Safeguarding Policy

1. POLICY STATEMENT

This policy has been developed to ensure that all staff in Accipio are working together to safeguard and promote the well-being and welfare of all apprentices.

This policy describes the management systems and arrangements in place to create and maintain a safe learning environment for all our apprentices and staff. It identifies actions that should be taken to redress any concerns about safety and welfare including protecting apprentices and staff from extremist views, vocal or active, which are opposed to fundamental British Values. All opinions or behaviours which are contrary to these fundamental values and the ethos of the organisation will be vigorously challenged.

The Director or, in their absence, the authorised members of senior staff (Mark Ellis, Coaching and Leadership Success Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead, have the ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all apprentices. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all apprentices goes beyond implementing basic child protection procedures, it is an integral part of all activities, functions, culture and ethos of Accipio.

In accordance with guidance set out in ‘Working together to Safeguard Children 2023, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2023’ and ‘The Prevent Duty’, Accipio will work in partnership with other organisations where appropriate to identify any concerns about apprentice welfare and take action to address them.
As of October 2023, designated safeguarding leads within Accipio are:

If you have a safeguarding concern, you can also reach the team on 02071172690 or 07881463405.

2. SCOPE

Accipio aims to create and maintain a safe learning environment where all apprentices and staff feel safe, secure and valued and know they will be listened to and taken seriously. Accipiop is committed to the principles outlined in ‘Working together to Safeguard Children – September 2023, ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 and ‘The Prevent Duty’ and implements policies, practices and procedures which promote safeguarding and the emotional and physical well-being of apprentices and staff.

Accipio is committed to supporting the delivery of effective early help through multi agency working, a consistent application of the thresholds and the use of a single agency assessment.

The statutory inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie and the first joint Chief Inspectors report of safeguarding children highlighted the lack of priority status given to safeguarding. The government response to these findings included the Green Paper Every Child Matters and the provisions in the Children’s Acts 2004. Section 11 of the Children’s Act 2004 places a duty on all agencies to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. No single profession can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances and, if children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes in to contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information, and taking prompt action. Accipio is committed to the safeguarding of all apprentices including those who do not fall into the category of children or vulnerable adults.

Accipio is committed to the government national framework: Working Together to Safeguard Children.

See also:

4. DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply throughout the Safeguarding & Prevent Policy and associated procedures:

Child or Children:

The Children Act 2004 defines a child as a person under eighteen for most purposes.

Vulnerable Adult or Adults:

The Office of the Public Guardian defines a vulnerable adult as a person aged 18 or over who has a condition of the following type:

Types of abuse and neglect:

Although these definitions categorise children and vulnerable adults we believe it is our responsibility to protect and support all apprentices in situations of abuse.

Abuse:

A form of maltreatment of a child or vulnerable adult. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child or vulnerable adult by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. They may be abused by an adult or adults or child or children.

Physical Abuse:

Physical abuse may take many forms e.g. hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating. It may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health to a child or vulnerable adult. This unusual and potentially dangerous form of abuse is now described as fabricated or induced illness.

Emotional Abuse:

Emotional abuse is persistent emotional ill treatment causing severe and persistent effects on the child or vulnerable adult’s emotional development and may involve:

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in most types of ill treatment, although emotional abuse may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse:

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. These activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) and non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside of clothing. This may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children or vulnerable adults in looking at, or being involved in the production of sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Sexual Harassment and Violence:

There are many different ways to describe people who have been subjected to sexual violence and/or sexual harassment and many ways to describe those who are alleged to have carried out any form of abuse. Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two people of any age and sex from primary through to secondary stage and into further education. It can occur through a group of people sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single person or group of people. Sexual violence and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap; they can occur online and face to face (both physically and verbally) and are never acceptable.

Neglect:

Neglect involves the persistent failure to meet basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of the child or vulnerable adult’s health and development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to; provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child or vulnerable adults emotional needs.

There are also specific issues which we expect our staff to be aware of, these include:

5. RESPONSIBILITIES

All members of the Accipio community, including staff, employers, apprentices and contract staff are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all apprentices.

