Designated Safeguarding Officer: Charlotte Edwardes

Reserve Safeguarding Officer: Claire Stringer

Statement of purpose

Successful Mums Ltd fully recognises its responsibility for the protection of children, young people and adults at risk and aim to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for all learners, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

Staff at Successful Mums Ltd are aware and have explained that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility irrespective of the role they undertake or whether their role has direct contact or responsibility for learners or not. Safeguarding is also a set agenda item at Governance, Team and Standardization meetings.

Scope

The policy applies to all staff at Successful Mums Ltd including contractors.

This is update in relation to the Government and the Department for Education Guidelines due to the Pandemic and updates. Please see Addendum – Covid-19

Objectives of the policy

• To promote an environment that is safe, where staff and learners treat each other with mutual respect and develop good relationships built on trust.
• To raise the awareness of all staff, teaching and non-teaching, of the need to safeguard young people and adults at risk and of their rights and responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse or neglect. It is not the responsibility of Successful Mums Ltd to investigate the abuse. However, the information would be forwarded to the designated Chanel.
• To provide a systematic means of supporting young people and adults at risk, known or thought to be at risk of harm.
• To ensure that appropriate risk assessments are undertaken by Successful Mums Ltd and other managers to ensure that learners are safeguarded.
• To ensure that relevant safeguarding information about a young person or adult at risk is disseminated to appropriate staff within the centre on a ‘need to know’ basis.
• To ensure that partner organisations who support the delivery of our programmes have appropriate safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures in place.
• To involve learners in the decisions on safeguarding concerns and ensure they are shared with relevant agencies (e.g. LADO) when appropriate. Also with parents of children (unless advised against this by the Local Safeguarding Board.)
• To ensure that all staff who have access to young people or adults at risk have been checked for their suitability through safer recruitment procedures.
• To ensure all staff will receive appropriate training over a period of time including an introduction at all staff inductions.
• The Managing Director will be responsible for the implementation of the child and adults at risk protection policy and procedures.

Prevent

Prevent is part of a Government initiative to develop a robust counter terrorism programme, CONTEST. The Prevent strategy seeks to:

• Respond to the ideological challenge of terrorism and aspects of extremism, and the threat we face from those who promote these views.
• Provide practical help to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure they are given appropriate advice and support.
• Work with a wide range of sectors where there are risks of radicalisation which needs to be addressed, including education, criminal justice, faith, charities, the internet and health

Successful Mums Ltd is adhering to these requirements and refers to the following:

• Prevent Action Plan
• Safeguarding Policy and Procedure
• Wellbeing
• Safe learners Policy and Procedure
• Equality and Diversity and Equal Opportunity Policy and Procedure
• Prevent Policy and Procedure
• Near miss log and log of event.

Legislation

This policy has been written to ensure our safeguarding arrangements comply with statutory requirements and current good practice, and pays particular regard to:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education September 2019
• The Children Act 1989
• The Children Act 2004
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Protection of Freedom Act 2012
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015 – Amended February 2017
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2016
• Equality Act 2010
• The General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union and the European Economic Area. It also addresses the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas. May 2018.

Definitions

Safeguarding:
Preventative or precautionary planning and measures against potential harm or damage to someone.

Child Protection:
The policy and procedures in place to protect and/or remove a child from harm or risk of harm.

Abuse:
Any treatment that causes harm. This can include physical, sexual, emotional abuse, and/or neglect.

Child protection issue:
An issue raising a concern about harm or risk of harm to a child or young person.

Child:
A child is defined in law as a person under the age of 18 years.

Adult at risk:
An adult aged 18 and over who is unable to protect themselves from abuse and neglect, due to a care and support need which is permanent or temporary, either met or not met by the local authority.

Young person:
A person aged up to 25 years old.

Staff:
‘Staff’ means all employees, full-time and fractional, and all agency, franchise, contract and volunteer staff working for Successful Mums Ltd.

DSO:
Designated Safeguarding Officer.

LADO:
Local Authority Designated Officer.

Key Safeguarding Principles

• All young people have the right to be safeguarded from harm and exploitation so all complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously.
• The procedures laid out in this document must be followed whenever an allegation is made that a learner has been abused.
• Absolute promises of confidentiality should not be given as the matter may develop in such a way that these might not be able to be honoured.
• If the complaint comes directly from the learner, questions should be kept to the minimum necessary to understand what is being alleged. Leading questions must always be avoided.
• A full record of any discussions must be made immediately after any conversations with the learner and referred to the DSO that same day.
• Successful Mums Ltd have a responsibility to provide a safe environment and minimise risks of harm to young people’s welfare

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019

Successful Mums Ltd are aware of their responsibility to align their safeguarding practices with the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019 and new guidance to be published in September 2020. For a summary, see also Appendix 3. All staff are issued with a copy of the document and confirmation of reading it is kept on file. All new staff that join the organisation will be issued with the document as part of their Induction, alongside the safeguarding policy and mandatory safeguarding training.

