19 AUTUMN 2015
Supporting Communities
THE COLLEGE SIGNS UP TO THE SAFE PLACE SCHEME
Anyone with learning disabilities who is feeling
vulnerable within the community will now be
able to approach the College for help, after we
signed up to the ‘Safe Place’ scheme.
The initiative has been developed in
partnership with Police Scotland, East
Ayrshire Council’s Adult Protection Unit
and local businesses.
The safe place venues are normally in a town
centre setting, with staff who can help to calm
the person down and offer to make a call on
their behalf to a relative or appropriate service
if necessary.
Marla Baird, Equality and Inclusion
Manager at the College, said “It is really
Staff at the College’s Kilmarnock campus will
receive training to ensure their base will soon
be fully operational as a ‘Safe Place’ venue.
Training for staff at the Ayr and Kilwinning
campuses will follow.
People can sometimes become targets for
bullying and harassment, or feel intimidated
and scared when they are out in their
community. The ‘Keep Safe’ scheme involves
working with organisations like the College to
create temporary locations to which people
can go if they feel they need support or
reassurance.
important that the most vulnerable
individuals in our communities feel safe.
We have many vulnerable students and
understand some of the difficulties that they
can face when they are out and about.
The ‘Safe Place’ scheme will allow
individuals to find a safe space and provide
them with a wider network of support.
“We welcome the ‘Safe Place’ scheme and
look forward to working with the local
authorities and Police Scotland to take this
initiative forward.”