Student Welfare

Student Welfare

Welfare Support for Year-Round Students

The information below is for students studying on our year-round programmes.

Our friendly and approachable Safeguarding and Welfare Team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students can contact us through the emergency phone even when the school is closed.

The team can provide assistance, advice and information on a wide range of personal matters, including mental and physical wellbeing.

Welfare and Safety Measures for All Year-Round Students

• NCG staff, homestay hosts, transfer drivers and external contractors, where applicable, undergo rigorous vetting procedures, including appropriate police checks and references.
• A colour-coded lanyard system helps identify staff, students and visitors:
  • Staff – yellow
  • Adult students – purple
  • Under-18 students – pink
  • Visitors – red
• Staff trained in Emergency First Aid and Fire Safety are normally present on the school premises during opening hours.
• First Aid equipment is available within the school and during off-site activities.
• Health and safety information sessions are held periodically.
• Health and safety information is displayed in classrooms and around the school.
• Strict procedures are in place to monitor accommodation arranged by NCG.
• A range of guidance and advice leaflets is available from reception.
• Our Manchester and Liverpool schools have CCTV and controlled access using ID cards.

Additional Measures for Students Aged 16 and 17

Students aged 16 and 17 are supported in developing their independence while appropriate safeguards remain in place.

• They receive guidance about UK laws and age-related restrictions.
• They must follow a 10pm curfew.
• They cannot stay anywhere other than their approved accommodation without parental or legal guardian consent.
• They cannot take a holiday without parental or legal guardian consent.
• Their photographs cannot be used without parental or legal guardian consent.
• They must attend every class and arrive on time.
• They are not directly supervised during breaks, lunchtimes or after lessons.
• Additional absence and safeguarding procedures apply.

Further Measures for Students Under 16

Students under the age of 16 are subject to additional restrictions alongside the measures listed above.

• They must follow an 8pm curfew.
• They will only be placed in accommodation where no students aged 18 or over are staying.
• An appropriately vetted responsible adult will be present in the accommodation overnight.
• They cannot join adult classes.
• Their class and break times will be arranged to limit contact with adult students.
• They cannot leave the school premises unaccompanied during their scheduled time at school.
• Their social programme will be age appropriate and properly supervised.

Student welfare

Additional Safety at Our Salford and Portsmouth Junior Campuses

Additional welfare and supervision measures are in place for students attending our junior summer programmes at Salford, in Greater Manchester, and Portsmouth.

At our Salford and Portsmouth junior campuses

• The adult-to-student supervision ratio is always at least 1:15.
• At least two First Aid-trained members of staff are on duty at all times.
• CCTV operates throughout communal and key areas of the campuses and residences.
• Designated members of staff patrol and supervise the residences between 7:00 PM and 3:00 AM.
• Specific members of staff are responsible for residence security and overnight supervision.
• NCG staff wear official uniforms and lanyards so that students can identify them easily.
• Excursion locations are visited and reviewed in advance so that staff understand the destination, meeting points and relevant safety arrangements.

Travel and medical insurance is included within the relevant junior programme fees, including cover for emergency medical care, subject to the terms of the policy.

Identifying Students, Staff and Visitors

Our colour-coded NCG lanyard system helps students identify the people around them:

• Staff: Black lanyards
• Students: Yellow lanyards
• Group Leaders: Brown lanyards

At our junior summer campuses, NCG staff can also be identified by their official NCG uniforms.

Easy Access to Support

Our Head Office team is available by WhatsApp and email from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM every day of the week.

Students, parents, Group Leaders and agents can contact the team during these hours for live assistance. Students also have access to 24-hour emergency support through the relevant emergency contact number.

Support for Individual Junior Students

Individual students attending our Salford and Portsmouth programmes are placed together so that they can meet other young people and begin forming friendships from their first day.

At Salford, individual students live together within designated apartments. At Portsmouth, students live together within designated corridor areas of the residence.

House Parents

House Parents are trained NCG staff members who perform a similar role to a Group Leader for students travelling independently.

They live within or alongside the students’ accommodation and are responsible for supporting their welfare and wellbeing throughout the programme.

Individual students are also added to a supervised WhatsApp group through which they can communicate with one another and contact their House Parents. Students check in with their House Parents:

• At each mealtime
• At the end of the day
• Whenever they require help or advice

This gives individual students a clear support network and a familiar point of contact throughout their stay.

If a student is unexpectedly absent from class, we will attempt to contact them. If we cannot reach the student, we will contact their parent, legal guardian or responsible Group Leader. If we are unable to establish the student’s location or contact the appropriate responsible adult, the matter may be reported to the police in accordance with our safeguarding procedures.

Leaving the Salford Campus Unaccompanied

Students aged 16 or over may be permitted to leave the Salford campus unaccompanied during daylight hours, but only when NCG has received the required parental consent.

Consent can be provided in one of the following ways:

• A parent or legal guardian emails NCG a signed scan or photograph of the completed Parental Consent for Unaccompanied Students form.
• A parent or legal guardian sends an email clearly confirming that they have read, understood and agreed to the terms. Following this confirmation, an authorised Group Leader may sign the form on their behalf.

Students must continue to follow all programme rules, check-in arrangements and curfews after permission has been granted.

Here Whenever You Need Us

Whether a student is studying in Manchester, Liverpool or Portsmouth, our priority is to ensure they feel safe, welcomed and supported throughout their time with NCG.

View Our Safeguarding Policy