Safeguarding Policy (including Prevent)

Policy Statement

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all community members, recognising that a secure environment is essential for effective learning and personal development. Our Safeguarding Policy, including Prevent duties, outlines our proactive approach to preventing harm, abuse, and extremism. This policy ensures all students, staff, and visitors are protected through prevention, intervention, and responsive measures.

Principles

  • Protection: Providing a secure environment to protect community members from harm and abuse.
  • Awareness: Raising awareness of safeguarding issues and the signs of abuse or radicalisation.
  • Prevention: Implementing strategies to prevent the risk of harm, abuse, or radicalisation.
  • Responsibility: Affirming everyone's duty to report safeguarding concerns promptly.
  • Training: Ensuring adequate safeguarding training for all staff members.
  • Support: Offering support and guidance for individuals affected by safeguarding issues.
  • Response: Responding to safeguarding concerns swiftly and appropriately.
  • Collaboration: Working with external agencies to address safeguarding issues effectively.
  • Resilience: Fostering resilience to radicalisation through education and open dialogue.
  • Transparency: Maintaining clear and transparent procedures for handling safeguarding concerns.
  • Confidentiality: Respecting confidentiality while prioritising safety and legal obligations.
  • Review: Regularly reviewing safeguarding policies and practices to ensure they remain effective.

Regulatory Context

This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following:

Authority Name Url
UK Home Office Prevent Duty Compliance
A duty that requires universities and colleges in the UK to take steps to prevent terrorism.
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Office for Students (OfS) Regulatory Notices and Advice
Regulatory notices are additional information about OfS' regulatory requirements and are part of the regulatory framework. Regulatory advice helps providers understand and meet OfS requirements.
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UK Government Equality Act 2010
Equalities law to prohibit harassment and victimisation, and eliminate discrimination, including in the area of further and higher education, particularly with regards to specified personal characteristics.
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Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) The Quality Code
This code represents a shared understanding of quality practice across the UK higher education sector, protecting public and student interests and championing the UK's reputation for quality.
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Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Advice - Enabling Student Achievement
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Universities UK Guidance on online harassment
A comprehensive guidance on tackling online harassment and promoting online welfare in the higher education sector.
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Office for Students Prevent duty: Framework for monitoring in higher education in England
The Prevent Duty: Framework for Monitoring in Higher Education in England sets out how the Office for Students ensures universities comply with their legal duty to prevent individuals being drawn into terrorism. It outlines expectations for governance, risk assessment, staff training, welfare support, and external speaker management, ensuring a proportionate, safeguarding-led approach across all registered higher education providers.
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UK Government Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
Compliance with the Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
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Office for Students Annex A: Condition E6: Harassment and sexual misconduct
The OfS Condition E6 requires higher education providers to protect students from harassment and sexual misconduct through clear, accessible policies, safeguarding measures, fair processes, and support, while respecting lawful free speech.
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Safeguarding, Children, and Vulnerable Adults

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.

This approach is crucial as it fosters a safe environment, allowing vulnerable individuals to receive the protection they need. By promoting understanding through clear definitions and a defined scope, everyone knows their responsibilities in safeguarding those who may be unable to protect themselves from harm.

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.

This assumption is vital as it centralises safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring that trained professionals are available to support students effectively. By clearly defining roles within the Student Success Team, the institution fosters a culture of accountability and vigilance, promoting student safety and well-being while empowering everyone to contribute to a secure educational environment.

Mandatory DBS Checks

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

This ensures that staff are vetted for any criminal convictions or safeguarding issues, thereby protecting students and maintaining a safe educational environment.

Maintaining Professional Conduct

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.

This policy promotes a zero-tolerance approach to behaviour that undermines dignity and respect, reinforcing our commitment to a safe and supportive environment. It ensures that all incidents of bullying, harassment, or victimisation are addressed consistently, regardless of where or how they occur.

Regulations on Staff-Student Interactions

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.

This policy is crucial for maintaining a professional and safe educational environment. It helps prevent conflicts of interest, exploitation, and safeguarding risks, ensuring that all relationships within the School are conducted with integrity and transparency.

