South Cheshire College
Safeguarding Policy - The Protection of Children,
Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Contents
A
General Policy Statement
B
The Designated Staff with Responsibility for the Protection of Children, Young People and
Vulnerable Adults
C
Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting Concerns
D
Allegations Against Members of Staff
E
Prevention of Violent Extremism – The ‘Prevent’ Agenda
F
Associated Policies
G
Starting Point Childcare Centre – Additional Child Protection Procedures
Protection of Children, Young People & Vulnerable Adults
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Policy: SCCPOL 02
Issue 10 : 16/03/2015
Review: 01/03/2016
A
General Policy Statement
South Cheshire College has a statutory and moral duty to ensure that it operates appropriately in
respect of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and those adults
deemed vulnerable receiving education and training at the College.
The College is committed to providing a safe learning environment that is based upon positive wellbeing, personal safety and security essential for all learners and all staff.
Throughout these policies and procedures, reference is made to:
“children and young people”. This term is used to mean “those under the age of 18”
“vulnerable adults” A vulnerable adult is defined as a person “who is or may be in need of community
care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to
take care of himself or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or
exploitation”
The governing body is committed to ensuring that the College:
 provides a safe environment in which children, young people and vulnerable adults can learn
 identifies children, young people and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or likely to suffer,
significant harm, and
 takes appropriate action to see that such children, young people and vulnerable adults are
kept safe, both at home and at the College.
In pursuit of these aims, the governing body will approve and annually review policies and
procedures with the aim of:
 raising awareness of issues relating to the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable
adults and the promotion of a safe environment for them to learn within the College
 aiding the identification of children, young people and vulnerable adults at risk of significant
harm, and providing procedures for reporting concerns
 working with social care, the police, health services and other services to promote the welfare
of children, young people and vulnerable adults and protect them from harm.
 establishing procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse against members
of staff
 the safe recruitment of staff
In developing the policies and procedures, the governing body will consult with, and take account
of, guidance issued by the Department of Health, the Department for Children, Schools and Families
and other relevant bodies and groups. The College will refer concerns that a child, young person or
vulnerable adult might be at risk of significant harm to Social Services and/or the appropriate
agencies as agreed with the local Safeguarding Children Board.
The Principal and all staff working with children will receive training adequate to familiarise
themselves with protection issues and responsibilities and the College procedures and policies, with
refresher training at least every 3 years. There will be a senior member of the College management
team with special responsibility for protection issues (the designated senior member of staff with
lead responsibility for protection). S/he shall be assisted by other members of staff with
responsibility for the protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The governing body will receive from the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility
for protection an annual report which reviews how the duties have been discharged.
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Policy: SCCPOL 02
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Review: 01/03/2016
The governing body recognises the following definition of abuse:
Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.
Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it
may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a child, young person or
vulnerable adult is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has
not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can happen in any relationship and may result in significant
harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.
The following 6 categories of abuse have been identified:
Physical abuse
Physical abuse may include hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or
inappropriate sanctions.
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately
causes ill health to a child, young person or vulnerable adult they are looking after. This situation
is commonly described using terms such as factitious illness by proxy or Munchausen syndrome by
proxy.
Some of the recognised signs of physical abuse are: unexplained burns, scratches, bruising and
abrasions, drowsiness from misuse of medication and anxiety in the presence of the abuser.
Neglect and acts of omission
This may include ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate
health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as
medication, adequate heating and nutrition.
Some of the recognised signs of neglect and acts of omission are: dehydration, infections,
malnutrition and hypothermia.
Sexual Abuse
This may include rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the child, young person or
vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting. It also
includes forcing a person to look at pornographic materials.
Some of the recognised signs of sexual abuse are: changes in behaviour; torn, stained or bloody
underclothing; bruising around the breasts or genital area; sexually transmitted diseases; difficulties
in walking or sitting and sexualised behaviour.
Psychological/emotional abuse
Psychological abuse may include emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of
contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation
or withdrawal from services or support networks.
Some of the recognised signs of psychological or emotional abuse are: fear, passivity, confusion,
apathy, lack of eye contact, low self-esteem, disturbed sleep patterns and reluctance to talk openly.
Financial or material abuse
This may include theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance
or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
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Policy: SCCPOL 02
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Review: 01/03/2016
Some of the recognised signs of financial or material abuse are: loss of jewellery and personal
property, lack of money to purchase basic items, a bill not being paid when money is entrusted to a
third party, inadequate clothing, unexplained withdrawal of cash and loss of money from a wallet or
purse.
Discriminatory abuse
This may include abuse, bullying and harassment based on the individual’s age, sex, disability,
religion, race or ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Some of the recognised signs of discriminatory abuse might be very similar to psychological or
emotional abuse.
