Welcome to the first issue of our weekly apprenticeship development series.
Each week you’ll receive a short email designed to support you throughout your apprenticeship journey, whether you’re an operations manager, a carpenter, a hairdresser, or completing one of the other 40 apprenticeships we offer.
Across the series we’ll be covering topics such as safeguarding, personal and professional development, health and wellbeing, and other areas that help you succeed during your apprenticeship.
Some weeks we’ll ask for your participation – perhaps through a quick vote, feedback request or short quiz. Other weeks will focus on useful information or signposting to helpful resources.
This week we’re starting with something really important: safeguarding.
You might be wondering:
- What is a safeguarding concern?
- Is this something that applies to me?
- What should I do if I have a safeguarding concern?
- What if I’m not sure?
Let’s take a look:
What is a safeguarding concern?
Safeguarding is about making sure everyone is safe from harm, abuse, or neglect.
A safeguarding concern is any situation where someone may be at risk of harm, or where something doesn’t feel quite right about a person’s safety or wellbeing.
This could include things like:
- Someone being bullied, harassed or threatened
- Signs that someone may be experiencing abuse or neglect
- Concerns about someone’s mental health or wellbeing
- Feeling unsafe at work, at home, or in learning environments
- Being pressured to do something illegal or something that makes you uncomfortable
Does this apply to me?
Safeguarding applies to everyone involved in apprenticeships – apprentices, employers, colleagues and training staff.
It isn’t about getting anyone in trouble; it’s about making sure people get the support and protection they need.
Sometimes a safeguarding concern is very clear, but often it can just be a gut feeling that something isn’t right.
If something worries you, it’s always better to share the concern and ask for advice rather than keep it to yourself.
What should you do if you have a safeguarding concern?
If you have a safeguarding concern, the most important thing is not to ignore it.
If something worries you about your own safety or the safety of someone else, you should report it as soon as possible. You can do this by contacting to:
- Your Performance Coach, Tutor or Assessor
- Your line manager, mentor or workplace supervisor
- The Activate Learning Safeguarding Team on safe@activatelearning.ac.uk or 01865 550401
They will listen to your concern and make sure the right support is put in place. You do not need to investigate the situation yourself – simply sharing what you have noticed or experienced is enough.
If someone is in immediate danger, you should always contact the emergency services on 999.
What if you’re not sure?
You might sometimes feel unsure whether something counts as a safeguarding concern. That’s completely normal.
You do not need proof, and you do not need to be certain that something is wrong before speaking to someone. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always better to check and ask for advice.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and raising a concern helps ensure that people can access the support they may need.
Remember: it’s always better to share a concern than to stay silent.
Coming next week
Next week we’ll be sharing some practical tips for understanding your apprenticeship programme and managing your workload including small things you can do to manage stress and stay balanced while learning and working.
Thank you for taking the time to read this first issue. If you have any feedback or suggestions for future topics, we’d love to hear from you.
Have a great week,
The Activate Apprenticeships Team
