SAFEGUARDING POLICY JULY 2018 Approved by Governing Body: 10 th July 2018 Endorsed by Q&C on 26 th June 2018 Reviewed by SMT on 6 th June 2018 Next review (as above): Summer 2019
SAFEGUARDING POLICY 1 Introduction 1.1 The College s mission Collyer s is committed to ensuring every students achieves their potential, through, for example, giving support and guidance in their academic and personal development and providing an inclusive culture that values every member of the College and prioritises their wellbeing. To this end this policy aims to: safeguard all College learners and particularly young people, and vulnerable adults safeguard all College staff (including temporary staff, volunteers and partners) in carrying out their duties in teaching, supervising and supporting learners at the College and in their work-based learning. 2 Legal framework 2.1 This policy and its complementary policies and procedures (see paragraph 5.2 below) have been developed to ensure that the College complies with the statutory guidance: Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016. The policy also takes account of the DfE s Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015 revised 2017), the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Board s Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures, and the most recent Ofsted Handbook for the inspection of further education and skills. 2.2 The College recognises that following the independent review of the vetting and barring scheme in 2011, the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 introduced the Disclosure and Barring Service and will seek at all times to keep up-to-date with developments as well as the updated version of Keeping Children Safe in Education valid from September 2018. 3 Scope 3.1 This policy applies to all young people and vulnerable adults studying at Collyer s both daytime and evening, or being provided with College services or activities directly under the supervision or management of College staff and employees of the College. 3.2 The policy does not apply where services or activities are provided separately at the college by another body. Where possible however, assurances will be sought from the body concerned that it has appropriate policies and procedures in place with regard to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. 4 Definitions Children or young people are defined as under the age of 18 years (Children s Act 1989) or if a student in full-time attendance at College Vulnerable adults are defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (SVGA) 2006 (see Annex A) Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: o Protecting children from maltreatment; o Preventing impairment of children s health or development; o Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and o Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.(dfe Guidance: Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2015)
5 Aims 5.1 The Governors and College management are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners through: Prevention: providing a safe environment for young people and vulnerable adults in which to learn through, for example, robust staff recruitment, a safe campus and facilities, effective risk assessment and management, policies and procedures as well as a positive College atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support for students. Protection: ensuring staff are trained in identifying young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm e.g. through neglect, physical injury, sexual or emotional abuse or exploitation, forced marriage, FGM, radicalisation or financial abuse. Support: taking appropriate action to address concerns about the welfare of a young person or vulnerable adult (for example, through supporting the individual student but also the member of staff to whom a disclosure has been made and any member of staff against whom an allegation has been made) including liaison with parents and agencies as appropriate. 5.2 The College recognises that safeguarding is integral to many College policies and procedures. This overarching strategy should therefore be considered most particularly in conjunction with those covering child protection, the safe recruitment of staff and health and safety. These are produced in consultation with staff, students and the relevant agencies as appropriate and reviewed on an annual basis. Further policies of relevance to safeguarding including, for example the Staff and Student Codes of Conduct are listed at Annex B and will also be reviewed on a regular basis and no less than every three years. 6 Roles and responsibilities 6.1 The Governing Body is responsible for ensuring that the College has effective policies and procedures in place, and for monitoring the college s compliance with them. The Governing Body does not have a role in dealing with individual cases or a right to know details of cases (except when exercising their disciplinary functions in respect of allegations against a member of staff). 6.2 There are two link governors with responsibility for child protection with one taking the lead responsibility for safeguarding as a whole whilst not detracting from the responsibilities of each individual governor to promote the welfare of staff and students. The lead role is to: Ensure safeguarding policies are reviewed on an annual basis and an annual report received by governors; Consider and make recommendations on the safeguarding implications of new and revised policies; Monitor the effectiveness and efficiency with which the safeguarding function is carried out, ensuring that processes are both robust and free from undue bureaucracy; The lead governor on safeguarding may also be a link in the liaison with the agencies in connection with allegations against the Principal. This will not involve undertaking any form of investigation, but will ensure good communication between the parties and the provision of information to assist enquiries. To assist in these duties the link governors shall receive appropriate training.