Role of Personal Academic Tutors (PAT)

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

This ensures that students receive personalised assistance and mentorship, fostering their academic development and overall well-being. It also helps in identifying and addressing any issues early, contributing to a supportive learning environment.

Policy on Mental Health Support

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

This policy ensures that students receive comprehensive mental health support, fostering a healthier and more supportive learning environment. By outlining specific support mechanisms, the policy addresses students' mental well-being proactively and effectively.

Support Services Provided by the Student Success Team

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.

Providing comprehensive support through the Student Success Team ensures that students have access to necessary resources for their academic and personal needs. By integrating support services and prioritising student well-being, the School optimises the educational experience and addresses all aspects of student life, fostering overall success and satisfaction.

Safeguarding and Reporting Practices

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.

This rule is essential as it establishes clear pathways for reporting concerns, fostering a proactive culture around safeguarding and Prevent. By encouraging open communication and ensuring confidentiality, the School promotes a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute to safety and well-being. This inclusive approach ultimately enhances the effectiveness of the School’s safeguarding strategies.

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.

These procedures are crucial for maintaining a safe educational environment. By proactively identifying risks, the School can implement effective strategies to protect vulnerable students and address concerns before they escalate. This commitment to safety enhances overall student well-being and fosters a culture of vigilance and care within the institution.

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.

Having well-defined emergency procedures is essential for safeguarding the safety and well-being of everyone on campus. These guidelines enable quick, coordinated responses during emergencies, reducing confusion and ensuring appropriate action is taken. By familiarising the entire community with these protocols, the School enhances preparedness and resilience in the face of unexpected incidents.

Comprehensive Induction and Training for Staff

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.

This requirement is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the School community. Regular training equips staff with the knowledge and skills needed to address safeguarding concerns effectively, thereby enhancing the overall safety and support within the institution.

Compliance with the Prevent Duty and Implementation Steps

The School complies with the Prevent Duty, as required under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The Board of Governors holds overall accountability for Prevent and incorporates it within the School’s wider institutional risk management framework. Prevent responsibilities are embedded within the School’s broader governance and assurance structures. Operational responsibility for implementation lies with the President, who serves as the designated Prevent Lead. The Prevent Lead is tasked with identifying and reviewing Prevent-related risks, which are recorded on the School’s central Risk Register. These risks are monitored by the Executive Committee, with oversight provided by the Quality, Compliance and Audit Committee (QCA Committee), which reports to the Board of Governors. The Prevent Lead submits regular updates to the QCA Committee as part of the School’s assurance processes. This integrated approach ensures that Prevent compliance is addressed through formal mechanisms and not in isolation. Prevent responsibilities are reflected across key institutional policies, including those relating to safeguarding, freedom of speech, and IT usage. The Board receives an annual Prevent report and signs an accountability declaration for submission to the Office for Students (OfS).

Clear leadership and oversight are required under the Prevent statutory guidance. Embedding Prevent into existing governance processes ensures effective coordination, legal compliance, and protection of both student safety and academic freedom.

The Executive Committee conducts an annual Prevent-related risk assessment, which is reviewed and approved by the Board. Prevent policies and associated documents (e.g. risk registers, action plans) are also reviewed annually to ensure alignment with current legislation and best practice.

The Prevent Lead provides formal reports on Prevent-related activity, risks, training, and referrals to the Executive Committee each term. A full annual Prevent report is submitted to the Quality, Compliance and Audit Committee, which in turn provides assurance to the Board of Governors.

This governance cycle supports transparent oversight and allows the School to fulfil its responsibilities under the OfS Prevent framework.

A risk-based approach enables the School to identify and respond to emerging threats. Annual reviews ensure policies remain fit for purpose and proportionate to the institution’s size, activities, and context.

As part of its statutory obligations, the School provides Prevent training to all staff. Training is tiered according to role and level of engagement, and includes:

  • Mandatory core induction for all staff

  • Annual refresher training

  • Targeted sessions for those in high-risk roles or involved in online delivery

The Prevent Lead is responsible for overseeing the content, delivery, and maintenance of training records. Materials are reviewed annually to ensure alignment with current regulatory guidance and institutional needs.

In addition to staff training, events-related and student-facing information is shared to promote awareness of safeguarding responsibilities and available support pathways.

