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Safeguarding Policy

1. POLICY STATEMENT
This policy has been developed to ensure that all staff in The Procurement Academy are working together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.

This policy describes the management systems and arrangements in place to create and maintain a safe learning environment for all our candidates and staff. It identifies actions that should be taken to redress any concerns about child safety and welfare including protecting candidates 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 Managing Director or, in their absence, the authorised members of senior staff Philip Chippindale, Reg Dyson), have the ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people goes beyond implementing basic child protection procedures. It is an integral part of all activities, functions, culture and ethos of The Procurement Academy.

In accordance with guidance set out in 'Working together to Safeguard Children - March 2015', 'Keeping Children Safe in Education - September 2016' and 'The Prevent Duty', The Procurement Academy will work in partnership with other organisations where appropriate to identify any concerns about child welfare and take action to address them.


2. SCOPE
The Procurement Academy aims to create and maintain a safe learning environment where all candidates and adults feel safe, secure and valued and know they will be listened to and taken seriously.

Our academy is committed to the principles outlined in 'Working together to Safeguard Children - March 2015', 'Keeping Children Safe in Education - September 2016' and 'The Prevent Duty' and implements policies, practices and procedures which promote safeguarding and the emotional and physical well-being of children, young people and staff.

The academy 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.


3. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
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.

The Procurement Academy is committed to the government national framework: Working Together to Safeguard Children

See also:
• Data Protection Policy
• Equality Policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Online Safety Policy
• Social Networking Policy


4. SAFEGUARDING ADULTS - 6 PRINCIPLES
Empowerment We give individuals the right information about how to recognise abuse and what they can do to keep themselves safe. We give them clear and simple information about how to report abuse and crime and what support we can give. We consult them before we take any action. Where someone lacks capacity to make a decision, we always action in his or her best interest.
Protection We have effective ways of assessing and managing risk. Our local complaints and reporting arrangements for abuse and suspected criminal offences work well. We take responsibility for putting them in touch with the right person.
Prevention We train staff how to recognise signs and take action to prevent abuse occurring. In all our work, we consider how to make communities safer.
Proportionality We discuss with the individual and where appropriate, with partner agencies what to do where there is a risk of significant harm before we take a decision. Risk is an element of many situations and should be part of any wider assessment.
Partnership We are good at sharing information locally. We have multi-agency partnership arrangements in place and staff understand how to use these. We foster a 'one' team approach that places the welfare of individuals before the 'needs' of the system.
Accountability The roles of all agencies are clear, together with the lines of accountability. Staff understand what is expected of them and others. Agencies recognise their responsibilities to each other, act upon them and accept collective responsibly for safeguarding arrangements.



5. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout the Safeguarding 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 (OPG 2013) defines a vulnerable adult as a person aged 18 or over who has a condition of the following type:
• a substantial learning or physical disability
• a physical or mental illness or mental disorder, chronic or otherwise, including
addiction to alcohol or drugs
• a significant reduction in physical or mental capacity.

Types of abuse and neglect:

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:
• Conveying the message that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued
only in so far as they meet the needs of another person;
• Not giving the child or vulnerable adult opportunities to express their views;
• Deliberately silencing them or 'making fun' of what they say or how they communicate;
• Interactions that are beyond a child or vulnerable adult's developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing from participating in normal social interaction;
• Seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another;
• Serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children or vulnerable adults to feel frightened or in danger;
• Exploitation or corruption of children or vulnerable adults.

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.

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:

• Child sexual exploitation
• Forced marriage
• Domestic violence
• Female genital mutilation
• Radicalisation
• Self harm
• Bullying/cyberbullying
• Drugs
• Faith abuse
• Gangs and youth violence
• Violence against women and girls
• Sexting
• Honour Based Violence
•Trafficking


6. RESPONSIBILITIES
All members of The Procurement Academy community, including staff, employers, students, contract staff, and work experience providers are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

All staff:
All staff that come into contact with children and vulnerable adults in their everyday work has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Staff will be trained to understand their responsibilities and be aware of the signs of abuse and neglect and extremism and radicalisation so that they are able to identify cases of children/vulnerable adults who may be in need of help or protection.
Staff working at The Procurement Academy are advised to maintain an attitude of 'it could happen here' where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, staff members should always act in the interest of the child or vulnerable adult.
Failure to comply with these responsibilities will be seen as a serious matter which may lead to disciplinary action.

