Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Policy statement

NCL is strongly committed to practices that protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect or significant harm. Staff recognise and accept their responsibility to develop the awareness of the risks and issues involved in safeguarding.  NCL also recognises that it has a responsibility to protect staff from unfounded allegations of abuse.  NCL is committed to working with existing local safeguarding boards and other health and social care partnerships to ensure the safeguarding of all its learners and staff.  

 

Definition

For the purposes of this policy and procedure children are defined in the Children Act of 1989 as a person under the age of 18 years.  The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 defines a

‘vulnerable adult’ as a person aged 18 and over and;

 

  • Receiving a social care service
  • Receiving a health service
  • Living in sheltered accommodation
  • Detained in custody or under a probation order
  • Requiring assistance in the conduct of his/her affairs
  • Receiving a service or participating in an activity targeted at older people, people with disabilities or with physical or mental health conditions

 

Responsibilities

NCL has trained Designated Safeguarding Leads from the senior management team who are responsible for all safeguarding matters within the service.  A designated deputy safeguarding lead from the senior management team is also trained and covers in the absence of the Designated Safeguarding Leads.  There is a designated advisory board member with responsibility for safeguarding.  This role supports and challenges NCL in relation to implementing their safeguarding responsibilities effectively.  

 

Incidents or concerns are reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.  The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for monitoring and managing incidents or concerns and liaising with safeguarding agencies.   

 

Designated Safeguarding Leads and nominated staff will meet regularly to discuss any areas of concern and identify actions to be taken.

 

Key legislation, guidance and strategies to underpin Safeguarding and Prevent

 

  • The Children Act 1989 and amended 2004
  • The Equality Act 2010
  • Safeguarding and vulnerable groups act 2006, amended 2012
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education, update 2022 
  • The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015
  • The Prevent Duty Revised Prevent Duty Guidance, July 2015

 

Training

NCL has a duty to promote safeguarding issues and measures to staff and ensure they:

  • receive initial training and annual updates.   Online training is available, and all new members of staff will undertake this within 4 weeks of joining the service as part of their induction. 
  • Analyse their own practice against established good practice by ensuring that support plans and actions for individual learners are consistently applied and staff are able to identify risk to ensure their practice is likely to protect them from false allegations. 
  • Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse (Code of Conduct)
  • Follow the guidelines for staff (Quick Guide)

 

Review

NCL’s Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually, and its provisions monitored.  The review process includes analysis of monitoring data, consultation with and feedback from learners, clients, staff and other stakeholders to determine the impact of the policy and any action required.  The DSL meets regularly with appropriate bodies both internal and external to ensure that information is shared with appropriate and relevant stakeholders.

 

Relevant documents

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Newcastle City Council’s Safeguarding policies and procedures which can be found on the intranet.  

 

Specific safeguarding issues 

Expert and professional organisations are best placed to provide up-to-date guidance and practical support on specific safeguarding issues, e.g. NSPCC offers information for schools and colleges on the TES website and also on its own website www.nspcc.org.uk   Schools and colleges can also access broad government guidance on the issues listed below via the GOV.UK website:  
 
•    Bullying including cyberbullying  
•    Children missing education 
•    Child missing from home or care  
•    Child sexual exploitation (CSE)  
•    Domestic violence  
•    Drugs  
•    Fabricated or induced illness  
•    Faith abuse  
•    Female genital mutilation (FGM) 
•    Forced marriage 
•    Gangs and youth violence  
•    Gender-based violence/violence against women and girls (VAWG)  
•    Hate  
•    Mental health  
•    Missing children and adults strategy  
•    Private fostering  
•    Preventing radicalisation 
•    Relationship abuse  
•    Sexting  
•    Trafficking  

•    Harmful sexual behaviour in schools training (NSPCC Learning)

     

Responsibility for safeguarding and child protection 

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children.  

In addition to the responsibilities that all NCL staff hold, the Senior Management Team (NCLMT) carry specific responsibilities in the management of safeguarding across NCL. 

 

Senior Management Team responsibilities   

The Designated Safeguarding Leads and the Deputy Safeguarding Lead are responsible for:   

 

Managing referrals, including: 

 

  • Making referrals to children’s and adult’s social care services and the channel programme and supporting staff who have also made referrals 
  • Making referrals to the DBS and reporting crimes to the police. 

 

Working with others, including: 

 

  • Liaising with NCL’s staff on all matters of safeguarding and child protection. 
  • Liaising with staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies.   
  • Provide support, advice and expertise to all staff.
  • Be the point of contact with other specialist agencies in relation to safeguarding and child protection concerns. 

 

Undertake training, including: 

 

  • Safeguarding Leads to be qualified to level 2 or to be working towards a recognised safeguarding qualification.
  • Prevent awareness training 
  • Knowledge and skills should be refreshed at regular intervals to keep up do date with any relevant developments/legislative changes.

 

Raise awareness, including: 

 

  • Ensuring NCL’s Safeguarding policies are known, understood and used appropriately 
  • Ensuring that Parents/Carers are aware of NCL’s Safeguarding Summary Policy and its contents. 
  • Linking with the local safeguarding children and adult boards and making staff aware of training opportunities and local policy. 

 

Availability

  • During College hours a Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Deputy should always be available for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns. If not available in person, they must be available on the phone or via Teams at all times. 
  • The NCL Duty Manager will be available for all safeguarding needs.  Gateway will have information of who is on duty and at what time.

 

Relevant appendices

Appendix 1 - Safeguarding Code of Behaviour for all staff
Appendix 2 - Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults – A Quick Guide for Staff
Appendix 3 - Safeguarding Referral Chart
Appendix 4 - Bullying Policy 
Appendix 5 - E-Safety Policy
Appendix 6 - External Speakers Policy
Appendix 7 - Homeworking Guidance
Appendix 8 - Safeguarding during Covid
Appendix 9 - Safeguarding Concern Form
Appendix 10 - Safeguarding Adult Enquiry Form
Appendix 11 - Useful Contacts
Appendix 12 - Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy