POLICY: School Governance and Management - Safeguarding Policy (including Prevent) POLICY URL: https://lsi-ac.uk/policy/2432a047-03a0-4876-965e-1537742476de POLICY STATEMENT: The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all community members, recognising that a secure environment is essential for effective learning and personal development. Our Safeguarding Policy, including Prevent duties, outlines our proactive approach to preventing harm, abuse, and extremism. This policy ensures all students, staff, and visitors are protected through prevention, intervention, and responsive measures. POLICY PRINCIPLES: ------------------ - Protection : Providing a secure environment to protect community members from harm and abuse; - Awareness : Raising awareness of safeguarding issues and the signs of abuse or radicalisation; - Prevention : Implementing strategies to prevent the risk of harm, abuse, or radicalisation; - Responsibility : Affirming everyone's duty to report safeguarding concerns promptly; - Training : Ensuring adequate safeguarding training for all staff members; - Support : Offering support and guidance for individuals affected by safeguarding issues; - Response : Responding to safeguarding concerns swiftly and appropriately; - Collaboration : Working with external agencies to address safeguarding issues effectively; - Resilience : Fostering resilience to radicalisation through education and open dialogue; - Transparency : Maintaining clear and transparent procedures for handling safeguarding concerns; - Confidentiality : Respecting confidentiality while prioritising safety and legal obligations; - Review : Regularly reviewing safeguarding policies and practices to ensure they remain effective. REGULATORY CONTEXT: ------------------ This Policy has been developed in line with the applicable laws, regulations, regulatory advice, and sector best practices, including the following: R1. UK Government : Equality Act 2010 - Equalities law to prohibit harassment and victimisation, and eliminate discrimination, including in the area of further and higher education, particularly with regards to specified personal characteristics. R2. UK Home Office: Prevent Duty Compliance - A duty that requires universities and colleges in the UK to take steps to prevent terrorism. R3. Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): The Quality Code - This code represents a shared understanding of quality practice across the UK higher education sector, protecting public and student interests and championing the UK's reputation for quality. R4. Office for Students (OfS): Regulatory Notices and Advice - Regulatory notices are additional information about OfS' regulatory requirements and are part of the regulatory framework. Regulatory advice helps providers understand and meet OfS requirements. R5. Universities UK: Guidance on online harassment - A comprehensive guidance on tackling online harassment and promoting online welfare in the higher education sector. R6. Quality Assurance Agency (QAA): Advice - Enabling Student Achievement - METRICS AND KPIS: ------------------ The following metrics will be measured and regularly reviewed as key performance indicators for the School to ensure the effectiveness of this policy and associated operations: M1. Compliance with Prevent Duty: Monitor adherence to Prevent Duty requirements through audits. Achieve at least 100% compliance in annual audits; Compliance with Prevent Duty is essential for preventing radicalisation and ensuring a safe environment. M2. DBS Check Completion Rate: Monitor the percentage of new staff who complete their DBS checks before starting work. Aim for 100% compliance within one month of recruitment. Ensuring all staff undergo DBS checks is crucial for maintaining a safe environment and protecting vulnerable individuals. M3. Incident Reporting Rate: Track the number of safeguarding incidents reported each month compared to the total number of students and staff. High reporting rates indicate that the safeguarding systems are accessible and effective. This helps in early identification and intervention. M4. Staff Training Completion Rate: Measure the percentage of staff who complete mandatory safeguarding and Prevent training within the required timeframe. Target 100% completion annually. Regular training ensures staff are well-informed about safeguarding and Prevent duties, improving their ability to respond effectively. M5. Timeliness of Response to Safeguarding Concerns: Track the average time taken to respond to safeguarding concerns from reporting to initial action. Set a target response time of 24 hours. Prompt responses are critical in safeguarding to ensure timely interventions and support. SECTION 1: Safeguarding, Children, and Vulnerable Adults ------------------ 1.1. Safeguarding Measures for At-Risk Students (by Executive Committee): The School implements safeguarding measures to protect at-risk students, including children and vulnerable adults, from abuse and exploitation. Safeguarding promotes their welfare by addressing significant risks while upholding the duty of care. Safeguarding is the protection of individuals' welfare; abuse refers to mistreatment causing harm; and neglect is the failure to provide necessary care. This policy applies to all students, staff, visitors, and contractors, ensuring clarity around roles and responsibilities within the safeguarding framework; This approach is crucial as it fosters a safe environment, allowing vulnerable individuals to receive the protection they need. By promoting understanding through clear definitions and a defined scope, everyone knows their responsibilities in safeguarding those who may be unable to protect themselves from harm. 1.2. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Responsibilities (by Student Success Team): The Student Success Team assumes the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), responsible for overseeing safeguarding policies and procedures. They ensure the welfare of students by providing support and guidance in safeguarding matters. All staff, students, and volunteers must understand their responsibilities in safeguarding, including recognising signs of distress, reporting any concerns promptly and accurately, and maintaining confidentiality regarding sensitive information. They are required to follow established protocols and procedures to maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone; This assumption is vital as it centralises safeguarding responsibilities, ensuring that trained professionals are available to support students effectively. By clearly defining roles within the Student Success Team, the institution fosters a culture of accountability and vigilance, promoting student safety and well-being while empowering everyone to contribute to a secure educational environment. SECTION 2: Mandatory DBS Checks ------------------ 2.1. Pre-Recruitment DBS Checks (by Executive Committee): All staff members must complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to recruitment; This ensures that staff are vetted for any criminal convictions or safeguarding issues, thereby protecting students and maintaining a safe educational environment. SECTION 3: Maintaining Professional Conduct ------------------ 3.1. Dignity at Work and Anti-Harassment Policy (by Executive Committee): The School’s Dignity at Work, Bullying, and Harassment Policy ensures a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of our community. Harassment, abuse, sexual misconduct, and discrimination are strictly prohibited. All students and staff must adhere to the School’s Disciplinary Policies, with disciplinary action enforced for breaches, whether they occur on or off School premises, in person, or via digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams, social media, emails, or text messages; This policy promotes a zero-tolerance approach to behaviour that undermines dignity and respect, reinforcing our commitment to a safe and supportive environment. It ensures that all incidents of bullying, harassment, or victimisation are addressed consistently, regardless of where or how they occur. SECTION 4: Regulations on Staff-Student Interactions ------------------ 4.1. Staff and Student Relationship Policy (by Executive Committee): The Staff and Student Relationship Policy prohibits specific relationships between staff and students to prevent conflicts of interest and safeguarding issues. All other relationships must be disclosed to ensure transparency and uphold professional boundaries; This policy is crucial for maintaining a professional and safe educational environment. It helps prevent conflicts of interest, exploitation, and safeguarding risks, ensuring that all relationships within the School are conducted with integrity and transparency. SECTION 5: Role of Personal Academic Tutors (PAT) ------------------ 5.1. Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) Assignment (by Student Success Team): The School assigns each student a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) to offer both academic guidance and broader support throughout their studies; This ensures that students receive personalised assistance and mentorship, fostering their academic development and overall well-being. It also helps in identifying and addressing any issues early, contributing to a supportive learning environment. SECTION 6: Policy on Mental Health Support ------------------ 6.1. Mental Health Support Policy (by Executive Committee): The School has a dedicated Mental Health Policy detailing various methods for supporting students with their mental health needs; This policy ensures that students receive comprehensive mental health support, fostering a healthier and more supportive learning environment. By outlining specific support mechanisms, the policy addresses students' mental well-being proactively and effectively. SECTION 7: Support Services Provided by the Student Success Team ------------------ 7.1. Comprehensive Student Support and Wellbeing (by Student Success Team): The Student Success Team provides free, independent, and confidential support for academic, financial, and personal well-being issues. Students can seek assistance from the Team, their Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), or any staff member at any time. The School’s strategy places students at the centre, linking educational and life experiences to enhance overall success and satisfaction. This approach integrates academic and personal support to offer a holistic student experience, ensuring comprehensive care and addressing all aspects of student life effectively; Providing comprehensive support through the Student Success Team ensures that students have access to necessary resources for their academic and personal needs. By integrating support services and prioritising student well-being, the School optimises the educational experience and addresses all aspects of student life, fostering overall success and satisfaction. SECTION 8: Safeguarding and Reporting Practices ------------------ 8.1. Reporting Responsibilities and Student Input (by All Staff and Students): All staff and students must report safeguarding and Prevent concerns promptly. To report suspicions or incidents, individuals should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) via email or in person; Support for those making reports includes access to counselling services and peer support groups; The School guarantees confidentiality throughout the reporting process, ensuring that individuals feel safe to disclose information without fear of repercussions. This structured reporting informs the School’s safeguarding strategy, allowing teams like the Student Success Team to address issues, make informed decisions, and allocate resources effectively. Students are also encouraged to participate in feedback sessions, ensuring their voices shape decision-making processes; This rule is essential as it establishes clear pathways for reporting concerns, fostering a proactive culture around safeguarding and Prevent. By encouraging open communication and ensuring confidentiality, the School promotes a supportive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute to safety and well-being. This inclusive approach ultimately enhances the effectiveness of the School’s safeguarding strategies. 