Safeguarding Policy

Senior Management Responsibilities

The Office & Risk Manager is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation and will work in line with national legislation and guidance and be responsible to the Managing Director for safeguarding across EDClass.

Safe Recruitment procedures

EDClass has a safer recruitment procedure in place to ensure that we appoint staff that are appropriately qualified and have the skills and knowledge to deliver a quality service.  Recruitment is carried out in line with the expectations of ‘Keeping children safe in education, (Department for Education September 2022) including enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) checks. 

Learning Development & Training on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

All staff and volunteers are required to complete mandatory safeguarding induction, consisting of e-learning to be completed within the first week of employment.  All managers have to attend risk management training in their first year. Training and any requirements for additional specialist training are recorded and discussed as part of Annual Performance Appraisal.
All staff are trained in dealing with children that are suffering with a wide range of mental health conditions. The teaching team will endeavour to tailor make learning that is appropriate for each child and consider how children that are learning through EDClass can achieve desired outcomes despite having complex needs.
If a child working with EDClass is a Child in Need (CIN), Looked After Child (LAC), Previously Looked After Child (PLAC) or under any section from The Children Act 1989 or on an Education, Health, Care Plan (EHCP), EDClass will be made aware through the registration process of the child onto an EDClass seat. This information is used in order to provide the best possible education and pastoral care to individual students and safeguard them from harm. 
EDClass is an affiliate of Operation Encompass. Operation Encompass is a national government hub which acts to train staff, support families and share information through multi agency working for children that are thought to be or who are known to be experiencing domestic violence. 
It is the responsibility of the individual and their line manager to ensure mandatory training is completed. Supervision sessions and team meetings for all staff are held on a regular basis to discuss safeguarding issues, changes in regulation and best practice. 

Purpose

This Policy operates in accordance with national legislation and guidance to safeguard and protect children. See ‘Reference’ section for further details. It provides clear procedures on:
 Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries
 Responding to safeguarding/child protection concern
 Reporting and managing safeguarding allegations against staff and volunteer
 Information Sharing

Breaches of this Policy and Procedures could place children at risk of harm and WILL result in disciplinary action. 

Staff, volunteers, advisers and consultants are required to refer to relevant national legislation and guidance:

 September 2022. Department for Education: Keeping children safe in education. Statutory guidance for schools and colleges.

 July 2018. HM Government: Working together to safeguard children. A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children

 March 2015. HM Government: What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused. Advice for practitioners

Scope

This Policy and Procedure 
 Applies to all staff across all of EDClass; Our Volunteers, the Board of Directors, Advisers and Consultants
 Must be followed alongside the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures of the schools,  academy or college that we are working with and Local Children Safeguarding where applicable (and detailed in procedures)
 All staff, volunteers, Directors and other workers must be made aware of this policy and associated procedures and have access to them in order that we comply with our responsibilities. 
NB. At this current time EDClass only currently works with Schools in England  

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Accountability Framework:

The Directors have a duty of care, which includes taking necessary steps to safeguard and protect children. They will act in children’s best interests and ensure that they take all reasonable steps to prevent any harm to them. Directors also have duties to manage risk and to protect EDClass’ assets and reputation.

The Managing Director and the Senior Management Team are the accountable senior managers responsible for the management of safeguarding and serious safeguarding incidents. The Office & Risk Manager is the designated safeguarding lead for EDClass.  

Managers hold responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy and effective management of safeguarding concerns in their department. Managers hold delegated operational accountability for services. Each department will be supported by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

Staff are responsible for all safeguarding and child protection concerns are addressed through respective line management structures in accordance with this Policy and Procedures.

The Safeguarding Advisor is responsible for providing advice and support to Directors and other senior managers on best practice in adhering to this Policy, safer working practices and management of allegations, serious incidents and significant case reviews. 

Citation is responsible for consultation and advice in relation to all implications of safeguarding and associated with Human Resources and Learning and Development issues.

DEFINITIONS: Service User

A child, young person or vulnerable adult using an EDClass resource 

Child

 Children Acts 1989 & 2004 define a child as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.
 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) applies to “all human beings under the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.”

Safeguarding

Safeguarding children and promoting their welfare means protecting them from maltreatment, preventing impairment of their health and development and ensuring that they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.

Child Protection

Child protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This action refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are at risk of suffering, significant harm, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect. This includes children affected by: domestic abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, honour-based violence, ‘missing’ children, young runaways, child sexual exploitation and trafficking. 

This list is not exhaustive, and below outlines further details on some of these (information taken from September 2021. Department for Education: ‘Keeping children safe in education’. 

Abuse

A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults or by another child or children. 

Physical abuse

A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. (See EDClass Fabricated or induced Illness Policy). 

Emotional abuse

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone. 

Sexual abuse

Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). 
Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Neglect 

The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Prevent Concern

Children and young adults can be vulnerable to exposure to or involvement with groups or individuals who advocate intimidation as a means to a political or ideological end. These groups can include those promoting violence from extreme right-wing or other ethnic or religious organisations” Prevent Strategy (2011).  
Prevent is part of the Government counter terrorism strategy that aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent focuses on all forms of terrorism and extreme ideologies and operates in a pre-criminal space, providing support and redirection to vulnerable children and adults at risk of being groomed into terrorist activities before any crimes are committed. (See EDClass Prevent Policy). 

Trafficking/Modern Day Slavery

The United Nations defines trafficking in people as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, or abduction, fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power, or of a position of vulnerability, or the giving or receiving of payments to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purposes of exploitation. (See EDClass Modern Slavery Policy). 

A child missing from education

All children, regardless of their circumstances, are entitled to a full-time education, which is suitable to their age, ability, aptitude and any special educational needs they may have. Local authorities have a duty to establish, as far as it is possible to do so, the identity of children of compulsory school age who are missing education in their area. Effective information sharing between parents, schools, colleges and local authorities is critical to ensuring that all children are safe and receiving suitable education.

A child going missing from education is a potential indicator of abuse or neglect and such children are at risk of being victims of harm, exploitation or radicalisation. School and college staff should follow their procedures for unauthorised absence and for dealing with children that go missing from education, particularly on repeat occasions, to help identify the risk of abuse and neglect, including child sexual exploitation, and to help prevent the risks of going missing in future. 

The law requires all schools to have an admission register and, with the exception of schools where all pupils are boarders, an attendance register. All pupils must be placed on both registers. Schools must place pupils on the admission register at the beginning of the first day on which the school has agreed, or been notified, that the pupil will attend the school. If a pupil fails to attend on the agreed or notified date, the school should consider notifying the local authority at the earliest opportunity to prevent the child from going missing from education. 

It is important that the admission register is accurate and kept up to date. Schools should regularly encourage parents to inform them of any changes whenever they occur. This can assist the school and local authority when making enquiries to locate children missing education. 

Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse where children are sexually exploited for money, power or status. It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults. In some cases, young people are persuaded or forced into exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts, affection or status. Consent cannot be given, even where a child may believe they are voluntarily engaging in sexual activity with the person who is exploiting them. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact and can happen online. A significant number of children who are victims of sexual exploitation go missing from home, care and education at some point. Some of the following signs may be indicators of sexual exploitation: 
 Children who appear with unexplained gifts or new possessions; 
 Children who associate with other young people involved in exploitation; 
 Children who have older boyfriends or girlfriends; 
 Children who suffer from sexually transmitted infections or become pregnant; 
 Children who suffer from changes in emotional well-being; 
 Children who misuse drugs and alcohol; 
 Children who go missing for periods of time or regularly come home late; and 
 Children who regularly miss school or education or do not take part in education. 

Child Criminal Exploitation

Child criminal exploitation is increasingly used to describe this type of exploitation where children are involved, and is defined as:
“Child criminal exploitation is common in county lines and occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.”
Criminal exploitation of children is broader than just county lines, and includes for instance children forced to work on cannabis farms or to commit theft.

County Lines

“County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.”
County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.
County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving:

 drugs
 violence
 gangs
 safeguarding
 criminal and sexual exploitation
 modern slavery
 missing persons
 

And the response to tackle it involves:
 
 the police
 the National Crime Agency
 a wide range of government departments
 local government agencies
 VCS (voluntary and community sector) organisations
 
Like other forms of abuse and exploitation, county lines exploitation:
 can affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years
 can affect any vulnerable adult over the age of 18 years
 can still be exploitation even if the activity appears consensual
 can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and is often accompanied by violence or threats of violence
 can be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and young people or adults
 is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the exploitation

Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources. One of the key factors found in most cases of county lines exploitation is the presence of some form of exchange (for example, carrying drugs in return for something).
Where it is the victim who is offered, promised or given something they need or want, the exchange can include both tangible (such as money, drugs or clothes) and intangible rewards (such as status, protection or perceived friendship or affection).

It is important to remember the unequal power dynamic within which this exchange occurs and to remember that the receipt of something by a young person or vulnerable adult does not make them any less of a victim. It is also important to note that the prevention of something negative can also fulfil the requirement for exchange, for example a young person who engages in county lines activity to stop someone carrying out a threat to harm his/her family.

The national picture on county lines continues to develop but there are recorded cases of:
 children as young as 12 years old being exploited or moved by gangs to courier drugs out of their local area; 15-16 years is the most common age range
 both males and females being exploited
 white British children being targeted because gangs perceive they are more likely to evade police detection but a person of any ethnicity or nationality may be exploited
 the use of social media to make initial contact with children and young people
 class A drug users being targeted so that gangs can take over their homes (known as ‘cuckooing’)

We do know that county lines exploitation is widespread, with gangs from big cities including London, Manchester and Liverpool operating throughout England, Wales and Scotland.
Gangs are known to target vulnerable children and adults; some of the factors that heighten a person’s vulnerability include:
 having prior experience of neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse
 lack of a safe/stable home environment, now or in the past (domestic violence or parental substance misuse, mental health issues or criminality, for example)
 social isolation or social difficulties
 economic vulnerability
 homelessness or insecure accommodation status
 connections with other people involved in gangs
 having a physical or learning disability
 having mental health or substance misuse issues
 being in care (particularly those in residential care and those with interrupted care histories)
 being excluded from mainstream education, in particular attending a Pupil Referral Unit

A young person’s involvement in county lines activity often leaves signs. A person might exhibit some of these signs, either as a member or as an associate of a gang dealing drugs. Any sudden changes in a person’s lifestyle should be discussed with them.

