Final Checks Academy CIC

Document Control

Policy Title:	Safeguarding Policy and Procedure
Author:	Head of Final Checks Academy CIC
Date Reviewed:	September 2024
Date Approved:	September 2025
Approved By:	BTEC Pearson
Next Review:	September 2026

Contact Information

Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Danielle Everitt
danielle@final-checks.com

Deputy Safeguarding Lead:
Ben Green

active8tion@.co.uk

Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

Statement of Intent
Introduction and Purpose
Legislation and Guidance
Related Policies and Legislation
Policy Review; Publication and Promotion of Policy and Procedures
Staff Recruitment, Induction and Training
Staff Responsibilities
Record Keeping
Safeguarding Procedure (Part Two)
Impact Assessment

Final Checks Academy CIC is connected with Havering Social and Welfare Association (HASWA).

PART 1 – SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. Statement of Intent

Final Checks Academy CIC recognises that all members of staff have an important role to play in safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults, promoting wellbeing, safeguarding, and positive behaviour.

This policy applies to everyone associated with the academy (all staff, supply staff, volunteers, and visitors), irrespective of site, including visitors attending the academy premises. Final Checks Academy CIC will investigate serious concerns and allegations of abuse and respond promptly and appropriately, with possible referral to external agencies such as Social Services, Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB), Children’s Safeguarding Service, and the Police.

All personnel on the academy premises, including students and parents, will be made aware of the policy and procedures as appropriate and are required to adhere to the procedures set out in the Final Checks Academy CIC Safeguarding Policy.

DBS checks will be conducted on all staff where necessary, including all curriculum staff and those with daily student contact. Other new appointments will be assessed individually for DBS requirements.

All staff have a responsibility to follow the academy’s Safeguarding Policy. The academy will ensure appropriate inclusion of safeguarding information at induction and provide ongoing training and awareness as required by law.

The academy will take seriously any instances of non-adherence to the policy by staff or management. Any breach will be investigated and, where appropriate, action will be taken under the academy’s Disciplinary Policy.

Where appropriate, external agencies such as ESCB and the Police will be advised of breaches of policy and/or safeguarding concerns.

We are committed to working with parents, ensuring they are treated with respect, dignity, and courtesy. Parents’ rights to privacy and confidentiality will be respected, and sensitive information will not be shared without permission unless necessary to protect the welfare of a young person. For individuals under 18 or vulnerable adults over 18, concerns may be shared with parents or next of kin unless doing so would place the individual at risk of harm.

2. Introduction and Purpose

Final Checks Academy CIC recognises that the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults is paramount. According to the Children Act 1989, any individual under 18 years of age has the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexuality, or beliefs. This right extends to vulnerable adults, defined as persons aged 18 or over who may be in receipt of or in need of community care services due to mental or other disability, age, or illness, and who may be unable to care for or protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.

Within this policy, the definition may extend to those over 18 who may be at risk of harm or may cause harm to others, regardless of their engagement with community care services.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure the academy meets its responsibilities under legislation and safeguarding principles, providing a safe environment that promotes learning and an ethos where individuals feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.

The student induction programme includes information about academy services available to learners who are worried or in difficulty. The tutorial curriculum promotes wellbeing, self-esteem, and confidence, recognising that these, alongside support, access to services, and clear communication with adults, help prevent abuse and limit risk.

This policy defines responsibilities, processes, and procedures relating to the protection of young people and vulnerable adults, ensuring statutory and local guidelines are followed in reporting concerns. Safeguarding issues (suspected or actual) will be dealt with promptly, sensitively, and in line with national and local guidelines, with the welfare and dignity of individuals central to all actions.

The academy has a duty to act on safeguarding concerns and notify appropriate agencies, sharing information as necessary to safeguard individuals.

These procedures must be followed whenever an allegation is made or suspicion arises that a person may be at risk.

Where disclosures reveal abuse or risk outside the academy, appropriate action will be taken to safeguard those at risk.

The academy will not conduct investigations or determine whether abuse has occurred; this responsibility lies with the Police and/or Social Care. The academy’s role is to refer concerns and support individuals as appropriate.

Safeguarding information will be held securely in electronic and paper formats, accessible only to designated safeguarding personnel. Senior staff may access records for technical reasons only.

3. Legislation and Guidance – Key Legislation

Keeping Children Safe in Education (2014): Provides key information on safeguarding young people and promoting welfare in education. All staff have received this publication and safeguarding training to ensure understanding of core principles.
Children Act 1989 and 2004: Provides the legal framework for child protection in the UK; defines a child as any person under 18 years.
Protection of Children Act 1999: Requires employers to carry out criminal record checks before employees work with children. The academy complies with DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) requirements and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

4. Other Legislation and Guidance

All academy staff with safeguarding responsibilities adhere to current Child Protection Procedures. Policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with national and local safeguarding legislation and guidance.

Related Policies and Codes of Conduct

Recruitment and Selection Policy
Equal Opportunities Policy
Staff Code of Conduct
Student Code of Conduct
Positive Behaviour Policy
Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy
Professional Development Policy
Whistleblowing Policy
Work-Related Learning Placements/Apprenticeships

5. Policy Review, Publication, and Promotion

The Safeguarding Policy and Procedure will be reviewed annually by senior management or sooner if required by new legislation or best practice. The academy consults with Essex Safeguarding Board and uses their guidance to inform policy.

