to you by Public Health England; Your Mind Plan can help you to take simple steps to look after your mental health and find a good work-life balance
Mindworks Surrey | www.mindworks-surrey.org
Emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children, young people and families in Surrey. Delivered by an alliance of NHS and voluntary organisations it gives young people a central voice in decisions about their care.
Forensic Outreach and Liaison Mental Health Service
This is a specialist service for people with a mental health condition who pose a serious risk of harm to others. They also offer support to their carers. 
Richmond Fellowship | www.richmondfellowship.org.uk
This national charity Making Recovery REALITY for people living with mental ill health. We support young people move on to independent living, find or retain paid employment or receive short term intervention support when in a crisis.
The Survivors Trust | www.thesurvivorstrust.org
The Survivors Trust provides specialist support for women, men & children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse.
Rape Crisis (England & Wales) | www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a feminist organisation that supports the work of Rape Crisis Centres across England and Wales.
Galop | www.galop.org.uk
Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity. They work with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence. 
Solace Centre | www.surreysolace.org
Solace Centre offers free, confidential healthcare and compassionate support to people of all ages in Surrey that have experienced sexual assault including rape in their lifetime. 
Family Justice Service | www.croydon.gov.uk
Offering support, comfort and understanding to domestic violence victims and their families, including easy access to essential services.
Mankind Initiative  | Mankind.org.uk
Our confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Being stalked or harassed? | www.victimandwitnessinformation.org.uk
If someone repeatedly behaves in a way that alarms or distresses you, that’s harassment. Harassment and stalking are both criminal offences. If you call your local support team, they can assess the situation and see what help you need, even if you aren’t ready to report the crime yet.
The Hollie Guard App turns your phone into a personal safety device. Helping protect yourself from violence, accidents and records evidence and alerts emergency contacts of your whereabouts quickly and easily.
Click here  to visit the Hollie Guard website for more information and to download. 
Smiling Mind is a FREE mindfulness meditation app developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to your life. The programs are designed to assist people in dealing with the pressure, stress, and challenges of daily life.
Click here to visit the Smiling Mind website for more information and to download.
Bright Sky is a FREE mobile app providing support and information for anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know.
Click here  to visit the Smiling Mind website for more information and to download.
Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information to help you stay safe. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
Click here to visit the Stay Alive website for more information and to download.
Salm Harm is an award-winning app developed for teenage mental health charity Stem4 using the basic principles of an evidence-based therapy called Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). Calm Harm provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm.
Click here to visit the Calm Harm website for more information and to download.
ONRECORD have developed a range of resources and an app to help you gather evidence of domestic abuse. You can record what happens and use these records to help you prove you are being abused.
Click here to visit the ONRECORD website for more information and to download.
Exercise
Whether it’s a short walk or home workout, regular exercise will not only maintain your physical health, but also your mental health and wellbeing.
Keep your mind active
Whether it’s reading, writing, drawing, completing a jigsaw or an online quiz, find something that you enjoy and get stuck in!
Eat Well
Making the right food choices will maintain and even improve your energy levels, awareness and focus.
Sleep
Getting a good quality nights’ sleep is important to feel refreshed and recharged. You’ll wake up with a much more positive attitude ready to take on the day.
Communicate
The most important thing is to just stay connected and keep in touch with your family and friends. Having a chat makes you feel a whole lot better and does wonders for your mental wellbeing.
Take time to reflect
Now is the perfect opportunity to recognise your successes and the things you are grateful for, no matter how big or small they might be.
Action for Happiness Calendar
These monthly calendars are packed with actions you can take to help create a happier and kinder world.
Click here to view the full range of calendars on the Action for Happiness website.
Give us your Feedback! 
We love to hear your feedback on our Wellbeing Hub…
Click here  to complete a quick questionnaire.
