Policy - Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

INTRODUCTION

Armonia Health and Beauty recognises that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount and takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the learners in its care.

Armonia has a commitment to the mental and physical health and wellbeing of both learners and staff (children/young people and those deemed to be vulnerable adults), creating a culture where young people can speak out or share their concerns with staff, and fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect and support them. Armonia has a moral and statutory duty to safeguard and promote the mental and physical welfare of all its learners and endeavours to create and maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment where they are respected and valued. Armonia will identify where there are safeguarding concerns regarding its learners and take action to address them in partnership with other organisations where appropriate.

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and board of directors, paid staff, volunteers and sessional staff, agency staff, learner tutor/assessors or anyone working on behalf of Armonia Health & Beauty.

This policy must be read in conjunction with the Department for Education (DfE) Keeping children safe in education 2024 Statutory guidance for schools and colleges issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 (as amended), the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015 and the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (as amended) and other Armonia policies which detail specific responsibilities for other aspects of safeguarding.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. ‘Children’ includes everyone under the age of 18. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play.

It should be noted that the above statutory guidance, the term ‘children’ includes everyone under the age of 18.

There are two key principles that underpin safeguarding practices, these are:

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility: for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their part;

A child or vulnerable adults centred approach: for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of children, learners and vulnerable adults within the setting. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child / young person.

There are three main elements to our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy:
• Prevention: e.g. positive atmosphere, teaching and pastoral support to learners.
• Protection: By following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to safeguarding and Child Protection concerns/disclosures.

Support: To learners and staff and to children, young people and vulnerable adults who may have been abused or neglected or whose mental and physical health is at risk.

The purpose of this policy is:

To protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who receive Armonia Health and Beauty Treatment and Training Centre education or services

To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

All staff have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn. Armonia believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law, statute and guidance that seeks to protect and safeguard, children and young people, namely:

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1991 (legally binding agreement signed by 196 countries (as of 12 July 2022)
Data Protection Act 2018
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Children Act 1989 (and associated Regulations) and the Children Act 2004 (and Regulations),
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

Relevant legislation and guidance that apply include the Sexual Violence & Harassment between children (2021), Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Act 2021, Children and Families Act 2014, Children and Social Work Act 2017, Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Disability SEN Code of Practice 2014, Children and Family Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2015, Care Act 2015, Serious Crime Act 2015, Voyeurism (offences) Act 2019 and statutory guidance: ‘Coronavirus (Covid-19): safeguarding in schools, colleges and other providers’; ‘What FE colleges and providers will need to do from the start of the 2020 autumn term’ July 2020; ‘What to do if you are worried a child is being abused – Advice for practitioners’ and the Prevent duty guidance (2023): for England and Wales, Keeping children safe in education 2023 Statutory guidance for schools and colleges, and NSPCC guidance ‘when to call the police guidance’.

Armonia takes seriously its responsibility under section 175 of the Education Act 2002 to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and to work together with other agencies to ensure adequate arrangements within our organisation to identify, assess, and support those children or young people who are suffering harm. Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places duties on Armonia and individuals to ensure their functions and services have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

We recognise that:

the welfare of the child, young person or vulnerable adult is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 2004
all children, young people and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
some children, young people or vulnerable adults are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
working in partnership with children, young people and vulnerable adults their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s and vulnerable adults welfare
the Prevent agenda is fundamentally linked to the safeguarding of our learners and staff and meets the Prevent Duty under the safeguarding arrangements within this policy and through its Prevent Strategy and the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Policy. The Prevent Strategy is written with reference to the Prevent Duty contained within Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 which states that specified authorities, in the exercise of their functions, must have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.
the Chief Executive Officer and the Board recognise their responsibility in ensuring that arrangements are in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of our learners, as defined and required by the relevant statutory instruments.

