1. Scope
This policy applies to all staff, tutors, volunteers, contractors, partners and learners, in every venue where we deliver learning, and to online delivery. It covers adults at risk and any learner aged 16 or 17 attending our provision.
2. Legal framework
- Care Act 2014 and statutory guidance on adult safeguarding.
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
- Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent duty).
- Keeping Children Safe in Education, where learners under 18 attend.
- UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 for handling safeguarding records.
3. Designated Safeguarding Lead
Designated Safeguarding Lead: [TO CONFIRM]. Contact details: [TO CONFIRM]. Deputy Safeguarding Lead: [TO CONFIRM]. The DSL is responsible for safeguarding decisions, referrals and record-keeping, and completes refresher training every two years.
4. Types of harm we act on
- Physical, emotional or psychological abuse.
- Neglect and acts of omission.
- Financial or material abuse.
- Domestic abuse, including coercive control.
- Sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
- Discriminatory abuse.
- Modern slavery and exploitation.
- Self-neglect and risks to mental health.
- Radicalisation and extremism.
5. Reporting procedure
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
- Listen, reassure, and do not promise confidentiality or investigate yourself.
- Record what you saw or were told in the person's own words, with date, time and facts only.
- Report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead the same working day.
- The DSL decides on next steps and, where needed, refers to the local authority adult safeguarding team within [TO CONFIRM].
- Any allegation about a member of staff is reported to the senior manager and, where the threshold is met, to the Local Authority Designated Officer.
6. Referral routes
Waltham Forest adult social care safeguarding team: [TO CONFIRM]. Police non-emergency: 101. NHS urgent mental health support: 111. Prevent referral route: [TO CONFIRM].
7. Safer recruitment
All staff and volunteers are recruited using safer recruitment practice, including identity checks, references, and DBS checks at the level appropriate to the role. Records of checks are held securely. Our DBS policy detail: [TO CONFIRM].
8. Training
All staff and volunteers complete safeguarding and Prevent awareness induction before working with learners, with refresher training every [TO CONFIRM].
9. Records and confidentiality
Safeguarding records are kept separately from learning records, with access limited to the DSL and senior management. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis or where there is a legal duty.
10. Review
This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner following an incident or change in guidance. Next review date: [TO CONFIRM].