008 - Safeguarding & Prevent Policy

Safeguarding/ PreventPolicy

1.AimofPolicy

TheaimofthispolicyistoensurethesafeguardingofourlearnersandstaffofThinkEmployment Ltd(hereinaftertheCompany)byoutliningclearproceduresandensuringthatallstaff, stakeholders,visitorsandlearnersareclearabouttheirresponsibilities. ThisPolicydocumentuses thewordsabuse,responsibilityandthreatens.

‘Abuse’iswhensomeonedoessomethingtoyou,thatmakesyoufeelbadorhurtsyou.

‘Responsibility’meanssomethingyouneedtodo.

‘Threatens’meanswhensomeonemakesyoufeelliketheyaregoingtohurtorabuseyou.

Inoursafeguardingapproachwewillfocuson:

Riskassessment,riskmanagementandtheimplementationofsafeguarding&Preventsystems

Recruitment,selectionandemploymentprocedures

Dealingwithallegations,suspicionsofabuseandradicalisationeffectivelyandsensitively Training,implementationandthesupportofsafeguarding&Preventpractices,policiesand procedures

Evaluation,timelyrevisionandaction

WevaluethesixprinciplesofAdultSafeguarding:

Empowerment

Prevention

Proportionality

Protection

Partnership

Accountability

Sothat:

Everyonehasarighttowork/learninanenvironmentthathastakenandwilltakeallpossible stepstomaintainasafeenvironment.

Everyonehasaresponsibilitytocontributetoensuringweprovideasafework/learning environment.

Wheresomeoneisorisatriskofharm,wemusttakestepstoensureanypersonatriskofharm isremovedfromimmediatedanger.

2.Whatisabuse?

Abuseisaviolationofanindividual’shumanandcivilrightsbyanyotherpersonorpersons.Itcan takeanumberofforms:

a)Physicalabusee.g.hitting,pushing,shaking,inappropriaterestraint,force-feeding,forcible administrationofmedication,neglectorabandonment

b)Sexualabusee.g.involvementinanysexualactivityagainsthis/herwill,exposureto pornography,voyeurismandexhibitionism

c)Emotional/psychologicalabusee.g.intimidationorhumiliation

d)FinancialorMaterialabusee.g.theftorexertingimproperpressuretosignovermoneyfrom pensionsorsavingsetc.

e)Neglectoractsofomissione.g.beingleftinwetorsoiledclothing,ormalnutrition

f)Discriminatoryabusee.g.racial,sexualorreligiousharassment

g)Personalexploitation–involvesdenyinganindividual’rightsorforcinghim/hertoperformtasks thatareagainsthis/herwill

h)Violationofrightse.g.preventinganindividualspeakinghis/herthoughtsandopinions

i)Institutionalabusee.g.failuretoprovideachoiceofmealsorfailuretoensureprivacyordignity

3.Definitionofanadultatrisk(vulnerableadult)accordingtotheCareAct2014

Anadultatriskisapersonaged18oroverwho:

islivinginresidentialaccommodation,suchasacarehomeoraresidentialspecialschool; islivinginshelteredhousing; isreceivingdomiciliarycareinhisorherownhome; isreceivinganyformofhealthcare;isdetainedinaprison,remandcentre,youngoffender institution,securetrainingcentreorattendancecentreorunderthepowersoftheImmigration andAsylumAct1999; isincontactwithprobationservices; isreceivingawelfareserviceofadescriptiontobeprescribedinregulations; isreceivingaserviceorparticipatinginanactivitywhichisspecificallytargetedatpeoplewith age-relatedneeds,disabilitiesorprescribedphysicalormentalhealthconditionsorexpectant ornursingmotherslivinginresidentialcare(age-relatedneedsincludesneedsassociatedwith frailty,illness,disabilityormentalcapacity); isreceivingdirectpaymentsfromalocalauthority/HSSbodyinlieuofsocialcareservices requiresassistanceintheconductofhisorherownaffairs.