Some potential indicators of county lines involvement and exploitation are listed below, with those at the top of particular concern:
 persistently going missing from school or home and / or being found out-of-area
 unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, or mobile phones
 excessive receipt of texts / phone calls and/or having multiple handsets
 relationships with controlling / older individuals or groups
 leaving home / care without explanation
 suspicion of physical assault / unexplained injuries
 parental concerns
 carrying weapons
 significant decline in school results / performance
 gang association or isolation from peers or social networks
 self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being

‘Honour based’ violence 

So-called ‘honour-based’ violence (HBV) encompasses crimes which have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or the community, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, and practices such as breast ironing. All forms of HBV are abuse (regardless of the motivation) and should be handled and escalated as such. If in any doubt, staff should speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

Homelessness

The Designated Safeguarding Lead should be alerted to children living with families who are being made homeless or at risk of becoming homeless as this presents a real risk to the child’s welfare by the school.
Indicators that a family may be at risk of homelessness can/may include:
 Household debt
 Rent arrears
 Domestic abuse/Domestic Violence
 Anti-social behaviour
 Being asked to leave a property

The Designated Safeguarding Lead should ensure referral routes into the Local Housing Authority are being made by the school so they can raise/progress concerns at the earliest opportunity, however this does not, and should not, replace a referral into children’s social care where a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm.

Education settings may also come across cases where 16 and 17-year-old learners may be living independently from their parents or guardians, for example through their exclusion from the family home; these young people will require a different level of intervention and support, led by Children’s services, the Designated Safeguarding Lead must ensure the school are aware and are following the correct procedure. 

It is the responsibility of the Local Authority to investigate the living and care arrangements and ordinarily a social worker will be assigned since any such child is deemed ‘looked after’.

If the private fostering arrangement is deemed appropriate, the child will be placed on EDClass.  

Should a privately fostered child be absent for more than 10 consecutive school days, the school will notify the local authority.  

Further information can be found through professional organisations such as https://www.nspcc.org.uk/                
 Action on Elder Abuse on 0808 808 8141 
 Mencap Learning Disability Helpline 0808 808 1111
 VoiceUK 0808 802 8686
 Respond 0808 808 0700
 Samaritans 116 123 (FREE)

2. EDClass Safeguarding Procedures 

Please note that 
Service user: child/young person using an EDClass Resource
Child/Young Person/Vulnerable Adult: an induvial under the ages of 18 who may be on work experience with EDClass and this work experience has been authorised by the senior management team. Please note that we do NOT allow staffs children to be present in the office 

1. Communicating Safeguarding Responsibilities
Action: Line Managers:
1. Ensure that all staff/volunteers are aware of this Policy and any relevant codes and practices.
2. Ensure local contact numbers e.g. social care departments are displayed in an accessible place for staff and volunteers.

2. Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries

2.1 Induction (all departments) 

Action: All Staff/Volunteers:

1. Ensure that you have read, fully understand and signed the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.  It is your responsibility to speak to your line manager if you are not clear or require further clarification.
Action: Line Managers
2. Ensure all staff and volunteers have fully understood and signed the Code of Conduct.

2.2 Gifts and Favours

Action: All Staff/VolunteerS

1. You must not use a relationship with a service user or their family for personal gain. Gift-giving and accepting presents should only take place in line with EDClass’ policies and be agreed with your line manager.
2. Concern about a breach/potential breach of your own or a member of staff/external colleague’s professional boundaries
Action: All Staff/Volunteers
1. Concerns about a breach or potential breach of professional boundaries by you; a colleague or external agency must be shared with your line manager. This should happen regardless of whether the breach of professional boundaries was due to initial intentions being well meaning. A breach of the professional boundaries may place a service user or young person at risk of harm and you have a duty to act upon your concerns to safeguard a Child/Young Person/Vulnerable Adult.
2. Where you feel unable to report the concern/s to your line manager, you should refer them to your manager’s manager. 
3. If you cannot raise issues through your line management or you consider the breach of professional boundaries not to have been dealt with appropriately, you should report via the use the Whistleblowing Procedure. 
Action: Line Manager:
4. All potential breaches of professional boundaries should be taken seriously. The breach may not be a single event but a series of events and interactions that together cause the individual or a colleague/external agency to cross the boundary between what would be considered a professional relationship to a non-professional relationship.
5. Staff must be supported to address any concern about their own breach of professional boundaries without the automatic risk of disciplinary proceedings. However, staff should be made aware of all possible consequences depending on the severity and nature of the breach including possible disciplinary action; dismissal; referral to the Regulatory bodies, relevant local Authorities, Disclosure and Barring Service, and/ or police. 
6. Conduct an investigation to establish the facts and decide whether there is a disciplinary case to answer – refer to Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.  
7. All breaches of professional boundaries are to be recorded on individual staff files including any action taken. In cases where there is found to be ‘no case to answer’ the outcome should still be recorded.
8. If concerns arise regarding a colleague from another organisation consult with your line manager to consider how these matters are appropriately raised in a timely manner. 

