Safeguarding Policy

We recognise their responsibility in identifying and responding to concerns regarding the safeguarding and protection of children and young people, and vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Policy is written in line with statutory guidance including:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2015)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

• Prevent Strategy (2011)

Our key aim is to ‘Create an environment that is safe and secure for learners to disclose their issues to centre staff.’

• Prevention through centre support offered to all learners and the creation and maintenance of an organisational-level ethos

All staff are required to complete training in safeguarding as part of their mandatory induction.  Thereafter, a planned review / update training for staff on identifying safeguarding issues will be implemented to ensure knowledge and best-practice principles can be maintained.

• Protection by following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are subjected to background checks prior to recruitment and they are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to concerns

All staff are required to complete a satisfactory DBS clearance check before commencement of employment.

Staff will be inducted on safeguarding incidents, including how to recognise and report such issues.

• Support for learners and centre staff who may have been abused.

A Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) who will be the key point of call for all reported allegations. The DSO will be responsible for investigating the raised concern through a set procedure. The DSO will also need to refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the local social services department in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures, and work with other agencies in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018).

The DSO will liaise with the organisations Safeguarding Manager for any such incidents, in accordance with the organisations safeguarding policy and procedures.