Safeguarding / Prevent and Child Protection Policy 2024/25

Links with other policies

It should be noted that this policy does not stand alone but is written in conjunction with a number of other Hull Training and Adult Education policies/documents, amongst them are -

  • Safeguarding policies including Hull City Council corporate policies and procedures Anti-bullying policy
  • Behaviour policy
  • SEND policy

1. Aims

Hull Training and Adult Education aims to ensure that -

  • Appropriate action is taken in a timely manner to safeguard and promote children’s welfare
  • All staff are aware of their statutory responsibilities with respect to safeguarding
  • Staff are properly trained in recognising and reporting safeguarding issues

2. Legislation and statutory guidance

This policy is based on the Department for Education’s statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018). Hull Training and Adult Education complies with the guidance in these documents.

This policy is also based on the following legislation -

  • Part 3 of the schedule to the Education (Independent Hull Training and Adult Education Standards) Regulations 2014, which places a duty on academies and independent Hull Training and Adult Educations to safeguard and promote the welfare of learners
  • The Children Act 1989 (and 2004 amendment), which provides a framework for the care and protection of children
  • Section 5B (11) of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, as inserted by section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, which places a statutory duty on tutors to report to the police where they discover that female genital mutilation (FGM) appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18
  • Statutory guidance on FGM, which sets out responsibilities with regards to safeguarding and supporting girls affected by FGM
  • The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which outlines when people with criminal convictions can work with children
  • Schedule 4 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which defines what ‘regulated activity’ is in relation to children
  • Statutory guidance on the Prevent duty, which explains Hull Training and Adult Educations’ duties under the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 with respect to protecting people from the risk of radicalisation and extremism

This policy also complies with our funding agreement and articles of association.

3. Definitions

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means -

  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
  • Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

Child protection is part of this definition and refers to activities undertaken to prevent children suffering, or being likely to suffer, significant harm.

Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a child and may involve inflicting harm or failing to act to prevent harm.

Appendix 1 explains the different types of abuse

Neglect is a form of abuse and is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.

Appendix 1 defines neglect in more detail

Nudes/Semi-nudes/Sexting (also known as youth produced sexual imagery) is the sharing of sexual imagery (photos or videos) by children.

Children includes everyone under the age of 18.

The following 3 safeguarding partners are identified in Keeping Children Safe in Education (and defined in the Children Act 2004, as amended by chapter 2 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017). They will make arrangements to work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of local children, including identifying and responding to their needs -

  • The local authority (LA)
  • A clinical commissioning group for an area within the LA
  • The chief officer of police for a police area in the LA area

4. Equality statement

Some children have an increased risk of abuse, and additional barriers can exist for some children with respect to recognising or disclosing it. We are committed to anti-discriminatory practice and recognise children’s diverse circumstances. We ensure that all children have the same protection, regardless of any barriers they may face.

We give special consideration to children who -

  • Have special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities (see section 9)
  • Are young carers
  • May experience discrimination due to their race, ethnicity, religion, gender identification or sexuality
  • Have English as an additional language
  • Are known to be living in difficult situations - for example, temporary accommodation or where there are issues such as substance abuse or domestic violence
  • Are at risk of FGM, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, or radicalisation
  • Are asylum seekers
  • Are at risk due to either their own or a family member’s mental health needs
  • Are looked after or previously looked after

5. Roles and responsibilities

Safeguarding, child protection and promoting the welfare of children are everyone’s responsibility. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and governors at Hull Training and Adult Education and is consistent with the procedures of the 3 safeguarding partners. Our policy and procedures also apply to extended Hull Training and Adult Education and off-site activities.

5.1 Names and contact details of people with specific responsibility for Safeguarding

  • Designated (DSL) and Deputy (DDSL) Safeguarding Leads, Hull Training and Adult Education - 01482 615 349
  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) East Riding of Yorkshire Council Lorraine Wilson/Siobhan Bath - 01482 396 999
  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Hull City Council Jackie Edhouse - 07710 119 092

5.2 All staff

All staff will read and understand part 1 and Annex A of the Department for Education’s statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education annually and when updates are added in September of every year and review this guidance.

