What does safeguarding mean?

Safeguarding regulations have been around for a while, across a wide range of legislation, but were brought together by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. This legislation provides definitions of children and vulnerable adults, and sets out the legislative framework of measures to protect them from harm.
 
Why do we need extra arrangements?

It depends on what policies you already have in place, but for many employers it is likely that there will be no extra arrangements; but any learner employed by you and undergoing training with Access is included in the legislation.
 
So why is safeguarding necessary for employed learners?

Providers of government funded training have a duty to safeguard their learners and to take such steps that try to ensure the safety of its learners (children or vulnerable adults) at all times. As part of that duty, we will talk to you about what you can do to ensure that learners are not exposed to threats or dangers. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure employees working alongside learners are free from convictions and of sound character and judgement and will not pose as any threat or danger to learners. Further information can be found at website www.isa-gov.org.uk.
 
We also have a duty to safeguard our learners from radicalisation. PREVENT is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. Its aim is to stop people becoming drawn into terrorism. The PREVENT duty is not about preventing students from having political and religious views and concerns but about supporting them to use those concerns or act on them in non-extremist ways. Further information can be found on this database – PREVENT.
 
What are my responsibilities?

• To understand what is meant by safeguarding and promote the welfare of learners.
• Be aware of your statutory duties towards the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
• Be familiar with our guidance, in particular, the reporting arrangements.
• To understand what is meant by PREVENT.

What types of harm are covered by the term safeguarding?

The types of harm could be:

• Emotional or Psychological
• Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
• Financial Exploitation
• Cyber Bullying
• Physical
• Neglect
• Radicalisation

 
What do we do if we suspect, or are told about, harm?

• Employees working closely with children or vulnerable learners should be alert to the possibilities of harm
• Staff should inform only—and not investigate or offer advice
• If any member of staff has a safeguarding issue brought to their attention, they must treat it as a matter of urgency and contact our Designated Person or deputy, as soon as possible, using the contact details below
• Remember the main priority for all of us is to protect learners from harm

 
What do I do if a child, young person or vulnerable adult discloses information?
 

• Listen without making judgements
• Stay calm
• Try not to ask questions, but if you have to, make sure they are open-ended questions to clarify understanding and not to probe or investigate
• Don’t give an opinion or offer advice
• Don’t promise confidentiality - explain you may need to talk to someone else
• Re-assure the learner that they have done the right thing
• Record what the learner said, using theirs words where possible. Sign and date the record
• Inform our Designated Person or deputy as soon as possible and pass on the written record
• Maintain confidentiality and do not discuss with others