Safeguarding and Prevent Policy Statement

The Association will use its best endeavours to safeguard learners deemed to be ‘children’ through the implementation of this policy.  Children are learners under 18 years of age taking part in vocational training with the Association.

The Association will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that any Employer placement used is aware of, and complies with the requirements of this Safeguarding policy.

Staff and placement providers will receive guidance and where appropriate, training on child protection issues.  

Safeguarding is prevention from harm or abuse. This applies to all learners but particularly those under the age of age or who are deemed as vulnerable.

Safeguarding stems from a deep commitment to place the learner at the centre of our concerns, and to build around the learner those policies, practices and procedures they need to succeed.  

Further Education colleges and providers of adult, community and work-based learning in England are required by law to secure the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are their learners.

Anyone under the age of 18 is legally defined as a child – this applies when they are in employment and/or education.

Definition of vulnerable adult “impairment in a person's ability to protect themselves from assault, abuse or neglect.”

 

Scope

This policy is provided for all HWGTA staff learners and apprentice employers.

 

Responsibilities

  • Chief Executive
  • Senior Management Team (SMT)
  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
  • Safeguarding Team
  • All staff

 

Supporting documents to the Safeguarding and Prevent Policy:

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • Staff Code of Conduct
  • Staff Handbook
  • Apprentice Code of Conduct
  • Harassment and Bullying policy
  • Safeguarding Procedure and documentation
  • Staff Recruitment Policy

 

HWGTA’s Obligations

As a training provider, we have a legal responsibility to safeguard all learners in our care.  

In order to do this, we will ensure that all employees have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and it is obtained before any appointment is made.   Those already in employment at HWGTA, have had enhanced DBS checks undertaken. 

Part of our commitment to Safeguarding is ensuring that everyone is aware of the organisation’s policies, procedures and systems.   Every allegation that is made, must be taken seriously and the correct action and steps must be taken.

As a Training Provider, we have certain obligations that we must carry out to ensure the safest working environment we can, for both learners and employees. We must make sure that:

  • There is a comprehensive and effective safeguarding policy in place
  • There is a designated person who deals with safeguarding
  • There are effective measures to ensure safer recruitment for staff

 

Staff at HWGTA will all go through formal safeguarding training, and procedures will be in place to ensure that the dissemination of safeguarding information is effective and efficient.

Learners and employers will be signposted to an information booklet on safeguarding.

 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is a member of the Senior Management Team, who will take responsibility for safeguarding in the Company.  The Head of Continuous Improvement, Jo Jones, has overall responsibility for safeguarding and a member of the Board, Michelle Wood, also holds safeguarding accountability.

The other Designated People at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association, who make up the Safeguarding team, are Andrew Lewis, Jo Hopcutt, Scarlet Hopcutt, Sharon Jones and Lee Harper-Edwards. 

 

The Employers’ Obligations

Each employer also has a responsibility to ensure the safeguarding of learners in their employment.   We accept that learners will take part in one-to-one contact when in company and it would be impractical to expect the employer to DBS check every employee that may come into contact with the learners, but we will require an assurance that the employer is committed to safeguarding and keeping apprentices safe. 

If an employer has any concerns and they feel an apprentice might be at risk of harm or abuse (including self-harm), they can report it to any member of HWGTA staff or directly to a Designated Person. If HWGTA has a concern, they will raise the issue with the company representative and agree a course of action.

 

The Learners’ Obligations

Whilst there are not any obligations by law, HWGTA will expect all learners to be vigilant and aware of the signs of potential abuse and report anything they feel is suspicious.   We will expect all learners to report issues related to themselves and also related to their fellow learners.

Learners and employers will receive an information booklet on safeguarding.

 

Update 1st December 2023

 

For a copy of the full policy please speak to a member of staff at HWGTA