All staff will be aware of -

  • Our systems which support safeguarding, including this child protection and safeguarding policy, the staff code of conduct, the role and identity of the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and Deputy DSLs, the Behaviours policy, and the safeguarding response to Children who go Missing from Education
  • The early help process (sometimes known as the common assessment framework) and their role in it, including identifying emerging problems, liaising with the DSL, and sharing information with other professionals to support early identification and assessment
  • The process for making referrals to local authority children’s social care and for statutory assessments that may follow a referral, including the role they might be expected to play
  • What to do if they identify a safeguarding issue or a child tells them they are being abused or neglected, including specific issues such as FGM, and how to maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality while liaising with relevant professionals
  • The signs of different types of abuse and neglect, as well as specific safeguarding issues, such as peer on peer abuse, child sexual exploitation (CSE), FGM and radicalisation. Section 13 and appendix 4 of this policy outline in more detail how staff are supported to do this

5.3 The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The Hull Training and Adult Education DSL takes lead responsibility for child protection and wider safeguarding.

The DSL will be available during working hours for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns.

See 5.1 for contact details.

The DSL will be given the time, funding, training, resources, and support to -

  • Over-see the development and implementation of the Safeguarding policy
  • Maintain Hull Training and Adult Education Child Protection register (CPOMS)
  • Provide advice and support to staff on child welfare and child protection matters
  • Take part in external agency strategy discussions and inter-agency meetings and/or support other staff to do so
  • Refer suspected cases, as appropriate, to the relevant body (local authority children’s social care, Channel programme, Disclosure and Barring Service, and/or police), and support staff who make such referrals directly
  • Liaise with external mental health agencies and help promote educational outcomes for learners affected by safeguarding and child protection issues

The DSL will also keep the Head of service and Safeguarding Governor informed of any issues and liaise with local authority case managers and designated officers for child protection concerns as appropriate.

The full responsibilities of the DSL are set out in the safeguarding manager job description.

5.4 The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

See 5.1 for contact details.

The DDSLs will deputise for the DSL in DDSL absence.

5.5 Governing Board (EAB)

The Governing Board will approve this policy at each review, ensure it complies with the law and hold the head of service to account for its implementation.

N.B. Governors will not have access to details of individual Child Protection Cases.

The Governing Board will appoint a DSG to monitor the effectiveness of this policy in conjunction with the full Governing Board.

The Chair of Governors will act as the ‘case manager’ if an allegation of abuse is made against the Head of Service, where appropriate (see appendix 3).

All governors will read Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Section 13 has information on how governors are supported to fulfil their role.

5.6 The Head of Service

The Head of Service is responsible for the implementation of this policy, including -

  • Ensuring that staff (including temporary staff) and volunteers are informed of our systems which support Safeguarding, including this policy, as part of their induction
  • Communicating this policy to parents when their child joins Hull Training and Adult Education and via Hull Training and Adult Education website
  • Ensuring that the DSL has appropriate time, funding, training, and resources, and that there is always adequate cover if the DSL is absent
  • Ensuring that all staff undertake appropriate Safeguarding and Child Protection training and update this regularly
  • Acting as the ‘case manager’ in the event of an allegation of abuse made against another member of staff or volunteer, where appropriate (see appendix 3)

6. Confidentiality

Timely information sharing is essential to effective Safeguarding. Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of the need to promote the welfare, and protect the safety, of children. The

Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and GDPR do not prevent, or limit, the sharing of information for the purposes of keeping children safe. If staff need to share ‘special category personal data’, the DPA 2018 contains ‘safeguarding of children and individuals at risk’ as a processing condition that allows practitioners to share information without consent if it is not possible to gain consent, it cannot be reasonably expected that a practitioner gains consent, or if to gain consent would place a child at risk.

Staff should never promise a child that they will not tell anyone about a report of abuse, as this may not be in the child’s best interests.

