Safeguarding
Are you having problems at Alliance Learning, home, school or work?
Don't keep them to yourself, contact a member of Alliance Learning's Safeguarding Team who can arrange for additional and confidential support to be given to you. Our Safeguarding Team consists of our four designated Safeguarding Officers.
Alternatively you can contact the Safeguarding Team via email at safeguarding@alliancelearning.com
Designated Safeguarding Lead
07587 135904
Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead
Designated Safeguarding Officer
07799 622314
Designated Safeguarding Officer
07767 161802
The Safeguarding Team
- Will offer impartial and non-judgemental support and advice
- Will attempt to mediate between learners and employers in order to resolve any disputes
- Will arrange to visit any learner either in the placement company, at any of Alliance Learning’s training centres or any other mutually convenient venue
- Will offer ongoing support to any learner for as long as the learner requires
- Will offer extensive guidance to any learner who may be at risk of harm or abuse, radicalisation or mental health issues
- Will refer to any external services for support where necessary
Safeguarding & Your Wellbeing
As an apprentice aged 16+, your safety, wellbeing and rights matter.
We are committed to creating a safe, supportive and respectful environment where you can learn, work and develop with confidence.
Our safeguarding approach follows Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSiE) and local safeguarding arrangements across Bolton and the North West. This means we take concerns seriously, act early, and work with specialist services when needed.
If something doesn’t feel right — speak up. You will be listened to and supported.
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
What this means for you
• Feeling stressed, anxious, low or overwhelmed can happen — especially when balancing work, training and personal life.
• Sometimes mental health difficulties can be linked to safeguarding concerns such as pressure at home, exploitation, bullying or abuse.
• You don’t need to be in crisis to ask for help.
Support is available
• You can speak confidentially to your Work Based Tutor or a member of the safeguarding team.
• We can help you access local mental health support services across Bolton and the North West.
• If you’re struggling, asking for help early is a strength — not a weakness.
Urgent support
If you feel unsafe or at risk, contact emergency services on 999 immediately.
Domestic Abuse & Healthy Relationships
Domestic abuse can affect anyone — including young people aged 16+. It’s not just physical violence.
Domestic abuse can include:
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Controlling or coercive behaviour
• Sexual abuse
• Financial control
• Threats, intimidation or isolation
• Abuse within family, partner or ex-partner relationships
If this affects you
• Abuse is never your fault
• You will not get into trouble for telling someone
• Support is confidential and focused on keeping you safe
Local and national support
Fortalice (Bolton) specialist domestic abuse support: Telephone: 01204 365677; website: Click here.
Endeavour domestic abuse support service: Website: Click here.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24/7): Telephone: 0808 2000 247
My Life in Bolton a directory of services: Website: Click here.
Be Kind to My Mind mental health support: Website: Click here.
Substance Misuse Website: Click here.
Parallel Young People’s Health Service Website: Click here.
In immediate danger, call 999.
We can help you access support safely and discreetly.
Online Safety & Digital Awareness
Being online is part of everyday life — but it’s important to stay safe.
Risks can include:
• Cyberbullying or harassment
• Pressure to send images or messages
• Image-based abuse or threats
• Online grooming or exploitation
• Scams and financial exploitation
Online abuse is taken just as seriously as face-to-face abuse.
What to do:
• If something online makes you uncomfortable, trust your instincts
• Don’t feel pressured to share images or information
• Save evidence (screenshots) where possible
• Report concerns to a member of staff or the safeguarding team
You can also report concerns directly to:
• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
• UK Safer Internet Centre
Speaking Up & Getting Help
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — including yours.
You should speak to us if:
• You are worried about your own safety or wellbeing
• You are concerned about another apprentice
• Something feels wrong at home, work or online
• You are experiencing pressure, abuse or exploitation
You can talk to:
• A member of the safeguarding team
• Your Work-Based Tutor
• A trusted member of staff
Concerns will be taken seriously, handled sensitively and shared only with those who need to know to keep you safe.