B
Designated Staff with Responsibility for Safeguarding and the protection of
children, young people and vulnerable adults
Senior Staff Member with Lead Responsibility
The designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for safeguarding and protection issues
is:
Chris Baggs, Director of Learning and Learner Support
South Cheshire College
Dane Bank Avenue
Crewe
Cheshire
CW2 8AB
Tel 01270 654865
Email: chris.baggs@scc.ac.uk
Fax 01270 500087
The designated senior member of staff is a member of the College’s Senior Management Team. He
has a key duty to take lead responsibility for raising awareness within the staff of issues relating to
the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and the promotion of a safe environment
for learners within the College. He is also the designated person to promote the achievement of
learners who are looked after.
The designated senior member of staff is responsible for:

Managing the referral of cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the local authority children’s
social care and:
o The local authority designated officer (LADO) for child protection concerns (all cases
which concern a staff member);
o Disclosure and Barring Service (cases where a person is dismissed or left due to
risk/harm to a child); and/or
o Police (cases where a crime may have been committed).

Keep the Principal updated and informed of issues especially ongoing enquiries under section 47
of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations

Provide support, advice and expertise to staff on matters of safety and safeguarding and when
deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant agencies
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Training

The designated safeguarding lead will receive appropriate training carried out every two years
in order to:
o Understand the assessment process for providing early help and intervention, for
example through locally agreed common and shared assessment processes such as early
help assessments;
o Have a working knowledge of how local authorities conduct a child protection case
conference and a child protection review conference and be able to attend and contribute
to these effectively when required to do so;
o Ensure each member of staff has access to and understands the College’s Safeguarding
and Child Protection Policy and Procedures;
o Be alert to the specific needs of children in need,49 those with special educational needs
and young carers;
o Be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals;
o Obtain access to resources and attend any relevant or refresher training courses
o Encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and
feelings, among all staff, in any measures the school or college may put in place to
protect them
Raising Awareness
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Ensuring College’s policies are known and used appropriately;
Ensure the school or college’s safeguarding and child protection policy is reviewed annually and
the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly;
Ensure the child protection policy is available publicly;
Ensuring that parents of children, young people and vulnerable adults within the College are
aware of the College’s Policy for the Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults;
Ensuring that staff receive basic training in protection issues and are aware of the College
protection procedures;
Liaising with the Local Authority and the Local Safeguarding Children Board and other
appropriate agencies;
Liaising with secondary schools which send pupils to the College to ensure that appropriate
arrangements are made for the pupils;
Liaising with employers and training organisations that receive children, young people and
vulnerable adults from the College on long term placements to ensure that appropriate
safeguards are put in place.
The designated senior member of staff will provide an annual report to the Governing Body of the
College setting out how the College has discharged its duties. He is responsible for reporting
deficiencies in procedure or policy identified by the Local Safeguarding Children Board (or others) to
the Governing Body at the earliest opportunity.
Designated Staff Members
Other designated members of staff with responsibility for child protection issues are:
Andrew Hubert, Vice Principal – Corporate Services
Moyra Throssell, Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator
Carol Smith, Inclusive Learning Advisor (ESBD/Mental Health Issues)
John Leese, Student Council Coordinator
Andrew Charlton, Student liaison Officer
Julie Jervis, Nursery Manager
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Review: 01/03/2016
These designated staff members:
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Report to the senior member of staff with lead responsibility on safeguarding issues;
Will know how to make an appropriate referral;
Will be available to provide advice and support to other staff on issues relating to the protection
of children, young people and vulnerable adults;
Have particular responsibility to be available to listen to children, young people and vulnerable
adults studying at the College;
Will deal with individual cases, including attending case conferences and review meetings as
appropriate;
Have received training in child protection issues and inter-agency working, as required by the
Local Safeguarding Children Board, and will receive refresher training at least every 2 years
The above staff can be contacted:
Email: besafe@scc.ac.uk
Tel: 01270 654606
In the event that the designated staff members are unavailable, the Duty Manager should be
contacted via Reception on 01270 654654/dial ‘0’ internally
C
Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting Concerns
If a child, young person or vulnerable adult tells a member of staff about possible abuse:
 Listen carefully and stay calm
 Do not interview them, but question normally and without pressure, in order to be sure that
you understand what they are telling you
 Do not put words into their mouth
 Reassure them that by telling you, they have done the right thing
 Inform them that you must pass the information on, but that only those that need to know
about it will be told. Inform them of to whom you will report the matter
 Note the main points carefully
 Make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what they said, did and your questions etc
Staff should not investigate concerns or allegations themselves, but should report them
immediately to the designated senior member of staff with lead responsibility for protection
issues or a designated staff member or a college counsellor.
D
Allegations against members of staff
If an allegation is made against a member of staff, this should be reported immediately to the
Director of Learning and Learner Services (senior staff member with lead responsibility for
protection issues) and the Director of Human Resources.
