Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

1. Policy statement

Bridgepoint Educare Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We believe that every child has the right to be protected from harm, and that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. This policy applies to all staff, mentors, volunteers, and associates working on behalf of Bridgepoint Educare Ltd in any capacity.

We will always act in the best interests of the child. Where there is a conflict between the interests of a child and those of an adult, the child's welfare will be the paramount consideration.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all activities delivered by Bridgepoint Educare Ltd, including one-to-one mentoring, small group programmes, outreach work, residential settings, remote and online delivery, and any other context in which our staff or associates work with children and young people under the age of 18, or vulnerable adults.

3. Legal framework

This policy has been developed in accordance with the following legislation and statutory guidance:

• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2024
• The Children and Social Work Act 2017
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• The Equality Act 2010
• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018

4. Roles and responsibilities

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Bridgepoint Educare Ltd holds overall responsibility for safeguarding practice across the organisation. The DSL is responsible for:

• Managing referrals to statutory agencies including children's social care and the police
• Ensuring all staff and associates receive appropriate safeguarding training
• Maintaining accurate and confidential records of all safeguarding concerns
• Liaising with the DSL of any partner school, setting, or organisation
• Reviewing and updating this policy at least annually

All staff and associates are responsible for being alert to signs of abuse or neglect, following the reporting procedures set out in this policy, and never promising confidentiality to a child in relation to a safeguarding concern.

5. Types of abuse

Staff are trained to recognise indicators of the four main categories of abuse as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children:

• Physical abuse — including hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or otherwise causing physical harm
• Emotional abuse — persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and persistent adverse effects on a child's emotional development
• Sexual abuse — involving a child in sexual activity they do not fully comprehend, cannot give informed consent to, or that violates social taboos
• Neglect — persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of health or development

Staff are also trained to recognise additional safeguarding concerns including child sexual exploitation (CSE), child criminal exploitation (CCE), county lines, radicalisation, female genital mutilation (FGM), honour-based abuse, and domestic abuse.

6. Reporting a concern

Any member of staff or associate who has a concern about a child's welfare must report it to the DSL without delay. Concerns should never be ignored or investigated independently. The DSL will determine the appropriate course of action, which may include:

• Monitoring and recording the concern
• Referring to the child's school or setting DSL
• Making a referral to children's social care
• Contacting the police in cases of immediate risk

If a member of staff believes a child is in immediate danger, they should contact the emergency services (999) without waiting to speak to the DSL.

All concerns, discussions, and decisions made will be recorded in writing and stored securely in line with our data protection policy.

7. Safer recruitment

Bridgepoint Educare Ltd is committed to safer recruitment practices. All staff and associates working with children and young people are subject to:

• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including barred list checks
• Verification of identity, qualifications, and right to work in the UK
• At least two satisfactory references prior to commencement
• An induction that includes safeguarding training and policy familiarisation

8. Confidentiality and information sharing

All safeguarding information is treated as confidential and shared only on a need-to-know basis. However, the duty to safeguard a child overrides the duty of confidentiality. Staff will not promise confidentiality to a child where a safeguarding concern is disclosed.

Information will be shared with statutory agencies in accordance with the Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners guidance (2018) and our GDPR & Data Protection Policy.

9. Online safety

Where sessions are delivered remotely or online, all safeguarding principles apply equally. Staff must ensure that online sessions are conducted in a safe, appropriate environment and that any concerns arising during online delivery are reported in the same way as in-person concerns.

10. Allegations against staff

Any allegation that a member of staff or associate has harmed a child, or may pose a risk to children, must be reported immediately to the DSL and, where appropriate, to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The matter will be handled in accordance with statutory guidance and the individual will be suspended from contact with children pending investigation.

11. Training

All staff and associates receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role before working with children. The DSL holds enhanced safeguarding training. All training is refreshed at least every two years, or sooner where statutory guidance changes.

12. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner in the event of changes to legislation, statutory guidance, or organisational practice. The DSL is responsible for ensuring the policy remains current and fit for purpose.