All staff:

All staff that meet apprentices in their everyday work have a duty to safeguard and promote apprentice welfare and well-being. Staff will be trained to understand their responsibilities and be aware of the signs of harassment, abuse, neglect, extremism, and radicalisation so that they are able to identify cases of apprentices who may be in need of help or protection.
Staff working at Accipio are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of an apprentice, staff members should always act with reassurance that the reports will be taken seriously, and all actions will support their best interests.

Failure to comply with these responsibilities will be seen as a serious matter which may lead to disciplinary action.

Staff are expected to:

Designated Safeguarding Officers:

The Designated Senior Members of Staff for Safeguarding & Prevent are Mark Ellis – Designated Safeguarding Lead (mark@accipio.com), Kalie Dowling DSO (kalie@accipio.com), They have a specific responsibility for championing the importance of safeguarding and prevent and promoting the welfare of all apprentices. The Designated Person will:

Governors:

Board Safeguarding Lead: Karly Lattimore | email: karly@accipio.com

All Governors will understand their key responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and Vulnerable adults and provide them with a safe environment in which to learn. They will do this by:

6. SAFER RECRUITMENT OF STAFF

Accipio undertakes checks to ensure that their staff are fit to work in a training provider setting with apprentices. It also reserves the right to refuse to employ staff whom it has a reasonable belief may pose a risk to its learners.

Accipio has systems in place to prevent unsuitable people from working with apprentices and to promote safe practice. These systems apply to all new staff and require the following checks to be made prior to appointment:

*If a DBS check is delayed for any reason the staff member will not be subject to lone working with apprentices aged under 18. They must always have a member of staff present who is fully DBS checked until the point they receive a full DBS check.

8. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS BEING ABUSED

All staff working in direct/online contact with apprentices in the Accipio environment must be alert to the signs of abuse. Anyone who suspects that abuse is taking place inside or outside of The Apprentice Academy setting, or to whom an apprentice discloses issues relating to safeguarding, should contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers immediately.

The Lead Designated Safeguarding Officer is: Mark Ellis and the Designated Safeguarding Officers is Kalie Dowling.
Staff who are not Designated Safeguarding Officers, but who are approached with concerns about an apprentice, must bring the concerns raised to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Officers immediately (within 2 hours)
Any member of staff receiving a disclosure of abuse, or noticing signs or indicators of abuse, must make an accurate record as soon as possible, noting what was said or seen, putting the event in context, giving the date, time, and location. All records will be dated, signed and will include the action taken. These notes are kept in a confidential file, which is separate to other files, and stored in a secure place. Making the record should not delay referring the disclosure to the DSL or appropriate authority.

The Lead Designated Safeguarding Officers will develop effective links with relevant agencies and co-operate as required with any enquires regarding child or vulnerable adult protection matters, including attendance at case conferences.

9. PROFESSIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY, RECORDS AND MONITORING

Confidentiality is an issue which needs to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults particularly in the context of safeguarding. The only purpose of confidentiality in this respect is to benefit the individual. A member of staff must never guarantee confidentiality to a learner, nor should they agree to keep a secret. Where there is a safeguarding concern, this must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and may require further investigation by the appropriate authorities. Learners can be reassured that only the people who ‘need to know’ will be informed, that this will be the minimum necessary and that information will not become common knowledge.

Staff will be informed of relevant information in respect of individual cases regarding safeguarding on a ‘need to know’ basis only. Where information is shared with appropriate staff, they must maintain the confidentiality outlined above.

Well-kept records are essential to good safeguarding practice. Accipio is clear about the need to record any concerns held about a student, the status of such records and when these records should be passed over to other agencies.

The DSL will have oversight of the record management policy to ensure that issues around safeguarding records are addressed appropriately.

10. ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AGAINST MEMBERS OF STAFF

Allegations of abuse, or concerns raised against members of staff, will always be treated seriously. The allegations need to be applied with common sense and judgement. All cases must be referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (contact detail above) who will follow the Safeguarding & Prevent Procedures in the same way as for other safeguarding allegations. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the apprentice, and any others who may be at risk. The Designated Safeguarding Officers will also inform The MD and Directors in order that training provider procedures may be followed, and an investigation is carried out. If the allegation or concern is against the Designated Safeguarding Lead, it should be reported to the MD. Where there is a complaint against a member of staff, the MD will be informed and involved. This may result in possibly criminal (police) investigations and/or a child/vulnerable adult’s protection investigation, carried out by Social Services.