POLICY PRINCIPLES

The welfare of the learner is paramount.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play.
It is the responsibility of all staff to provide help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge.
Professionals should make sure their approach is child/young person centred and should consider at all times what is in the best interest of the child/young person.
All staff have a responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children and young people can learn.
All learners have equal rights to protection regardless of age, sex, ability, culture, ethnicity, language, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity and socio-economic status. This policy will not discriminate either directly or indirectly against any individual on these grounds or any other protected characteristics.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff have an equal responsibility to act on any suspicion or disclosure that may suggest a learner is at risk of harm; and • Students and staff involved in safeguarding and child protection and vulnerable adult protection issues will receive appropriate support and/or training with regular safeguarding updates.

SCOPE

The policy applies to all adults: staff including temporary1 and volunteers. Safeguarding is the responsibility of all adults and especially those working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. We recognise that all adults, have a full and active part to play in protecting our learners from harm, and that the child or young person’s welfare is our paramount concern. All staff believe that Armonia should provide a caring, positive safe and stimulating environment that promotes the social, physical and moral development of the individual learner.

1 Wherever the word “staff” is used, it covers ALL staff on site, including ancillary supply and self-employed staff, contractors, volunteers working with children etc, guest speakers, auditors, accountants, and Board members.

PURPOSE

Armonia acknowledges that Child Protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and learners and that a child or young person(s) centred approach is fundamental to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person. Accordingly, whatever the form of concerns, abuse or harm, all staff should put the needs of the child / young person or vulnerable adult first when determining what action to take.

As such this Policy has been written to provide an overview of Armonia’s position and arrangements in respect of Safeguarding and Child or Vulnerable Adults Protection and provides clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with Safeguarding incidents and situations.

This policy includes Armonia’s procedures for working during remote periods and with the impact of COVID-19.

It also provides staff with clear procedures about the action staff should take in the event that they are concerned about a child, young person or vulnerable adult. This ensures that Safeguarding concerns and Child Protection / Vulnerable Adults referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in ways which prioritise the needs of the child or vulnerable adult.

For the purposes of this policy, Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is defined as2:

Protecting children and young people from maltreatment
Preventing impairment of children/ young people’s mental and physical health or development
Ensuring that children / young people grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding is an all-encompassing term used to describe many aspects of life at Armonia Training Academy, including:

Learner health, safety and welfare;
Bullying and cyber-bullying;
Internet or online safety including e-safety;
Harassment and discrimination including hate crime and racist abuse;
Mental Health and Wellbeing;
Staff recruitment;
The use of physical intervention;
Meeting the needs of learners with medical conditions and learning difficulties or disabilities (LLDD);
First aid;
Alcohol, drug and substance misuse;
Educational visits;
Behaviour Management;
Staff Conduct and Professional Standards;
Code of Conduct;
Intimate or personal care;
Extremism, radicalisation and Prevent;
The security and safety of the training academy or place of learning; and • Issues which may be specific to the local area or population, for example child sexual exploitation (CSE), child criminal exploitation (CCE), youth crime or serious youth violence and gang related activity.

This policy covers all learners whether they are based on or off site in both classroom and work based learning. The policy will be reviewed at least annually and is linked with the following policies and procedures:

Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure;
Safer Recruitment Policy;
Prevent Duty and Guidance on Channel process;
Social Media Policy;
IT Policy;
Data Protection Policy;
Health and Safety Policy;
Complaints Procedures;
Teaching and Learning Polices;
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;

2 Taken from Keeping Children Safe in Education Sept 2020

POLICY STATEMENT

This policy will not discriminate either directly or indirectly against any individual on grounds of sex, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, disability, inclusion need, gender identity, socio-economic status or any other protected characteristic.