Emergency & Local Support
• Emergency services: 999
• Bolton Council Safeguarding / Integrated Front Door: 01204 331500
• Out of hours safeguarding support: 01204 337777
• Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Other useful contact details if a learner needs to speak to anyone for support:
SupportLine (Any issues for people any age): Telephone: 01708 765200; email: info@supportline.org.uk
Frank (Concerns about drug or solvent misuse): Telephone: 0300 123 6600; website: www.talktofrank.com
Samaritans (for anyone): Telephone 116 123 or 08457909090; email: jo@samaritans.org
HOPELineUK (Suicidal thoughts - People under the age of 35): Telephone: 0800 068 41 41; Text: 07786209697; Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
The Mix (Help for people aged 25 and under on a range of issues, including bullying, depression, anxiety, anger issues, self-harm and much more): Telephone 0808 808 4994; website: www.themix.org.uk/
Brook Young People's Information Service (Sexual health advice for people aged 25 and under): Website: www.brook.org.uk
Runaway Helpline: Telephone: 116 000; Email: 116000@runawayhelpline.org.uk; Website: www.runawayhelpline.org.uk
Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme (Support young people who are homeless with support needs by offering accommodation, emotional and practical help with the aim of enabling independent living): Telephone: 01204 520183; Email: mail@byphs.org.uk; Website: http://www.byphs.org.uk
Mind (Mental Health Issues): Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Remploy (Support and counselling for apprentices struggling with mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression and low mood): Website: https://www.remploy.co.uk/individuals/support-work/workplace/support-apprentices
Hub of Hope (Directory for support services local to you): Website: https://hubofhope.co.uk/
ACAS (Free advice about employment rights): Website: https://www.acas.org.uk/
Kooth (Online anonymous support for young people): Website: https://www.kooth.com/
Please remember - you can talk to your Subject Specialist Tutor, the Alliance Learning Safeguarding Team or any member of Alliance Learning staff at any time.
PREVENT and British Values
What is the PREVENT duty?
PREVENT is the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy to stop people becoming radicalised and involved in violent extremism or supporting terrorism, in all its forms.
What responsibilities do employers have as part of the duty?
All employers are expected to support this strategy. This would require employers being vigilant to help to spot any issues; changes in attitude or behaviours; or any other concerns about a learner’s health and well-being, which may lead to them being vulnerable and susceptible to radicalisation and extremism.
What are British Values?
The 4 fundamental British values are:
Democracy
- Your opinion counts
The Rule of Law
- No one is above the law
- Laws protect everyone
- Innocent until proven guilty
Individual Liberty
- Freedom of speech
Respect and Tolerance
- All backgrounds and cultures
- All ages
- All genders and sexualities
- All religions and beliefs
What can you do for Alliance Learning?
- Abide by British Values and the PREVENT duty
- Never tolerate a lack of respect for individuals
- Celebrate difference and promote diversity
- Be inclusive and accepting of difference
What can Alliance Learning do for you?
- Maintain a safe, respectful and mutually supportive environment
- Ensure that all of our employees, students,
- Provide training on the Prevent Duty and Alliance Learning’s duty of care in safeguarding our employees and
students
- Help students to become valuable and rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance,
regardless of background
- Establish a culture where there is shared commitment to valuing diversity and respecting differences
What can we all do?
- Maintain a safe, respectful and mutually supportive environment
- Ensure that all of our employees,
- Provide training on the Prevent Duty and Alliance Learning’s duty of care in safeguarding our employees and
students
- Help learners to become valuable and rounded members of society who treat others with respect and tolerance,
regardless of background
- Establish a culture where there is shared commitment to valuing diversity and respecting
Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation (PREVENT)
PREVENT
We all have a duty of care to be vigilant and help to stop the threat and spread of terrorism and extremism. We all need to be on the lookout to help prevent other people - whether it is friends, family or colleagues - from being radicalised and drawn into extremist views or terrorism. This is known as "The Prevent Duty" and your LDO will continue to talk to you about this during reviews.
What can you do?
We all use the internet every day - so if you happen to see anything you feel to be extremist or terrorist material online - whether it's photos, pictures, posters or general comments on forums, for example - press report this
If you notice or suspect anything away from the internet, there is a confidential anti-terrorist hotline you can ring to report anything suspicious. This number can be found at the top right of the page. You can also text your concerns/suspicions to:
0800 032 4539
More information can be found at https://act.campaign.gov.uk/
Please remember - you can talk to your Subject Specialist Tutor, our Safeguarding Team or any member of Alliance Learning staff at any time.