2.3 All Departments

Action: Staff/ Volunteers

1. All staff and volunteers have a duty to uphold professional boundaries in the workplace and should consider the appropriateness of their actions and behaviours, particularly in the case of Child/Young Person/Vulnerable team members. If any staff or volunteer is unsure, about whether an action is appropriate or not, they should discuss this with their line manager in the first instance. 
2. Prior to any access with service users/service users’ information, you must ensure that you have discussed how to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries with the relevant manager.
3. If you do not have a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (England and Wales), you must ensure that you are not left unsupervised with a Child/Young Person/Vulnerable Adult whilst working for EDClass. Further should a colleague or line manager inadvertently place you in this situation, you must alert them to this fact immediately. 
4. No mobile phones are to be used during working hours. Staff are not permitted to use mobile phone whilst ‘at work’ during contracted hours. You must only use your mobile phone during breaks and in a designated area. 
Management is permitted to have mobile phones however managers must remain professional  at all times and ensure that use is minimal, discretionary and not in the general office areas and in compliance with our safeguarding principals.  Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action. 

3. Responding to a Safeguarding/Child Protection Concern

3.1 A service user discloses information to you about abuse or harm that they are experiencing (in person/on the phone/via email/via messenger/via EDClass platform)
Action: Person receiving the information 
1. Always offer reassurance, listen to and take seriously, what they are saying or what they have written, if the disclosure is via email/messenger. Never promise to keep secrets.  Never be persuaded by the service user or family not to take action if you are worried that a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm.
2. It is not your job to investigate, verify what is being said or examine the child or vulnerable adult; this is the statutory responsibility of the school/local authority/child protection services and/or the Police. However, it is important to get relevant information and it may be necessary to undertake some limited enquiries before making a referral, including full name, age, contact details (such as email address/telephone etc) and any involvement with EDClass’ services and a brief outline of what happened/situation etc. 
3. Immediately consult with your line manager (or in their absence another manager) to agree the course of action but do not delay if this would place a service user at increased risk. 
4. Explain the process to the service user - that you will need to pass this information on and the reasons why and possible actions.
5. If the content within any disclosure is non-school related

a. Contact the school and ask to speak with either the contact we have OR their Safeguarding Lead.
Inform them verbally about the disclosure and provide details. Immediately follow up with a written record using Template for Recording a Safeguarding Incident form. 
If content within any disclosure is school related 
b. About a teacher – 
I. Contact the school and ask to speak with the Safeguarding Lead or the Head.
II. Inform them verbally about disclosure and provide details. 
III. Inform them you will be letting their Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) know as a matter of our procedures.
IV. Immediately follow up with a written record using form. 
V. Inform Local Authority Designated Officer you will have to google details (putting in for example ‘Local Authority Designated Officer Sheffield’). This HAS to be done within 24 hours. If they are unavailable contact the local Safeguarding Team. DO NOT leave it. Again, follow up to the person you have spoken with, with a written record using Template for Recording a Safeguarding Incident form.
c. About the Head – 
I. Inform Local Authority Designated Officer first  you will have to google details (putting in for example  ‘Local Authority Designated Officer Sheffield’). This HAS to be done within 24 hours. If they are unavailable contact the local Safeguarding Team. DO NOT leave it. Again, follow up to the person you have spoken with, with a written record using our Template for Recording a Safeguarding Incident form.
II. Inform Safeguarding Lead of School as a matter of action you have had to take
If you receive details from the service user that they are in immediate danger advise them to call the police and that you must call the police and pass the information on to their School and local child protection services.
6. If the child contacts EDClass BUT is not in receipt of a EDClass Service and not in immediate danger, advise them they need to contact or offer to contact on their behalf:
a. Their local authority for support and advice; or
b. Childline (0800 1111)
c. NSPCC
d. Action on Elder Abuse on 0808 808 8141 
e. Mencap Learning Disability Helpline 0808 808 1111
f. VoiceUK 0808 802 8686
g. Respond 0808 808 0700 
h. Samaritans 116 123 (FREE) Complete a template for Recording a Safeguarding Incident form any information you have.
7. When a Template for Recording a Safeguarding Incident form is completed,   store in accordance with the Recording Policy for EDClass.
8. Inform your line manager or other responsible manager of your actions and share your record of the incident.

