Employers Unite for Safeguarding Seminar

Gary Riches addressing audience at Seminar — Gary Riches (Deputy Principal & Cheif Executive) addressing attendees at our Annual Prevent Seminar

Hartlepool College has reaffirmed its position as a regional leader in safeguarding and Prevent by hosting its annual employer seminar, bringing together organisations from across the Tees Valley to strengthen their approach to keeping young people safe.

The event, held on 18 May 2026, welcomed employers and training providers to the College for a morning of expert presentations, open discussion, and practical guidance on fulfilling statutory safeguarding duties, both in the workplace and in digital spaces.

Gary Riches, Deputy Principal and CEO, opened the seminar and said: "Safeguarding doesn't stop at the college gates. Every employer who works with young people, apprentices, or learners has a responsibility to know their duties and to act on them. Events like this are about making sure no one feels alone in that. We're here to share what we know, connect people with the right expertise, and support our partners across the region."

Helen Young (Head of Student Support) addressing audience at Seminar — Helen Young (Head of Student Support and Designated Safegaurding Lead) engaging the audience at the Prevent Seminar

The programme featured a Prevent update from Christopher Sybenga, Regional Education Prevent Coordinator at the Department for Education, covering the current regional threat picture and key themes from recent Ofsted inspections. Delegates also heard from Cleveland Police on perspectives from frontline policing, and from Helen Young, Head of Student Support at the College, on safeguarding procedures in practice.

With increasing challenges around online safety and radicalisation, the seminar provided a timely opportunity for employers and training providers to ask questions, share experiences, and develop their thinking on inclusion and safeguarding in 2026.

A spokesperson for the College added: "We know that not every organisation has the same infrastructure or expertise in place. That's exactly why we do this - and why we're always happy to visit workplaces directly if there's something we haven't covered on the day."

Details of future seminars will be published on the College website and social media channels, with a registration link to attend.