Definitions of Abuse

• Physical abuse may take many forms e.g. hitting, shaking or poisoning. It may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health.
• Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment, such as to cause severe and persistent effects on emotional development. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in most types of ill treatment though emotional abuse may occur alone.
• Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing someone to take part in sexual activities. This may include non-contact activities such as looking at, or in the production of pornographic materials, watching sexual activities or encouraging others to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
• Neglect involves the persistent failure to meet someone’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of their health and development. This may involve failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of basic emotional needs.

The Context of Abuse

County lines
Any individual can be exploited, no matter their background. Criminal exploitation is also known as ‘county lines’ and is when gangs and organised crime networks groom and exploit young people and vulnerable adults to sell drugs. Often these individuals are made to travel across counties, and they use dedicated mobile phone ‘lines’ to supply drugs. Young people and vulnerable adults who become involved in county lines are highly likely to be caught up in other safeguarding issues, potentially drugs, criminality, trafficking, modern slavery, sexual exploitation and gangs.
Successful Mums will ensure an emphasis is on prevention and creating positive changes and diversions in a young person’s life, whilst recognising that County Lines requires a multi-agency response. Where it is believed that a young person or vulnerable adult is involved in County Lines, our primary consideration will always be the protection and safety of the individual concerned and the Designated Safeguarding Lead will act immediately in making a safeguarding referral using the local areas agreed pathway process. Concerns and actions will be recorded by the DSL following established company procedures.

Family Circumstances: Domestic Violence
Where there is domestic violence the implications for a learner or for younger children in the household must be considered. People from families with a history of domestic violence often have behavioural difficulties, absenteeism, ill health, bullying, and drug and alcohol misuse.

Drug and alcohol abuse
There is an increased risk of violence in families where this occurs. A young person may have to take on responsibilities for younger children in the family.

Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation.

Forced Marriages
Forced marriage is an entirely separate issue from arranged marriage. Forced marriage is abuse of human rights and falls within the Crown Prosecution Service definition of domestic violence. Young people at risk of a forced marriage are usually experiencing physical and/or emotional abuse at home.

Mental Health Issues
i. Self-harming and suicidal behaviour
ii. Self-harm, suicide threats and gestures by a young person or adult at risk must always be taken seriously and may be indicative of a serious mental or emotional disturbance. The possibility that self-harm, including a serious eating disorder has been caused or triggered by any form or abuse or chronic neglect should not be overlooked

Peer on peer abuse
Peer on Peer abuse occurs when a young person is exploited, bullied and / or harmed by their peers who are the same or similar age; everyone directly involved in peer on peer abuse is under the age of 18. Upskirting is now a form of peer-on-peer abuse.
Abuse by peer group: bullying, racism and abuse
i. Bullying is a common form of deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, when it is difficult for the victims to defend themselves.
ii. It can take many forms, but the three main types are physical (e.g. hitting); verbal (e.g. threats); and emotional (e.g. isolating the individual).
iii. It may involve physical, sexual or emotional abuse including homophobic, sexual, racial or religious harassment, or behaviour which is offensive to those with learning or physical disabilities.
iv. Severe harm may be caused by the abusive and bullying behaviour of their peers. The damage inflicted by bullying is often underestimated and can cause considerable distress. In extreme cases it can cause significant harm, including self-harm.
v. Initiation or hazing type violence occurs in a range of group situations such as gangs, sport teams, schools, military units. The initiation rites can range from relatively benign pranks to protracted patterns of behaviour that rise to the level of abuse or criminal misconduct.
Whilst many of the forms of physical harm will be reduced through social distancing, for some vulnerable learners, they may still be at risk of this. It is likely that there is a risk of peer on peer harm occurring more frequently online. Successful Mums will continue to educate and provide support for learners who may be experiencing peer on peer abuse. Successful Mums recognises that a revised process may be required for managing any report of such abuse and supporting victims. Where a report of peer on peer abuse is received, company policy and principles, will be followed. Successful Mums will listen and work with the person and any multi-agency partner required to ensure their safety and security.

Female Genital Mutilation
i. When a tutor or assessor, in the course of their work, discovers that an act of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18 or there is a risk this might occur the teacher must report this to the police. This is a mandatory reporting duty undersection 5B of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (as inserted by section 74 of the Serious Crime Act 2015). See – Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE 2019): Annex A for further details.
ii. Teachers must personally report to the police cases where they discover that an act of FGM appears to have been carried out. Those failing to report such cases will face disciplinary sanctions. Unless the teacher has a good reason not to, they should still consider and discuss any such case with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and involve children’s social care as appropriate.