8.2. Risk Assessment Procedures (by Student Success Team): The School implements robust risk assessment procedures to identify and manage potential risks to student safety, particularly for vulnerable groups. Regular assessments are conducted to evaluate environments and activities, considering factors like physical safety, mental health, and external threats. Action plans are developed to mitigate identified risks, ensuring appropriate measures are in place to protect all students; These procedures are crucial for maintaining a safe educational environment. By proactively identifying risks, the School can implement effective strategies to protect vulnerable students and address concerns before they escalate. This commitment to safety enhances overall student well-being and fosters a culture of vigilance and care within the institution. 8.3. Emergency Procedures (by Student Success Team): The School has established clear emergency procedures to guide responses in critical situations. These include detailed contact numbers for emergency services, internal support teams, and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Response protocols outline steps for evacuations, lockdowns, and medical emergencies, ensuring that all staff and students are informed and prepared to act swiftly and effectively; Having well-defined emergency procedures is essential for safeguarding the safety and well-being of everyone on campus. These guidelines enable quick, coordinated responses during emergencies, reducing confusion and ensuring appropriate action is taken. By familiarising the entire community with these protocols, the School enhances preparedness and resilience in the face of unexpected incidents. SECTION 9: Comprehensive Induction and Training for Staff ------------------ 9.1. Staff Induction and Training on Safeguarding (by Executive Committee): All staff must complete an induction on the School’s policies and receive ongoing training. This training covers the identification of safeguarding issues and how to provide appropriate support; This requirement is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of the School community. Regular training equips staff with the knowledge and skills needed to address safeguarding concerns effectively, thereby enhancing the overall safety and support within the institution. SECTION 10: Compliance with the Prevent Duty and Implementation Steps ------------------ 10.1. Compliance with Prevent Duty and Safeguarding (by Board of Governors): The School complies with the Prevent Duty as set out in the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The President, as the Prevent Lead, collaborates with external agencies to address risks related to radicalisation and extremism. The Board of Governors includes Prevent considerations in its risk management strategies, including regular evaluations of potential threats and oversight of on-site events. Relevant aspects are also covered by the Free Speech and Academic Freedom Policy, which balances academic freedom with the need to prevent extremism; The IT policy supports compliance with legal and audit requirements, including PCI-DSS and Prevent Duty, through robust monitoring systems, data protection measures, and audit trails to ensure secure handling of information. All staff receive comprehensive induction and training on Prevent and safeguarding, including recognising signs of radicalisation, responding to concerns, and following reporting procedures; This integrated approach ensures thorough adherence to the Prevent Duty, enhancing the School's capability to prevent radicalisation and maintain a safe environment. By embedding Prevent considerations into governance, risk management, and policies, and providing extensive staff training, the School effectively manages risks, complies with legal obligations, and supports both safety and academic freedom. 10.2. Key Steps for Compliance with the Prevent Duty (by Executive Committee): The Executive Committee will undertake these steps annually before the Board of Governors’ review and report on the outcomes:; Review Prevent Policies: Annually update Prevent policies to align with current legal standards and best practices; Conduct Risk Assessments: Perform annual assessments to identify and address risks related to radicalisation on campus; Train Staff and Students: Ensure all staff and students receive annual training on Prevent Duty and safeguarding; Monitor IT Systems: Regularly review IT systems to ensure compliance with Prevent regulations and legal requirements, including PCI-DSS; Engage with External Agencies: Maintain ongoing communication with local Prevent coordinators and relevant external bodies; Evaluate Prevent Activities: Review and assess the effectiveness of Prevent measures and document findings; The Executive Committee's annual review and reporting on these steps ensure that the institution’s Prevent measures are up-to-date, effectively implemented, and responsive to emerging risks. This proactive approach helps maintain a secure learning environment and meets legal requirements, thereby upholding the institution's commitment to safeguarding and preventing radicalisation. SECTION 11: Monitoring and Review Procedures ------------------ 11.1. Continuous Improvement (by Executive Committee): The School implements procedures for the regular review and updating of its safeguarding policy. This includes scheduled evaluations at least annually and mechanisms for gathering feedback from students and staff, such as surveys and focus groups. These processes ensure that the policy remains effective, relevant, and responsive to the changing needs of the School community; Regular monitoring and review of the safeguarding policy are crucial for maintaining its effectiveness and relevance. By actively seeking input from students and staff, the School fosters a culture of collaboration and transparency, ensuring that safeguarding measures adapt to emerging challenges. This commitment to continuous improvement ultimately enhances the safety and well-being of all members of the School community.