6.3 The Principal has responsibility for ensuring that these policies and procedures are implemented effectively and that sufficient resources are allocated for training. 6.4 The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with responsibility for safeguarding issues is the Assistant Principal (Student Support), Andrea John. The postholder is responsible for: a. Raising awareness with staff and students of issues relating to the welfare of children and young people, and the promotion of a safe environment for those learning within the College; b. Leading the Safeguarding Team comprised of the Head of Study Support & Counselling (who is the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead DDSL) and the college Safeguarding Officer c. Appropriate links to other relevant groups including the Equality & Diversity (E&D) Group, the Tutorial Committee and the Support Staff Managers Group, in order to ensure there are effective policies, procedures and systems in place which meet the needs of both staff and students in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people and vulnerable adults; d. Ensuring that a separate Wellbeing Team is convened with relevant staff to monitor the College s handling of individual cases and to identify any issues arising; e. Ensuring that the DSL and deputy have received training in child protection issues and inter-agency working, as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) which is updated at least every two years; f. Assessing the development needs of staff and governors in relation to safeguarding and coordinating appropriate training which is updated at least every three years; g. Monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of the safeguarding policies and procedures within the college to SMT and the Governing Body through the Quality & Standards Committee (see paragraph 10 below) h. Securing and overseeing arrangements for: The referral of cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Adult Services; Providing advice and support to other staff on issues relating to safeguarding and child protection; Maintaining a proper record of any child protection referral, complaint or concern (even where that concern does not lead to a referral); Ensuring the parents of young people within the College can have ready access to the College s safeguarding provisions on the College website or on request; Liaising with the LADO, the MASH and other appropriate agencies; Liaising with secondary schools which send students to the College to ensure information on vulnerable students is shared effectively and appropriately; Liaising with new establishments when students with child protection issues leave the college before the age of 18 or as a vulnerable adult; Liaising with employers and training organisations that receive young people from the College (including on work placements) to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place; 6.5 Other designated staff members: The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is the Head of Study Support and Counselling, who will also have received training as per the DSL. The duties are set out in more detail in the Child Protection Policy but will include supporting the DSL in 6.4a) f) above and most particularly carrying out or supervising the duties in 6.4g).
6.6 Deputy Principal, Heads of House and Faculty Heads are more likely than other staff to come into contact themselves with young people who are experiencing difficulties and will liaise with either the DSL or DDSL on issues of concern. They will also be expected to provide advice and support to other staff on issues relating to safeguarding and child protection. As such they should also receive refresher training every two years. 7 Staff involvement All staff will receive induction training in safeguarding and refresher training on at least a threeyearly cycle to ensure they are up-to-date with the college s safeguarding provisions. The Wellbeing Team will include those staff most directly involved in child protection including the Head of Study Support and Counselling (DDSL), Health & Safety Officer and the College Counsellors where possible. In addition the E&D Committee will consider any changes in the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures as part of the annual reporting process. All staff need to be informed in a timely way of any changes to legislation that affects student safeguarding. This may include changes to the laws on the mis-use of social media, the Prevent Duty or drugs e.g. legal highs were subject to a nationwide blanket ban in May 2016 making it an offence to produce, distribute, supply, sell, import or export new psychoactive substances. These psychoactive drugs are now either under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 or subject to the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. 8 Student involvement 8.1 All students will be made aware of the range of College policies relevant to their welfare as part of their induction to the College (to include the Code of Conduct, Equality & Diversity Duty, GDPR Privacy Notice, Harassment and Bullying Policy, Social Media Policy and Health and Safety provisions) as well as the personal support available through their tutors, Heads of House, Student Services and the Counselling Service. They shall also receive support in promoting their own wellbeing and that of others through the Enrichment programme. These opportunities and further forms of support will be further communicated through the VLE, enrolment handbooks, the website and College prospectus as appropriate. 8.2 Furthermore the College will ensure that students are consulted effectively about the safeguarding provisions within the College through a number of means: The Tutorial Committee whose membership will include safeguarding and tutorial officers of the Richard Collyer Union at a minimum of 2 meetings through the year; The tutorial system and the Richard Collyer Union; Student governor involvement on the Quality & Curriculum (Q&C) Committee and Governing Body. 9 Outside agencies/stakeholders The College recognises that in carrying out its statutory and moral obligations to safeguard the young people and vulnerable adults within the College it is essential to work effectively with a number of partners including the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Board, Social Services, the police, NHS West Sussex, CAMHS, the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, Integrated Prevention Earliest Help (IPEH) teams, local employers and partner and external feeder schools. In so doing it will act in a discrete and appropriate manner in sharing any personal information on young people and vulnerable adults in order to safeguard their welfare.