Inalloftheabovesettingsandsituations,adultsneedtobeabletotrustthepeoplecaringforthem orsupportingthemand/orprovidingthemwithservices.

TheCareActacknowledgesthewideraspectsofadultsafeguardingandmakeskeylinkswith:

Domesticabuse/violence

ModernDaySlavery(HumanTrafficking)

ForcedMarriage

Honour-basedviolence

FemaleGenitalMutilation

(Section42mustbemetforthesetobecomeadultsafeguardingissues)

Whereanadultmeetsallsection42criteria,thecriteriaare:

a)Theadulthasneedsforcareandsupport(whetherornottheauthorityismeetinganyofthose needs).

b)Theadultisexperiencing,oratriskof,abuseorneglect.

c)Asaresultofthoseneeds,theadultisunabletoprotecthimselforherselfagainsttheabuseor neglectortheriskofit.

Weacknowledgeandpromotethesewideraspectsofadultsafeguardingandalwayspromotean individual’s‘wellbeing’. Weensureaperson’swellbeingisatthecentreofourdeliveryservicesand understandourgeneraldutyofcarewherewellbeingrelates;forexample,bysupporting:

Physicalandmentalhealthandemotionalwellbeingoftheindividual

Personaldignity(includingthetreatmentoftheindividualwithrespect)

Protectionfromabuseorneglect

Professionalandpersonalrelationshipsincludingfamily

Socialandeconomicwellbeing

Theindividual’scontributiontosociety

Participationineducation,trainingandwork

Thecharacteristicsofadultabusecantakeanumberofformsandcausevictimstosufferpain,fear anddistressreachingwellbeyondthetimeoftheactualincident(s) Victimsmaybetooafraidor embarrassedtoraiseanycomplaint Theymaybereluctanttodiscusstheirconcernswithother peopleorunsurewhototrustorapproachwiththeirworries

Theremaybesomesituationswherevictimsareunawarethattheyarebeingabusedorhave difficultyincommunicatingthisinformationtoothers.

4.Otherareasofconcern

4.1Preventduty

TheCounter-TerrorismandSecurityAct2015(section21)andtheincreasedawarenesssincethe government’spublishedPreventStrategyin2010,hasseenaheightenedawarenessofthespecific needtosafeguardvulnerableadultsfromradicalisationandviolentextremism.Wearecommittedto safeguardinganycommunicationthatwouldpromoteextremisminanyform,including,butnot restrictedto:

Islamistideology

Farright/NeoNazi/WhiteSupremacistideology

Extremistanimalrightmovementsetc.

WesupporttheaimtoreduceandpreventviolentextremismthroughourSafeguardingpolicyand procedures,toprovidestafftrainingtobeawareofthesignsorindicatorsofradicalisationandhavethe confidencetoreporttheirconcernstotheirlinemanagerorSafeguardingOfficer.

Allsafeguardingconcernswithregardstoradicalisationandextremistviewsshouldberecordedin writingusingAppendix1totheSafeguardingteam,whowillliaisewiththeagreedreferralandChannel process.

PromotionofPreventisconductedthroughteaching,learningandpromotionalactivitiestoreinforce ourcommitmenttoBritishValues;Equality,DiversityandInclusion;andSafeguarding. Learnersare encouragedtochallengeextremistviewswithinfocusgroupsandthemedactivitieswhilstprovidinga safeenvironmenttodoso.

TheCompanywillnotallowthepromotionofparticularpoliticalviewsintheteachingofanysubjectbut willpromoteabalancedpoliticalviewpointasfarasisreasonablypracticable. TheCompanyhasin placeapolicyandprocesstoassesstheriskagainstpromotingextremistviewsinordertosafeguard individualsfrombeingdrawnintoterrorism

4.2Offenders

Werecognisethatattimeswehaveoffendersdoingsometraining/learningwithusandmaybeeligible forthemulti-agencypublicprotectionarrangements(MAPPA) MAPPA’sarrangementsareabout managingtheriskposedbythemostserioussexualandviolentoffenders Theagenciesinvolvedin assessingtherisksarethePolice,ProbationandPrisonServices,aswellas,dependingonthecase, SocialServices,Trusts,JobcentrePlusandEducationAuthoritiesamongothers.

