Safeguarding Policy


Find out more about the Information, Advice and Guidance RWP Training Limited gives.

Policy Statement

Report Abuse to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

RWP Training Ltd is committed to promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as defined in the Children’s Act 1989 and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Scheme 2004. It is the duty of all staff members to play an active role in ensuring this.

All staff members are expected to be aware of their duty to report concerns, the guidance for identifying child abuse, what to do if a child makes an allegation of child abuse and issues about confidentiality.

RWP Training Ltd is committed to the government national framework for change outlined in Every Child Matters: Change for Children.

  1. PRINCIPALS

    RWP Training Ltd recognises that, for young people who have been abused, or who are being subjected to abuse, our training centre may be the only stable and secure element in their lives. RWP Training Ltd Safeguarding policy and procedure is based on the following principles:

    • an ethos that promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment where learners feel valued
    • liaison with other agencies that support learners, such as social/children’s services
    • all allegations and suspicions of abuse taken seriously, and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

    There are five main elements to the policy:

    • ensuring that RWP Training Ltd practices safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with young people
    • raising awareness of child protection issues amongst staff
    • developing and implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases or suspected cases, of child abuse
    • supporting the young person who has been abused
    • establishing a safe environment in which young people can learn and develop, where they are able to talk and be listened to

  2. DEFINITIONS

    The following definitions apply throughout the Safeguarding policy and associated procedures:

    Child or Children:

    The Children Act 1989/2004 defines a child as a person under eighteen for most purposes.

    Vulnerable Adult or Adults:

    The Protection of Vulnerable Adults Scheme (PoVA 2004) 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.

  3. FORMS OF ABUSE:

    The Children Act 1989/2004 defines four types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.

    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
    • imposing developmentally inappropriate expectations
    • causing the child or vulnerable adult to feel frightened or in danger – e.g. witnessing domestic violence
    • 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, whether or not they are aware of what is happening and includes penetrative (i.e. vaginal or anal rape or buggery) and non penetrative acts.

    It may also include non-contact activities, such as looking at, or being involved in the production of pornographic materials, watching sexual activities or encouraging children or vulnerable adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

    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. This may involve failure to provide adequate food, shelter or clothing, failure to protect from physical harm or danger or failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of basic emotional needs.

  4. DUTY TO REPORT

    All members of the staff at RWP Training Ltd, including full time, part-time and associate staff are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

    All staff:

    All staff who come into contact with children and vulnerable adults in their everyday work have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Staff will be trained to understand their responsibilities. 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
    • familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures
    • safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and
    • alert the Designated Safeguarding Officer if they have concerns about a child or vulnerable adult
    RWP Designated Safeguarding Officers:

    Nina Blenkinship, Programme Manager (Children's Workforce and Student Support Officer) is the designated member of staff responsible for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and dealing with safeguarding issues.

    Michelle Ruddick, Training Adviser (Children's Workforce) is the Deputy Safeguarding Officer.

    Local Authority Designated Officer:

    Robert Parks, Cumbria County Council - Children's Services - Tel 01900 706453

    Safeguarding Officers are responsible for providing support, advice and expertise on safeguarding issues, and are responsible for dealing with allegations or suspicions of abuse. They attend training as appropriate, liaise with the Chief Executive and programme managers in the other areas where necessary, and make referrals to external agencies. Other aspects of their role include:

    • obtaining information from staff, volunteers, children, parents or carers who have concerns relating to the protection of children or vulnerable adults, and to record this information
    • assessing information quickly and carefully and asking for further information where appropriate
    • consulting with a statutory child protection agency e.g. the local social services department, to clarify doubts or worries
    • making referrals to statutory child protection agencies or the police without delay
    • Designated Safeguarding Officers have contact telephone numbers for the local Area Safeguarding Children’s Board and other statutory agencies.
    The Senior Management Team:

    The Chief Executive and Centre Manager are responsible for ensuring that:

    • RWP Training Ltd Safeguarding policy and procedures are fully implemented and followed by staff
    • Safeguarding Officers have sufficient time and resources to carry out their roles
    • all staff feel able to raise concerns about the safety of children and vulnerable adults
    • concerns are dealt with sensitively, effectively and in a timely manner.
    Confidentiality:

    RWP Staff should never give absolute guarantees of confidentiality to children and vulnerable adults wishing to tell them about something serious. They should however guarantee that they will only pass on information to the minimum number of people who must be told in order to ensure that the proper action is taken to protect the child/vulnerable adult.

