Child and Adult Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Young Epilepsy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This policy is based on the Department for Education’s statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (2021)1, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the Governance Handbook.
We also comply with the protocols, guidance and procedures agreed and published by our local safeguarding partners; Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership (SCCP) & Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB).
This policy and procedures also based on the following legislation:
- The Children Act 1989 (and 2004 amendment), which provides a framework for the care and protection of children
- Statutory guidance on FGM (Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003) which sets out responsibilities with regards to safeguarding and supporting girls affected by FGM and which places a statutory duty on teachers to report to the police where they discover that female genital mutilation (FGM) appears to have been carried out on a girl under 18
- Schedule 4 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which defines what ‘regulated activity’ is in relation to children
- Statutory guidance on the Prevent duty, which explains schools’ duties under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 with respect to protecting people from the risk of radicalisation and extremism
- Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006 (updated 2019)
- ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being abused’ 2015
- Teacher Standards 2011
- The Equality Act 2010
- Information Sharing Advice for Practitioners’ guidance 2018
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges
Young Epilepsy recognises its moral and statutory responsibility under the relevant legislation and guidance to safeguard and promote the welfare of all our students. Trustees and Governors have absolute accountability to ensure that the appropriate procedures are in place and are being followed. The policy also informs parents and carers how we will safeguard the students whilst they are in our care.
It is the duty and responsibility of every member of staff, Trustee, Governor and volunteer to ensure that they are familiar with the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. It is also their duty to intervene if they witness a student at Young Epilepsy being abused and to report immediately any concerns about a student’s safety or wellbeing to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Gill Walters or the appropriate Deputy Designated Safeguarding
Leads ( DDSLs). If there is any doubt about whether it is a concern or not, staff should report the issue and seek guidance.
All staff, Trustees, Governors, volunteers and visitors must rigorously adhere to the procedures that apply to this policy making sure that the appropriate action is taken immediately where it is alleged that any student has suffered from, or is at risk of, significant harm whether at Young Epilepsy or external to Young Epilepsy.
The paramount concern, at all times, will be the best interests and safety of the students:
Young Epilepsy will:
- protect students from abuse and harm and promote their welfare
- ensure staff understand and can recognise and respond to different types of abuse and harm
- ensure staff, trustees, governors, volunteers and visitors are aware of their individual responsibilities under the Safeguarding Procedure and how to report concerns
- ensure staff are aware of the role of the Safeguarding Team & how to contact them
- provide support for staff who report concerns and for students who are identified as suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.
- enable St Piers School & College to effectively contribute to Early Help, assessments of need and support for those children.
- develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, in particular Early Help providers, the Police, Health and Social Care.