ShouldwehaveanyMAPPA-eligibleoffenderscomingtoourcentre,therelevantagencieswillcontact ustoinformusoftheriskassessmentpriortotheirvisit.Theyshouldbeincontactwiththesafeguarding team(section8).However,shouldtheymistakenlycontactanyothermembersofstaff,theyshouldbe redirectedtothesafeguardingteam.Thesafeguardingteamwillthenassessifwehaveadequate supporttoaccommodatetheMAPPA-eligibleoffender.Iftheyfeelthatweareabletosatisfythe arrangementsasdescribedbytheagenciesinchargeoftheoffender,theywilldiscussthemwiththe appropriatestaff,andonaconfidentialbasis,andwillkeeparecord.Onememberofstaffwillthenbe allocatedtotheoffender,butthismemberofstaffwillbesupportedbythesafeguardingteam.

4.3Remotelearningandonlineassessment

Allourlearnersdotheircoursesremotely.Safeguardingthemhasitsownchallengescomparedto onsitelearning.Althoughlearnersarenotphysicallypresent,westillhaveadutyofcareandweneedto bevigilantwithpotentialsafeguardingissues,includingmentalhealthissues.Therearesomemethods wecanusetoevaluatethelearner’ssituation:

Howwelldothelearnersprogressthroughtheironlinecourses?Learnersaccessingtheircourses regularlyarelesslikelytoposeaconcerncomparedtothoseaccessingitmoreerraticallyor suddenlystopping.Ifthereislittleornoprogression,thelearnersneedtobecontactedbyphone first–emailifnoresponse.Theonlinecoursehasafacilitytocreatereportstoidentifyprogression. Reviewsaregoodtoascertainhowthelearnersaredoingandiftheyhaveanyissues.Learners shouldhaveareviewevery4weeksasaminimum.

Arethereanyconcerningsignswhenlearnerssubmittheirwork?Somequalificationsrequirethe completionofassignmentsandthetypeofinformationprovidedintheassignmentscouldgive somecluesastohowthelearnersfeelorcluesaboutpotentialradicalisation.

Onlinetutorialsorequivalent(throughanonlineplatformsuchasZoom)alsogiveanopportunityto haveadiscussionwiththelearnersandtochecktheirvisualaspectifusingawebcam.Learners shouldbeencouragedtousetheirwebcams.

Learnersmayalsousethe“supportrequest”sectionoftheonlinesessionlogtoflagsafeguarding issues.Anysupportrequestnotificationsmustbechecked.

Aphonediscussionwiththelearnersisalsoagoodindicationofthelearner’scurrentmentalstate orsituation–payingparticularattentiontothetoneused,forexample Doemailslearnerssendraisesafeguardingconcerns?

Remoteinvigilationrequirestheuseofawebcamandasoundsystem Thelearnermustbeatalltime visibleandaudibletotheinvigilator Ifthelearnerissuddenlyoutofsight,theinvigilatormustaskthe learnerforanexplanation Ifthereisnoresponse,theinvigilatorphonesthelearnerifthelatterhasa landline(mobilephoneshouldbeoff) Ifthereisnoresponse,theinvigilatorcontactstheemergency numberassuppliedbythelearner Thelastrecourseiscontactingtheemergency–999 Theinvigilator needstocheckanychangesontheirscreenwhileattemptingcontact

5.OurPromise:

Wewill:

1. Recognisethatsomelearnersbyvirtueoftheirage,disabilityorillnessmaybevulnerableto,be experiencing,orhaveexperiencedabuse.

Complywiththerequirementoftherelevantlegislationandwillworkincooperationwithother agenciestoensurethesafetyandwelfareofourlearnersandemployees.