Responsibility

Employees, self-employed and volunteers

• All employees are required to familiarise themselves with this policy and procedure and follow this at all times
• If you have concerns about the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult and believe that they may be at risk of, you must share that concern confidentially with a local safeguarding lead immediately
• Any information shared should always be accurate, up to date and shared appropriately and securely with only the person or people who need to know and limited to information relevant for the purpose. If you have any doubts about when to share safeguarding information, discuss the situation with a safeguarding lead
• Everyone must complete their required Safeguarding Awareness and Prevent Training to help increase their knowledge of safeguarding and prevent issues
• Everyone working in a regulated activity must read and familiarise themselves with the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2019)
• If you feel that you could benefit from further training on safeguarding or child protection, then please contact your Safeguarding Lead

Line Managers

• Support and encourage the completion of required Safeguarding Awareness and Prevent Training
• Ensure all direct reports working in a regulated activity have read and familiarised themselves with Part 1 of the statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2019)
• Adopt Successful Mums Ltd’s culture of vigilance and lead by example
  Senior Management Team
• Led by Managing Director Jane Knight, the Senior Management Team are responsible for understanding the nature of the threat and the risks of extremism and radicalisation within Successful Mums Ltd
• They will ensure that Successful Mums Ltd effectively manage risks and is able to deal appropriately with issues of radicalisation and extremism by:
  • creating an ethos which upholds core values of shared responsibility and wellbeing for all, while promoting respect, equality and diversity and understanding
  • adopting stringent and transparent safeguarding/prevent duty practices which recognise, support and protect individuals who might be susceptible to radicalisation
  • sharing information about safeguarding/prevent duty and good practice with other key stakeholders and external agencies
  • providing training opportunities for staff and volunteers to enable them to continually update their safeguarding and prevent knowledge
    o sharing information and concerns with agencies who need to know and ensuring we involve learners, parents, staff and others in an appropriate way
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training
  • ensuring plans are in place to minimise the potential for acts of violent extremism.

Designated Safeguarding / Prevent Lead

• The designated lead is the single point of contact for Safeguarding and Prevent, to support the Senior Management Team to fulfil their responsibilities and to ensure that:
  • this policy is implemented across the organisation
  • any concerns are shared with the relevant organisations in order to minimise the risk of people becoming involved in terrorism
  • appropriate training is in place that is relevant and regularly reviewed and updated
  • develop and work with partners and support networks to ensure up to date information and resources are received, acted on and cascaded
  • practices are reported on for the Senior Management Team and the Board of Trustees on a quarterly basis
  • reviews the implementation and effectiveness of the policy on an annual basis
  • Take lead responsibility for managing child protection issues and cases in their centre, operation or team.
  • Provide advice and support to other staff, making referrals to and liaising with external parties as necessary, such as the local authority and other agencies, like the DBS or Police.
  • Be familiar with the guidelines and referral procedures of local agencies such as Bromley Safeguarding Adults Board (BSAB), Bromley Safeguarding Children Partnership (BSCP) as well as those of other agencies in our delivery areas
  • Ensure that appropriate information is available at the time of a referral and that the referral is confirmed in writing, under confidential cover as quickly as possible (e.g. within a working day).
  • Liaise with the local designated officer over safeguarding issues and in all cases where allegations relate to an employee or member of staff.
  • Keep the Safeguarding & Prevent Risk Register updated at all times with all concerns, no matter how major or minor the concern
  • Deal with the aftermath of an incident in the organisation.
  • Attend regular training and networking events relating to safeguarding issues.
  • Ensure the effective and consistent communication and embedding of safeguarding policies within their operation/team.
  • Ensure that learners/service users and their parents/guardians/carers know where to go if they need support or have concerns about the behaviour of an employee, contractor or volunteer.
  • Provide regular briefings and updates at staff meetings to ensure that all staff are kept up to date and regularly reminded of their responsibilities.
  • Have an awareness of vulnerable service users within their operation.
  • Ensure that all staff know how to raise concerns about people who are vulnerable or at risk of abuse and neglect.
  • Ensure that all staff know how to assess the risk of children being drawn into terrorism and understand how to identify individual children who may be at risk of radicalisation and what to do to support them.