AIM

To ensure all staff are informed and aware of Armonia’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures to enable them to meet their safeguarding responsibilities and reporting possible cases of abuse;
To encourage self-awareness and an atmosphere in which learners find staff approachable to enable communication of any issues which may be affecting their lives;
To ensure consistent good practice in following procedures thereby ensuring staff respond appropriately and sensitively to Safeguarding and Child Protection concerns; • To provide an environment in which children and young people feel safe, secure, valued and respected, and feel confident, and know how to approach adults if they are in difficulties, believing they will be effectively listened to;
To provide a systematic means of monitoring children, young people and vulnerable adults known or thought to be at risk of harm, and ensure as an organisation, we contribute to assessments of need and support packages for those children and young people;
To provide support and promote clear lines of communication between all staff members; • To develop a structured procedure within the organisation which will be followed by all members of Armonia’s community in cases of suspected abuse;
To develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies, especially the Police, Children’s’ Social Care, Adult Social Care and Channel;
To ensure that all staff and volunteers working within our organisation who have substantial access to children and young people, have been checked as to their suitability, including verification of their identity, qualifications, and a satisfactory DBS check, and a central record is kept for audit; and
To demonstrate Armonia’s commitment with regard to safeguarding and child protection to learners, parents and other partners.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Safeguarding and child and vulnerable adult protection concerns could happen anywhere, and all staff should be alert to possible concerns being raised in our organisation. All adults working with or on behalf of children have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

All staff should be prepared to identify children who may benefit from early help. Any staff member who has a concern about a child’s welfare should follow the referral processes set out in this policy.

All staff should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training (including online safety which, amongst other things, includes an understanding of the expectations, applicable roles and responsibilities in relation to filtering and monitoring at induction. Update training should be undertaken regularly. In addition, all staff should receive safeguarding and child protection (including online safety) updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins, and staff meetings), as required, and at least annually, to continue to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively.

Armonia has designated staff who lead on safeguarding and who provide support to staff to carry out their safeguarding duties and who liaise closely with other services such as children’s social care. The designated safeguarding officers are most likely to have a complete safeguarding picture and be the most appropriate person to advise on the response to safeguarding concerns. The roles and names of those carrying these responsibilities at Armonia are listed below.

Safeguarding concerns regarding children, young people and vulnerable adults should be referred to the Chief Executive officer (CEO) or Chief Operating Officer (COO). However, staff may raise concerns directly with Children Social Care services or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if required.

The Board understands and is committed to ensuring that Armonia fulfils its responsibility on safeguarding and child protection and that all staff are aware of the systems within the organisation which support safeguarding by ensuring that:

there is a Safeguarding / Child Protection policy in place;
Armonia operates safe recruitment procedures by ensuring that there is at least one person on every recruitment panel that has completed Safer Recruitment training and that a safeguarding question is asked to all applicants.
there are procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff and volunteers and to make a referral to the DBS if a person in regulated activity has been dismissed or removed due to safeguarding concerns, or would have had they not resigned;
a senior leader has Designated Safeguarding Lead responsibility under their remit (DSL); • all designated safeguarding officers undertake initial training the local Safeguarding Children Board (SCB) and refresher training at least every 2 years;
all other staff have safeguarding training (including implementation) updated as appropriate at least every three years;
Armonia provides a safe environment for young people and vulnerable adults; • Armonia identifies young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or at risk of suffering significant harm and takes appropriate action to see that they are kept safe; • any weaknesses in child protection and safeguarding are remedied immediately; • the Board is nominated to liaise with the LA on Child Protection issues and in the event of an allegation of abuse made against the CEO;
the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually and that it is available on Armonia’s website or by other means;

the CEO considers how the organisation raises awareness of issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults in the organisation;
the CEO has overall responsibility for Safeguarding and Child Protection and will ensure that reports to the Board are made at least annually.

