Safeguarding of Children and Adults at Risk Policy

1. Safeguarding of Children and Adults at Risk

1.1    This safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of Children and Adults at Risk are paramount in all circumstances.

 Safeguarding Policy

2. Definition

2.1    Safeguarding relates to actions to promote the welfare of Children and Adults at Risk and protect them from harm.
2.2    The following definitions are used:

Safeguarding Children is defined as:

(a) protecting children from maltreatment

 (b) preventing impairment of children's health and development

(c) ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care and

(d) taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. 

Safeguarding Adults at Risk is defined as

(a) protecting the rights of adults to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect

(b) people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect

(c) people and organisations making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, taking fully into account their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action

 (d) recognising that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances and therefore potential risks to their safety or well-being. 

Beneficiaries means all individuals who are deriving a benefit from the Academy including parents and carers of Children and Adults at Risk.

Children are defined as those under the age of 18.

Adults at Risk, also called vulnerable adults, are people over the age of 18 but who are identified as in need of extra support to care for themselves or to protect them from harm or exploitation. This may include but is not limited to:

(a) those with disabilities

(b) those living away from home

(c) asylum seekers

(d) victims of domestic abuse

(e) those who may be singled out due to their religion or ethnicity

(f) those who may be exposed to violent extremism.

Harm means ill-treatment or impairment of health and development, including but not limited to
(a) physical harm which is physical contact that results in discomfort, pain or injury 

(b) emotional and psychological harm which is action or inaction that causes mental anguish or distress

(c) sexual harm and exploitation which is any form of sexual activity which involving Children under the age of consent or force/enticement to engage in sexual activity or involvement in sexual activity without consent

(d) neglect and acts of omission which is the failure to meet the needs of the Children or Adults at Risk

(e) Female Genital Mutilation

(f) discrimination

(g) institutional harm

(h) financial harm .

Risk Assessment means the Academy’s template which identifies and analyses potential risks based on the relevant activity

3. The Policy 

3.1    Through its Safeguarding of Children and Adults at Risk Policy, the Academy will:

1. Identify a named member of Staff as the Designated Safeguarding Lead along with Deputy Safeguarding Leads for UK and international activities. A named Trustee is also identified with responsibility for updating the Trustee Board on matters relating to Safeguarding.
2. Ensure all Staff working on UK activities with Children or Adults at Risk are provided with relevant training with regard to Safeguarding and understand their roles and responsibilities.
3. Ensure all Staff working on international activities are provided with relevant training with regard to Safeguarding duties and requirements in international development activities and the requirements on third party providers acting on behalf of the Academy.
4. Ensure robust Safeguarding arrangements and procedures including Risk Assessments are in operation both within the Academy and with any organisations undertaking work on behalf of the Academy, to prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals.
5. Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
6. Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all Safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
7. Use Safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving Children, young people, parents and carers appropriately
8. Ensure that Staff who are in regular contact with Children, young people or Adults at Risk adopt relevant child protection and Safeguarding good practice
9. Ensure this policy is kept up-to-date incorporating the most recent legislation and guidance, and is suitable for purpose.
10. Ensure that the Academy provides a safe physical environment for all individuals by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
11. Safeguard the protected characteristics of Children or Adults at Risk under the Equality Act 2010

4. Who this policy applies to

4.1    This policy applies to all paid employees at the Academy (staff) and all Trustees, Fellows, consultants, contractors, third party providers and volunteers (collectively referred to as Academy representatives in this policy) engaged in activity where Children or Adults at Risk are present, and for international activity, all Beneficiaries of that activity, whether at the Academy premises or elsewhere and at any time of the day or night.

4.2    Compliance with the policy is mandatory for all Staff working for or on behalf of the Academy.

4.3    Failure of a member of Staff to comply with the policy and procedures will lead to a disciplinary investigation and where necessary, sanctions as laid out in the disciplinary policy.

5. Responsibilities

5.1    Trustees

• The Trustees have ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding within the Academy.
• The Trustees will review this policy and its implementation every two years.
• The Trustees will monitor and challenge appropriately the Designated Safeguarding Team and the senior leadership of the Academy to ensure that this policy is effectively implemented.
• A designated Trustee will be assigned to liaise on all Safeguarding matters with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the leadership of the Academy.
• The Trustees will receive appropriate safeguarding training from the senior leadership, Designated Safeguarding Lead and external sources as relevant.

5.2    Designated Safeguarding Team (DST)

• The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will be responsible to the Trustees for the effective discharge of the Safeguarding responsibilities of the DST.
• The DST will act immediately when it becomes aware of any disclosure or allegation of Safeguarding or any Children or Adults at who at risk of Harm.
• The DST is responsible for ensuring that suitable and up-to-date training is provided for themselves, Trustees and Staff and that suitable records are kept of this training.
• The DSL will ensure that Safeguarding reports and records are clear and comprehensive, provide details of how a concern was followed and resolved and includes a note of any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome.
• The DST will promote an environment within which Children and Adults at Risk are protected, including when appropriate ensuring that Staff are aware of, and are provided with the means to support the specific needs of the Children or Adults at Risk.
• The DST will provide guidance and support for Staff in all areas relating to Safeguarding.
• The DST will consider and provide suitable mechanisms through which Beneficiaries may be involved in supporting the Academy in its approach to Safeguarding.
• The Designated Safeguarding Team (including the lead Trustee) will monitor safeguarding using, as appropriate discussions with staff and beneficiaries, visits to activities run by the Academy and scrutiny of records relating to Safeguarding.

5.3    Staff

• Staff should have a suitable understanding of this policy, of the types and signs of Harm, and of the management of disclosures of Harm and other Safeguarding concerns.
• All Staff will be aware that inappropriate behaviour towards Children or Adults at Risk is unacceptable and that their conduct must be beyond reproach.
• Staff must understand that if there is a risk of immediate Harm, they should act immediately. Delay is unacceptable.
• The onus is upon Staff to report their concerns even if it appears minor in nature or there is only a suspicion of Harm.
• All Staff should understand the need to reassure victims of Harm or alleged Harm that they will be taken seriously, supported and kept safe.
• Staff must never promise confidentiality when this may compromise the safety or well-being of Children, Adults at Risk or others.
• Staff may use the Academy’s Whistleblowing Policy to draw attention in good faith to any perceived failing with regard to Safeguarding practice either in individual cases or concerning more general circumstances.

5.4    Beneficiaries

• Beneficiaries should work with the Academy to ensure that all may enjoy a safe and productive environment.
• Beneficiaries should have the confidence to report any concerns, ether about themselves or others.

6. Monitoring 

6.1    The policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every two years, or in the following circumstances:

• changes in legislation and/or government guidance
• as required by the Charity Commission
• as a result of any other significant change or event, including a Safeguarding incident.

7. Person responsible for safeguarding at the Academy

7.1    Good Safeguarding practice for organisations that work with Children or Adults at Risk requires individuals identified with responsibility for Safeguarding both on the Staff and on the Trustee Board.
For the Academy, they are as follows:

• Designated Safeguarding Lead Dr Rhys Morgan, Director Engineering and Education
• Deputy Safeguarding Lead (UK) Lynda Mann, Head of Education Programmes
• Deputy Safeguarding Lead (International) Shane McHugh, Interim Associate Director, International
• Trustee Responsible for Safeguarding Carolyn Griffiths FREng