HR Department

• The HR department monitors and records the DBS process for employees, casuals, volunteers and self-employed contractors
• The HR department also ensures that Safeguarding and Prevent training is provided and completion is monitored
• The HR department provides advice and guidance to managers on safeguarding issues in relation to recruitment, employees and volunteers

Training and Learning Staff

• Teaching and learning staff will be involved in the delivery of a learning and apprenticeship curriculum which promotes knowledge, skills and understanding to build the resilience of learners, promote British values and enable them to challenge extremist views. This will include:
  • embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, wellbeing and community cohesion
  • promoting wider skill development such as social and emotional aspects of learning and the strengthening of critical thinking skills
  • recognising local needs, challenging extremist narratives, stereotypes and anti-social behaviour and by promoting universal rights
  • encouraging active citizenship and participation
  • promoting values of openness and respect and facilitating opportunities to contribute, challenge and debate
  • responding appropriately to events in local, national or international news that may impact on learners and communities making sure that learners are supported and listened to and are helped to access support internally and/ or through community partner.

Safer Recruitment Procedures

Successful Mums Ltd takes appropriate measures to ensure the appointment of new staff is in line with a safer recruitment practice which includes; scrutinising applicants, verifying identity and qualifications, obtaining professional and character references, checking previous employment history and ensuring they have the health and physical capacity for the job. Successful Mums Ltd must ensure that they have the relevant DBS checks in place for all front-line trainers and personnel who come into contact with young adults under the age of 18. Successful Mums Ltd will see evidence of these checks as part of the safer recruitment process.

A designated member of Successful Mums Ltd involved with the recruitment of staff will undergo specific training on the safer recruitment procedures.

All new staff will be inducted into the company which will include a briefing on safeguarding procedures. Training on safeguarding current practice must be completed within 2 weeks of starting with the organisation and must be updated every 2 years. A central record of this training will monitor compliance with this.

Promoting Safeguarding and the Welfare of Learners

The safeguarding agenda involves the protection of children and adults at risk but also requires providers to promote and encourage the welfare of learners as a preventative measure to harm. This is achieved at Successful Mums Ltd by:

• A culture of vigilance that is taken seriously by senior managers and included within meeting agendas
• Safeguarding training is included within staff and learner inductions and reinforced in both handbooks
• Embed into the curriculum including relevant focus topics such as; online safety, lone working, self-care and stress management, fraudulent activity and scams, harassment at work, the prevent agenda and health and safety.
• Embed into the curriculum the promotion of equality and diversity and British Values to reinforce the acceptance of a diverse community and following the expectations of a British citizen.

Successful Mums will continue to promote the wellbeing and uplifting of our learners in areas of Health, mental wellbeing, good sleep patterns, finance and diet. This is an area where staff take time to explore during group discussion such as acceptable and inacceptable behaviours which would give concern such as mental or physical pressures, with opportunities also provided for learners to talk about issues of concern on a one to one basis. Examples may include Female Genital Mutilation, Control of Finance and domestic violence be this male or female.

Use of External Agencies and Speakers

At Successful Mums Ltd we encourage the use of external agencies or speakers to enrich the experiences of our learners; however, we will positively vet those external agencies, individuals or speakers who we engage to provide such learning opportunities or experiences for our learners1

Such vetting is to ensure that we do not unwittingly use agencies that contradict each other with their messages or that are inconsistent with, or are in compete opposition to, our values and ethos. Successful Mums Ltd will assess the suitability and effectiveness of input from external agencies or individuals to ensure that:

• Any messages communicated to learners are consistent with the ethos of the Company and do not marginalise any communities, groups or individuals
• Any messages do not seek to glorify criminal activity or violent extremism or seek to radicalise learners through extreme or narrow views of faith, religion or culture or other ideologies
• Activities are matched to the needs of learners
• Activities are carefully evaluated by Successful Mums Ltd to ensure that they are effective

We recognise, however, that the ethos of our Company and learning is to encourage learners to understand opposing views and ideologies, appropriate to their age, understanding and abilities, and to be able to actively engage with them in informed debate, and we may use external agencies or speakers to facilitate and support this. Therefore by delivering a broad and balanced tutorial programme, augmented by the use of external sources where appropriate, we will strive to ensure our learners recognise risk and build resilience to manage any such risk themselves where appropriate to their age and ability but also to help learners develop the critical thinking skills needed to engage in informed debate.

Confidentiality and storage of safeguarding reports

All staff must maintain confidentiality about safeguarding cases and are shared internally on a need to know basis. Learners must be informed that any disclosures or concerns that are raised cannot be kept secret and may have to be referred to the designated safeguarding officer and external agencies. The safeguarding report (must be completed fully and accurately, using word for word information wherever possible. This must be saved using a password protection and emailed within the same day to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. The DSO will keep a central record of all safeguarding reports that are in a lockable cabinet or restricted access online folder that complies with GDPR. Active cases will be regularly reviewed and updated as necessary for each individual circumstance and closed cases will be signed off by the DSO and archived.