    What to do if you suspect someone is being abused:

    All staff working in direct contact with learners must be alert to the signs of abuse. Anyone who suspects that abuse is taking place inside or outside of the setting, or to whom a learner discloses issues relating to safeguarding, should contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers immediately.

    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 one 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 Designated Safeguarding Officers 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.

    Allegations of abuse against members of staff:

    Allegations of abuse, or concerns raised against members of RWP staff, will always be treated seriously. The allegation must always be referred to one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers 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 Centre Manager in order that RWP procedures may be followed, and a Disciplinary Investigation is carried out.

    If the allegation or concern is against one of the Designated Safeguarding Officers, it should be reported to the Principal.

    Where there is a complaint against a member of staff there may also be also criminal (police) investigations and/or a child/vulnerable adults protection investigation, carried out by Social Services.

    Reporting cases to the Independent Safeguarding Authority:

    RWP Ltd has a statutory duty to make reports, and provide relevant information to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) 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 ISA lies with the Centre Manager.

    The Independent Safeguarding Authority make barring decisions for Section 142 of the Education Act (formally known as List 99), The Protection of Children Act List (PoCA) and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List (PoVA).

    Safe recruitment of staff:

    RWP Training Ltd undertakes to ensure that staff are fit to work in our learning environments with children and vulnerable adults. We also reserves the right to refuse to employ staff who we believe may pose a risk to our learners.

    RWP Training Ltd 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 on appointment:

    • a minimum of two references, satisfactory to RWP Training, one of which should be from a previous employer
    • documentary evidence checks to confirm nationality, residency and "right to work" status
    • enhanced CRB Disclosure*
    • documentary evidence of qualifications
    • satisfactory completion of the probationary period as defined in their letter of appointment

    *The Further Education (Providers of Education) England Regulations 2006 place a duty on colleges and work based learning providers to undertake an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure for all new staff providing education, training or care to children, young people or vulnerable adults. An Enhanced Disclosure is carried out for staff who regularly care for, supervise, train or are in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults.

    For individuals who have lived outside of the UK, further checks are carried out, where appropriate, if a CRB Disclosure is not felt to be sufficient to establish suitability to work with children, young people or vulnerable adults.

    In accordance with the Regulations, records of all checks carried out are kept centrally by the Centre Manager.

  5. VETTING AND BARRING SCHEME

    The Vetting and Barring Scheme is a new system recently introduced, so it may be subject to change and modification. For up-to-date information and further explanation please visit http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/

    Information for students:

    Where indicated on the RWP website, specific apprenticeship courses may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, also known as regulated activity.

    Where this is the case, staff will be legally required to register with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) which is administered by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). The ISA has recently been established as a single agency to monitor all individuals who want to work or volunteer with vulnerable people. Registration with the scheme will cost £64 (as of April 2009) and is a one-off payment which will cover both the cost of registration and a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

    Following successful registration you will be issued with an ISA Registration Number which will stay with you for the rest of your career. RWP Training Ltd will send further instructions on registering with the VBS as part of the admissions process. For further guidance please look at the information shown against the apprenticeship or contact the programme manager.

    RWP Training Ltd is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. From July 2010 all NEW STAFF working with children or vulnerable adults will be required to register with the Government's Vetting and Barring Scheme and be assessed by the Independent Safeguarding Authority prior to commencement of employment. Further information will be sent to all prospective staff as part of the application process.

  6. STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

    All staff who come into direct contact with learners must undertake training on the subject of safeguarding and the centres procedures. This Safeguarding Policy, procedure and accompanying guidance will be issued to all new staff as part of their induction.

    Resignations:

    If, during the course of an investigation relating to safeguarding, an employee tenders his or her resignation, or ceases to provide their services, RWP 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.

    Support for Staff:

    RWP Training Ltd 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 our Designated Safeguarding Officers.

    Equality of Opportunity:

    All children and vulnerable adults, as part of our wider, have the right to be safeguarded from harm and exploitation whatever their race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, or disability. This policy relates to RWP Training Limited's legal obligation to protect children who are suffering forms of abuse as defined in the Children Act 1989/2004 and is therefore in line with the centres equality and diversity policies.