11. REPORTING CASES TO THE DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE (DBS)

Accipio has a statutory duty to make reports and provide relevant information to the DBS where there are grounds for believing, following an investigation, that an individual is unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, or may have committed misconduct. The responsibility for reporting cases to the DBS lies with the Designated Safeguarding Officers.

12. RESIGNATIONS

If, during the course of an investigation relating to safeguarding, an employee tenders their resignation, or ceases to provide their services, Accipio is not prevented from following up an allegation in accordance with these procedures. Every effort will be made to reach a conclusion in cases relating to the welfare of apprentices, including those where the person concerned refuses to co-operate with the process.

13. WHISTLEBLOWING

Accipio has an established Whistleblowing Policy for enabling staff to share, in confidence with an appropriate person, concerns they may have about instances of suspected malpractice at Accipio. Malpractice can include fraud and financial irregularities, criminal offences being committed, that have been committed or that are likely to be committed, endangering the health or safety of individuals, and can also include concerns around the protection of apprentices. The policy is intended to provide safeguards to enable members of the Accipio staff to raise concerns without fear of adverse repercussions. Accipo recognises that it may be difficult to express concerns about colleagues and is fully supportive of Whistleblowing for the sake of an apprentice and will provide support and protect those who “blow the whistle”. It is also intended to promote throughout Accipio a culture of openness and a shared sense of integrity by inviting all employees to act responsibly to uphold the reputation of Accipio and maintain public confidence.

See also: Whistleblowing/Raising a Concern Policy

14. SUPPORT FOR STAFF

Accipio is aware that safeguarding cases can be distressing and that staff who have been involved may find it helpful to talk about their experiences, in confidence, with one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers or with a trained counsellor. Staff wishing to be referred for counselling should discuss with their line manager. Support can also be provided through the Mental Health first aiders at Accipio.

15. PREVENT, RADICALISM AND EXTREMISM

Accipio values the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, expression of beliefs and ideology and tolerance of others which are the core values of our democratic society. However, all rights come with responsibilities and free speech, or beliefs designed to manipulate the vulnerable or which advocate harm or hatred towards others will not be tolerated. Accipio seeks to protect its apprentices and staff from all messages and forms of violent extremism and ideologies including those linked to, but not restricted, to the following: Far Right/Neo Nazi, White Supremacist ideology, Islamic Extremist ideology, Irish Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitary groups and extremist Animal Rights groups.

Protecting staff and students from the risk of radicalisation is part of Accipio’s wider safeguarding duties and is similar in nature to protecting young people from other forms of harm and abuse. During the process of radicalisation, it is possible to intervene to prevent vulnerable people being radicalised.

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism. There is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to an extremist ideology. It can happen in many ways and settings. Specific background factors may contribute to vulnerability which are often combined with specific influences such as family, friends or online, and with specific needs for which an extremist or terrorist group may appear to provide an answer. The internet and the use of social media has become a major factor in the radicalisation of young people.

County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. This activity can happen locally as well as across the UK – no specified distance of travel is required. Children and vulnerable adults are exploited to move, store, and sell drugs and money. Offenders will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons to ensure compliance of victims.

As with managing other safeguarding risks, staff should be alert to changes in young people’s behaviour which could indicate that they may need help or protection. Staff should use their professional judgement in identifying young people and adults who might be at risk of radicalisation and act proportionately.

Staff will receive annual Prevent training and will complete new starter e-learning Prevent training.

Prevent

From 1 July 2015 specified authorities, including all schools and Colleges (as defined in the summary of Keeping Children Safe in Education, 2023), are subject to a duty under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015,(‘the CTSA 2015’), in the exercise of their functions, to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’ (“the Prevent duty”).

The statutory Prevent guidance summarises the requirements on further education institutes in terms of seven general themes: external speakers and events, working in partnership, risk assessment, action plans, staff training, welfare and pastoral care and IT policies.

Channel

Safeguarding staff should understand when it is appropriate to make a referral to the Channel programme. Channel is a programme which focuses on providing support at an early stage to people who are identified as being vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. It provides a mechanism for schools to make referrals if they are concerned that an individual might be vulnerable to radicalisation. An individual’s engagement with the programme is entirely voluntary at all stages.