Whistle Blowing

Whistle blowing protects all staff, contractors and learners from fear of victimisation or discrimination when raising serious concerns. It is intended to enable a safe environment to encourage discussions rather than allowing these to be overlooked or discussed externally. Anyone who raises a genuine concern will have significant legal protection under the Employment Rights Act 1996 – Part IVA, Part V and Part X and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. The concern should be raised with the Managing Director who will conduct any internal investigations in line with the organisation’s procedures.

Managing allegations against staff

Any suspicion, allegation, or actual abuse of a learner by a member of staff must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible and in any case that same day of the initial concern arising. The member of staff raising the concern should follow the standard safeguarding process and complete the report form.

The Designated Safeguarding Officer shall:

• Take such steps, as they consider necessary to ensure the safety of the learner in question and any other person who is considered at risk.
• Immediately notify the Managing Director who will follow procedures to inform the member of staff that they may be suspended on full pay pending an investigation. The length of any suspension will be in line with organisational policies and will be as short as possible while ensuring the safety of the learner.
• Report the matter to the Local Authority Safeguarding Board and if necessary, the DBS.
• Any investigation relating to a member of staff will follow organisational procedure
• Once the outcome is determined the Managing Director will take action in line with its disciplinary policies if necessary.

Lone Working

Successful Mums Ltd recognises it has a responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of all workers including contractors and those who are self-employed. The specific risks involved with lone working are assessed in consultation with employees and recorded in an annual risk assessment. Actions to reduce and control the risks will include as a minimum:

• Managers at Successful Mums Ltd use a system that clearly identifies where are all employees are located on each day, contact details, times of sessions, list of learners in the group
• Employees are accompanied to any new venues on the first day of delivery by another member of Successful Mums Ltd
• The venue is aware of the employee’s visit, number of learners expected and have contact details of managers at Successful Mums Ltd
• The employee and on duty designated safeguarding officer have each other’s contact details
• The employee is aware of the domestic and health and safety arrangements at the venue
• High risk learners are assessed, and team teaching/coaching is considered
• Vulnerable employees such as those with disabilities, medical conditions, pregnancy or English as a second language will require further measures put in place
• The staff induction and handbook include expectations and procedures for lone workers
• Managers at Successful Mums Ltd will periodically monitor lone workers through visits, observations and other contact via phone, text and email.

Complaints

If staff or learners have a complaint about this safeguarding policy, they should refer to the organisation’s complaints policy.
If a member of staff or learner feels the organisation or other external agencies are not handling a safeguarding concern appropriately, they should contact the Local Authority Safeguarding Board.

Managing information

Information will be gathered, recorded and stored in accordance with the following policies:

• GDPR / Data Protection Policy
• Confidentiality Policy

All staff must be aware that they have a professional duty to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. The public interest in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults may override confidentiality interests. However, information will be shared on a need to know basis only, as judged by the designated senior manager.

All staff must be aware that they cannot promise service users or their families/ carers that they will keep secrets.

Monitoring and Review of the Policy

Successful Mums Ltd will review its policies and procedures to ensure that they comply with the relevant legislation. The Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually and updated in line with legal or statutory requirements or to remedy any deficiencies or weakness in regard to child and adults at risk protection arrangements that are identified without delay.

Protection and Safeguarding Policy Addendum: COVID-19

Reviewed: August 2020

This addendum of Successful Mums Safeguarding Policy contains details of our individual safeguarding arrangements during the Covid-19 pandemic. Unless stated in the addendum, all other details, processes and procedures of the existing Safeguarding Policy remain as current.

Successful Mums Ltd will continue to follow guidance such as Coronavirus (COVID-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers (under review), update our risk assessment and other health and safety advice for learners and staff in light of recent government advice, identifying protective measures and also ensure that all health and safety compliance checks have been undertaken e.g. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-implementing-protective-measures-in-education-and-childcare-settings

We will review and update all management, operational and delivery processes in light of Government guidelines, including information for further education (FE) providers on maintaining education and skills training, changes to funding arrangements, data collections and assessment https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision/maintaining-education-and-skills-training-provision-further-education-providers (May 29 2020) and also guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers, end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) and external quality assurance providers about changes to apprenticeships due to coronavirus (COVID-19) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-apprentices-employers-training-providers-end-point-assessment-organisations-and-external-quality-assurance-pro(2 June 2020)

ESFA information updates, notifications and websites will be checked on a daily basis.

1. Designated Safeguarding Lead (and deputies)

The Designated Safeguarding Lead Charlotte Edwardes is contactable via 020 8629 8771 or

The Reserve Safeguarding Officer is Claire Stringer, who can be contacted via 0203 633 9672 or

2. DfE coronavirus helpline

The Department for Education COVID-19 helpline is available to answer questions. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Email: Telephone: 0800 046 8687
(Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and weekends 10am to 4pm.)