Staff are expected to:
• attend safeguarding training as required (every 3 years)
• familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding policy and associated procedures
• safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults
• alert the Designated Safeguarding Officers if they have concerns about a child or
vulnerable adult

Designated Safeguarding Officers:
The Designated Senior Members of Staff for Child Protection are Mandy Chippindale & Philip Chippindale and have a specific responsibility for championing the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people registered in the academy. The Designated Person will:

●Act as the first point of contact with regards to all safeguarding matters;
●Attend up-dated training every two years;
●Provide support and training for staff and volunteers;
●Support staff to make effective referrals to the Children and Families Services and any other agencies where there are concerns about the welfare of a child;
●Keep copies of all referrals to Children and Families Services and any other agencies related to safeguarding children;
●Ensure that all staff and volunteers receive information on safeguarding policies and procedures from the point of induction;
●Ensure that any staff with specific responsibility for safeguarding children receive the appropriate training to undertake this role;
●Manage and keep secure the academy's safeguarding records;
●Ensure that all staff and volunteers understand and are aware of the academy's reporting and recording procedures and are clear about what to do if they have a concern about a child;
●Liaise with the Managing Director about any safeguarding issues;
●Ensure that the Safeguarding Policy is regularly reviewed and up-dated.;
●Keep up to date with changes in local policy and procedures and are aware of any guidance issued by the DfE concerning Safeguarding.


7. SAFER RECRUITMENT OF STAFF
The Procurement Academy undertakes to ensure that their staff are fit to work in a training provider setting with children and vulnerable adults. It also reserves the right to refuse to employ staff whom it has a reasonable belief may pose a risk to its learners.

The Procurement Academy has systems in place to prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults and to promote safe practice. These systems apply to all new staff and require the following checks to be made prior to appointment:

• a minimum of two references, satisfactory to The Procurement Academy, one of which should be from a previous employer;
• documentary evidence checks of identify, nationality, residency and "right to work"
status;
• Enhanced DBS (Disclosure & barring service) check with barred list information*;
• documentary evidence of qualifications;
• satisfactory completion of the probationary period;
• where subcontractors are delivering courses on of The Procurement Academy, the
provider must provide written assurance that all relevant staff will be DBS checked.

In accordance with the Regulations, records of all checks carried out are kept in a single central record.

*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. WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES
The Procurement Academy has developed effective links with other relevant agencies, for example, the Local Authority, Children's Social Care,


9. STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
The Procurement Academy's Safeguarding policy, procedure and accompanying guidance will be issued to all new staff as part of their induction. All staff will be supported to recognise warning signs and symptoms in relation to specific safeguarding issues and will receive training or briefings on for example, Guns and Gangs, Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, Domestic Abuse, Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Preventing Violent Extremism through mandatory Safeguarding Level 1 training and update briefings with a refresher every 3 years.


10. SAFER RECRUITMENT OF LEARNERS
The Procurement Academy undertakes to ensure that its learners are suitable to study in a training provider setting. It also reserves the right to refuse entry to any applicants whom it has a reasonable belief may pose a risk to learners. To ensure this is addressed appropriately The Procurement Academy will:

• Help to facilitate DBS checks for learners going in to relevant industries (education, working with vulnerable adults, charities, healthcare etc);
• Attend case conferences at all feeder schools & colleges (if required);
• Complete relevant risk assessments of ex-offenders.


11. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT SOMEONE IS BEING ABUSED
All staff, volunteers and others working in direct contact with learners in The Procurement Academy environment must be alert to the signs of abuse. Anyone who suspects that abuse is taking place inside or outside of The Procurement Academy setting, or to whom a learner discloses issues relating to safeguarding, should contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers immediately.
The Lead Designated Safeguarding Officer is: Mandy Chippindale
Designated Safeguarding Officers are: Philip Chippindale

Staff who are not Designated Safeguarding Officers, but who are approached with concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, must bring the concerns raised to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Officers immediately.

All staff to whom a learner discloses issues that may be related to safeguarding must keep written records of concerns. Such records must be kept securely, separate from the main learner files and in locked locations.

The Lead Designated Safeguarding Officer 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.


12. 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 Officer who will follow the Safeguarding Procedure in the same way as for other safeguarding allegations. The Designated Safeguarding Officer will take the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the child or vulnerable adult, and any others who may be at risk. The Designated Safeguarding Officer 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 Officer, 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.

See also: Grievance Policy
Employee Handbook


13. REPORTING CASES TO THE DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE (DBS)
The Procurement Academy 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.


14. RESIGNATIONS
If, during the course of an investigation relating to safeguarding, an employee tenders his or her resignation, or ceases to provide their services, The Procurement Academy 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 children or vulnerable adults, including those where the person concerned refuses to co-operate with the process


15. WHISTLEBLOWING
The Procurement Academy has an established Whistleblowing procedure for enabling staff
to share, in confidence with a Designated Assessor, concerns they may have about instances of suspected malpractice in The Procurement Academy. 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 children or vulnerable adults.

The procedure is intended to provide safeguards to enable members of The Procurement Academy staff to raise concerns without fear of adverse repercussions. The Procurement Academy recognises that it may be difficult to express concerns about colleagues, and is fully supportive of Whistleblowing for the sake of a child or vulnerable adult, and will provide support and protect those who "blow the whistle". This procedure is, accordingly, intended to provide safeguards to enable members of staff to raise concerns about malpractice in connection with The Procurement Academy.

The aim is to provide a rapid mechanism under which genuine concerns can be raised internally, and, if necessary, externally without fear of adverse repercussions to the individual. It is also intended to promote throughout The Procurement Academy a culture of openness and a shared sense of integrity by inviting all employees to act responsibly in order to uphold the reputation of The Procurement Academy and maintain public confidence.

See also: Raising Concerns & Whistleblowing Policy


16. SUPPORT FOR STAFF
The Procurement Academy 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.


17. RADICALISM AND EXTREMISM
The Procurement Academy 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. The Procurement Academy seeks to protect its candidates 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, Islamist ideology, Irish Nationalist and Loyalist paramilitary groups and extremist Animal Rights groups.

The Procurement Academy 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. We are continually updating our networks in Greater Manchester and work in conjunction with Channel which is part of Greater Manchester Police.
We are part of the Prevent Champions Networking Organisation which is a local initiative in which to share best practise and gather important local intelligence in preventing and education ourselves further in this important area of safeguarding.

Our staff are trained to ensure the employers and subcontractors we work with are not linked to any extremist activity or organisations by completing an initial online monitoring activity (recommended by Prevent), visiting the premises and also in discussions with various employees. If they suspect any activity they are not happy with, they will report this immediately to our Designated Safeguarding Officer and Prevent Lead - Mandy Chippindale


18. ONLINE SAFETY
The Procurement Academy 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 candidate achievement, and support the professional work of staff as well as enhance the school's management information and business administration.

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

It is the duty of The Procurement Academy to ensure that every young person in its care is safe and this applies equally to the 'virtual' or digital world.

The Procurement Academy will ensure that appropriate filtering methods are in place to ensure that pupils are safe from all types of inappropriate and unacceptable materials, including terrorist and extremist material. This will be in line with the 'Prevent Duty'.

See also: Online Safety Policy






19. DOCUMENT CONTROL
VERSION DATE OF ISSUE DATE OF REVIEW DATE OF NEXT REVIEW
2 April 2017 August 2018 August 2019