Staff with Prevent-related concerns are advised to speak with the Prevent Lead or raise the matter with their line manager for referral.

Training ensures that staff are confident in recognising signs of radicalisation, applying Prevent procedures, and responding appropriately. It also supports compliance with OfS expectations for evidence of active implementation.

Students are informed of the School’s Prevent responsibilities through the Student Handbook, onboarding, and training. Feedback mechanisms — including online contact forms via the AGS, feedback surveys, and one-to-one support — allow students to raise concerns or suggest improvements. These insights inform our annual review of Prevent implementation and ensure alignment with student needs and expectations. Student representatives are consulted on relevant safeguarding and Prevent-related matters when they arise. This includes involvement in reviewing updates to key student-facing policies or contributing feedback to institutional strategies. Where appropriate, short-term working groups or student consultation panels may be convened to ensure student voices are reflected in our approach to Prevent.

The School recognises the importance of student awareness and input in shaping a proportionate and inclusive approach to the Prevent Duty.

In certain academic disciplines, staff or students may require access to material related to terrorism or extremist ideologies for legitimate teaching or research purposes.

The School permits access to such material only where it is essential to an approved programme of study or formally supervised research. Prior approval must be obtained by discussing the proposed use with the Prevent Lead. A written risk assessment will be conducted to identify and implement appropriate safeguards, including secure access, academic supervision, and clear research or pedagogical justification.

This process ensures compliance with the Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, while upholding the principle of academic freedom. It also protects staff and students from undue risk when engaging with sensitive content.

Unsupervised or unauthorised access to such material is strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action.

This policy exists to ensure lawful, supervised access to sensitive material, balancing academic freedom with compliance under the Prevent Duty.

All proposed events involving external speakers—whether delivered on-site, online, or asynchronously—must be submitted in advance for a structured risk assessment. Risk is assessed in relation to the potential for extremist content, unlawful speech, and overall impact. Outcomes, including any conditions or decisions to modify or decline events, must be clearly recorded and retained. Event organisers must be trained to apply the process correctly.

This ensures freedom of expression is upheld within the boundaries of the law and institutional policy. It also provides evidence for OfS that the School manages risk appropriately and proportionately in line with Prevent guidance.

The School recognises its responsibilities under the Prevent Duty to manage online risks, including access to extremist material or content that may support radicalisation.

The School does not routinely block categories of content but reserves the right to implement content filtering or monitoring where a specific safeguarding or Prevent-related risk has been identified.

All users are expected to use the School’s digital platforms in a responsible and lawful manner, and in accordance with the IT Regulations. Any concerns about content accessed or shared online — including extremist, violent, or radicalising material — should be reported immediately to the Prevent Lead.

Effective digital safeguards support the School’s wider Prevent responsibilities by reducing access to harmful content, ensuring data security, and protecting the institution from reputational and operational risk.

Any serious Prevent-related incident or material change must be reported promptly to the OfS. This includes:

  • Substantial changes to Prevent-relevant policies or structures

  • A new Prevent Lead or governance structure

  • Significant operational shifts (e.g. new campuses or delivery modes)

  • Incidents involving reputational or safeguarding concerns

Reports are submitted via the OfS portal or to the Prevent team directly, with relevant documentation and explanation.

Timely reporting supports transparency and helps the OfS assess provider risk and compliance. It also demonstrates that the School is taking a proactive approach to managing potential threats.

The School conducts an annual review of Prevent implementation as part of its institutional risk and compliance framework. This process ensures alignment with statutory requirements, supports continuous improvement, and provides assurance to governance bodies.

The review includes:

  1. Assessment of Prevent-related risks, with updates to the Prevent risk assessment and action plan. Risks are recorded on the School’s central risk register.

  2. Evaluation of Prevent training, including staff completion rates and effectiveness.

  3. Review of relevant activity logs, such as external speaker approvals, incidents, and associated risk assessments.

  4. Analysis of Prevent-related complaints, referrals, or concerns raised.

  5. Feedback collection from staff and students via surveys, consultations, or focus groups.

The Prevent risk assessment identifies areas of vulnerability across institutional activity. The corresponding action plan outlines targeted, proportionate measures—such as training, policy updates, or enhanced referral mechanisms—to mitigate these risks.