3. Core safeguarding principles

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and adults at risk continues to be of paramount importance during the COVID-19 period. We will still have regard to the statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education and the new update effective from 1 September 2020. For a summary, see also Appendix 3.

4. Our Commitment During COVID 19

Successful Mums commitment to safeguarding includes:

• ensuring all staff, visitors and volunteers in understand their responsibility to safeguard learners, particularly in this crisis where revised procedures may be in operation
• having in place relevant safeguarding arrangements which are designed to take account of all possible safeguarding issues and any unusual or unforeseen concerns which could be raised during the COVID 19 situation and learners returning to the centre
• reflecting that staff may identify new safeguarding concerns about individual learners as they see them in person following partial school closures:
• ensuring all safeguarding concerns are investigated and acted upon, and an immediate risk assessment is undertaken to keep learners safe
• continuing to adhere to safe recruitment practices
• having appropriate arrangements in place to ensure we continue to work closely with other agencies and share information with other professionals in line with statutory requirements, whilst adhering to government guidance on social distancing and safe working
• having a culture in our academy of listening to learners and taking account of their wishes and feelings by keeping regular, appropriate contact with learners through our systems of communication
• providing appropriate support for staff
• maintaining clear policies for dealing with allegations against people who work with young people and vulnerable adults
• maintaining clear whistleblowing procedures
• fulfilling all statutory responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners
• ensuring that there is a qualified first aider on site and the appropriate ratio levels are fulfilled with regards to first aid.

5. Reporting a concern

Where staff have a concern about a young person or vulnerable adult, they should continue to follow the process outlined in the company Safeguarding Policy, this includes making a report, which can be done remotely.

In the unlikely event that a member of staff cannot access the staff portal from home, they should email the Designated Safeguarding Lead, or Reserve Safeguarding Officer. This will ensure that the concern is received.
Staff are reminded of the need to report any concern immediately and without delay.

Where staff are concerned about an adult working with young people and vulnerable adults in the company, they should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Managing Director.

6. Online safety

Successful Mums will continue to provide a safe environment, including online. This includes the use of an online filtering and monitoring systems.

Recently published guidance from the UK Safer Internet Centre on safe remote learning and from the London Grid for Learning on the use of videos and livestreaming , can help plan online lessons and/or activities safely. Staff will take into account these steps when considering virtual learning. The starting point for online teaching will be that the same principles as set out in the company’s staff code of conduct. This policy includes acceptable use of technologies, staff / learner relationships and communication including the use of social media. The policy will apply equally to any existing or new online and distance learning arrangements which are introduced. Where it might be appropriate for Successful Mums to consider developing the use of further online learning tools and systems, this will be in line with privacy and data protection/GDPR requirements and clear guidelines will be issued to staff and learners.

It is important that all staff who interact with young people and vulnerable adults, including online, continue to look out for signs that they may be at risk, and this will also include monitoring attendance. Any such concerns will be dealt with as per the Safeguarding Policy and where appropriate referrals should still be made, including as required, the police.

The following will be considered when delivering remote virtual lessons, especially where webcams are involved:

• Staff must only use approved platforms specified by SMT to communicate with learners.
• Staff and learners must wear suitable clothing, as should anyone else in the household.
• Any computers used should be in appropriate areas, for example, not in bedrooms
• Learners should agree to an online code of conduct which should include agreement on
• Do not share any video images, take screenshots or photos of the video screen
• Do not record the session without prior permission
• Check what is behind you on the wall to make sure you are not sharing personal information
• Respect the privacy of others and be polite and respectful to the tutor and other learners
• Be patient if the technology doesn’t always work
• Be punctual to any live session
• Keep your microphone on ‘mute’ unless you want to say something
• Language must be professional and appropriate, including any family members in the background.
• Staff must only use company issued accounts such as email, ZOOM and Teams and must ensure they are using the appropriate privacy settings for that tool
• Online sessions should be by appointment only, arranged via Outlook email
• Learners must consent to any recordings, visual or audio, and must be stored on the company network.
• Learners can choose to turn off their cameras if they don’t consent to a visual recording
• If you are accessing learners’ contact details from home, you must comply with the GDPR Act. All contact details must be safely stored and not shared with anyone else. Ideally, any learner personal data should be accessed by secure remote access to management information systems rather than copying information on storage media, portable or mobile devices.
• Make sure that neither you nor your learners share personal details or contact information whilst online delivery is taking place.
• Be careful when providing personal support to learners online. In the Covid-19 crisis, learners may be more vulnerable, but you need to take care that they don’t become emotionally reliant on you. This is for your own welfare and also for safeguarding reasons. This also applies to your language – be aware that banter or terms of affection used in the classroom can be misinterpreted online.
• Personal computers should have up-to-date virus protection and firewalls. There are some good free ones such as AVG and Avast.
• Educational, pastoral or disciplinary concerns should continue to be recorded and/or passed to the Managing Director.

