Safeguarding Policy

1. AimofPolicy

TheaimofthispolicyistoensurethesafeguardingofourlearnersandstaffofThinkEmployment Ltd (hereinafter the Company) by outlining clear procedures and ensuring that all staff, stakeholders, visitors and learners are clear about their responsibilities. This Policy document usesthewordsabuse,responsibilityandthreatens.

‘Abuse’ iswhen someone does something to you, that makes you feel bad or hurts you.

‘Responsibility’ means something you need to do.

‘Threatens’ means when someone makes you feel like they are going to hurt or abuse you.

Inoursafeguardingapproachwewillfocuson:

∙ Risk assessment, risk management and the implementation of safeguarding & Prevent systems

∙ Recruitment,selectionandemploymentprocedures

∙ Dealingwithallegations,suspicionsofabuseandradicalisationeffectivelyandsensitively

∙ Training,implementationandthesupportofsafeguarding&Preventpractices,policiesand procedures

∙ Evaluation,timelyrevisionandaction

WevaluethesixprinciplesofAdultSafeguarding:

Sothat:

∙

Everyone has a right to work/learn in an environment that has taken and will take all possiblestepstomaintainasafeenvironment. Everyone has a responsibility to contribute to ensuring we provide a safe work/learning environment

∙ Wheresomeoneisorisatriskofharm,wemusttakestepstoensureanypersonatriskof harmisremovedfromimmediatedanger.

2. Whatisabuse?

Abuseisaviolationofanindividual’shumanandcivilrightsbyanyotherpersonorpersons.Itcan takeanumberofforms:

a) Physical abuse e.g. hitting, pushing, shaking, inappropriate restraint, force-feeding, forcibleadministrationofmedication,neglectorabandonment

b) Sexual abuse e.g. involvement in any sexual activity against his/her will, exposure to pornography,voyeurismandexhibitionism

c) Emotional/psychologicalabusee.g.intimidationorhumiliation

d) Financial or Material abuse e.g.theftorexertingimproperpressuretosignovermoney

frompensionsorsavingsetc.

e) Neglectoractsofomissione.g.beingleftinwetorsoiledclothing,ormalnutrition

f) Discriminatoryabusee.g.racial,sexualorreligiousharassment

g) Personalexploitation–involvesdenyinganindividual’rightsorforcinghim/hertoperform tasksthatareagainsthis/herwill

h) Violationofrightse.g.preventinganindividualspeakinghis/herthoughtsandopinions

i) Institutional abusee.g.failuretoprovideachoiceofmealsorfailuretoensureprivacyor dignity

3. Definitionofanadultatrisk(vulnerableadult)accordingtotheCareAct2014

Anadultatriskisapersonaged18oroverwho:

∙

islivinginresidentialaccommodation,suchasacarehomeoraresidentialspecialschool;

∙ islivinginshelteredhousing;

∙ isreceivingdomiciliarycareinhisorherownhome; is receiving any form of health care; is detained in a prison,remandcentre,youngoffender institution, securetrainingcentreorattendancecentreorunderthepowersoftheImmigration andAsylumAct1999;

∙ isincontactwithprobationservices;

∙ isreceivingawelfareserviceofadescriptiontobeprescribedinregulations;

∙ isreceivingaserviceorparticipatinginanactivitywhichisspecificallytargetedatpeoplewith age-relatedneeds,disabilitiesorprescribedphysicalormentalhealthconditionsorexpectant ornursingmotherslivinginresidentialcare(age-relatedneedsincludesneedsassociatedwith frailty,illness,disabilityormentalcapacity);

isreceivingdirectpaymentsfromalocalauthority/HSSbodyinlieuofsocialcareservices

requiresassistanceintheconductofhisorherownaffairs.

∙

∙

Personaldignity(includingthetreatmentoftheindividualwithrespect)

Protectionfromabuseorneglect

∙

∙

Professionalandpersonalrelationshipsincludingfamily

Socialandeconomicwellbeing

Theindividual’scontributiontosociety

Participationineducation,trainingandwork

The characteristics ofadultabusecantakeanumberofformsandcausevictimstosufferpain, fearanddistressreachingwellbeyondthetimeoftheactualincident(s).Victimsmaybetooafraid orembarrassedtoraiseanycomplaint.Theymaybereluctanttodiscusstheirconcernswithother peopleorunsurewhototrustorapproachwiththeirworries.

There may be some situations where victims are unaware that they are being abused orhave difficultyincommunicatingthisinformationtoothers.

4. Otherareasofconcern

4.1Preventduty

TheCounter-TerrorismandSecurityAct2015(section21)andtheincreasedawarenesssincethe government’s published Prevent Strategy in 2010, has seen a heightened awareness of the specific need to safeguard vulnerable adults from radicalisation and violent extremism. We are committed to safeguarding any communication that would promote extremism in any form, including,butnotrestrictedto:

∙ Islamistideology

∙

Farright/NeoNazi/WhiteSupremacistideology

Extremistanimalrightmovementsetc

WesupporttheaimtoreduceandpreventviolentextremismthroughourSafeguardingpolicyand procedures, to provide staff training to be aware of the signs or indicatorsofradicalisationand havetheconfidencetoreporttheirconcernstotheirlinemanagerorSafeguardingOfficer.

