Rules & Regulations - Staying Safe

Students must comply with the local area rules and instructions and in addition will be provided with access to the relevant ‘Be Safe’ leaflet.

College Network & Internet Agreement

The College IT network, email and Internet access are for educational purposes only. It is essential that the College IT network is used responsibly and that you read, understand and abide by the requirements on the College's Network and Internet Agreement.  Cyberbullying and inappropriate use of email, facebook and the College Intranet is not tolerated.
Network Services reserve the right to check the contents of all files and screens held in the network (this includes e-mail, Internet downloads etc) in order to ensure that inappropriate material is not being stored or viewed.

Equal opportunities for Learners

We want your time spent at the College to be enjoyable, positive and free from any form of discrimination. We have a policy specifically written for learners to tell you what we will do if we find discrimination and how the College is acting positively to eliminate discrimination.   The College is currently working towards producing a Single Equality Scheme which will cover all aspects of discrimination.  The College currently has a Disability Equality Scheme to promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people.
The College has a Gender Equality Scheme to eliminate all forms of discrimination that are unlawful under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.

Race Relations Policy

The College is committed to developing an ethos which respects and values all people irrespective of their colour, culture, ethnicity, race or religion. The College will promote good understanding of cultural, racial, ethnic and religious diversity and good race relations through the curriculum and the wider learning environment.

Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Vulnerable Adults is of the highest importance to the College and has a policy and systems in place to ensure that all students and staff are kept free from harm.  Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. 
If you have worries or concerns about abuse or that someone is at risk of harm you may wish to contact your:
-Personal Tutor
-College Safeguarding Officer, Julie McGinn, telephone number 01244 670508
-College Counsellor Bob McDonald, telephone number 07887 557892
-National Child Line 0800 1111
-NSPCC Child Protection Helpline on 0800 800500
- The Respect Team -    email: besafe@west-cheshire.ac.uk    
  Text:  07887 557892   Telephone number:  01244 670508

Harassment & Bullying Procedure
The College views harassment and bullying as a serious offence and will support the person being harassed and take disciplinary action against any bullies or harassers. The College has a Harassment Procedure which tells you what support is available and how to report incidents of harassment.  Central to this process is The Respect Team.

Health & Safety

West Cheshire College recognise and accept their responsibility for providing and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment for all staff, students and all who may be affected by their activities. They also undertake to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that adequate welfare facilities are provided for all staff, students and members of the public.
The College’s Health and Safety Policy - http://intranet/healthandsafety/ endorses a safe and healthy workplace for all concerned. Managers have particularly important roles to play, but safety at work and college is a shared responsibility and is in everyone’s interest. Students must co-operate with all reasonable requests in this regard, with particular importance in areas where practical work is undertaken or in any areas containing hazardous materials, substances or equipment.

Children on Campus

Young children while not attending the nursery/crèche are only allowed in the following areas and must be supervised at all times: Customer Services, Advisory Team and restaurant areas of the College.
Workshops and laboratories are potentially dangerous places and young children are not permitted in these areas under any circumstances.

In Case of Fire

If you discover a fire - tell a member of staff immediately - If a member of staff is not immediately on hand to deal with the situation:
-Sound the alarm by breaking the glass in the nearest emergency break glass point, and leave the premises in accordance with the evacuation signs and instructions.
Under no circumstances should you put yourself at risk.
-Once you are outside, proceed to the nearest Assembly Point and stay there so that you can be accounted for.
On the sounding of the fire alarm:
-All areas are to be evacuated immediately. Evacuation routes are marked around the College. Follow the green and white directional signs which will lead you to the nearest emergency exit.
-Do not use lifts during the evacuation
-Once outside, proceed to the nearest Assembly Point and remain there to be accounted for, keeping well away from the building and windows
-Do not attempt to drive off site or move vehicles during an evacuation - you may be putting yourself and/or others at great risk.
If you believe you may need assistance during evacuation - make sure you discuss this with your tutor as soon as you start your course so that special arrangements can be made:
-to ensure you proceed safely to a designated safe refuge (on upper floors), with a helper if necessary
-to ensure that the Reporting Officer at the Assembly Point is told immediately of your whereabouts so that the emergency services can be advised to assist you.

Accidents & Sickness

If an accident occurs and a member of staff is not immediately on hand to help, assistance can be summoned by contacting the College emergency number 222 at Chester and Ellesmere Port Campuses, and 444 at Capenhurst Technology Centre. When calling, give as much information as possible, ie, your name, where you are, details of the incident etc.
Staff, where appropriate, will call for a first aider, an ambulance and/or contact the next of kin.
All accidents must be reported, however minor. Please ensure that if you are involved in any accident or 'near miss' incident, an Accident Report Form is completed. Report forms are available from Customer Services.
If you are unwell, tell your tutor who will call for a first aider or an ambulance if necessary, or arrange for you to go home.

Vehicles & Parking

Vehicles are driven and left on College premises entirely at the owner's risk. You must only park in areas specifically designated for cars, motorcycles or bicycles. Vehicles must not be left on the premises overnight without gaining permission from a senior member of staff.
Parking and waiting on College roadways and access routes is forbidden, and all traffic regulations must be observed including:
-One-way systems
-No overtaking
-Speed restrictions
-Wearing of safety helmets for cyclists and motor cyclists
-No joy-riding

Student Property

The College accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to learners' property on College premises or grounds. Valuables and money should not be left in classrooms, lockers or changing rooms. Please bear this in mind and take extra care of your belongings.

Bags or Parcels Left Unattended

Never leave bags or belongings unattended. If you do discover a suspicious object, do not touch it, but report it immediately to a member of staff, giving its description and location.

Smoking

It is against the law to smoke in the College buildings and you may be fined a fixed penalty of £50 for smoking in a no smoking premises.
We have a duty to protect the health of all users of the College, smokers as well as non-smokers, and to assist in achieving this aim, a no smoking policy is in force. Therefore:
-Smoking is only allowed in externally-designated areas at each centre. If you are a smoker, please ask your teacher or any member of staff for the location of the smoking areas.
-Please note that smoking is also not allowed at or near entrances or exits.
-Please discard smoking materials safely, ensuring they have been fully extinguished.

Mobile Phones

When you are in a learning session in the classroom or in the learning centre, your mobile phone must be switched off completely. If you need your phone on for a genuine contact reason, you need to inform your tutor.
Mobile phones are not allowed in examinations under any circumstances.

Alcohol

You must not consume alcohol on College premises unless it is at a social event organised officially by the College and you are over 18 years of age.

Dangerous Weapons

You must not bring any dangerous weapons onto College premises.
This includes knives, guns, other dangerous weapons or replicas.

Drugs & Substance Misuse

You must not use drugs which have not been prescribed to you, or abuse prescribed drugs or substances whilst on College premises. You must not bring illegal substances onto College premises.
The College has a ‘Substance Misuse Policy’. If you have any worries or concerns about this issue, please speak to a member of the Substance Prevention Strategy Group or contact the College Counsellor.