3.2 Responding to calls from the general public regarding concerns about a child, the safety of a child or the behaviour of an EDClass worker / volunteer 

Action: Person handling call
a. Thank the caller for doing the right thing and speaking up on the service users/child/young person/vulnerable adult behalf.
b. Ask if the service users/child/young person/vulnerable adult is in immediate danger.
c. If yes - the caller should be informed to dial 999 or should be supported to dial emergency services with our assistance.
d. If not in imminent danger, ask if the concern is about the behaviour of an EDClass member of staff, volunteer? If yes, please speak to your line manager immediately after the phone call is concluded. Then the line manager will refer the concern to the Senior Manager, Director or higher. 
e. If the concern does not involve a member of EDClass staff, the caller should be directed, as appropriate, to:
i. The school responsible for the service user 
ii. Their local authority who will provide information and support.
iii. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Historical Abuse -0800 085 3330).
iv. Record using the Template for Recording Safeguarding Incident: date and time of the call, contact name and number of the caller (if they give it), as much information as possible – e.g. gender, ethnicity and age of the child or young person the concern is about, a brief description of the nature of the concerns raised and to whom you passed the information or caller on to. Do not try to elicit this information if the person does not want to provide it. The record of the incident must be used and stored in a confidential area. The template must be completed as soon as possible.
v. Pass this information to your line manager or other responsible manager for a decision regarding next steps.
Action: Line Manager see Section 3.1

4. Reporting and Managing Safeguarding Allegations against Staff and Volunteers  

These procedures must be used when any staff, volunteer or other worker or other adult has:
 Behaved in a way that has harmed a service users/child/young person/vulnerable adult
 Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to a service users/child/young person/vulnerable adult 
 Behaved towards a service users/child/young person/vulnerable adult in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to  work with children

4.1 Reporting Allegations and Serious Incidents

Action: Line Manager
1. If a member of your team is involved in a serious safeguarding incident you must report it to your line manager and complete a serious incident/allegation form and send it to your Senior Manager and to all those on the circulation list detailed on the form. 
4.2 Responding to a safeguarding allegation against worker or volunteer
Action: Person who has a concern about a worker/volunteer’s or others behaviour or receives a concern from a member of the public/service user
1. If the allegation involves a staff member or volunteer this should be referred to your line manager. 
2. Do not investigate the concerns yourself. 
3. If for any reason you do not feel able to alert a line manager then the whistleblowing procedure must be followed. 
Action: Responsible Senior Manager 
4. Upon receiving information ensure that the safety of any service users/child/young person/vulnerable adult child or young person is paramount. If a crime has been committed a decision will need to be made about who will contact the police and relevant external bodies. The matter should also be referred immediately to the local child protection services; and in England the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) should be informed. If other children are also at risk (e.g. other children in the household of the alleged perpetrator), you must also pass on these concerns and any known details. 
5. Advice should be sought from the Safeguarding Advisor and Citation Direct where the allegation is serious or unclear.
6. In consultation with Citation, conduct a risk assessment within 24hrs or more urgently, to decide whether the person concerned can continue in their role or whether a period of suspension is required or a temporary redeployment is appropriate.  
7. Do not inform the member of staff/volunteer against whom the concern/allegation has been made of the nature of the allegation until consultation has been undertaken with the relevant Local Authority and where necessary the Police. The Managing Director must ratify any decision. 
8. If the allegation concerns a volunteer then a decision must be made as to whether to suspend their volunteering activities whilst the investigation takes place. This must be confirmed in writing. 
9. If the allegation involves a service user then you must consider whether the Service User Record should be sealed. The Designated Safeguarding Lead would immediately arrange this. 
10. Consult with Citation to agree next steps. Any investigating officer must be competent in child protection matters and be of sufficient seniority to enter into discussion with external agencies. Any action must be agreed with the Local Authority Designated Officer. These procedures must be followed in conjunction with Disciplinary Procedures.
11. As soon as possible, agree with the Local Authority Designated Officer who will ensure that parents/carers or children are kept informed about the allegation and how they will be kept updated on any progress of the case and its outcome.
12. Ensure that staff who are involved in an investigation are aware of support options.

4.3 Developing Media strategy in response to safeguarding allegations 

Action: Senior manager 
1. Any media response must be co-ordinated in conjunction with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) to avoid contradiction and misunderstanding. 
2. Any public statements about the situation must not be released without authorisation from the Managing Director. 

5 E-Safety & social media

5.1 Communicating with service users via email, text message or instant message

Action:  Staff and volunteers
1. The use of e-media should always be within the context of a planned and supervised piece of work, on the EDClass platform. It must be done with secure equipment and consistent with EDClass’ Safeguarding Code of Conduct and professional boundaries.
2. Responsible workers and managers must ensure that any use of digital technology is discussed as part of supervision, risk assessed and any decision recorded on the supervision/1:1 file as appropriate.