10 Monitoring and reviewing policy and procedures The DSL will ensure that the safeguarding and child protection policies are reviewed on an annual basis. The DSL will also provide an annual report to the Quality & Curriculum Committee outlining the number significant safeguarding incidences and any child protection allegations (with no reference to individuals) that have occurred during the year and how they were addressed. The Governing Body will pursue any key issues arising from the report when it considers the minutes and report of the Q&C Committee where the report was considered. Further monitoring will be undertaken through the Strategic Plan, SAR and QIP. The DSL will ensure any significant in-year problems are brought to the attention of the Governing Body, including reporting at the earliest opportunity any deficiencies in policies or procedures. The DSL will report on a half-termly basis to SMT on safeguarding issues or more frequently as required. This policy has been impact assessed to ensure that it does not adversely affect students or staff on grounds of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment or socio-economic status.
ANNEX A The Definition of a Vulnerable Adult (Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) A vulnerable adult is a person who is aged 18 years or older and: is living in residential accommodation, such as a care home or a residential special school; is living in sheltered housing; is receiving domiciliary care in his or her own home; is receiving any form of healthcare; is detained in lawful custody (in a prison, remand centre, young offender institution, secure training centre or attendance centre or under the powers of the Immigration and Asylum act 1999); is under the supervision of the probation services; is receiving a welfare service defined as the provision of support, assistance or advice by any person, the purpose of which is to develop an individual s capacity to live independently in accommodation or support their capacity to do so; is receiving a service or participating in an activity which is specifically targeted at people with age-related needs, disabilities or prescribed physical or mental health conditions,(agerelated needs includes needs associated with frailty, illness, disability or mental capacity); is an expectant or nursing mother living in residential care is receiving direct payments from a local authority or health and social care trust in lieu of social care services; requires assistance in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Further guidance is available from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
ANNEX B Policies to be considered in conjunction with the overarching Safeguarding Policy Child Protection Policy Safer Recruitment Policy (incl recruitment of ex-offenders) Health and Safety Policy Fire Safety Policy Aids/HIV Policy Complaints Policy Curriculum Policy Data Protection Policy incl CCTV and Use of IT Equality & Diversity Duty and Schemes GDPR Privacy Notice Hospitality and Gifts Policy Risk Management Policy Sickness Management Policy Social Media Policy Staff Capability Policy Staff Code of Conduct Staff Disciplinary Policy Staff Grievance and Harassment Policy and Procedure Stress management Policy Student Bullying and Harassment Policy Student Code of Conduct Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures Support for Students Statement (Disability Statement) Whistleblowing Policy Work Experience/Trips and Visits Procedures
ANNEX C PREVENT Strategy The PREVENT strategy was revised in 2011 and has the following three objectives: 1) Challenging terrorist ideology by working closely with other local and national agencies and partners, including working with communities. 2) Supporting vulnerable individuals through intervention projects. 3) Work closely with institutions where risks may occur such as education, prison and health. The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on education establishments to have a due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn in to terrorism. The Prevent Duty of Guidance for England and Wales July 2015 gives more specific guidance for Further Education establishments. The college is working with police and local training providers to fulfil our duty which includes processes and procedures within the college and to provide awareness training for both staff and students. The college promotes British Values summarised in Collyer s Values and maintains a PREVENT Duty Risk Assessment and Action Plan updated alongside the SAR & QIP process.