Safeguarding Policy (including Prevent)

The School implements safeguarding measures to protect at-risk students, including children and vulnerable adults, from abuse and exploitation. Safeguarding promotes their welfare by addressing significant risks while upholding the duty of care. Safeguarding is the protection of individuals' welfare; abuse refers to mistreatment causing harm; and neglect is the failure to provide necessary care. This policy applies to all students, staff, visitors, and contractors, ensuring clarity around roles and responsibilities within the safeguarding framework.

The Student Success Team assumes the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), responsible for overseeing safeguarding policies and procedures. They ensure the welfare of students by providing support and guidance in safeguarding matters. All staff, students, and volunteers must understand their responsibilities in safeguarding, including recognising signs of distress, reporting any concerns promptly and accurately, and maintaining confidentiality regarding sensitive information. They are required to follow established protocols and procedures to maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

All staff members must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to recruitment.

The School’s Dignity at Work, Bullying, and Harassment Policy ensures a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of our community. Harassment, abuse, sexual misconduct, and discrimination are strictly prohibited. All students and staff must adhere to the School’s Disciplinary Policies, with disciplinary action enforced for breaches, whether they occur on or off School premises, in person, or via digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams, social media, emails, or text messages.

The Staff and Student Relationship Policy prohibits specific relationships between staff and students to prevent conflicts of interest and safeguarding issues. All other relationships must be disclosed to ensure transparency and uphold professional boundaries.

The School assigns each student a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to offer both academic guidance and broader support throughout their studies.

The School has a dedicated Mental Health Policy detailing various methods for supporting students with their mental health needs. 

The Student Success Team provides free, independent, and confidential support for academic, financial, and personal well-being issues. Students can seek assistance from the Team, their Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), or any staff member at any time. The School’s strategy places students at the centre, linking educational and life experiences to enhance overall success and satisfaction. This approach integrates academic and personal support to offer a holistic student experience, ensuring comprehensive care and addressing all aspects of student life effectively.

All staff and students must report safeguarding and Prevent concerns promptly. To report suspicions or incidents, individuals should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) via email or in person.

Support for those making reports includes access to counselling services and peer support groups.

The School guarantees confidentiality throughout the reporting process, ensuring that individuals feel safe to disclose information without fear of repercussions. This structured reporting informs the School’s safeguarding strategy, allowing teams like the Student Success Team to address issues, make informed decisions, and allocate resources effectively. Students are also encouraged to participate in feedback sessions, ensuring their voices shape decision-making processes.

The School implements robust risk assessment procedures to identify and manage potential risks to student safety, particularly for vulnerable groups. Regular assessments are conducted to evaluate environments and activities, considering factors like physical safety, mental health, and external threats. Action plans are developed to mitigate identified risks, ensuring appropriate measures are in place to protect all students.

The School has established clear emergency procedures to guide responses in critical situations. These include detailed contact numbers for emergency services, internal support teams, and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Response protocols outline steps for evacuations, lockdowns, and medical emergencies, ensuring that all staff and students are informed and prepared to act swiftly and effectively.

All staff must complete an induction on the School’s policies and receive ongoing training. This training covers the identification of safeguarding issues and how to provide appropriate support.

The School complies with the Prevent Duty as set out in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The President, as the Prevent Lead, collaborates with external agencies to address risks related to radicalisation and extremism. The Board of Governors includes Prevent considerations in its risk management strategies, including regular evaluations of potential threats and oversight of on-site events. Relevant aspects are also covered by the Free Speech and Academic Freedom Policy, which balances academic freedom with the need to prevent extremism.

The IT policy supports compliance with legal and audit requirements, including PCI-DSS and Prevent Duty, through robust monitoring systems, data protection measures, and audit trails to ensure secure handling of information. All staff receive comprehensive induction and training on Prevent and safeguarding, including recognising signs of radicalisation, responding to concerns, and following reporting procedures.

The Executive Committee will undertake these steps annually before the Board of Governors’ review and report on the outcomes:

1. Review Prevent Policies: Annually update Prevent policies to align with current legal standards and best practices.
2. Conduct Risk Assessments: Perform annual assessments to identify and address risks related to radicalisation on campus.
3. Train Staff and Students: Ensure all staff and students receive annual training on Prevent Duty and safeguarding.
4. Monitor IT Systems: Regularly review IT systems to ensure compliance with Prevent regulations and legal requirements, including PCI-DSS.
5. Engage with External Agencies: Maintain ongoing communication with local Prevent coordinators and relevant external bodies.
6. Evaluate Prevent Activities: Review and assess the effectiveness of Prevent measures and document findings.

The School implements procedures for the regular review and updating of its safeguarding policy. This includes scheduled evaluations at least annually and mechanisms for gathering feedback from students and staff, such as surveys and focus groups. These processes ensure that the policy remains effective, relevant, and responsive to the changing needs of the School community.