5.2 Taking and retaining digital images and photographs and the use of camera phones

Action: All staff/volunteers
1. Where events are taking place and there are any children or young people present, consent from parents or carers must be given. Staff must also apply professional judgement, consistent with the Safeguarding Code of Conduct and this Policy as to whether photography is appropriate in given circumstances, with the agreement of all parties, and after assessing any risk. In relation to staff and volunteers they must only use EDClass equipment for this purpose.
2. Photographic data related to work with service users must be stored in a confidential area. Any other photographs must have an identified retention period, which reflects the purpose for retaining the images and is in line with GDPR. When the retention date is reached, they must be securely deleted from electronic storage and corresponding paper/soft copies securely shredded. 

6. The ‘Prevent’ Duty

Radicalisation is comparable to other forms of exploitation and is therefore considered a safeguarding issue that all staff must be aware of. The process for escalating concerns and procedures on how to make a referral to the relevant authorities on this specific matter follow below. 
The Prevent Concern promotes a multi-agency approach.  There is no expectation that EDClass will take on a surveillance or enforcement role as a result of fulfilling any Prevent duty and where necessary EDClass will work alongside Schools and Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
Extremism is defined in the Prevent Strategy 2011 as vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.  
Terrorism is defined by the Terrorism Act 2000 as: an act that endangers or causes serious violence to a person/people and/or damage to property; or seriously interferes with or disrupts an electronic system.
Radicalisation is defined as the process by which people come to support terrorism and violent extremism and, in some cases, to then participate in terrorist groups. Radicalisation should be considered as an ‘additional vulnerability’ under Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance (2018). There is no obvious profile of a person likely to become involved in extremism or a single indicator of when a person might move to adopt violence in support of extremist ideas.
Should a worker have any concerns about a service user/Child/Young Person or Vulnerable Adult as a result of:
 A direct disclosure
 An observation
 An expression of concern or complaint made by another person
The following procedures should be followed: 

6.1 Making a Report

6.2 If you suspect that a service user is at immediate risk or actually engaged in the planning or implementing of an act of terrorism, or may be under the influence of radicalisation or extremism but not in immediate danger take the following course of action immediately: 

a) Contact your line manager (or a manager) and get advice from the Designated Safeguarding Lead
b) Speak with the school immediately

If you suspect a child/adult at risk is at immediate risk or actually engaged in the planning or implementing of an act of terrorism, take the following course of action immediately:
a) Contact your line manager (or a manager and get advice from the Designated Safeguarding Lead)
b) Make a referral to the Police on 999 Or Contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321
c) All actions must be recorded. For further information contact your local Safeguarding Lead.6.3 If you suspect that a child/young person/vulnerable adult may be under the influence of radicalisation or extremism but not in immediate danger: 

a) Raise your concern directly with your line manager in the first instance; informing them the nature of your concerns.
b) Contact the Police on number 101 to discuss the next steps, requesting to speak to officers with responsibility in relation to Prevent duties.
c) Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead informing them of the actions taken.

6.4 Clarify with the Police or Anti-Terrorism hotline the next steps and whether/how feedback will be provided. 

6.5 Action: Line Manager
Ensure any reported Prevent Concerns are managed in accordance with these procedures and where necessary escalated to the relevant authorities.

7. Events 

7.1: Protocol to follow for the attendance of service users / children/ young people / vulnerable adults at EDClass events
Action:  Relevant Departmental Manager
1. Before any event, a risk assessment must be carried out considering who is to attend and the supervision and welfare of any service user/child/young person/vulnerable adult. The risk assessment must also be carried out in conjunction with partner agencies (for example schools) where applicable.   
2. Photographs must not be taken without parental consent. If consent is given, photographs must be on EDClass issued secure IT digital equipment. 
3. Should you have any concerns about any event, or are worried that risk is not being appropriately managed, you should speak to your line manager. 
4. Should any concerns or issues arise during the course of the event/visit these should be discussed with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and escalated immediately to the Managing Director. 

8. Information Sharing/Consent

Refer to 
 Information Sharing policy of EDClass and that of the school 
 GDPR Sharing policy and that of the school 

9. References and associated guidance

 September 2021. Department for Education: Keeping children safe in education. Statutory guidance for schools and colleges.
 July 2018. HM Government: Working together to safeguard children. A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
 March 2015. HM Government: What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused. Advice for practitioners
 Safeguarding Framework  
 Recording Policy and Procedure  
 Mental Capacity Act 2005 (England)  
 Information Sharing & GDPR Policy 
 The Care Act 2014
 The Prevent Strategy 2011 
 The Serious Crimes Act 2015

10. Compliance

The Managing Director; the Designated Safeguarding Lead and relevant members of the senior management team will monitor this policy.
General levels of Compliance:
 Supervision 
 Induction 
 Annual Performance Appraisal

Safeguarding within the platform and organisation 

The EDClass platform treats safeguarding as its highest priority. Safeguarding of our young people, teaching staff and staff is paramount.  EDClass has an up-to-date GDPR process and this is available on request, however, safeguarding will supersede this at all times and our safeguarding processes are activated when we, as a company or trained individuals, believe there is a concern.  We have numerous safeguarding tools in our online Virtual Classrooms, which includes students off-site letting us know how they are on a daily basis, alert mechanisms, video/chat support, marking and various other industry-leading tools. Genuine safeguarding incidents will be documented and sent to schools as and if they occur, and will be communicated via secure email. Also, the video audio files of the learners who have accessed the live streaming facility will be stored and available to the Data Manager and/or IT lead at the trust to access in secure AWS Buckets.