The policy is published on the academy intranet and made available to learners, parents, and carers on request, including in alternative formats.

All staff are made aware of safeguarding policies during recruitment, induction, and ongoing training. Students are informed of safeguarding responsibilities during induction, group tutorials, and confidentiality statements.

6. Staff Recruitment, Induction, and Training

The academy follows best practice safe recruitment procedures, including all necessary pre-employment checks to protect children and vulnerable adults. Information is stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Appropriate Checks:
DBS checks are undertaken for all staff. If a member of staff commences employment before DBS clearance, a supervisory programme will be implemented.

Other relevant safeguarding databases may be used by Human Resources to manage allegations and maintain up-to-date guidance.

Induction:
Safeguarding arrangements are included in induction for new employees, who are monitored in line with this policy and the Code of Conduct.

Designated safeguarding staff receive appropriate training and refresher courses every three years. Temporary staff and volunteers are made aware of safeguarding arrangements and are appropriately checked and inducted. Contractors and visitors must be supervised or risk-assessed.

7. Staff Responsibilities

Safeguarding is the responsibility of all staff. All staff must familiarise themselves with and adhere to this policy and the Staff Code of Conduct, understanding their duties, responsibilities, and boundaries.

In cases of allegations against staff involving students under 16 (Young Apprentices), the nominated person will liaise with the relevant school contact to ensure safeguarding arrangements are in place, while following academy procedures.

8. Record Keeping – Data Protection

All safeguarding records are held securely by Final Checks Academy CIC in paper and electronic formats. Records are retained for seven years in accordance with the academy’s Data Protection Policy.

Requests for access to safeguarding records by external agencies (e.g., Police, Social Care) must be authenticated in writing or via email.

PART 2 – SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURE

8.1 Procedure for Dealing with Suspicion or Disclosure

Listen carefully to the person disclosing or sensitively express concerns to the person you are worried about, encouraging dialogue. If uncomfortable, report concerns to a Safeguarding Officer.
Record the disclosure or concerns accurately.
Report concerns without delay to a Safeguarding Officer. Do not report safeguarding concerns via email.

8.2 Advice for Dealing with Initial Suspicion or Disclosure

All complaints, allegations, or suspicions of abuse must be taken seriously. Staff should respond with tact and sensitivity, recognising the courage it takes to disclose concerns.

Confidentiality cannot be promised, but information will only be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis. If the discloser refuses to provide further information, concerns should still be raised with a Safeguarding Officer.

Questions should be minimal and non-leading to avoid undermining investigations. For example, ask “What happened next?” rather than “Did he/she touch you inappropriately?”

Where appropriate, inform the discloser that information will be passed to a Safeguarding Officer and reassure them it will be handled sensitively.

Pass information to a Safeguarding Officer without delay to prevent further risk.

A full, careful record should be made as soon as possible, including:

Date and time of discussion
Names of those present
Details of the conversation using the language of those involved
Dates referred to by the discloser

Records must be kept securely and passed to a Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Self-Harming/Self-Neglect:
While not direct abuse, staff should be aware of these behaviours in risk assessments and refer concerns to the Designated Person or Deputy, who will liaise with external agencies as appropriate.

8.3 Responding to an Allegation

The Designated Person or Deputy leads safeguarding and child protection, advising staff, liaising with Student Services, and working with external agencies.
Any suspicion, allegation, or incident of abuse must be reported immediately to the Designated Person or Deputy. If unavailable, report to a member of the Executive Team.
Before contacting external agencies, the Designated Person or Deputy will gather basic student details and information about the allegation or suspicion.
The Designated Person or Deputy will contact relevant agencies if there is immediate risk and complete the Inter-Agency Referral Form within 24 hours. They will seek advice if there is no immediate risk but concerns remain.
The Designated Person or Deputy will act on external agency recommendations and inform a member of the Executive Team.
Where no child protection issues exist but additional needs are identified, the Common Assessment Framework will be applied.

8.4 Employee Involvement

Allegations against staff will follow similar procedures but must be reported to the Head of Academy or, in their absence, the Principal or Senior Management. External agencies, including Children’s Safeguarding Service, will be informed. Disciplinary action, including suspension as a neutral act, may be taken during investigations.

The academy recognises the importance of handling allegations sensitively to protect all parties’ rights and reputations.

8.5 Safe Care Practices in the Academy

Students may be seen individually by staff; some may require intimate care support. Safe care practices aim to:
- Keep students safe from abuse
- Ensure the academy is a safe environment
- Minimise risk of false allegations against staff
Staff should maintain good communication, e.g., inform others when interviewing a student alone.
Physical affection should be avoided; verbal reassurance may be appropriate.
Staff should report discomfort or inappropriate behaviour to their manager and safeguarding lead.
Intimate care (e.g., toileting assistance) should be the student’s responsibility where possible.
Staff and students should adhere to their respective Codes of Conduct.
Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is an offence for staff over 18 to have a sexual relationship with a student under 18 or vulnerable adult in their care, even if consensual.