The Quality, Audit and Compliance Committee monitors implementation and reviews the Prevent-related risks recorded on the risk register. It provides regular reports and assurance to the Board of Governors.

The Board of Governors is responsible for reviewing and formally approving the Prevent action plan as part of its oversight of statutory compliance. Findings and progress are documented in an internal Prevent report and tracked by the Executive Committee.

Regular internal monitoring enables the School to identify gaps, make timely improvements, and provide assurance that the duty is being implemented effectively. It supports a culture of learning and reflection.

The School maintains open communication with the OfS Prevent Monitoring Team and relevant external partners, including local Prevent Coordinators. This includes:

  • Participation in Prevent Review Meetings (PRMs) if selected

  • Responding to OfS requests for information or thematic reviews

  • Contributing to sector-wide initiatives and good practice sharing

The School supports case-level coordination with Prevent partners when appropriate, including contribution to Channel Panels and liaison with police or safeguarding services. These interactions are led by the Prevent Lead and ensure a joined-up response to risk, reinforcing the School’s safeguarding framework and statutory responsibilities.

Collaboration with regulators and external agencies ensures the School remains aligned with national expectations, has access to current guidance, and contributes to wider sector learning on Prevent delivery.

Concerns related to radicalisation, vulnerability to extremism, or other Prevent indicators can be raised by any member of staff or student. These may arise through face-to-face interaction, online engagement, or observations of behaviour.

All concerns should be submitted via the Prevent and Welfare Support Ticket system (for students) or reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Prevent Lead (for staff). The Prevent Lead is responsible for assessing the concern, consulting safeguarding colleagues if appropriate, and determining whether further referral (e.g. to Channel or local Prevent coordinators) is needed.

Following any Prevent referral, the School will determine and implement appropriate support measures. These may include internal pastoral support, counselling, or referral to external safeguarding services. Every case is handled sensitively and proportionately, prioritising individual welfare and institutional responsibilities. Where required, appropriate referrals will be made to external agencies such as the Channel panel, Prevent coordinator, or police, in accordance with the School’s statutory obligations.

All Prevent referrals are handled confidentially, with due consideration to proportionality, support needs, and legal thresholds. Referral decisions and outcomes are recorded securely and reported to the Executive Committee for oversight.

Serious Incident and Material Change Reporting Protocol

All serious Prevent-related incidents must be reported to the Office for Students (OfS) without delay. A serious incident may include:

  • Reputational damage linked to extremism or radicalisation

  • An internal safeguarding failure involving Prevent concerns

  • Police involvement or emergency response due to radicalisation concerns

  • A Channel referral or multi-agency case requiring escalation

Designated staff must submit a report via the OfS portal or to the OfS Prevent team. Reports must include a description of the incident, actions taken, and any policy changes arising.

Prompt reporting ensures the OfS has full visibility of potential risks and can support sector-wide safeguarding. It also demonstrates that the School has effective escalation, governance, and response procedures in place.

The School must report material changes that may impact its implementation of the Prevent Duty. These include:

  • Substantive revisions to Prevent-related policies (e.g. welfare, IT, external speaker management)

  • Appointment of a new Prevent Lead, Designated Safeguarding Lead, or significant leadership restructure

  • Major changes to institutional operations (e.g. mergers, campus expansion, or delivery format changes such as from online to in-person)

  • Major changes to partnership or franchise arrangements affecting Prevent responsibilities

Reports should be submitted through the OfS portal, accompanied by relevant documentation (e.g. revised policies, updated governance charts) and an explanation of the likely impact on Prevent delivery.

Material changes may alter how the School meets its statutory Prevent obligations. Timely disclosure helps maintain transparency, ensures updated records, and allows the OfS to assess risk and provide appropriate oversight or support.

The Prevent Lead is responsible for coordinating the identification, documentation, and reporting of both serious incidents and material changes. Where relevant, they will liaise with:

  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

  • The President or relevant Executive Committee members

  • The IT and Governance teams (for technical or policy changes)

The Prevent Lead will:

  1. Record the incident or change using the internal Prevent log

  2. Collate relevant documents and a summary explanation

  3. Submit the report via the appropriate OfS channel (portal or email)

  4. Inform the Board of Governors at the next scheduled meeting or earlier if urgent

Staff involved in safeguarding, compliance, or leadership changes must notify the Prevent Lead immediately when a reportable matter arises.