Section 36 of the CTSA Act sets out the duty on local authorities and partners of local panels to provide support for people vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. In England and Wales, this duty is met through Channel panels. The panel must be chaired by the local authority and include the police for the relevant local authority area. Following a referral the panel will assess the extent to which identified individuals are vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism, and, where considered appropriate and necessary consent is obtained, arrange for support to be provided to those individuals. Section 38 of the CTSA 2015 requires partners of Channel panels to co-operate with the panel in the carrying out of its functions and with the police in providing information about a referred individual.

Accipio is clear that exploitation and radicalisation will be viewed as a safeguarding concern and will be referred to the appropriate safeguarding agencies.

Training

Our Designated Safeguarding Officers will take a lead role in upskilling themselves and other staff members in this important area. All staff will complete Prevent training every two years and demonstrate effective CPD to confirm they have a good understand of the signs of radicalisations etc. Raising staff and learner awareness will be promoted using key conversations emails and Friday thoughts, along with updates at staff meetings.

If our staff suspect any activity, they are not happy with they will report this immediately to our Designated Safeguarding Officers and Prevent Leads – Mark Ellis

16. ONLINE SAFETY

Accipio has an Online Safety Policy which recognises that Online Safety is a safeguarding issue not an ICT issue. The purpose of internet use in the academy is to help raise educational standards, promote apprentice achievement, and support the professional work of staff as well as enhance the academy’s management information and business administration.

The internet is an essential element in 21st century life for education, business and social interaction and Accipio has a duty to provide apprentices with quality access as part of their learning experience.

It is the duty of Accipio to ensure that every apprentice in its care is safe and this applies equally to the ‘virtual’ or digital world.

Where to go for additional support

Should you need emergency medical, or Police assistant please call 999.

The Samaritans: Please call 116 123

Childline: Please call 0800 1111

Mental Health Support Networks

Information including taking care of your mental wellbeing and finding support for benefits or housing.

Online hub of practical support and information for people living with or supporting people with mental illness.

Guidance on looking after your mental health, including ways you can support friends and family, guidance for those experiencing xenophobia and racism, and for those with ongoing mental health difficulties.

You can also access a directory of support services with their contact details: 220909 Support Directory May 2022.xlsx (associationofapprentices.org.uk)

Appendix 1: Key Definitions and Concepts

It is generally accepted that there are five main forms of abuse. The following definitions are taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2006) and Safeguarding Children: Working Together under the Children Act 2004.
Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Someone may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family, institutional setting or community setting; by those known to them, or by a stranger. They may be abused by adult/s or another child or children.

1. Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness. An important indicator of abuse is where bruises or injuries are unexplained or the explanation does not fit the injury.

2. Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making a child feel or believe they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may involve serious bullying causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

3. Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

4. Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of a child’s basic emotional needs.

5. Bullying

Bullying may come from another child or an adult. Bullying is defined as - deliberate hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults V3.0 Safeguarding Reference Group September 2015 19

There are four main types of bullying.

  1. Physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, slapping), 

  2. Verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, name-calling, graffiti, threats, abusive text messages, abuse via social media),
  3. Emotional (e.g. tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating, ignoring, isolating from the group), 

  4. Sexual (e.g. unwanted physical contact or abusive comments). 


6. Vulnerable Adults Abuse

  1. A violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons 

  2. Any behavior towards a person that deliberately or unknowingly causes him or her harm, endangers their life or violates their rights. 

  3. Physical, sexual, emotional, financial or through neglect or discrimination. 

  4. Perpetrated by an individual, a group or an organisation 
“No Secrets” DOH 2000 
Financial Abuse, Discriminatory Abuse & Institutional Abuse 

  5. Financial abuse is abuse or misuse of possessions or money. Indicators may be an unusual shortage of money to pay bills, to buy food or to maintain adequate living conditions. 

  6. Discriminatory abuse is harassment or similar discriminatory or derogatory treatment which is racist, sexist or refers to disability. 

  7. Institutional abuse or Practice abuse is neglect due to bad or poor care practice or unsatisfactory professional practice and low standards. 


Appendix 2 – Code of Conduct

We will:

Representatives who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults will always avoid: 


Revision #8
Created 21 August 2023 18:40:40 by Seán Lea
Updated 27 November 2023 16:51:37 by Sascha Benson-Cooper