Pastoral Care and Safeguarding

At Uckfield College, student wellbeing is our highest priority. We understand the challenges that young people face as they navigate secondary school, Sixth Form, and their teenage years. Whether it’s friendships, family situations, social media, peer pressures, or self-esteem, we are committed to providing the care and support needed to help our students flourish.

Supporting Student Wellbeing

We believe that every student deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported. Our approach to wellbeing includes:

• A comprehensive personal development curriculum that equips students with essential life skills, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
• Tailored support for students who need additional guidance, which may include:
  • Support from their Form Mentor, Pastoral Leader, or Director of Year
  • Specialist interventions with our Resilience Coach, or Counsellors
• Access to external support services for students and families who may need additional help.

If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please contact their Form Mentor in the first instance.

You can also find additional support for mental health and emotional wellbeing here.

Safeguarding: Keeping Students Safe

At Uckfield College, we believe that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Our robust policies, procedures, and regular staff training ensure that every student is protected from harm.

• Our Safeguarding Team takes proactive steps to keep young people safe. This may include:
• Speaking with the student to explore concerns.
• Meeting with parents or carers to provide support and guidance.
• Liaising with external agencies such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
• Making referrals to Social Services, where necessary, to ensure students receive the right support.

Social Services primarily work to support families and help them make positive changes. If a referral is made, we will always communicate with parents or carers unless the concern relates directly to them.

If you believe that anyone in the College community may be at risk, please contact a member of our Safeguarding Team. You can speak to them in person or via email.

Email concerns to: help@uckfield.college (checked daily)

We also encourage students to reach out if they are worried about a friend. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and our pastoral team is always here to listen and support.

The Safeguarding Team
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Martin Bradley Deputy Principal
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) Gemma Fassam Assistant Principal	Di Ricketts Safeguarding Manager

You can speak to the team in person or via email