A clear procedure ensures accountability and timely reporting. It also provides assurance that the School has appropriate oversight and is able to meet regulatory requirements confidently and consistently.

Prevent Duty: Self-Assessment and Continuous Improvement Mechanism

The School must conduct an annual self-assessment of its Prevent Duty implementation. This process will:

  • Review performance against internal Prevent objectives and risk assessments

  • Audit key processes such as training uptake, external speaker management, and incident reporting

  • Assess the effectiveness of reporting lines and governance oversight

  • Identify areas for improvement and record outcomes in a formal internal report

This self-assessment is led by the Prevent Lead and submitted to the Executive Committee and Board of Governors for review.

As part of the annual self-assessment, the School will conduct hypothetical scenario testing to evaluate how staff would respond to Prevent-related risks. Scenarios may include:

  • An external speaker proposing controversial content

  • A safeguarding referral for potential radicalisation

  • IT misuse involving extremist material

  • A student expressing views that cause concern among peers

Findings are discussed in small-group workshops or working groups, with outcomes documented and used to refine procedures and training content.

Scenario testing provides a practical way to assess preparedness and test whether existing policies work in real-life situations. It also enhances staff confidence and supports a learning culture within the School.

The School will use feedback from Prevent Review Meetings (PRMs), internal audits, or external quality reviews to update its policies, procedures, and risk assessment. Any recommendations from OfS engagement or sector evaluations must be recorded, reviewed by the Executive Committee, and acted upon within a defined timeframe.

Learning from formal reviews helps ensure that the School’s Prevent arrangements are not only compliant but continually evolving. It demonstrates commitment to best practice and provides assurance to regulators, students, and staff.

Where possible, the School will participate in sector-wide activities led by the OfS or related bodies, including:

  • Thematic reviews or deep dives on topics such as staff training or welfare

  • Case-sharing workshops and peer-learning events

  • Pilot studies or evaluation frameworks linked to Prevent

Participation is coordinated by the Prevent Lead and recorded in the School’s Prevent activity log.

Engaging with sector-wide Prevent activities keeps the School up to date with national developments, fosters collaboration, and supports evidence-based improvements. It also helps shape the future direction of Prevent policy through constructive contribution.

Monitoring and Review Procedures

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.

Regular monitoring and review of the safeguarding policy are crucial for maintaining its effectiveness and relevance. By actively seeking input from students and staff, the School fosters a culture of collaboration and transparency, ensuring that safeguarding measures adapt to emerging challenges. This commitment to continuous improvement ultimately enhances the safety and well-being of all members of the School community.

The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations.

Metrics and KPIs

Compliance with Prevent Duty

Compliance with Prevent Duty

Monitor adherence to Prevent Duty requirements through audits. Achieve at least 100% compliance in annual audits.
Compliance with Prevent Duty is essential for preventing radicalisation and ensuring a safe environment.

DBS Check Completion Rate

DBS Check Completion Rate

Monitor the percentage of new staff who complete their DBS checks before starting work. Aim for 100% compliance within one month of recruitment.
Ensuring all staff undergo DBS checks is crucial for maintaining a safe environment and protecting vulnerable individuals.

Incident Reporting Rate

Incident Reporting Rate

Track the number of safeguarding incidents reported each month compared to the total number of students and staff.
High reporting rates indicate that the safeguarding systems are accessible and effective. This helps in early identification and intervention.

Staff Training Completion Rate

Staff Training Completion Rate

Measure the percentage of staff who complete mandatory safeguarding and Prevent training within the required timeframe. Target 100% completion annually.
Regular training ensures staff are well-informed about safeguarding and Prevent duties, improving their ability to respond effectively.

Timeliness of Response to Safeguarding Concerns

Timeliness of Response to Safeguarding Concerns

Track the average time taken to respond to safeguarding concerns from reporting to initial action. Set a target response time of 24 hours.
Prompt responses are critical in safeguarding to ensure timely interventions and support.