Student Welfare

Student welfare

It is very important to us that you feel safe when you are at one of ILC locations. Our Student Services team, and all our other staff are very friendly and helpful. You will meet them on the first day and you can talk to them at any time about the following things:
  • Visas
  • The location
  • Public transport
  • Information on doctors and dentists
  • Opening a bank account
  • Other queries which may arise during your stay
The Student Services Team take particular responsibility for welfare issues, but all staff are prepared to step in if a problem arises.

Care and Supervision for students under 18

ILC follows the guidance and good practice notes provided by the British Council in its advice for caring for students under 18.
  • Students have to register at reception on arrival each morning.
  • They also report to reception before they leave the Centre and state where they are going.
  • All students under the age of 18 must return to their homestay provider for their evening meal by 18:00.
  • Curfews are as follows:  
    - 12-13      18:00
    - 14-15      21:00  
    - 16-17      22:00 (Colchester & Cambridge), 21.00 (Portsmouth, Southampton, Birmingham & Bristol).
  • If a student has a problem, they should call our 24-hour emergency phone, +44 1206 413260 (Colchester), +44 121 716 1873  (Cambridge) 0r +44 7841 709348 (Portsmouth, Southampton, Bristol or Birmingham).
  •  A member of staff will answer and help. If the student is a member of a group, this member of staff will contact the Group Leader.
  • Students under 18 will be supervised on site by a member of staff during breaks unless they are individual 16-17 year olds studying on an adult course.
  • Students aged 16/17 can be taught in open enrolment classes – if they have permission from their parent/guardian.
  • Students of different sex are not accommodated together unless the parent/guardian have specifically requested this.
  • Under 18s are never left unsupervised at night while in homestay accommodation.
  • Homestay providers and their household who are over 18 are DBS Checked.
  • There is a supervision ratio of 1:15 on excursions.
  • There are extended welfare sections in the ILC Under 16 handbook and the 16-17 year old handbook we provide before starting a course.
  • All students including under 18s are given a student card with emergency information.
  • Teaching staff are always made aware if students in their class are under 18.
  • Everyone who has contact with students under 18 has undergone an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS).

Unsupervised times

  • Individual students aged 16 to 17 are only supervised during lesson times and when they are attending ILC activities and trips. This means that if they are on a Main Course, they may not be supervised between 12:45 and 18:00. If they are on an Intensive Course, they may be unsupervised between 15:00 and 18:00. The level of supervision at the weekend will depend on whether they spend time with homestay provider, attend an ILC trip or go out alone. ILC activities take place daily between 15:00 and 16:00. They are supervised.
  •  Students are allowed out in the evening if they have permission from their parent/guardian until the curfew time listed above. Students will be unsupervised during this period of time.

Child Protection and Safeguarding

ILC takes its responsibility to safeguarding children very seriously. We will ensure we provide a safe and supportive environment for all our learners, and implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of harm or abuse. All staff have completed a Safeguarding course.  Please read our policies by clicking below:
Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection ProcedureOur Abusive Behaviour Policy and Procedure If there is anything you are not sure about, please contact us. The vast majority of students aged under 18 come to ILC in a group from their school with at least one leader. There are separate guidelines for Group Leaders to manage the group and to help them to assist staff at ILC. Group leaders have to accompany students on all excursions and all afternoon and evening group activities.
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