2. Passonconcernsorallegationsofabusepromptlytotheappropriateagency.

3. Notknowinglyemployanypersonwhohasaconvictionfortheabuseofachildoravulnerable adultandwillcarryoutrelevantchecks. Wheresuchchecksrevealanyformofcriminalconviction, thiswillbereviewedbytheManagingDirectorandwiththeemployeeifnecessary,takinginto accountthenatureoftheconviction,lengthoftimesinceitoccurred,employmenthistoryandany otherrelevantfactors.

4. Provideanopenandwellpublicisedcomplaintsproceduresothatlearners/volunteers/staffcan voiceconcernsaboutunacceptableand/orabusivebehaviourtowardsthemorothers.

6.

5. Reservetherighttorefusetoenrolanypersonwhohasaconvictionfortheabuseofachildora vulnerableadult.

7. Promptlyactuponandreportanyallegationofabusethatmaybemadeagainstamemberof staff/volunteer.

8. Alwaysacttoprotectitslearnersandemployees/volunteersfromabuseorexploitation.

9. Workwiththeappropriatereferralandsupportagencies.

10.Publicisethispolicywidelyandwillprovideallstaffwithadequatetraininginhowtoimplementit.

6.RolesandResponsibilities

6.1SeniorManagementwillensurethat:

TheCompanyhasasafeguardingpolicyandproceduresinplace,whichreflectthelocal safeguardingboardstandardsandrecommendationsandismadeavailabletostaff,learners, awardingbodiesandfunders.

Allstaffundertakerelevantsafeguardingtraining/developmentrelevanttotheirroleonanannual basisoraftersignificantlegislativechangesorchangesingoodpractice/protocols.

TheCompanyhasasaferrecruitmentproceduretovalidatepastemploymentandvalidreferences aretaken Alllearner-facingstaffhaveavalidDBSCheckandremoveaccesstotheCompany’s systems/databaseswhentheyleaveouremployment

Allallegationsofabuseagainststaff,learnersandvolunteersarefullyandsensitivelyinvestigated DesignatedSafeguardingstaffisinplacewithaformalprocessinplaceintheirabsence Revisionsaremadeimmediatelywhendeficienciesorweaknessesregardingsafeguarding arrangementsareidentified

Ensureanyoutsideservicesoractivitiesthatareprovidedtoourlearners/staffhaveappropriate proceduresandpoliciesinplacewithregardstosafeguarding

RiskassessmentsareundertakenonaregularbasisinconjunctionwiththeSafeguardingOfficerto continuallyensuretherobustnessofourpolicies,proceduresandpractices.

6.2TheSafeguardingTeamwillensurethat:

AllpoliciesandproceduresinplacerelevanttoSafeguardingarecommunicatedeffectivelyto learnersthroughappropriatemethodsandpractices.

Thereviewandmonitoringoftheproceduresareeffectiveandundertakeregularreviewtoensure theirimplementation. TheSafeguardingOfficerwill,withthesupportofotherrelevantstaff, develop,reviewandimplementthesafeguardingtrainingplan.

Allrecordsassociatedwiththesafeguardingconcernsaresecurelyandappropriatelyrecordedand stored. Informationwillbeona‘needtoknowbasis’internallyandexternallybutwillalways adheretotheSafeguardinglegislation.

RiskassessmentsareundertakenonaregularbasisinconjunctionwiththeSeniorManagement Teamtocontinuallyensuretherobustnessofourpolicies,proceduresandpractices.

7.AllegationsandInvestigations

7.1Respondingtoanallegation(Five‘R’s)

ItisourunderstandingthatallstaffandvolunteerswithintheCompanymayatsomepointcomeinto contactwithanindividualwhoisatriskof,orhaveexperienced,exploitation,abuseorharm. No memberorstafforvolunteershouldtakeanyformofindependentactionbutshouldalwaysfollowthe company ’spolicyandprocedureunlessinacasewheretheindividualisinimmediatedangerorcrisis andtheindividualneedsurgentmedicalorpoliceattention,whichshouldonlybedoneinconsultation withrelevantmanagementtoensuretheindividualissafe.