7. Supporting young people and vulnerable adults not in centre

Successful Mums is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all its learners. The company will share safeguarding messages on its website and social media pages and via email to learners, including support with mental health. We will advise learners of external resources available to support safeguarding of young people, including:

• SafeCall which offers support to victims of exploitation – young people can contact SafeCall directly or can be referred to SafeCall by professionals
• the See, Hear, Respond service provided by Barnardo’s to help young people in England who are experiencing harm and increased adversity during lockdown
  Mental Health

Other resources include:

• MindEd, which includes e-learning modules about young people’s mental health
• the Every Mind Matters platform which has specific advice for adults and young people on maintaining good mental wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
• the Association of College’s (AoC)  coronavirus (COVID-19) resource hub, which includes advice for learners and staff
• the Education and Training Foundation’s mental health and emotional wellbeing advice for FE staff
• Education Support provide mental health and wellbeing support services to all education staff
• free apps available on the  NHS App Store for mental health and wellbeing support

Whilst already a key component of learner induction, we will make sure learners still understand how to report any concerns they have to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, as well as signpost them to other sources of support.

8. Resources and reference sources

The  UK Council for Internet Safety provides information to help governing bodies and proprietors assure themselves that any new arrangements continue to effectively safeguard children online.

Internet Matters vulnerable children in a digital world-report may help DSLs understand more about the potential increased risks some groups can face online.

The  NSPCC Learning website  provides useful support and training opportunities for professionals.

Guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre on which video conference service is right for you and using video conferencing services securely can help set up video conferencing safely, if you choose to use it.

UK Safer Internet Centre – to report and remove harmful online content and detailed advice for real time online teaching
The London Grid for Learning safeguarding advice includes platform specific advice.

Government advice and resources from Educate Against Hate on safeguarding from radicalisation, building resilience to extremism, and promoting shared values

Advice on reporting online abuse from the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection command

9. Staffing

All existing company staff have had safeguarding training and have read both statutory guidance as well as Government guidelines. The DSL (and deputy) will do what they reasonably can to keep up to date with safeguarding developments, such as via safeguarding partners, newsletters and professional advice groups.

The DSL will communicate with staff any new local arrangements, so they know what to do if they are worried about a young person or vulnerable adult. Where new staff are recruited, they continue to be provided with a safeguarding induction.

10. Concerns about a staff member or volunteer

Successful Mums will continue to follow the principles set out in part 4 of Keeping Children Safe in Education and the procedures in our Safeguarding Policy. Staff should continue to act on any concerns they have immediately, whether those concerns are about staff/volunteers working on site or remotely. Staff act on these concerns by contacting the Managing Director, not the DSL or any other member of staff. If investigations need to be carried out during this time, they will be carried out as far as possible on the advice of the LADO and other appropriate agencies. Successful mums will continue to refer adults who have harmed or pose a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

11. Personal data and  GDPR

Successful Mums will follow ICO guidance for managing personal data and will consider:

• taking care not to share contact details when emailing multiple people
• being careful when sharing usernames and other personal data for access to online resources
• providing access to company learning and data systems safely

12. Review

Successful Mums will regularly review and update existing policies to reflect changes to local and national guidance and legislation. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will inform all staff of any amendments or best practice updates and be responsible for co-ordinating safeguarding on site.

Appendix 1

APPROVAL OF AN EXTERNAL SPEAKER: Application Form

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

STATUTORY GUIDANCE

Keeping children safe in education

Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020 was published at 12pm on the 17th June 2020 for implementation on 1st September – until this point KCSiE 2019 remains in force. Keeping Children Safe in Education runs alongside the non-statutory interim guidance on safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers during the coronavirus outbreak (which hadn’t been updated at the time of writing).

In Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020 the DfE comment:
“We have made changes in three circumstances. Firstly, where legislation has required it e.g. reflecting mandatory Relationship Education, Relationship and Sex Education and Health Education from September 2020. Secondly, where we have helpful additional information that will support schools and colleges protect their children e.g. mental health, domestic abuse, child criminal and sexual exploitation and county lines. Finally, important clarifications which will help the sector better understand and/or follow our guidance.”

