At Salmond College, your safety and well-being are our top priorities. That's why we're proud to follow the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021. The purpose of the Code is to ensure appropriate pastoral care is provided to all students in tertiary residential accommodation. Staffing and support systems have been put in place to ensure the wellbeing of all residents. All staff employed by the College seek to support residents and ensure their safety and wellbeing.
The Residents' Handbook outlines the various support systems in place for residents.
At Salmond College, we take your safety seriously, and our staff are well-prepared to handle all sorts of situations:
First Aid and Fire Safety: Our Residential Leaders and College staff are trained in First Aid, so you're in good hands if you ever need medical assistance. Plus, they're also experts in fire safety, ensuring that in any emergency, we've got a safe and efficient evacuation plan in place.
Pandemic and Emergency Preparedness: We've learned a lot from the challenges of 2020, especially when it comes to responding to pandemics. That's why we've developed detailed plans to keep you safe during emergencies. If you ever fall ill, we've got careful procedures to document it. Our staff follows the guidance of Healthline and Student Health when it comes to COVID-19 testing and alert levels. We expect all residents to follow their directives if an outbreak occurs – it's all about keeping our community safe.
Mental Health Support: Your mental well-being matters too. That's why our staff are trained in Mental Health First Aid. Throughout the year, they work closely with Student Health staff to keep their skills sharp. They're here to support you if you ever experience mental health issues, ensuring you get the help you need and referring you to outside services if necessary.
So, when it comes to your safety and well-being, Salmond College is fully prepared and committed to keeping you in good hands.
The pastoral care team at the College are lead by the Head of College and the Deputy Head – Pastoral and Wellbeing, who monitor the wellbeing of all residents. Anyone with concerns about a resident is encouraged to reach out to them. The Deputy Head is available to make plans for the wellbeing of individual residents and can connect residents with services outside the College, including Student Health, Māori and Pasifika student centres, accessibility services, campus chaplains and other wellbeing support services.
Salmond College works closely with the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic Student Health and Counselling services, our staff can make an urgent appointment for medical or mental health support if the need arises.
We encourage residents to make sure they seek help if they have any concerns, or if they just need someone to talk to. Help is always available, even during the evenings with security staff present until at least 4.00am each day and a member of senior staff on call at all times.