The government’s information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners includes 7 ‘golden rules’ for sharing information and will support staff who must make decisions about sharing information.

If staff are in any doubt about sharing information, they should speak to the DSL (or DDSL).

Confidentiality is also addressed in this policy with respect to record-keeping in section 12, and allegations of abuse against staff in appendix 3.

7. Recognising abuse and taking action

Staff, volunteers, and governors must follow the procedures set out below in the event of a Safeguarding issue.

N.B. In this and subsequent sections, you should take any references to the DSL to mean “the DSL (or DDSL)”.

7.1 If a learner is suffering or likely to suffer from harm, or in immediate danger, if a child is suffering or likely to suffer from harm, or in immediate danger -

  • Tell the DSL or DDSLs in person (see section 5.2) The member of staff reporting the concern must contact the police/emergency services with immediate effect. If the member of staff is with the DSL or DDSL at the time of the reported concern the DSL/DDSL will make the phone call to the relevant emergency services
  • If, in exceptional circumstances, the DSL and DDSLs are not available, refer the matter to the Head of Service, ensure emergency services have been contacted first if at risk of immediate danger
  • Enter the concerns into CPOMS as soon as possible and on the same day - alert only relevant staff

7.2 If you have concerns about a learner (as opposed to believing a learner is suffering or likely to suffer from harm, or in immediate danger) If a child is not suffering or likely to suffer from harm, or in immediate danger -

  • Tell the DSL or DDSLs in person (see section 5.2) as soon as possible and within an hour of you becoming aware of the concerns
  • If, in exceptional circumstances, the DSL and DDSLs are not available, refer the matter to the Head of Service
  • Enter the concerns into CPOMS as soon as possible and on the same day - alert only relevant staff. Do not discuss with staff members who are not directly linked to the disclosure. The DSL will advise information on a ‘Need to know Basis’ which can be communicated to staff supporting the learner or person who has made the disclosure

7.3 If a learner makes a disclosure to you

If a learner discloses a Safeguarding issue to you -

  • Listen and accept the information being given as true. Allow them time to talk freely and do not ask leading questions
  • Stay calm and do not show that you are shocked or upset
  • Reassure the child/learner that they have done the right thing in telling you. Do not tell them they should have told you sooner
  • Explain what will happen next and that you will have to pass this information on. Ensure confidentiality. But DO NOT promise to keep it a secret
  • Write up your conversation as soon as possible in the child/learner’s own words - BE FACTUAL. Do not make judgements
  • Pass it on by adding to CPOMS and alerting the DSL and centre DDSL If, in exceptional circumstances, the DSL and DDSLs are not available, refer the matter to the Head of Service. Enter the details onto CPOMs as soon as possible and on the same day - alert only relevant staff

7.4 If you discover that FGM has taken place, or a learner is at risk of FGM.

The Department for Education’s Keeping Children Safe in Education explains that FGM comprises “all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs”.

FGM is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long-lasting, harmful consequences. It is also known as ‘female genital cutting’, ‘circumcision’ or ‘initiation’. Possible indicators that a learner has already been subjected to FGM, and factors that suggest a learner may be at risk, are set out in appendix 4.

Any member of staff who discovers (either through disclosure by the victim or visual evidence) that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out on a learner under 18 must immediately report this to the police, personally. This is a statutory duty, and staff will face disciplinary sanctions for failing to meet it. They must also refer the case with the DSL who will involve children’s social care as appropriate.

The duty for staff mentioned above does not apply in cases where a learner is at risk of FGM or FGM is suspected but is not known to have been carried out.

Any member of staff who discovers that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out on a learner under 18 must speak to the DSL and follow Hull Training and Adult Education safeguarding procedures.

Any member of staff who suspects a learner is at risk of FGM or suspects that FGM has been carried out must speak to the DSL and follow Hull Training and Adult Education’s Safeguarding procedures outlined in 7.1.

Staff must not examine learners.