The EDClass system is designed to not allow any unsupervised student to student communication whether in lesson or in message rooms. Students are unable to converse/communicate with each other when accessing the platform.

The student only works with EDClass teaching staff directly via text chat and video/audio stream, and when needed, staff can also access and communicate in these chats live through the observation tool. EDClass is a complete, secure platform that complies with current safeguarding legislation, particularly in relation to provision of a live support, this should include the facility to be provide live tracking and attendance data. 

We keep in line with and follow the KCSIE 2022 firstly by ensuring that all our staff are enhanced DBS-checked and are employed following the ‘safer recruitment’ process. EDClass Limited is also registered on the update service.

Our Senior Safeguarding team are trained at DSL level and have strong relationships with local authorities. Our Senior Safeguarding Team are industry-leading experts and have passed their Designated Safeguarding Lead course, with a strict hierarchy in the processes and reporting system. They have also undertaken the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults course.  
Any staff at EDClass Limited that work with schools are a minimum of Level 2 in Advanced Child Protection and all staff that communicate with learners are qualified at a minimum of Level 3, Designated Safeguarding Lead. Our teaching staff and HLTAs are list 99 checked.

Training is conducted and maintained by a member of EDClass’s Trustee Milly Wildish (Specialist Arbitrator and National Safeguarding Panel member for Sports Resolution, with 14 years an Inspector in the Metropolitan Police.

Milly has previously worked as a child protection specialist, counter-terrorism officer and has led a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.
The DSL at EDClass Limited is Cara Radford and if anything is a concern when working with the learners, EDClass staff will report this to the schools named contact or DSL to follow the process as shown later in this documentation.  

Also, to safeguard and promote the welfare of all of the students who access the platform, all EDClass staff are trained in the following areas:
 
 Prevent
 Prevent Referrals
 Child Sexual Exploitation
 Forged Marriage
 Female Genital Mutilation
 Bullying and Harassment
 Covid19
 CPD Awareness
 Display Screen Equipment
 Equality
 Fire Marshall
 Fire Safety Awareness
 GDPR
 Manual Handling
 Health and Safety Awareness
 Modern Slavery
 Risk Assessment
 Social Distancing
 LGBTQ2+ Awareness

Safeguarding is our key element. It is mandatory for all EDClass staff to pass all these courses.

The platform is child-centred hosting a support area for learners so they can access external agencies if they feel that they need to. This currently includes:
 
 Alcoholics Anonymous – help@aamail.org / 0800 9177 650 / 0845 769 7555
 FRANK (Drug Advice) – frank@talktofrank.com / 0300 123 6600
 National Debt Line – 0808 808 4000
 NSPCC – help@nspcc.org.uk / 0808 800 5000
 Barnardo’s – 0208 550 8822
 Anxiety UK – support@anxietyuk.org.uk / 03444 775 774
 Depression Alliance – 0845 123 23 20
 Beat Eating Disorders – help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk / 0808 801 0677 / 0808 801 0711
 Samaritans – jo@samaritans.org / 116 123
 Refuge (domestic violence) – 0808 2000 247
 Mind (mental health) – supporterservices@mind.org.uk / 0300 123 3393
 Cruse Bereavement Care – 0844 477 9400 / 0808 808 1677
 Rape Crisis – rcewinfo@rapecrisis.org.uk / 0808 802 9999
 Victim Support – 0808 168 9111
 Mencap (learning disabilities) – 0808 808 1111
 Family Lives (Parenting) – 0808 800 2222
 Kidscape (bullying prevention) – info@kidscape.org.uk / 020 7730 3300
 Relate – 0300 100 1234
 NSPCC FGM Helpline – 0800 028 3550
 Shelter – info@shelter.org.uk / 0808 800 4444
 Childline – 020 7825 2505
 CEOP – Child Protection and Online Exploitation – 0870 000 3344
 National Citizens Advice – 03444 111 444
 National Emergency Services – 999 / 111 / 101
 National Stop Smoking – 01200 405 022
 Counter Terrorism Hotline – 0800 789 321
 IWF Internet Watch Foundation - +44 (0) 1223 20 30 30
 London Grid for Learning – 020 82 555 555
 Children in England – info@childrenengland.org.uk / 020 7833 3319
 UKCCIS – UK Council for Child Internet Safety – ukccis.secretariat@culture.gov.uk
 Safe! – safe@safeproject.org.uk / 0800 133 7938
 Childnet International – info@childnet.com / +44 (0) 20 7939 6967
 UK Safer Internet Centre – enquiries@saferinternet.org.uk / 0344 800 2382
 Save the Children – supportercare@savethechildren.org.uk / +44 (0) 20 7012 6400
 Educate Against Hate – counter.extremism@education.gov.uk / 020 7340 7264

Keeping in line with; Working Together to Safeguard Children. Further links for local support can be added if requested).
Also, learners who access the platform can have access to the following learning content, should the multi academy trust or individual academy allow permission for it in order to support their needs should they choose to access it:
 
 Am I Depressed?
 Am I Vulnerable?
 Do I Have an Eating Disorder?
 Do I Have a Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
 British Values
 CSE for Students
 FGM for Students
 Forced Marriage for Students
 Gangs & County Lines for Students
 Keeping Safe Online
 Extremism and Prevent for Students
 Please note this is a sample set of the lessons available.
 

