Safeguarding and Prevent Policy

Our policy

1. Introduction

1.1 iPT ("The Company") is committed to adopting the highest standards and taking all reasonable steps in relation to the safety and welfare of children, young people, and adults in respect of its learning services. We will meet our social and moral responsibilities to protect such individuals fully in accordance with the law and where appropriate, with the support of relevant external agencies.

1.2 This policy is in compliance with the following key pieces of legislation and regulations:

Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020)

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)

Education Act (2002)

Children Act (2004)

Safeguarding Children (2006)

Information Sharing (2018)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018

The Data Protection Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998

1.3 This policy applies to the following groups:

Learners and customers.

Employees (individuals who work – or have applied to work for the company either on a permanent, temporary, contractual, or voluntary basis).

Employers (organisations that work in partnership with us).

Suppliers (external partners).

External stakeholders and visitors.

2. General Principles

2.1 The welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is the primary concern of The Company. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all individuals involved in our learning services.

2.2 All children, young people, and vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse and harm, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.

2.3 It is the responsibility of all individuals associated with The Company to report any concerns or suspicious practices using the appropriate procedures outlined in this policy.

2.4 Confidentiality will be upheld in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018, Data Protection Act 1998, and the Human Rights Act 1998, while ensuring that safeguarding concerns are addressed appropriately.

3. Definitions

3.1 Child: A child is defined as someone who has not reached 18 years of age.

3.2 Young Person: A young person is defined as someone normally between the age of 14 – 17 years of age.

3.3 Vulnerable Adult: Following the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, the definition of regulated activity relating to adults no longer labels adults as ‘vulnerable’. Instead, the definition identifies the activities which, if any adult requires them, lead to that adult being considered vulnerable at that particular time. Regulated activity is therefore defined by the following 6 broad categories:

Providing health care

Providing personal care

Providing social work

Assistance with cash, bills, and/or shopping

Assistance in the conduct of a person’s own affairs

Providing transportation of individuals where that transport is provided because of age, health, or disability For more information, please see the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, as amended by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

4. Types of Abuse

4.1 Discriminatory Abuse: Discriminatory abuse includes psychological abuse, harassment, and discrimination which is motivated by a person’s age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, race, cultural background, or religion. Discrimination may be a motivating factor in other forms of abuse such as domestic violence or hate crime.

4.2 Physical Abuse: Physical abuse is the physical mistreatment of one person by another which may or may not result in physical injury. Physical abuse includes assault, hitting, slapping, scratching, pushing, kicking, pinching, burning, force-feeding, misuse of medication or the withholding of medication or treatment, unwarranted or inappropriate restraint, forced isolation or inappropriate sanctions, unwarranted or unauthorised deprivation of liberty, false imprisonment or abduction, rough handling causing injury or any injury not fully explained by the history given.

4.3 Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is the involvement of individuals in sexual activities to which they have not had the freedom and capacity to give their informed consent to, before and during the act, and/or may not fully comprehend. These acts include rape and attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, abuser touching the victim’s body for their own gratification, indecent exposure, non-contact abuse (pornography), and sexual harassment, causing or inciting a person to engage in sexual activity without their consent. The use of social media and the internet has introduced ‘cyber’ sexual abuse such as ‘sexting’ and unauthorised sharing of sexual images.

4.4 Psychological/Emotional Abuse: Psychological or emotional abuse is action or neglect by a person which impairs the psychological well-being of another person. This results from being repeatedly made to feel unhappy, anxious, afraid, humiliated, or devalued by the actions or inactions and/or attitudes of others and includes emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks. People who use social media can be at risk of being humiliated or abused ‘online’.

4.5 Financial or Material Abuse: Financial abuse is the misappropriation of an individual’s funds, benefits, savings, assets, etc., or any other action that is against the person’s best financial interests. This includes theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance, or financial transactions, denying access to money, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.

4.6 Neglect and Acts of Omission: Neglect is the deliberate withholding OR unintentional failure to provide appropriate and adequate care and support. Section 44 Mental Capacity Act 2005 states “Anyone who has a duty of care to a person who lacks capacity is guilty of an offence if they deliberately or recklessly ill-treat that person or if they willfully neglect that person.” It does not matter whether the behavior was likely to cause, or actually caused, harm or danger to the victim's health. Wilful neglect usually means that a person has deliberately failed to carry out an act they knew they had a duty to do.

5. Prevent Duty and Radicalisation

5.1 The Company acknowledges its Prevent Duty and commitment to preventing individuals from being drawn into extremist ideologies.

5.2 Signs of extremism or radicalisation will be recognised and responded to promptly, following the reporting procedures outlined in this policy.

6. Reporting Procedure

6.1 All staff members, contractors, and volunteers must recognise and respond to any safeguarding or PREVENT concerns promptly.

6.2 Any safeguarding or PREVENT concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead at iptqualifications@gmail.com.

6.3 It is the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Lead to make decisions on further actions based on the reported concerns. All disclosures must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

7. Training and Support

7.1 Staff members, contractors, and volunteers will undergo comprehensive induction and mandatory training in safeguarding, PREVENT, and relevant areas, ensuring compliance with the law and regulations.

7.2 Learners and customers will have opportunities to enhance their awareness of safeguarding, PREVENT, and other related topics to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.

7.3 The Company is committed to providing timely and effective support to all learners, customers, and employees for their well-being.

8. Associated Policies

8.1 The Company ensures alignment with other policies, including:

Recruitment and Selection Policy

Whistleblowing Policy

Lone Working Policy

Staff Code of Conduct

Equality and Diversity Policy

9. Monitoring, Reviewing, and Updating

9.1 This policy will be monitored annually to review its effectiveness and compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

9.2 Any necessary updates to the policy will be made to comply with changes in legislation or best practices.

Conclusion

The Company is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding and PREVENT in our learning services, in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Our priority is to create a safe and secure environment where every individual can thrive, free from harm, abuse, or exploitation.

Through ongoing training, clear reporting procedures, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we aim to protect the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and fulfill our duty to PREVENT extremism and radicalisation effectively.

This policy will be disseminated to all staff members, contractors, volunteers, learners, customers, and relevant stakeholders to ensure a collective understanding and commitment to safeguarding and PREVENT principles. We will work collaboratively to maintain a positive learning environment that fosters well-being and ensures the safety of all involved.