About adult learning

Safeguarding our learners

Safeguarding and Prevent for learners

At the Bedfordshire Employment and Skills Service (BESS), we take our safeguarding responsibility very seriously. We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to:

  • respect each other’s right to feel safe
  • treat each other fairly and with respect
  • not to threaten, hurt or abuse others in any way

We aim to ensure that all people attending our courses are kept safe, whether courses are part of our direct delivery or delivered by training providers on our behalf through use of our funding.

Venue safety

We're committed to providing the safest environment possible to ensure learners are safe.

Our training providers risk assess venues where courses take place and will advise on aspects like venue security and lockdown procedure. Where specific lockdown procedure cannot be applied, advice would be to be aware of the Run Hide Tell government advice (link opens in new window) for the public. This covers steps that can be taken to keep safe in the rare event of a firearms or weapons attack.

Reporting a BESS safeguarding issue, incident or concern

We’re committed to providing support where a safeguarding issue, incident or concern is raised.

If you are a BESS learner and need to report a safeguarding issue, incident or concern please talk to your tutor or the training provider’s safeguarding contact. Details will have been given to you by the training provider as part of your induction. If you feel unable to raise your concern with the training provider you can contact BESS direct by calling or emailing us:

Email: adult.learning@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 300 8110 and ask to speak to a manager about safeguarding.

Reporting a general safeguarding issue, incident or concern

If you have general concerns about your safety or the safety of others, you can contact our safeguarding team by calling or emailing us:

Telephone: 0300 300 8122 (Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 5:20pm) or 0300 300 8123 (outside of these hours)
Email: adult.protection@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Read detailed help and advice about staying safe