7.5 If you have concerns about extremism

If a child is not suffering or likely to suffer from harm, or in immediate danger -

  • Tell the DSL or DDSLs in person (see section 5.2) as soon as possible and within an hour of you becoming aware of the concerns
  • If, in exceptional circumstances, the DSL and DDSLs are not available, refer the matter to the Head of Service
  • Enter the concerns into CPOMS as soon as possible and on the same day - alert only relevant staff

Where there is a concern, the DSL will consider the level of risk and decide upon any referrals.

This could include Channel, the government’s programme for identifying and supporting individuals at risk of being drawn into terrorism, or the local authority children’s social care team.

The Department for Education also has a dedicated telephone helpline, 020 7340 7264, which staff and governors can call to raise concerns about extremism with respect to a learner. You can also email Counter Terrorism Policing at gov.uk/ACT.

Note that this is not for use in emergency situations.

In an emergency, call 999 or the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 if you -

  • Think someone is in immediate danger
  • Think someone may be planning to travel to join an extremist group
  • See or hear something that may be terrorist-related Further reading and guidance -
    • DfE: Guidance
    • The Prevent duty - an introduction for those with safeguarding responsibilities (updated 7 September 2023)

7.6 Early help

If early help is appropriate, the DSL will lead on liaising with other agencies and setting up an inter-agency assessment as appropriate. Staff may be required to support other agencies and professionals in an early help assessment, in some cases acting as the lead practitioner.

The DSL will keep the case under constant review and Hull Training and Adult Education will consider a referral to local authority children’s social care if the situation does not seem to be improving. Timelines of interventions will be monitored and reviewed.

7.7 Referral

If it is appropriate to refer the case to local authority children’s social care or the police, the DSL or a DDSL will make the referral. (See 7.1 in cases of immediate danger)

If, in exceptional circumstances the DSL and DDSLs are not available, the Head of Service will make the referral.

The Local Authority procedure is as follows -

  • LA receives a referral from the Hull Training and Adult Education or college/FE provider
  • LA reviews the case and decides the course of action - this should be within one working day of the initial referral
  • LA informs the Hull Training and Adult Education/college/FE provider of any further action to be taken

The DSL must follow up with the local authority if this information is not made available, and ensure outcomes are properly recorded.

If the learner’s situation does not seem to be improving after the referral, the DSL must follow local escalation procedures to ensure their concerns have been addressed and that the child’s situation improves.

7.8 Concerns about a staff member or volunteer

If you have concerns about a member of staff or volunteer, or an allegation is made about a member of staff or volunteer posing a risk of harm to children, speak to the Head of service immediately. If the concerns/allegations are about the Head of service, speak to the Chair of Governors (contact details available on the Hull Training and Adult Education website).

The Head of service/Chair of Governors will then follow the procedures set out in appendix 3, if appropriate.

7.9 Allegations of abuse made against other learners - peer on peer abuse.

We recognise that learners can abuse their peers. Abuse will never be tolerated or passed off as “banter”, “just having a laugh” or “part of growing up”. Hull Training and Adult Education takes a zero- tolerance approach to this and even if there are no reported cases, we should not assume that peer on peer abuse is not happening in Hull Training and Adult Education as it may just be that it is going unreported. We also recognise the gendered nature of peer-on-peer abuse (i.e., that it is more likely that girls will be victims and boys will be perpetrators). However, all peer-on peer abuse is unacceptable and will be taken seriously. Peer on peer abuse can include child on child abuse and can take place within intimate partner relationships.

Most cases of learners hurting other learners will be dealt with under Hull Training and Adult Education’s behaviour policy, but this child protection/prevent, and safeguarding policy will apply to any allegations that raise safeguarding concerns.

