Overview
This article aims to guide you in recognising the different kinds of concerns that might arise during your time at Multiverse, empowering you to navigate these challenges, and ensuring you know how to access the support you need. Your safety and wellbeing are paramount, and safeguarding, which protects individuals from harm, abuse, and neglect, is at the heart of our support. This also involves understanding how your overall wellbeing can affect your daily life. We highlight how to report safeguarding concerns to ensure a safe and positive learning environment for everyone.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding at Multiverse means proactively taking measures to protect our learners from any form of harm. This includes, but is not limited to, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, and radicalisation. It is the responsibility of every member of the Multiverse community to be vigilant and report any concerns they may have.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
Multiverse is committed to creating a culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Our dedicated Safeguarding Team is trained to manage and respond to concerns effectively, working in partnership with external agencies when necessary. You can find more detailed information about our commitment and procedures in our Safeguarding Policy: Multiverse Safeguarding Policy. All our learner-facing staff receive comprehensive and up-to-date training on recognising, responding to, and supporting learners who may be at risk. This proactive approach aims to ensure early intervention and prevent potential harm.
Recognising a Safeguarding Concern
A safeguarding concern may arise in various situations. Some examples include, but are not limited to:
Allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect.
Disclosure of harm or victimisation.
Observations of behaviour that may indicate a learner is at risk.
Concerns about a learner's safety online or offline.
Situations where a learner may be exhibiting signs of being controlled or exploited.
How to Report a Safeguarding Concern
If you have a safeguarding concern about yourself or another learner, it is crucial to report it promptly. Please use the following dedicated email address: [email protected]
This email address is specifically for reporting safeguarding concerns and related enquiries. Your email will be treated with sensitivity and responded to by a member of the Safeguarding Team as quickly as possible.
Getting Help in an Emergency & Immediate Support
If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or someone else:
Dial 999 for emergency services (police, ambulance, fire brigade) if there is an immediate danger to life or a serious injury.
Contact the Samaritans at 116 123 for immediate emotional support if you or someone else is in distress.
You can also access Mind’s Crisis Services for additional resources on handling crises. Visit their website: Mind’s Getting Help in a Crisis.
Support Within Multiverse
While the Safeguarding Team takes a proactive role in addressing concerns that indicate a risk of harm, your initial point of contact for general support and guidance during your apprenticeship remains important:
Talk to Your Coach: Your coach is there to support your overall development and can be a valuable point of contact for discussing challenges you are facing. They are trained to recognise potential safeguarding concerns and will escalate these appropriately.
Community Hub - Support Space: This online resource offers a range of information and tools that can help you navigate various challenges and access support.
External Support and Wellbeing Resources
While the Safeguarding Team focuses on protecting learners from harm, we recognise the importance of overall wellbeing. If you are experiencing difficulties that do not constitute an immediate safeguarding concern but are impacting your wellbeing, the following external resources offer valuable support:
Side by Side (Mind): A supportive online community for peer support.
Samaritans: For 24/7 emotional support call 116 123
Shout: 24/7 crisis text support. Text "SHOUT" to 85258.
The Mix: Support for young people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994
Hub of Hope: A national mental health support database to find local services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I have a safeguarding concern?
If you have witnessed or are experiencing a safeguarding issue, report it immediately by emailing [email protected]. If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 999.
Who should I talk to if I'm struggling with my overall wellbeing?
While the Safeguarding Team addresses specific risks of harm, we encourage you to speak with your coach about any challenges you are facing. They can offer support and guidance and may signpost to wellbeing resources as appropriate.
What is the role of the Safeguarding Team?
The Safeguarding Team is responsible for responding to and managing safeguarding concerns, working to protect learners from harm, abuse, and neglect. They work proactively to create a safe environment and collaborate with external agencies when necessary.
Remember, your safety and the safety of others are paramount. If you have any safeguarding concerns, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or speak to your coach about how to access support.
How can I access support for an additional learning need?
At Multiverse, there is a separate additional learning need (ALN) team that supports apprentices who require reasonable adjustments for their on-programme learning. For more information on the support available and contact details for the ALN team, please read the article ‘Receiving Support for an Additional Learning Need.’