Actions will be taken both to protect children, young people or vulnerable adults and the accused
member of staff. These may include ensuring that the member of staff is not placed in a
vulnerable situation while investigations take place, giving the staff member leave of absence
on normal pay or ensuring they are not working alone.
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Policy: SCCPOL 02
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Review: 01/03/2016
E
Prevention of Violent Extremism – The ‘Prevent’ Agenda
The College is committed to working with its local partners to reduce the risk of radicalisation
of vulnerable people by groups such as extreme political and religious groups, including some
Animal Rights Groups and Far Right Groups.
It recognises that young people and vulnerable groups are particularly targeted by groups who
may promote violent extremist activity. Key staff including the Be Safe Team, Personal
Development Tutors and other Personal Tutors will be provided with training to support the
College’s aim to reduce the risk of radicalisation and support those who may be at risk.
The College promotes an open culture to raise awareness of the signs of radicalisation and to
give them the confidence to report their concerns to their line manager. Any such concerns
should be recorded in writing by the line manager and reported to the Director of Learning and
Learner Services or the Director of Human Resources or the Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator.
They will liaise with the appropriate authorities following the agreed procedures.
The College also promotes the ethos of the ‘Prevent’ agenda by encouraging free and open
debate but challenging extreme views. It will encourage through its classroom practice, theme
weeks and induction activities, a belief in Equality of Opportunity and the celebration of
Diversity.
The college has a legal responsibility to forbid the promotion of partisan political views in the
teaching of any subject in the college and must take such steps as are reasonably practicable
to secure that where political issues are brought to the attention of students they are offered a
balanced presentation of opposing views. Promotion of any organisations linked to violent
extremism is contrary to the values of the college and could constitute misconduct.
The College will not host or allow its premises to be used by extreme groups and will seek to
prevent the distribution of extreme literature.
The College will provide appropriate support through its own staff or by referral to external
agencies, for any student in danger of radicalisation.
F
Associated policies
The Policy for the Protection of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults should be read in
conjunction with other College policies and procedures, including:
The Vision
The Mission
Organisational Values
Health and Safety Policy
Student Harassment and Bullying
Substance Misuse Policy
Disciplinary Procedure (staff)
Recruitment and Selection (staff)
Guidelines for Dealing with Allegations of Abuse made against teachers and other staff
Code of Conduct for College Staff
Equal Opportunities for Students
Equality and Diversity Policy
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Policy: SCCPOL 02
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Review: 01/03/2016
G
Starting Point Nursery – Additional Child Protection Procedures
All parents/carers will be requested to report any injury, e.g. bruising, cuts etc sustained by the
child to the staff on arrival at the nursery.
Staff will record the injury in the incident or existing injuires book and parents/carers will be
asked to sign the book.
Nursery staff will respect the right to confidentiality at all times.
Starting Point Nursery acknowledges that abuse of children can take many forms, such as:
1.
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Physical abuse
Emotional abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect
Bullying
Risk from Domestic Violence
Any member of staff concerned about an injury or other evidence of abuse will report it to the
practitioner who has lead responsibility for safeguarding children (SoCCo/Deputy).
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A written record will then be made of the observations or the information received
This will completed between the staff member and the SoCCo
The record will be signed and dated
Details will be completed on the pro forma included in the Staying Safe-Safeguarding
children pack (the pack is kept in the manager’s office)
These records are stored securely, separate from the child’s developmental records until
the child reaches the age of 25 years old
The information is shared with Staff and other Professionals only on a “need to know
basis”.
The child protection record must be transferred confidentially to the SoCCo/ Designated
Practitioner for Safeguarding at the receiving setting/school when a child leaves the
setting.
Procedure to be followed if there are any concerns relating to child protection
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If we have any concerns in the setting over a child relating to child protection and it is
appropriate we will contact the child’s parents/carers.
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However we have a duty to protect children and report our concerns or seek advice from
the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
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All members of staff understand the safeguarding policy and procedures and have a duty
to report their concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.
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Reporting of any concerns to the Local Safeguarding Children Board may be necessary
without first speaking to the parents. However, should the concerns be reported, parents
will be informed when they come to collect their child from the setting.
Allegations made against a member of staff or other whilst the child is in our care
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Review: 01/03/2016
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The allegation will be immediately reported to the Local Safeguarding Children Board and
Ofsted
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If the allegation is made against a member of staff, that staff member will be suspended
for a period of time whilst an investigation is carried out and completed
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Confidentiality will be maintained at all times
Cheshire East Consultation Service (ChECS) telephone number:
Emergency duty Team (out of hours) telephone no:
Ofsted telephone number:
0300 123 5012
0300 123 5022
0300 123 4666
It is NOT the role of Starting Point Nursery to decide whether a child has been
abused or not.
It is NOT the role of Starting Point Nursery to investigate any allegation of child
abuse.
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Policy: SCCPOL 02
Issue 10 : 16/03/2015
Review: 01/03/2016