This might include where the alleged behaviour -

  • is serious, and potentially a criminal offence
  • could put learners whilst on Hull Training and Adult Education premises at risk
  • is violent (including initiation/hazing type violence and rituals)
  • involves learners being forced to use drugs, alcohol, or other illegal substances
  • involves sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, such as indecent exposure, sexual assault, forcing someone to strip or touch themselves sexually or sexually inappropriate pictures or videos (including consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi-nude images)

If a learner makes an allegation of abuse by or against another learner -

  • Reassure the victim/s that they are being taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. Never give the impression that they are creating a problem by reporting abuse, sexual violence, or sexual harassment. Do not say or do anything to make them feel ashamed for making a report
  • Tell the DSL or DDSLs in person (see section 5.2) as soon as possible and within an hour of you becoming aware of the concerns
  • If, in exceptional circumstances, the DSL and DDSLs are not available, refer the matter to the Head of Service
  • Enter the concerns into CPOMS as soon as possible and on the same day -alert only relevant staff
  • Do not investigate it
  • The DSL will contact the local authority children’s social care team and follow its advice, as well as the police if the allegation involves a potential criminal offence
  • The DSL will put a risk assessment and support plan into place for all children involved (including the victim(s), the child(ren) against whom the allegation has been made and any others affected) with a named person to whom they can talk if needed
  • The DSL will contact the children and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), if appropriate

We will minimise the risk of peer-on-peer abuse by -

  • challenging any form of derogatory or sexualised language or behaviour, including requesting or sending sexual images
  • being vigilant to issues that particularly affect different genders - for example, sexualised or aggressive touching or grabbing towards female learners, and initiation or hazing type violence with respect to boys
  • Ensuring our curriculum helps to educate learners about appropriate behaviour and consent
  • Ensuring learners know they can talk to staff confidentially by promoting referral procedures at induction and on posters displayed around Hull Training and Adult Education centres
  • Ensuring staff are trained to understand that a learner harming a peer could be a sign that the child is being abused themselves, and that this would fall under the scope of this policy

Sharing of nudes or semi-nude images/videos

Your responsibilities when responding to an incident.

If you are made aware of an incident involving the sharing of nudes or semi-nude images/videos (previously known as ‘sexting’ or ‘youth produced sexual imagery’), you must -

  • Explain to the learner(s), if the disclosure has come from them, that you need to report the incident, and reassure them that they will receive support and help from the DSL
  • Tell the DSL or DDSLs in person (see section 7.2) as soon as possible and within an hour of you becoming aware of the concerns
  • If, in exceptional circumstances, the DSL and DDSLs are not available, refer the matter to the Head of Service
  • Enter the concerns into CPOMS as soon as possible and on the same day - alert only relevant staff

You must not -

  • View, download or share the imagery yourself, or ask a learner to share or download it. If you have already viewed the imagery by accident, you must report this to the DSL
  • Delete the imagery or ask the learner to delete it
  • Ask the learner(s) who are involved in the incident to disclose information regarding the imagery (this is the DSL’s responsibility)
  • Share information about the incident with other members of staff, the learner(s) it involves or their, or other, parents and/or carers
  • Say or do anything to blame or shame any young people involved in the Initial review meeting

Following a report of an incident, the DSL will hold an initial review meeting with the Head of Service. This meeting will consider the initial evidence and aim to determine -

  • whether there is an immediate risk to learner(s)
  • if a referral needs to be made to the police and/or children’s social care
  • if it is necessary to view the imagery in order to safeguard the young person (in most cases, imagery should not be viewed)
  • what further information is required to decide on the best response
  • whether the imagery has been shared widely and via what services and/or platforms (this may be unknown)
  • whether immediate action should be taken to delete or remove images from devices or online services
  • any relevant facts about the learners involved which would influence risk assessment
  • if there is a need to contact another Hull Training and Adult Education, college, setting or individual
  • whether to contact parents or carers of the learners involved (in most cases parents should be involved)

The DSL will make an immediate referral to police and/or children’s social care if -

  • the incident involves an adult
  • there is reason to believe that a young person has been coerced, blackmailed, or groomed, or if there are concerns about their capacity to consent (for example owing to special educational needs or other vulnerability)
  • what the DSL knows about the imagery suggests the content depicts sexual acts which are unusual for the young person’s developmental stage, or are violent
  • the imagery involves sexual acts and any learner in the imagery is under 13
  • the DSL has reason to believe a learner is at immediate risk of harm owing to the sharing of the imagery (for example, the young person is presenting as suicidal or self-harming)

If none of the above apply then the DSL, in consultation with the Head of Service, may decide to respond to the incident without involving the police or children’s social care.

Further review by the DSL

If, at the initial review stage, a decision has been made not to refer to police and/or children’s social care, the DSL will conduct a further review.

They will hold interviews with the learners involved (if appropriate) to establish the facts and assess the risks.

If at any point in the process there is a concern that a learner has been harmed or is at risk of harm, a referral will be made to children’s social care and/or the police immediately.

Informing parents

The DSL will inform parents at an early stage and keep them involved in the process, unless there is a good reason to believe that involving them would put the learner at risk of harm.

Referring to the police

If it is necessary to refer an incident to the police, this will be done by the DSL by dialling 101. (See point 7.2)

Recording incidents

All incidents and the decisions made in responding to them will be recorded on CPOMS. The record-keeping arrangements set out in section 12 of this policy also apply to recording incidents of sharing nudes/semi-nude images or videos.

Curriculum coverage

Learners are taught about the issues surrounding the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes as part of our Employability and Healthy Relationships Skills education and computing programmes. The curriculum plan covers the following in relation to the sharing of nudes/semi- nude images or videos -

  • What the sharing of nudes is
  • How the sharing of nudes is most likely to be encountered
  • The consequences of requesting, forwarding, or providing such images, including when it is and is not abusive
  • Issues of legality
  • The risk of damage to people’s feelings and reputation learners also learns the strategies and skills needed to manage:
  • specific requests or pressure to provide (or forward) such images
  • the receipt of such images

8. Notifying parents

Where appropriate, we will discuss any concerns about a child with the child’s parents. In the event of a suspicion or disclosure, only the DSL or Head of service will do this.

If we believe that notifying the parents would increase the risk to the child, we will discuss this with the local authority children’s social care team before doing so.

9. Learners with special educational needs and disabilities

We recognise that learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can face additional safeguarding challenges. Additional barriers can exist when recognising abuse and neglect in this group, including -

  • Assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the child’s disability without further exploration
  • Learners being more prone to peer group isolation than other learners
  • The potential for learners with SEN and disabilities being disproportionally impacted by behaviours such as bullying, without outwardly showing any signs
  • Communication barriers and difficulties in overcoming these barriers

We offer extra pastoral/classroom assistant support for learners with SEND. See SEND policy.

10. Mobile phones and cameras

Staff and learners are allowed to bring their personal phones to Hull Training and Adult Education for their own use but will limit such use to non-contact time. Mobile phones may be used in lessons by learners with the permission of the tutor.

Staff may only use mobile phones in lessons under exceptional circumstances.

Staff will not take pictures or recordings of learners on their personal phones or cameras. Staff will not give out personal email addresses or telephone contact numbers to learners. Learners will not take pictures or recordings of staff on their personal phones or cameras.

Learners may take pictures or recordings of other learners for curriculum reasons, but only with the consent of both the learners and the tutor.

We will follow the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 when taking and storing photos and recordings for use at Hull Training and Adult Education.

We recognise that young people may have unrestricted access to the internet via their mobile phones and any inappropriate online behaviour carried out at Hull Training and Adult Education will be dealt with according to the Safeguarding, E-Safety and Behaviour policies.

Filtering and monitoring systems

Hull Training and Adult Education’s Designated Safeguarding Lead has a lead role working closely with the IT lead to ensure there are appropriate and robust filtering and monitoring systems in place, and clear procedures to respond and intervene to issues considering safeguarding concerns and responsibilities under the Prevent Duty.

Hull Training and Adult Education deploys effective filtering and monitoring systems on its IT systems to safeguard and promote the welfare of learners without unreasonably impacting teaching and learning and provide them with a safe environment in which to learn. Our filtering and monitoring systems block harmful and inappropriate content and limit exposure to the risks from online harm, including radicalisation/extremism, serious violence, pornography, images of exploitation, etc. Additionally, web searches that contain references to extremism, serious harm and violence, self-harm and suicide, are also closely monitored through a system that sends a rapid alert via email to the IT department who provides a rapid response to investigate any safeguarding concerns and intervene to safeguard and protect as appropriate.

Incidents are recorded on Hull Training and Adult Education CPOMS for individual learners.

Hull Training and Adult Education regularly reviews its filtering and monitoring systems to ensure their effectiveness in a complex and rapidly changing online environment to ensure they remain robust and fit for purpose. All Governors and staff understand their responsibilities in this area, and it is included in training and annual safeguarding updates.

We will review our filtering and monitoring provision at least annually. This review will include additional checks to ensure systems are functioning effectively and meeting safeguarding responsibilities.

11. Complaints and concerns about Hull Training and Adult Education Safeguarding policies

11.1 Complaints against staff

Complaints against staff that are likely to require a child protection investigation will be handled in accordance with our procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse made against staff (see appendix 3).

11.2 Other complaints

See Complaints policy.

11.3 Whistleblowing

See Hull City Council Whistleblowing policy.

12. Record-keeping

We will hold records in line with our records retention schedule.

All Safeguarding concerns, discussions, decisions made and the reasons for those decisions, must be recorded in writing. If you are in any doubt about whether to record something, discuss it with the DSL.

Non-confidential records will be easily accessible and available. Confidential information and records will be held securely and only available to those who have a right or professional need to see them.

Safeguarding records relating to individual learners will be retained for a reasonable period of time after they have left Hull Training and Adult Education.

Safeguarding records are held digitally on CPOMs. Access is limited to the DSL, DDSLs and Head of service.

Any paper records are held securely in a locked container within a locked office. In addition -

  • Appendix 2 sets out our policy on record-keeping specifically with respect to recruitment and pre-employment checks
  • Appendix 3 sets out our policy on record-keeping with respect to allegations of abuse made against staff

13. Training

13.1 All staff

All staff members will undertake safeguarding and child protection training at induction, including on whistleblowing procedures, to ensure they understand Hull Training and Adult Education’s safeguarding systems and their responsibilities, and can identify signs of possible abuse or neglect. This training will be regularly updated and will be in line with advice from the 3 safeguarding partners.

All staff will have training on the government’s anti-radicalisation strategy, Prevent, to enable them to identify children at risk of being drawn into terrorism and to challenge extremist ideas.

Staff will also receive regular safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, through emails, ebulletins and staff meetings) as required, but at least termly.

Contractors who are provided through Service Level Agreements or similar contract will also receive safeguarding training.

Volunteers will receive appropriate training.

13.2 The DSL and DDSLs

The DSL and DDSLs will undertake child protection and safeguarding training at least every 2 years.

In addition, they will update their knowledge and skills at regular intervals and at least annually (for example, through e-bulletins, or taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments).

They will also undertake Prevent awareness training.

13.3 Governors

All governors receive training about safeguarding, to make sure they have the knowledge and information needed to perform their functions and understand their responsibilities.

As the chair of governors may be required to act as the ‘case manager’ in the event that an allegation of abuse is made against the Head of service, they receive training in managing allegations for this purpose.

The safeguarding Governor receives training including Prevent and Safer Recruitment.

13.4 Recruitment - interview panels

At least one person conducting any interview for a post at Hull Training and Adult Education will have undertaken Safer Recruitment training. This will cover, as a minimum, the contents of the Department for Education’s statutory guidance,

Keeping Children Safe in Education and will be in line with local safeguarding procedures.

14. Monitoring arrangements

This policy will be reviewed annually by DSL and Head of service. At every review, it will be approved by the full Governing Board.

15. Links with other policies

This policy links to the following policies and procedures -

  • Staff Code of Conduct
  • Complaints
  • Health and safety
  • SEND
  • Online safety
  • Equality
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