Allsafeguardingconcernswithregardstoradicalisationandextremistviewsshouldberecordedin writing using Appendix 1 to theSafeguardingteam,whowillliaisewiththeagreedreferraland Channelprocess.

Promotion of Prevent is conducted through teaching, learning and promotional activities to reinforce our commitment to British Values; Equality, Diversity andInclusion;andSafeguarding. Learnersareencouragedtochallengeextremistviewswithinfocusgroupsandthemedactivities whilstprovidingasafeenvironmenttodoso.

The Company will not allow the promotion of particular political views in the teaching of any subject but will promote a balanced political viewpoint as farasisreasonablypracticable. The Companyhasinplaceapolicyandprocesstoassesstheriskagainstpromotingextremistviews inordertosafeguardindividualsfrombeingdrawnintoterrorism.

4.2Offenders

We recognise that attimeswehaveoffendersdoingsometraining/learningwithusandmaybe eligibleforthemulti-agencypublicprotectionarrangements(MAPPA).MAPPA’sarrangementsare about managing the risk posed by themostserioussexualandviolentoffenders.Theagencies involved in assessing the risks are the Police, Probation and Prison Services, as well as,

dependingonthecase,SocialServices,Trusts,JobcentrePlusandEducationAuthoritiesamong others.

Should we have any MAPPA-eligible offenders coming to our centre, the relevantagencieswill contactustoinformusoftheriskassessmentpriortotheirvisit.Theyshouldbeincontactwiththe safeguarding team (section 8) However, should they mistakenly contact any othermembersof staff,theyshouldberedirectedtothesafeguardingteam.Thesafeguardingteamwillthenassess ifwehaveadequatesupporttoaccommodatetheMAPPA-eligibleoffender Iftheyfeelthatweare abletosatisfythearrangementsasdescribedbytheagenciesinchargeoftheoffender,theywill discussthemwiththeappropriatestaff,andonaconfidentialbasis,andwillkeeparecord.One memberofstaffwillthenbeallocatedtotheoffender,butthismemberofstaffwillbesupportedby thesafeguardingteam.

4.3Remotelearningandonlineassessment

Allourlearnersdotheircoursesremotely Safeguardingthemhasitsownchallengescomparedto onsitelearning.Althoughlearnersarenotphysicallypresent,westillhaveadutyofcareandwe need to be vigilantwithpotentialsafeguardingissues,includingmentalhealthissues.Thereare somemethodswecanusetoevaluatethelearner’ssituation:

∙ Howwelldothelearnersprogressthroughtheironlinecourses?Learnersaccessingtheir courses regularly are less likely to pose a concern comparedtothoseaccessingitmore erraticallyorsuddenlystopping.Ifthereislittleornoprogression,thelearnersneedtobe contactedbyphonefirst–emailifnoresponse.Theonlinecoursehasafacilitytocreate reportstoidentifyprogression.

∙ Reviews are good to ascertain how the learners are doing and if they have any issues. Learnersshouldhaveareviewevery4weeksasaminimum.

Are there any concerning signs when learners submit their work? Some qualifications require the completion of assignments and the type of information provided in the assignments could give some clues as to how the learners feel or clues about potential radicalisation.

∙ Online tutorials or equivalent (through an online platform such as Zoom) also give an opportunitytohaveadiscussionwiththelearnersandtochecktheirvisualaspectifusinga webcam.Learnersshouldbeencouragedtousetheirwebcams.

∙ Learners may also use the “support request” section of the online session log to flag safeguardingissues.Anysupportrequestnotificationsmustbechecked.

∙ A phone discussion with the learners is also a good indication of the learner’s current mentalstateorsituation–payingparticularattentiontothetoneused,forexample. Doemailslearnerssendraisesafeguardingconcerns?

2. Recognisethatsomelearnersbyvirtueoftheirage,disabilityorillnessmaybevulnerable to,beexperiencing,orhaveexperiencedabuse.

3. Passonconcernsorallegationsofabusepromptlytotheappropriateagency.

4. Not knowingly employ any person who has a conviction for the abuse of a child or a vulnerableadultandwillcarryoutrelevantchecks. Wheresuchchecksrevealanyformof criminalconviction,thiswillbereviewedbytheManagingDirectorandwiththeemployeeif necessary,takingintoaccountthenatureoftheconviction,lengthoftimesinceitoccurred, employmenthistoryandanyotherrelevantfactors.

5. Provideanopenandwellpublicisedcomplaintsproceduresothatlearners/volunteers/staff canvoiceconcernsaboutunacceptableand/orabusivebehaviourtowardsthemorothers.