Recognise–Thefirststepistorecognisepotentialsignsofabuseandpotentialsafeguardingconcerns. Staffandvolunteersaretrainedtoidentifythese.

Respond–Allcomplaints,allegationsorsuspicionsmustbetakenseriouslyandhandledsensitively. Thesafetyandwelfareoftheadultatriskareparamountatalltimes.

Promisesofconfidentialityshouldnotbegivenunderanycircumstances,asthiscannotbeguaranteed duetoourdutyofcaretotheindividualistoreportorrefertotherelevantagenciesforappropriate safeguardinginterventions.

Record–Leadingquestionsshouldnotbeaskedandafullrecordofanyconversationwiththepersonat riskmustberecorded Appendix1shouldbeusedtorecordtheinformation;however,duetothe immediacyofrecordingtheconversation,youmaysubmitsafeguardingconcernsthrough:

https://formszohopubliceu/thinkemployment/form/Safeguardingnotice/formperma/hGxrZJD0HRFIf pXSMchwyGdE82n-2j3nTPawYmoG6xA

Or,iftheconcernisregardingstaff

https://formszohopubliceu/thinkemployment/form/Safeguardingnoticetoreportconcernsonstaff/for mperma/S0Q41eYes1Wbp7DrlSVIyp6kjN2-r44sDXqbEaca9U8

Summarisingoftheconversationshouldnotbeundertakenbutratherafactualintermsofwhatthe individualhasreportedintheindividual’sownwords.

Report–Anysuspicion,allegationorincidentofabuseorharmmustbeimmediatelyreportedtothe SafeguardingOfficerassoonaspossibleandinanyeventwithintwohours.

Refer–TheSafeguardingOfficerwillreferthemattertothepoliceorlocalsocialcaredepartmentfor adultsatriskwhereinformationisavailabletoindicatethattheadultisatriskof,issufferingfromoris atimmediateriskofharmorabuse. Thiswillberecordedinthesafeguardinglog(onlyaccessibletothe safeguardingteam)andreferralsmadewithin24hoursoftheevent.

7.2AllegationsmadeagainstastaffmemberorvolunteeroftheCompany

Anysuspicion,allegationoractualabuseand/orharmcausedbyastaffmemberorvolunteerofthe CompanymustbereportedimmediatelytoaSeniorManagementteammemberortheSafeguarding Officerwithin2hoursofraisingtheinitialconcern TheCompany’sEmployeehandbookguidancewill thenbefollowed

8.ReportingContact

IntheabsenceoftheSafeguardingLead StephaneJeannin–07795675303 stephane.jeannin@thinkemployment.com

Remember: Ifthepersonisinimmediatedanger,calltheemergencyservices(999) (donotjeopardiseyourownsafety)

9.Policies&Procedures

ThisSafeguardingpolicyshouldbereadinconjunctionwith:

SaferRecruitmentPolicy Equality,DiversityandInclusionPolicy ExternalSpeakersPolicy Complaints&PraisePolicy

10.Legislation

Thispolicyisinformedby,andadherestothelocalMulti-AgencyAdultProtectionPolicyand Procedures,andtothefollowinglegislation:

SafeguardingVulnerableGroupsAct(SVGA)2006

TheCareAct2014

MentalHealthAct2007

DeprivationofLibertySafeguards Disclosure&BarringService2013 PublicInterestDisclosureAct1998

CareStandardsAct2014

SexualOffencesAct2003 ProtectionofFreedomsBill

11.Reviewofthepolicy

ASeniorLeaderwillreviewthispolicyannuallyormorefrequentlywheretherearesignificantchanges incircumstances.