The Board is responsible for liaising with the CEO and COO with Lead Responsibility over matters regarding safeguarding, including:

ensuring that Armonia has procedures and policies which are consistent with the Local Safeguarding Board’s procedures;
ensuring that the Board considers Armonia’s policy on safeguarding each year; • overseeing the liaison with external agencies in connection with allegations made against the CEO or Staff Member with Lead Responsibility. This will not involve undertaking any form of investigation but will ensure clear and transparent communication between the parties and provide information to assist enquiries.
to assist in these duties, the Board shall receive appropriate training

Senior Designated Lead (DSL) and Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) responsibility

Armonia has named the senior member of staff and a member of the Management Team with lead responsibility for Safeguarding and Child Protection as Diane Hey (DSL) and Jade Elsom (DSO). Together they will:

Have a duty to take lead responsibility for raising awareness with staff of issues relating to the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and the promotion of a safe environment for both learning and those being cared for within the organisation;
Ensure that Safeguarding and Child Protection concerns or allegations against adults working in the organisation are referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice, and that any member of the staff found not to be suitable to work with children will be notified to the DBS for consideration for barring;
Act as the specific person of contact for Prevent and Channel referrals. To take a lead role for concerns raised regarding extremism1, radicalisation.
Provide and take a lead on single agency training to staff and the Board as appropriate; • Ensure policies and procedures are reviewed and updated;
Receive training in safeguarding and inter-agency working, as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB);
Provide reports to the Board at least annually with details of changes to policy and procedure, training undertaken by DSOs, and by all staff, number and type of incidents / cases, and number of children on the child protection register;
Receive refresher training at least every 2 years;
Lead on organisational training;
Keep up to date with developments in safeguarding issues.
Keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of all concerns, discussions and decisions made including the rationale for those decisions. This should include instances where referrals were or were not made to another agency such as LA children’s social care or the Prevent program etc.

All staff will receive training on Safeguarding and Child Protection during induction and periodically renewed to maintain their understanding of signs and indicators of abuse – every three years.

1Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:

negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others; or
undermine, overturn or replace the UK’s system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or
intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve the results in (1) or (2).

PROCEDURE OVERVIEW

DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE AND REPORTING CONCERNS

Sometimes a member of staff may have suspicions that a learner is being abused or is at risk of significant harm. A learner may also disclose to a member of staff that s/he is being abused. In these circumstances, the procedure outlined below should be followed:

Reporting to Designated Staff – DSOs – Staff should report any concerns, suspicions or disclosures immediately to the Designated Officers via telephone number 01757 212130 and email address [email protected].

Significant Concerns: If a member of staff has significant concerns about a young person or vulnerable adult, they should contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately via the telephone number 01757 212130, who will consider and advise whether the concerns should be formally referred by the organisation.

Disclosure of Abuse: If a young person or vulnerable adult discloses abuse, or if abuse is suspected, staff should:

Listen carefully and stay calm;
Question normally using open questions, and without pressure, in order to be sure that what the young person or vulnerable adult is saying is fully understood;
Reassure them that by telling a member of staff, they have done the right thing; • Inform them that the information must be passed on, but that only those who need to know about it will be told. Inform the young person or vulnerable adult to whom the matter will be reported; and
Contact a Designated Safeguarding Officer via telephone as soon as possible and always within 24 hours.

Staff should not:

Ask leading questions;
Try to investigate concerns or allegations;
Take photographs of any injuries;
Discuss disclosure information with other members of staff; and
Promise confidentiality.

Reporting to the CEO/DSL – The Designated Safeguarding Officer must notify the CEO/DSL as soon as practicable of any serious high-risk disclosure or suspicion being raised, and always within 24 hours.

Contact with Social Care – The Designated Safeguarding Officer must report the matter to Social Care or to the Police immediately by telephone and follow this up in writing within 24hrs.

The full procedure can be found in Appendix A

SAFEGUARDING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

Staff who are concerned about the conduct of a colleague towards a learner are undoubtedly placed in a very difficult situation. They may worry that they have misunderstood the situation and they will wonder whether a report could jeopardise their colleague’s career. All staff must remember that the welfare of the learner is paramount.

All staff working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are in a position of trust and authority. All concerns that a person would pose a risk of harm and / or an allegation relating to a person who works with children, young people or vulnerable adults who has

Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicated they may pose a risk or harm to children; or
Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children (transferable risk). Transferable risk is where a member of staff or volunteer is involved in an incident outside Armonia which did not involve children but could have an impact on their suitability to work with children. For example, a staff member involved in domestic violence at home – the organisation needs to consider even if no children were involved, what triggered these actions and could a child in the organisation trigger the same reaction, therefore being put at risk. In such instances the staff should be referred to the CEO for investigation.

Staff who are the subject of an allegation have the right to have their case dealt with fairly, quickly and consistently and to be kept informed of its progress. Suspension is not mandatory and requires careful consideration, nor is it automatic but, in some cases, staff may be suspended where this is deemed to be the best way to ensure that learners are protected. In the case of supply or agency staff, Armonia will work with the agency but cannot cease an agency members employment without investigation and referral to the LADO.

SAFER RECRUITMENT

Armonia endeavours to ensure that we do our utmost to employ ‘safe’ staff by following the guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2023). Full guidance on safer recruitment can be found in the Safer Recruitment Policy.

ONLINE SAFETY

Mobile phones and computers are a source of fun, entertainment, communication and education. However, some will use these technologies to harm others. This is more important than ever and Armonia is increasing work online and young people should be protected from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. The use of technology could increase risks of radicalisation,

sexual predation, CSE and CCE – it provides a platform that facilitates harm. The harm might range from sending hurtful or abusive texts and emails, to enticing young people or vulnerable adults to engage in sexually harmful conversations online, webcam filming, photography or face-to face meetings. Cyber-bullying by students, via texts and emails, will be treated as seriously as any other type of bullying and will be managed through our anti-bullying policy and/ or disciplinary procedures.

Full guidance can be found in the IT Policy, Social Media Policy, and Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure.

RECORD KEEPING, CONFIDENTIALITY AND SHARING INFORMATION

Well-kept records are essential to good Child Protection practice. Armonia recognises that all matters relating to Safeguarding and Child Protection are confidential, and all information will be stored and handled in line with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the GDPR principles. Information is:

processed for limited purposes;
adequate, relevant, and not excessive;
accurate;
kept no longer than necessary;
processed in accordance with the data subject’s rights; and
secure.

Safeguarding records are normally exempt from the disclosure provisions of the Data Protection Act and GDPR, which means that learners and parents / legal guardians do not have an automatic right to see them. If any member of staff receives a request from a learner or parent/ legal guardian to see safeguarding records, they will refer the request to the CEO.

The Data Protection Act and GDPR does not prevent the sharing of safeguarding information with relevant agencies, where that information may help to protect or keep a young person safe. Full guidance can be found in the Data Protection and Information Sharing Policy. All staff must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children.

All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child or young person to keep secrets which might compromise the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The DSL will ensure that safeguarding reports and records are maintained securely and confidentially, that all stakeholders are updated regularly on safeguarding incidents / reports made within the organisation and that the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually and reported to the board and staff on relevant changes and updates.

The Chief Executive will act in accordance with Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 and the supporting statutory guidance ‘Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education’ (2006) to safeguard and promote the welfare of students at Armonia.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Signed:

Diane Hey – Chief Executive

Date: December 2025

APPENDIX 1: Safeguarding Procedures

Introduction

These procedures provide a framework within which Armonia will work with other agencies and professionals at a local level to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

They apply to all students/learners below the age of eighteen and vulnerable adults. The term children will be used throughout the procedures to apply to children and young people below the age of eighteen. They include amendments to previous guidance, to include new definitions of notifiable incidents as follows:

a child has died (including cases of suspected suicide) and abuse or neglect is known or suspected
a child has been seriously harmed and abuse or neglect is known or suspected • a looked after child has died (including cases where abuse or neglect is not known or suspected)
a child in a regulated setting or service has died (including cases where abuse or neglect is not known or suspected)

The guidance states that any incident meeting the criteria for a serious case review will have met the criteria for a notifiable incident.

Seriously harmed includes, but is not limited to, cases where the child has sustained, as a result of abuse of neglect, any or all of the following:

a potentially life-threatening injury
serious and/or likely long-term impairment of physical or mental health or physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development,

The guidance makes it clear that this definition is not exhaustive, and that serious harm can still have occurred if a child recovers from the incident.

Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation came into force 31st October 2015

Please see annex A Mandatory reporting of female genital mutilation; procedural information on how to make a report, next steps following a report and failure to comply with the duty

Other amendments include Children at risk of sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation and radicalisation as outlined in Working together to safeguard children (2015) Annex B

Staff should;

Explain to learners and their families at the outset, openly and honestly, what and how information will, or could be shared and why, and seek their agreement. The exception to this is where to do so would put the learner or others at increased risk of significant harm or an adult at risk of serious harm, or if it would undermine the prevention, detection or prosecution of a serious crime including where seeking consent might lead to interference with any potential investigation.

Always consider the safety and welfare of the learners when making decisions on whether to share information about them. Where there is concern that the student may be suffering or is at risk of suffering significant harm, the student’s safety and welfare should be the overriding consideration.

Where possible, respect the wishes of children, young people or families who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still share information, if in your judgement on the facts of the case there is sufficient need to override that lack of consent.

Seek advice where you are in doubt, especially where your doubt relates to a concern about possible significant harm to a student or serious harm to others.

Contact the Duty and Assessment Service or to the relevant Area Team if the concern relates to family currently open to a worker within the Community and Schools Social Work Service (CSSWS), ensure that the information you share is accurate and up-to date, necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, shared only with those people who need to see it, and shared securely.

You should always record the reasons for your decision – whether it is to share information or not. There must be an audit trail.

Each situation should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Staff should always seek advice from senior colleagues, where clarity is required.

If there is concern about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult, including children or vulnerable adults living away from home, and in particular concerns that a child or vulnerable adult may be suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm, a referral should be made to children’s social care and/or the police, as appropriate. Staff should always consider if there is domestic abuse in the family/household and the impact of this on the child or vulnerable adult. In general, if the concern is about abuse or risk of abuse by someone known to the child/ vulnerable adult or the family, an enquiry should be made to the list/register of children/vulnerable adults who have a protection plan. This should be followed by a referral to children’s social care, if appropriate. Children’s social care should involve the police in cases where a criminal offence may have been committed. If the concern is about abuse or risk of abuse by someone not previously known to the child/vulnerable adult or the their family, a list/register check should be made and the matter should be reported directly to the police.

These procedures also apply to allegations made against staff, volunteers, and foster carers.

A telephone referral should be made in the following circumstances and should be followed up with a completed CAF Form or Initial Assessment Record within 48 hours.

Telephone referrals should be made to:

Doncaster Children’s Social Care Team

Contact the Duty and Assessment Service on 01302 737777 or the relevant Area Team (see Appendix 2 for full contact details) if the concern relates to family currently open to a worker within the Community and Schools Social Work Service.
Urgent telephone referrals outside office hours should be made to the Emergency Duty Team on 01302 796000 and/or South Yorkshire Police
Contact the Central Referral Unit on 01709 832793 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
If a Police response is required out of hours then the South Yorkshire Police switchboard should be contacted on 101 and details referred to the CRU the next working day.

When to make a telephone referral:

a) a learner makes a clear allegation of abuse
b) a learner sustains an injury and there is professional concern about how it was caused c) a member of the public makes a clear, detailed, credible allegation that someone has abused a student professional concern exists about abuse or neglect, despite no allegation being made despite professional intervention, either on a single agency basis or as part of CAF intervention, because of suspected neglect or emotional abuse there is concern that a student is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm where students under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult are engaged in sexual activity and there are concerns around significant harm
d) there are concerns a student under 18 or a vulnerable adult is being sexually exploited e) concern exists about a student having contact with a person who may pose a risk, or potential risk, to children or vulnerable adults
f) a learner has been abandoned
g) a learner is being denied access to urgent or important medical assessment or services h) a learner is at risk of being subjected to illegal procedures, for example female genital mutilation or forced marriage a learner is being harmed through seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another for example through domestic abuse there are any other circumstances which suggest that a student is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm i) either an adult or a student makes historical allegations of abuse
j) a CAF or Initial Assessment confirms there are suspicions of fabricated or induced illness. k) where there are concerns about the welfare of any unborn child
l) concerns of significant harm have risen for a child/vulnerable adult receiving a service as a m) child/vulnerable adult in need u) further concerns have arisen of increased or additional risk to a child/ vulnerable adult currently on the list/register of children/vulnerable adult who have a protection plan
n) a child/vulnerable adult has been made the subject of an emergency protection order or police protection
o) concerns have arisen for a child or vulnerable adult who is the subject of a supervision order or care order.

Talking to learners

It is good professional practice to ask a learner why s/he is upset or how an injury was caused, and to respond to a leaner who wants to talk to you. However, it is important to remember that it is not the role of professionals, other than the enquiring/investigating social worker and/or police officer, to conduct the child protection investigation/enquiry.

It is important that the learner understands the following:

that information cannot be kept confidential
with whom the information will be shared
when the information will be shared and
his/her wishes and feelings will be listened to.

A learner volunteering information about abuse should be allowed to: • talk without interruption and be listened to

expect a calm, kind, non-judgemental response and
expect a non-directive approach, which avoids asking leading questions.

A non-directive approach should be adopted with nothing required other than the leaner’s verbal account. It is essential for workers to make notes of their conversation with the learner as soon as possible after it has taken place.

Remember to record the words used by the learner and yourself. Ensure time, date, location of conversations are recorded and the initial record is preserved. Use full names and job titles of any other professionals referred to, sign the record and print your name clearly.

There are cases where it will not be appropriate to discuss concerns with

parents/caregivers before referral. In such situations, the timing of contact with parents/caregivers will be agreed with children’s social care and/or the police once the referral has been made.

Situations where it would not be appropriate to inform family members prior to referrals include where:

a) discussion would put a learner at risk of significant harm
b) there is evidence to suggest that involving the parents/caregivers would impede the police investigation and/or children’s social care enquiry
c) sexual abuse is suspected
d) organised or multiple abuse is suspected
e) fabricated or induced illness is suspected
f) to contact parents/caregivers would place you or others at risk
g) discussion would place one parent at risk of harm e.g., in cases of domestic abuse h) it is not possible to contact parents/caregivers without causing undue delay in making the referral
i) where there are concerns about a possible forced marriage
j) where learners under the age of 18 or vulnerable adults are engaged in sexual activity and there are concerns around significant harm.

Who should make the Referral

Armonia’s Chief Executive is the designated senior lead in relation to safeguarding and child protection matters and staff can refer to the DSL for consideration and guidance on which a decision will need to be made about who is going to make the referral to children’s social care or the police. It is important that everyone with a child protection concern has a responsibility to ensure the referral is made. It is good practice for the person with first-hand information to make the referral or at least be available to pass on their information. Referrals must be made as soon as possible, but in any event within 24 hours.

Any member of staff has the right to make a referral and when making a referral staff should not expect anonymity. However, in exceptional circumstances where disclosure to third parties could endanger the referrer, managers should assess risk and if necessary, agree anonymity at this stage.

Where a member of the public expresses concerns to a professional about significant harm to a child/vulnerable adult, the professional should assume responsibility for making the referral to

children’s social care if appropriate. The member of staff should assure the member of the public that confidentiality will be respected wherever possible. Personal information about the member of the public, including anything that could identify them, should only be disclosed to third parties with their consent.

Information required when making a Referral

The referrer should have as much of the following information as possible prior to making a referral. However, gaps in essential information should not result in a delay in making a referral.