6. Reservetherighttorefusetoenrolanypersonwhohasaconvictionfortheabuseofachild oravulnerableadult.

7. Promptlyactuponandreportanyallegationofabusethatmaybemadeagainstamember ofstaff/volunteer.

8. Alwaysacttoprotectitslearnersandemployees/volunteersfromabuseorexploitation.

9. Workwiththeappropriatereferralandsupportagencies.

10.Publicise this policy widely and will provide all staff with adequate training in how to implementit.

6. RolesandResponsibilities

6.1SeniorManagementwillensurethat:

∙

The Company has a safeguarding policy and proceduresinplace,whichreflectthelocal safeguarding board standards and recommendations and is made available to staff, learners,awardingbodiesandfunders.

All staff undertake relevant safeguardingtraining/development relevanttotheirroleonan annualbasisoraftersignificantlegislativechangesorchangesingoodpractice/protocols.

∙

The Company has a safer recruitment procedure to validate past employment and valid referencesaretaken.Alllearner-facingstaffhaveavalidDBSCheckandremoveaccessto theCompany’ssystems/databaseswhentheyleaveouremployment.

∙ RiskassessmentsareundertakenonaregularbasisinconjunctionwiththeSafeguarding Officertocontinuallyensuretherobustnessofourpolicies,proceduresandpractices.

6.2TheSafeguardingTeamwillensurethat:

AllpoliciesandproceduresinplacerelevanttoSafeguardingarecommunicatedeffectively tolearnersthroughappropriatemethodsandpractices.

Thereviewandmonitoringoftheproceduresareeffectiveandundertakeregularreviewto ensure their implementation. The Safeguarding Officer will, with the support of other relevantstaff,develop,reviewandimplementthesafeguardingtrainingplan.

All records associated with the safeguarding concerns are securely and appropriately recordedandstored. Informationwillbeona‘needtoknowbasis’internallyandexternally butwillalwaysadheretotheSafeguardinglegislation.

∙ Risk assessments are undertaken on a regular basis in conjunction with the Senior Management Team to continually ensure the robustness of our policies, procedures and practices.

7. AllegationsandInvestigations

7.1Respondingtoanallegation(Five‘R’s)

ItisourunderstandingthatallstaffandvolunteerswithintheCompanymayatsomepointcome intocontactwithanindividualwhoisatriskof,orhaveexperienced,exploitation,abuseorharm. No member or staff or volunteer should takeanyformofindependentactionbutshouldalways followthecompany’spolicyandprocedureunlessinacasewheretheindividualisinimmediate dangerorcrisisandtheindividualneedsurgentmedicalorpoliceattention,whichshouldonlybe doneinconsultationwithrelevantmanagementtoensuretheindividualissafe.

Recognise – The first step is to recognise potential signs of abuse andpotentialsafeguarding concerns.Staffandvolunteersaretrainedtoidentifythese.

Respond – All complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously and handled sensitively Thesafetyandwelfareoftheadultatriskareparamountatalltimes.

Promises of confidentiality should not be given under any circumstances, as this cannot be guaranteedduetoourdutyofcaretotheindividualistoreportorrefertotherelevantagenciesfor appropriatesafeguardinginterventions.

Record –Leadingquestionsshouldnotbeaskedandafullrecordofanyconversationwiththe personatriskmustberecorded. Appendix1shouldbeusedtorecordtheinformation;however, due to the immediacy of recording the conversation, you may submit safeguarding concerns through:

Summarisingoftheconversationshouldnotbeundertakenbutratherafactualintermsofwhat theindividualhasreportedintheindividual’sownwords.

Report–Anysuspicion,allegationorincidentofabuseorharmmustbeimmediatelyreportedto theSafeguardingOfficerassoonaspossibleandinanyeventwithintwohours

Refer–TheSafeguardingOfficerwillreferthemattertothepoliceorlocalsocialcaredepartment for adultsatriskwhereinformationisavailabletoindicatethattheadultisatriskof,issuffering

To be disseminated to: Staff, volunteers, stakeholders, visitors PolicyRef:008

Authorisedby: Head of Quality

Lead IQA

Head of Administration

Amendments: Sept2018-Updated

Issue Date: September 2008

Review Due:  Dec 2023

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

Dec 2019 – Included ‘Safer recruitmentpolicy’insection9,flowchartamendedtomake clearer Flowchartupdatedtoreflectnewonlinereportingfacility

Nov 2020 – Added “recognise” tosection7.1;addedMAPPA;replacedAppendix2with safeguardinglog;addedremotelearningandonlineassessment

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

Dec2021–Updatedlinkstoreportsafeguardingconcerns

April2022–ChangedHeadofCentralSupporttoHeadofAdministration

Dec.2022-Updated4.3tohighlightthatallourlearnersdotheircoursesremotely.

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.

(Please use a separate sheet if required)

Tell us what actions have been taken to reduce the risk of harm or abuse to the adultat-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?