To be disseminated to: Staff, volunteers, stakeholders, visitors Policy Ref: 008

Authorised by:

Head of Quality

Lead IQA Head of Administration

Amendments:

Sept 2018 - Updated

Issue Date: September 2008

Review Due: Dec 2024

Feb 2019 – Legislation updated Roles / Responsibilities included Care Act principles added Four ‘R’s added

Dec 2019 – Included ‘Safer recruitment policy’ in section 9, flowchart amended to make clearer. Flowchart updated to reflect new online reporting facility

Nov 2020 – Added “recognise” to section 7.1; added MAPPA; replaced Appendix 2 with safeguarding log; added remote learning and online assessment

May 2021 – Replaced Equality & Diversity Policy with Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Dec 2021 – Updated links to report safeguarding concerns

April 2022 – Changed Head of Central Support to Head of Administration

Dec. 2022 - Updated 4.3 to highlight that all our learners do their courses remotely.

Jan 2024 - Replaced "Senior Manager" with "Senior Leader"

Staff-SafeguardingProcess

Causeforconcerntobereportedthroughonlineformat https://forms.zoho.eu/thinkemployment/form/Safeguardingnoticetoreportconcernsonstaff OrusingAppendix1.

SafeguardingteammakeinformeddecisiontorefertoAdultSocialCareand/orPoliceOR referraltoAdultSocialCareisnotrequired,thenrelevantaction,includingtosupportservice,takesplace.

Within1workingday,AdultSocialCareand/orPolicemakedecisionaboutthetype ofresponserequired.SafeguardingTeaminformed. ReferraltoAdultSocialServicesmade:

Noformalassessmentrequired. Appropriate emergencyaction takenbyAdult SocialCare and/orPolice. Appropriate protectionaction plan. IdentifyifAdult inneedandother appropriate services. Companyto considersupport assessment accessingwider supportservices.

TheSafeguardingteamwillkeeptheadult-at-risk’ssituationunderreviewtoensuretheadultperson’s circumstancesimprove Theadultperson’sbestinterestsmustalwayscomefirst

Incasesthatinvolveanallegationagainstamemberofstaff,pleaserefertoSeniorManagementinthefirst instanceortheSafeguardingLead/Officer.

Note:ifyouareconcernedaboutthesafetyandwelfareofanadultlearner(aged18andover)pleasecontactyour SafeguardingTeamforinformation,guidanceandsupport

StaffReportForm

(emailtotheSafeguardingTeamoncompletion)

Is the adult-at-risk aware of the safeguarding concern? Yes No

If No, why not?

Is the adult-at-risk involved with any other agencies? Yes No Not Known

If Yes, please provide details:

Please give details of the event: (continue overleaf if required)

Location of alleged incident/concern (please give details):

Date and Time of alleged incident/concern: Date: Time:

Whattypeofabuseissuspected?(Tickallthatapply):

And do you consider this abuse is also: Hate Crime Sexual exploitation

Do you consider this to be a PREVENT situation?

Yes No

If Yes, why? (continue overleaf if needed)

Tell us about the alleged incident/concern(s) being raised

Factual details of the alleged incident/concern:

This should be concise and include a clear factual outline of the concern being raised with details of times, dates, people and places where appropriate.

Remember to:-

Describe what happened; Make it clear what is fact and what is opinion; Record whether there were any witnesses to the incident; who they were and how they can be contacted

(Pleaseuseaseparatesheetifrequired)

Tell us what actions have been taken to reduce the risk of harm or abuse to the adult-at-risk.

Tell us what actions have been taken to ensure the safety of the adult-at-risk.

Where is the adult-at-risk now? (Include where they are in relation to the person alleged to have caused harm)

Is anyone else at risk of abuse? Yes No Not Known If so give name(s) and details

In your opinion, does the adult-at-risk have the mental capacity to understand the risks within this safeguarding concern?

Yes No Not Known

If you are concerned about the welfare of the adult-at-risk, have you contacted their GP or the ambulance service?

Yes No

If No, why not

If you think that a crime has been committed, have the police been contacted?

Yes No

If yes, what was the outcome?

If no, why not?

Police Crime / Reference No:

Details of the person raising the concern:

Name: Job Title:

Who raised the concern with you?

Date Completed: