SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY

Transcription

1 SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Henley College Coventry has a statutory and moral duty to ensure that the College prioritises safeguarding and promotes the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults receiving education and training at the College. The College recognises and applies the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda and this policy operates in the context of the ECM framework. The policy also forms part of the College s drive to promote equality of opportunity and eliminate discrimination. 1.2 Throughout this document, reference is made to young people and vulnerable adults. The term young people is used to mean those up to the age of 18. The College recognises that some adults are also vulnerable to abuse. Accordingly, the procedures may be applied (with appropriate adaptations) to allegations of abuse and the protection of vulnerable adults. 1.3 The College is committed to ensuring that the organisation: Provides a safe environment for young people and vulnerable adults to learn in. Practices safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff (including agency staff), volunteers and contractors to work with or in an environment where young people and vulnerable adults are present. Identifies young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. Takes appropriate action to see that such young people and vulnerable adults are kept safe at all times. Identifies young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering or likely to suffer impairment of their life chances and opportunities to learn and achieve. Takes appropriate action to ensure that such young people and vulnerable adults have access to all appropriate, available support in order to improve life chances. 1.4 In pursuit of these aims, the College will approve and annually review policies and procedures with the aim of: Raising awareness of issues relating to the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and the promotion of a safe environment for the young people and vulnerable adults learning within the College. Aiding the identification of young people and vulnerable adults at risk of significant harm, from others or themselves, and providing procedures for reporting concerns. Aiding the identification of young people and vulnerable adults at risk of impairment of life chances, in particular of learning and achieving. Establishing procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff. Ensuring the safe recruitment of staff. 1.5 In developing these policies and procedures, the College will consult with, and take account of, guidance issued by the Department for Education, the Independent Safeguarding Authority and other relevant bodies and groups. The procedures have been developed in co-operation with the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 1 of 13

2 Board (CSCB). They are consistent with the Coventry and Warwickshire Promoting Young People and Vulnerable Adult Well-being model (PCYPWB) and informed by the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) definitions of levels of risk (Appendix 1). 1.6 The College will refer concerns that a young person or vulnerable adult might be at immediate risk of or actually suffering significant harm (CAF Level 4) to the appropriate agencies as agreed in the PCYPWB procedures. The investigation of such concerns will be the responsibility of the appropriate external agency. 1.7 In the case of concerns that life chances will be impaired without support services (CAF Level 3) the College will work in partnership with other relevant agencies to investigate the concern, agree appropriate multi-agency actions to support the young person or vulnerable adult and provide support as appropriate. 1.8 Where life chances MAY be impaired without support services or where universal needs can be met by internal support mechanisms, (CAF Levels 1 and 2 of concern) the College will endeavour to access all appropriate support available for the young person or vulnerable adult through its own support facilities and through liaison with other appropriate agencies. 1.9 There will be a senior member of the College management team with lead responsibility for safeguarding issues, including those relating to staff. This will be the Assistant Principal Personnel and Equalities, who will be assisted by the College Welfare and Learning Support Team and the Assistant Personnel Manager The designated senior manager will ensure that the Principal and all staff working with children will receive training adequate to familiarise them with safeguarding issues and responsibilities, and the College procedures and policies, with refresher training at least every three years The College governing body will receive an annual report from the designated senior manager for safeguarding, which will review how the duties have been discharged In the operation of these procedures the College will keep information confidential. However, in the interest of young people and vulnerable adults well-being we will seek the consent of the young person or vulnerable adult or their parent/guardian to share information with relevant agencies where the Welfare and Learning Support Team has identified a need (CAF Level 2 or 3) In the event of the possibility, or incidence, of significant harm to a young person or vulnerable adult (CAF Level 4), consent will be sought where possible, but disclosure to appropriate agencies may be made irrespective of consent being given. Notes and internal case conference minutes will be held by the lead person in a separate confidential file and will not be kept in the tutorial file. A note saying that there has been a welfare concern will be lodged in the tutorial file, and the Welfare and Learning Support Team will be named as staff from whom more information can be obtained. 2 DESIGNATED STAFF WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFEGUARDING YOUNG PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE ADULTS 2.1 The Designated Senior Manager The designated senior manager for safeguarding and child protection issues is the Assistant Principal Personnel and Equalities. Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 2 of 13

3 2.1.2 This person is a senior member of the College management team. He/she has a key duty to take lead responsibility for raising awareness within the staff of issues relating to the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and the promotion of a safe environment for the young people and vulnerable adults learning within the College The designated senior manager will receive training in safeguarding young people and vulnerable adult issues and inter-agency working, as required by the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board and the Coventry and Warwickshire model, and will receive refresher training at least every two years. This will be prioritised by the Development Unit Director. He/she will keep up to date with developments in safeguarding issues The designated senior manager for safeguarding is responsible for: Overseeing the referral of cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant investigating agencies, and: Ensuring that, when appropriate, cases of concern are entered on the national e-caf database, and of overseeing this process. Ensuring that, when appropriate, Common Assessment Framework (CAF) procedures are implemented, and of overseeing the CAF process Providing advice and support to other staff on issues relating to safeguarding Maintaining a proper record of any safeguarding referral, complaint or concern (even where that concern does not lead to a referral to an external agency) Ensuring that parents of young people and vulnerable adults within the College are aware of the College s Safeguarding Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy by prioritising the Policy and providing appropriate access to it Ensuring there is effective liaison with the Local Authority and Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board and other appropriate agencies Ensuring there is effective liaison with secondary schools which send their pupils to the College to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made for the pupils Ensuring there is effective liaison with employers and training organisations that receive children or young people from the College on long term placements to ensure that appropriate safeguards are put in place Ensuring that staff receive basic training in safeguarding issues and are aware of the College child protection procedures The designated senior manager will provide an annual report to the governing body of the College setting out how the College has discharged its duties. The designated senior manager will be responsible for reporting deficiencies in procedure or policy identified by the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board (or others) to the governing body at the earliest opportunity. He/she also has responsibility for staffing matters in relation to Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 3 of 13

4 safeguarding, and will also report on any issues involving staff. Further information and guidance on safeguarding issues relating to staff can be found in the Staff Disciplinary Policy and the Staff Code of Conduct The Safeguarding Manager will report directly to the designated senior manager and will have responsibility for developing policies and procedures in relation to safeguarding, as well as for dealing with a caseload of level 4 referrals. 2.2 Other Designated Staff Members Other designated members of staff with responsibility for safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults issues and the authority to make referrals to Social Care and other appropriate agencies and are as follows: Safeguarding Manager. Director of Student Services and Learner Engagement. Learning Support Manager (special responsibility for vulnerable adults and young people with learning disabilities). Nursery Manager (special responsibility for early years) All designated staff members will complete appropriate safeguarding training. All designated staff are members of the College s Welfare group, which is chaired by the Safeguarding Manager Designated staff members will: report to the designated senior member; know how to make an appropriate referral; be available to provide advice and support to other staff on issues relating to safeguarding; have particular responsibility to be available to listen to young people and vulnerable adults studying at the College; deal with individual cases of learners at risk, including making e-caf entries, conducting CAF assessments, and attending case conferences and review meetings as appropriate; have received training in safeguarding issues and inter-agency working, as required by the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board, and will receive refresher training at least every two years; be members of the College Welfare Group. This group will review referrals from personal tutors, lecturers or other staff for students who require support because their chances to learn and achieve have been impaired. The group will ensure that appropriate support is accessed where it is available, and monitor the students progress, making referrals to appropriate agencies and/or CAF assessment should this become necessary. 2.4 Designated Governor The College has a designated member of the governing body with responsibility for safeguarding issues. The designated governor is responsible for liaising with the Principal and designated senior manager over matters regarding safeguarding, including: ensuring that the College has procedures and policies which are consistent with the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board; Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 4 of 13

5 ensuring that the governing body considers the College policy on safeguarding each year; ensuring that each year the governing body is informed of how the College and its staff have complied with the policy, including but not limited to a report on the training that staff have undertaken The designated governor is responsible for overseeing the liaison between appropriate agencies in the case of allegations against the Principal or the designated senior manager. This will not involve undertaking any form of investigation, but will ensure good communication between the parties and provide information to assist enquiries To assist in these duties, the designated governor shall receive appropriate training. 3 PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING CONCERNS 3.1 LEVEL OF CONCERN Concerns about Immediate Risk of Abuse (CAF level 4) Should a young person or vulnerable adult tell a member of College staff or fellow student, or cause a member of staff or student to suspect that they are or may be at immediate risk of harm or abuse, the member of staff or student must: note all relevant information as presented by the young person or vulnerable adult and/or the situation on the Safeguarding/Child Protection Referral and Information Form F1 for Suspected Level 4 Cases (see Appendix 2 for guidelines and Appendix 4 for the form); not investigate the matter themselves; report the concern immediately to a member of the Secretariat during normal working hours (8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.), either in person or by calling extension The concern will then be directed to the Safeguarding Manager and/or the designated senior manager (Assistant Principal Personnel and Equalities) or another designated safeguarding manager. In the event of staff needing to report a concern after 5.00 p.m., they should inform Reception, who will then contact the Duty Manager. He/she will then refer the concern directly to a member of the safeguarding team The Safeguarding Manager/designated senior manager (or other designated manager) will assess the information presented and make a referral, as appropriate, to the relevant external agency Contact details for the College s designated safeguarding managers and key external agencies will also be included in the College s Business Continuity Plan For definitions of types of abuse, see Appendix Concerns that a Young Person s or Vulnerable Adult s Life Chances May or Will be Impaired (CAF levels 2/3) Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 5 of 13

6 Should members of staff or fellow students believe that a vulnerable adult s or young person s life chances (in particular, chances of learning and achieving) will or may be impaired, they should refer the young person or vulnerable adult to his/her personal tutor In cases where the needs of the young person or vulnerable adult cannot be met through normal tutorial processes and approaches, the personal tutor, other members of staff or concerned students should refer the young person or vulnerable adult to the Welfare Group, using the Welfare Referral Form. 4 REPORTING AND DEALING WITH ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AGAINST MEMBERS OF STAFF 4.1 The procedures apply to all staff, whether teaching, administrative, management or support, as well as to agency staff, contractors and volunteers. The word staff is used for ease of description. 4.2 In rare instances, staff of education institutions have been found responsible for abuse. Because of their frequent contact with young people and vulnerable adults, staff may have allegations of abuse made against them. The College recognises that an allegation of abuse made against a member of staff may be made for a variety of reasons and that the facts of the allegation may or may not be true. It is imperative that those dealing with an allegation maintain an open mind and that investigations are thorough and not subject to delay. 4.3 The College recognises that the Children Act 1989 states that the welfare of the young person or vulnerable adult is the paramount concern. It is also recognised that hasty or ill-informed decisions in connection with a member of staff can irreparably damage an individual s reputation, confidence and career. Therefore, those dealing with such allegations within the College will do so with sensitivity and will act in a careful, measured way. 4.4 Receiving an Allegation from a Young Person or Vulnerable Adult A member of staff who receives an allegation about another member of staff from a young person or vulnerable adult should follow the guidelines in Appendix 2 for dealing with disclosure The allegation should be reported immediately to the senior designated manager, unless this manager is the person against whom the allegation is made, in which case the report should be made to the designated governor. In the case of an allegation against the Principal, the report should also be made to the designated governor. The designated senior manager or designated governor must: conduct a speedy initial investigation, gathering relevant facts from both parties; make an initial assessment of the need to report the allegations to appropriate external agencies In the case of allegations against the delegated governor a report should be made immediately to the Chair of Governors. 4.5 Initial Assessment by the Designated Senior Manager (or Designated Governor) Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 6 of 13

7 4.5.1 Having gathered the facts, the senior designated manager with lead responsibility (or designated governor) should make an assessment of the allegation, consulting with the Principal, the designated governor and the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board as appropriate Where the allegation is considered to be either a potential criminal act or indicates that the young person or vulnerable adult has experienced, is experiencing or is likely to experience significant harm, the matter should be reported immediately to the Coventry Children s Safeguarding Board or appropriate agencies. The appropriate external agency will then be expected to conduct an investigation. The designated senior manager (or designated governor), in consultation with the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board, will also assess the case for suspension of the member of staff. Should this action seem advisable, the designated senior manager (or the designated governor) will consult with the Assistant Personnel Manager. The Assistant Personnel Manager will decide whether to recommend suspension to a senior manager, under the terms of the College Staff Disciplinary Procedure. Suspension may be recommended in the following cases: where a young person or vulnerable adult is at risk; to alleviate stress on the member of staff concerned during investigation; where necessary for the good and efficient conduct of the investigation In all cases involving an investigation by an external agency, even when the College Staff Disciplinary Procedure has been invoked, the College s internal investigation procedures will be held in abeyance pending advice from the investigating agency that College procedures will not compromise the external investigation Where the allegation is NOT considered to warrant an immediate report to the Coventry Safeguarding Children s Board or appropriate agencies, an internal investigation under the College Complaints Procedure should be undertaken. Several outcomes from this investigation are possible: The investigation concludes that although it is neither potentially a crime nor a cause of significant harm to the young person or vulnerable adult, the allegation represents inappropriate behaviour or poor practice by the member of staff. The matter should then be addressed in accordance with the College Staff Disciplinary procedures. The investigation concludes that the allegation cannot be substantiated on the balance of probabilities and no malpractice can be apportioned to the member of staff. No formal disciplinary action should be taken. However, in some circumstances, it may be considered appropriate to hold a discussion with the member of staff to agree expectations of future conduct, offer advice and support for the member of staff. The investigation concludes that the allegation can be shown to be false. In these cases, when the allegation has been made by a young person or vulnerable adult the College Student Discipline procedures may be invoked. In cases of false allegations, the designated senior manager should also take the following actions: Inform the member of staff against whom the allegation is made, orally and in writing, that no further disciplinary or safeguarding action will be taken. Consideration may be given to offering counselling/support to the member of staff. Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 7 of 13

8 Inform the parents/carers of the alleged victim of the outcome of the investigation. Where the allegation was made by a young person or vulnerable adult other than the alleged victim, consideration should be given to informing the parents/carers of that young person/vulnerable adult. Prepare a report outlining the allegation and giving reasons for the conclusion that it had no foundation and confirming that the above action had been taken A record of the allegation must be kept and, since false allegations may be indicative of problems of abuse elsewhere, consideration should be given to a referral to the Coventry Children s Safeguarding Board in order that other agencies may act upon the information. 4.6 Enquiries and Investigations Safeguarding enquiries by Social Care or the Police are not to be confused with internal, disciplinary enquiries by the College. The College may be able to use the outcome of external agency enquiries as part of its own procedures. The child protection agencies, including the Police, have no power to direct the College to act in a particular way; however, the College should assist the agencies with their enquiries The College shall hold in abeyance its own internal enquiries while the formal Police or Social Care investigations proceed; to do otherwise may prejudice the investigation. Any internal enquiries shall conform with the existing complaints and staff disciplinary procedures If there is an investigation by an external agency, for example, the Police, the designated senior manager (or designated governor) should normally be involved in, and contribute to, the inter-agency strategy discussions. The designated senior manager (or designated governor) is responsible for ensuring that the College gives every assistance with the agency s enquiries The designated senior manager (or designated governor) will ensure that appropriate confidentiality is maintained in connection with the enquiries, in the interests of the member of staff about whom the allegation is made. Subject to objections from the Police or other investigating agency, the designated senior manager (or designated governor) shall: Inform the young person or vulnerable adult or parent/carer making the allegation that the investigation is taking place and what the likely process will involve. Ensure that the parents/carers of the young person or vulnerable adult making the allegation have been informed that the allegation has been made and what the likely process will involve. Inform the member of staff against whom the allegation was made of the fact that the investigation is taking place and what the likely process will involve. Inform the Chair of Governors and/or the designated governor of the allegation and the investigation. Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 8 of 13

9 4.6.5 The designated senior manager (or designated governor) will keep a written record of the action taken in connection with the allegation. 4.7 Monitoring Effectiveness Where an allegation has been made against a member of staff, the designated senior manager, together with the Assistant Personnel Manager and other colleagues as appropriate, should, at the conclusion of the investigation and any disciplinary procedures, consider whether there are any matters arising from it that could lead to the improvement of the College s procedures. Consideration should also be given to the training needs of staff. 5 RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCEDURES 5.1 The designated senior manager will review regularly the College s staff recruitment and selection procedures to ensure that all relevant safeguarding young people or vulnerable adults requirements are encompassed, including those of the Independent Safeguarding Authority. 6 EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT 6.1 This policy has been assessed for its impact on equal opportunities and has been informed by the aim to eliminate all forms of discrimination in all strands of the equal opportunities legislation. 7 REVIEW OF POLICY 7.1 This policy will be reviewed with the relevant parties on an annual basis, or as required. Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 9 of 13

10 APPENDIX 1 Promoting Children s Well-Being in Coventry Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 10 of 13

11 APPENDIX 2 GUIDELINES 1 If a young person or vulnerable adult tells a member of staff about possible abuse, the member of staff should: listen carefully and stay calm; not interview the alleged victim, but question normally and without pressure, in order to be sure that the member of staff understands what the alleged victim is telling them; not put words into the alleged victim s mouth; reassure the alleged victim that, by telling the member of staff, they have done the right thing; inform the alleged victim that the information must be passed on, but that only those that need to know about it will be told. Inform the young person or vulnerable adult of to whom the matter will be reported; note the main points carefully; make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what the alleged victim said, did and the questions asked by the member of staff, etc. 2 Staff should not investigate concerns or allegations themselves, but should report them immediately to the designated senior manager. For this is: Ø, Assistant Principal Personnel and Equalities Ø In her absence, the report must be made to a member of the team of designated managers listed below. The group comprises: Maria Crompton, Director of Student Services and Learner Engagement Frances Gibbons Safeguarding Manager Sarah Scott, Learning Support Manager 3 All referrals for concern about immediate risk of harm should be made in person to a member of the Secretariat during normal working hours (8.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.), either in person or by calling extension The concern will then be directed to the Safeguarding Manager and/or the designated senior manager (Assistant Principal Personnel and Equalities) or another designated safeguarding manager. In the event of staff needing to report a concern after 5.00 p.m., they should inform Reception, who will then contact the Duty Manager. He/she will then refer the concern directly to a member of the safeguarding team. 4 Contact details for the College s designated safeguarding managers and key external agencies will also be included in the College s Business Continuity Plan. Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 11 of 13

12 APPENDIX 3 DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE 1 Abuse is likely to consist any of the following: 1.1 Physical Abuse Physical abuse causes harm to the person. It may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning or suffocating. It may be done deliberately or recklessly, or be the result of a deliberate failure to prevent injury occurring. 1.2 Neglect Neglect is the persistent or severe failure to meet a young person s or vulnerable adult s basic physical and/or psychological needs. It will result in serious impairment of the young person or vulnerable adult s health or development. 1.3 Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse involves a young person or vulnerable adult being forced or coerced into participating in or watching sexual activity. It is not necessary for the young person or vulnerable adult to be aware that the activity is sexual, and the apparent consent of the young person or vulnerable adult is irrelevant. 1.4 Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse occurs where there is persistent emotional ill treatment or rejection. It causes severe and adverse effects on the young person s or vulnerable adult s behaviour and emotional development, resulting in low self-worth. Some level of emotional abuse is present in all forms of abuse. 1.5 Bullying and Harassment Bullying and/or harassment expressed verbally or through electronic media (SMS, social networking, texts, etc.) can be regarded as a form of abuse in its own right, or may feature in any of the main forms of abuse outlined above. For further information and guidance on this area, refer to the College s Anti-Bullying and Harrassment Policy. Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 12 of 13

13 Safeguarding/Child Protection Referral & Information Form F1 For Suspected Level 4 cases Appendix 4 Referral for Direct Involvement For Consultation & Advice For Information only Completed by: Contact Details: Position Held: Telephone: Name of Young Person/Adult Concerned: Student ID Number Age: (At time of Incident) Date of Birth: Course Attending: Any Disabilities: Gender: Male Female Ethnic Background (If known) Name of person who originated concern: Contact Details: Summary of incident/concern (please provide attach additional details where known) Received by Designated officer: NAME: DATE: NB: Referrer will receive feedback within five days. ACTIONS: Location: Macintosh HD:Users:paultonks:Desktop:Safeguarding Young People+Vulnerable Adults Policy.docx Page 13 of 13