The full document can be downloaded at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education–2

The Safeguarding Network has published a summary of changes

Summary of key changes

Key changes in part 1:

• The proposal in the draft for some staff to have a shortened read of the guidance has been dropped – the same requirements as 2019 apply (Part 1 and Annex A).
• There is rewording of the guidance (para 21) around extra-familial harm, removing the links to contextual safeguarding but emphasising that “children may be vulnerable to multiple harms including (but not limited to) sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, and serious youth violence.” Para 28 goes on to add emphasis on Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation.
• Children’s mental health is added to the guidance, ensuring that staff should consider when this might become a safeguarding concern.
• Concerns about staff are widened to include supply staff, reflecting changes in Part 4 that schools hold a responsibility to fully explore concerns about supply staff.
• Where a head teacher is also the sole proprietor of an independent school it is now mandatory to report to the LADO.

Part 2:

• There is a link to the National Police Chief’s Council guidance on when to call the police to ensure calls are appropriate and timely.
• The guidance refers to the Relationships Education, Relationships & Sex Education and Health education guidance and the safeguarding implications of this. We’ve a separate page on this important area.
• The emphasis has shifted from simply “allegations” to thinking about “safeguarding concerns and allegations”. Settings should have an approach that recognises concerns tend to grow and may be apparent before someone makes an allegation.
• The particular vulnerability of children who have a social worker is recognised. This relates to the research on “What Works in Education for Children who have social workers“.
• Findings from the Children in Need review, ‘Improving the educational outcomes of Children in Need of help and protection’ contains further information; the conclusion of the review, ‘Help, protection, education’ sets out action Government is taking to support this.
• The guidance notes (para 113) “Schools and colleges have an important role to play in supporting the mental health and well being of their pupils” and asks that settings have in place clear systems and processes to identify these needs, and to consider when they become a safeguarding concern. DSLs may wish to familiarise themselves with the guidance on Mental health & behaviour in schools, particularly Chapter 4 which talks about developing local partnerships and ensure they know how to access training for themselves and staff in their local area. The DfE highlight funding for a significant programme to train senior mental health leads and the roll out of the Link Programme.
• Much was removed from the draft 2020 guidance as the DfE recognise the immense pressures on schools in the summer of 2020. The changes had been informed by the Review of children in need last summer and no doubt will be coming on the horizon once life settles down. It is worth referring to the original draft 2020 guidance (February 2020) to see what is coming. More information can be found in the mental health and behaviour in schools guidance.

Part 3

• The only change in this section is the reference to statutory guidance on private fostering.

Part 4

• The responsibility to manage allegations about supply teachers is made clear, so they still ensure allegations are dealt with appropriately when they are not the employer. Schools cannot simply cease to use this teacher. Processes should be developed to manage this akin to the disciplinary procedure and the school should advise supply agencies of its process for managing allegations.
• A fourth bullet point has been added to the criteria for the LADO so schools must work with other agencies to investigate when who has worked at the school has “behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children“.

Annex A

• The potential for children to be exploited when missing education is emphasised. Staff need to be aware of your unauthorised absence and children missing from education procedures.
• Child criminal exploitation is defined and included, together with some of the indicators. Child sexual exploitation is very much seen through the lens of child criminal exploitation. A link is added to Child sexual exploitation: guide for practitioners.
• The wording around County Lines has been revised and improved.
• Wording around domestic abuse has been revised and improved. There is reference to Operation Encompass and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline with other references to the NSPCC, Refuge and SafeLives also added.
• Honour-based violence is better termed Honour-based abuse.
• A definition of terrorism has been added, a sentence amended to clarify radicalisation and a link made to the Channel guidance. There is a link to the Prevent elearning and additional guidance.
• Peer on peer abuse is amended to Peer on peer / child on child abuse, recognising that sometimes this abuse is not between peers.
• The Voyeurism (Offences) Act came into force on 12 April 2019 and so has now been referenced in the definition of ‘upskirting’.

Annex B

• DSLs should work closely with senior mental health leads.
• The order of wording around “Training should provide designated safeguarding leads with a good understanding of their own role, and the processes, procedures and responsibilities of other agencies, particularly children’s social care” has been corrected – it had slipped under a paragraph referring to ‘informal training’, so it is now clear your training needs to be up to the mark! We’ll be looking to run some skills sessions later in the year – join the Safeguarding Bulletin (below) for more information when these are ready.
• DSLs should help promote educational outcomes by working closely with their teachers and sharing information about their welfare, safeguarding and child protection concerns. We will be writing more on this area soon – it is good news and long overdue.
• The transfer of child protection files rules apply to in-year transfers.
• One other crucial area dropped from the draft guidance is Safeguarding Supervision for DSLs. Supervision, however, is still a requirement in the inspection framework and in Working Together so schools should look to implement this. Read our page on Safeguarding Supervision for more.

Annex C

• The section on online safety has been improved and links added.

There were no changes to the other sections.

https://safeguarding.network/keeping-children-safe-education/#summary

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-send-risk-assessment-guidance