Essential information:

full names and dates of birth of the learner, parents/caregivers and any other family members
address and daytime contact telephone number for parents/caregivers
the learner’s full address and telephone number
full name, date of birth and address of any suspected abuser
current location of student and suspected abuser
learner and family’s first language
reason for referral, including description of any injuries observed, (photographs of the injuries should only be taken by police or medical staff as part of a Section 47 investigation), details of any allegations made, discussions with the student or relevant others, details of any witnesses. Include dates/times/locations of alleged incidents • action taken and people contacted since the concern arose
any immediate or impending danger to the child/vulnerable adult
special needs of the child/vulnerable adult and parents/caregivers, including a need for an interpreter, signer or communication therapist
if a CAF has been completed, the name of the lead professional
the outcome of checking the list/register of children/ vulnerable adults who have a protection plan.

Additional useful information you might include in your referral:

addresses of family members or other significant people not living in the household • previous addresses of the family
information regarding contact between any alleged abuser and other children or vulnerable adults, i.e. in a work, community, extended family or other settings
schools, nurseries, etc. attended by the child and other children in the household • name, address and telephone number of GP
name, address and telephone number of health visitor/school nurse
hospital ward, consultant, named nurse, and date admitted/discharged
name/address/ telephone number of other professionals involved with the family • Learner’s legal status (e.g. residence order, care order) and details of anyone not already mentioned who has parental responsibility (unmarried fathers whose details are on the birth certificates of children born after 1st December 2003 share equal parental responsibility with the child’s mother)
ethnic origin, religion, cultural background
whether vulnerable adults are present in the household
previous concerns and any relevant background information. This should be structured using the domains of the ‘Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families’
the learner’s developmental needs
the parents or caregivers’ capacity to respond to those needs
the wider family and environmental factors and
any opinion you have formed about how the student and family are likely to react to the referral and any subsequent Section 47 enquiries, including in particular any factors which are likely to place the learner or others at risk (e.g., where there is domestic abuse, a history of violent behaviour, chaotic substance misuse or adults with unstable mental ill health problems).

What to expect after a Referral has been made to Children’s Social Care

A member of staff making a referral to children’s social care should be informed of the outcome and the reasons for any decisions made within one working day.

Both children’s social care and the referrer should record the outcome of this discussion.

If a professional is actively involved in Section 47 child protection enquiries, s/he should be kept fully informed throughout.

A member of the public giving information to a professional that leads to a

referral being made should only be told that appropriate action has been taken but may not be given further details. This is because of the need for

confidentiality.

Recording

If you are concerned about a learner, you should record the following details: a) the reason for the referral

b) a description of any observed injuries (i.e., site, size, colour, etc. – photographs of the injuries should only be taken by police or medical personnel involved in a Section 47 investigation) and who has seen them
c) any allegations made and who witnessed them
d) any discussions with the student or others
e) dates/times/locations of alleged incidents
f) any known witnesses to the alleged abuse and
g) action taken and people contacted (including when the referral was made, to whom, their response and any agreed action).

The record should indicate the original source of all information given and be clearly signed and dated by the author. This record may be needed for:

any subsequent child protection conference
any court action by police or children’s social care and
any work with the family.

You should send a copy of this referral information to children’s social care, on the CAF Form or Initial Assessment Record within 48 hours, and keep the original securely in accordance with your workplace procedures. If you have not received an acknowledgement of a written referral within 3 working days, you should contact a manager within children’s social care.

Doncaster useful contacts

Doncaster Safeguarding Children Board (support unit)

Danum Road, Doncaster, DN4 5HF

Telephone: 01302 734100 between 8.30am and 5pm

Outside of these hours: 01302 796000

For DSCB Training Team please contact:

Telephone: 01302 862302

Children’s Social Care

Duty and Assessment Service (Community and Schools Social Work Service)

Telephone: 01302 737777

Out of Hours – Emergency Duty Team

Telephone: 01302 796000

Fax: 01302 530367

The service is available from 5.00pm in the evening until 8.30am the following morning during the week with 24 hour cover at weekends and Bank Holidays, including Christmas Day.

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Telephone: 01302 736246

Doncaster Sexual Exploitation Team

Telephone: 01302 737200

Selby Useful Contacts

North Yorkshire Children’s Social Care

08450 349410

North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Board

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Telephone: 01609 534974 or 532477

Childline:

Telephone: 08001111