As safeguarding students is the responsibility of all, we also ensure that the platform hosts a ‘student profile’ for the multi academy trust or individual academy to complete for the learners when registering them to the EDClass+ seat (as outlined “Information Sharing” section, page 30, of the KCSIE 2022) Ensuring that we have access to appropriate safeguarding information for the learners is pivotal to their safeguarding.

Also, keeping in line with GDPR, this information can be removed on the EDClass platform when the learner is no longer accessing the EDClass seat.

EDClass provide live tracking systems across the platform for the multi academy trust or individual academy staff to access. This is in an observation area where the staff can view; learners’ content they’re currently studying, live chats and the live teaching stream.

Parental Involvement

Within EDClass there is an opportunity for parents to access their own area of the system to track and monitor learner progress. They are able to see the curriculum that has been assigned and the support to aid learner progress.

At EDClass, we believe that all share responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. 

The Safeguarding Code of Conduct below sets out what is required of you as a worker for EDClass. 

This Code forms part of your contract of employment, as a member of staff, or your agreement to work as a worker; contractor; advisor or volunteer. 

Background

EDClass is an online learning resource used by Schools, PRU’s and Councils to educate their students (Child/Young Person). In addition to that, vulnerable adults can also gain access to the platform. 
EDClass is committed to

a) Providing a safe online resource and environment for learners 
b) Working with partner agencies; schools, PRU’s and Councils (our commissioners) to ensure that they can comply with the requirements of their Local Authority Safeguarding Policies and Procedures 

The EDClass Safeguarding Code of Conduct:

 Makes clear what is required of all staff, workers and volunteers 
 Supports staff, workers and volunteers in meeting their obligations 
 Reduces the risk of misplaced or malicious allegations by clarifying responsibilities 

The Safeguarding Code of Conduct 

Staff, workers and volunteers must: 

 Report any incidents or concerns that cause them to believe that a child or young person is, or is likely to be, at risk of harm. EDClass will support any staff member, worker or volunteer who raises a legitimate concern about the actions of others without fear of recrimination
 Disclose any criminal record, caution, reprimand or warning whether received prior to or during the course of their work or volunteering for EDClass. For the avoidance of doubt, this requirement is in addition to any other published requirement for disclosure as part of their work or volunteering
 (This will be treated confidentially by the management team. Please note all disclosures will be subject to a risk assessment to deem whether it is acceptable for the organisation to safely manage.)
 Inform line managers of any ongoing or past child protection investigations into their own immediate family
 Undertake training in safeguarding and discuss this code with their line manager

It is not permissible (and in some instances may be unlawful) for staff/volunteers to:

 Use their position to intimidate, bully, threaten, discriminate against, coerce or undermine children and young people, volunteers or staff
 Communicate with children or young people in ways which seek to build inappropriate relationships in order to abuse or put them at risk
 Encourage or assist others to break the law in any way
 Carry out their duties or volunteering whilst adversely affected by alcohol, solvents or drugs
 Engage in, or attempt to engage in, sexual or inappropriate relationships with children, or young people for whatever reason, including the use of suggestive conversations, comments, texting or emails
 Possess indecent images of children; this will always be reported to the police regardless of the explanation provided
 Use your mobile phone whilst ‘at work’ during contracted hours. You must only use your mobile phone during breaks and in a designated area

You will conduct yourself in accordance with this Safeguarding Code of Conduct in all your work/volunteering for EDClass. 

Any breach of the Safeguarding Code of Conduct WILL result in disciplinary action or dismissal or the decision to cease using you as a volunteer; advisor or consultant. 
In certain circumstances such action might also result in reports to registering bodies and/or the police.

Safeguarding framework within EDClass 

EDClass is committed to
a) Providing a safe online resource and environment for learners 
b) Working with partner agencies i.e. schools, PRU’s, MATs Councils to ensure that they can comply with the requirements of their Local Authority Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
EDClass will comply with and apply good practice outlined in external statutory guidance* and our own core child protection standards. 

This framework detailed outlines how we manage risk so as to minimise circumstances where harm may befall children or young adults using the services of EDClass  through acts of omission (for example failure to make referral of a child protection concern) or commission (for example direct abuse of a child, young person or vulnerable adult) by EDClass workers (inc. volunteers).  

We manage risk through: 

1. Accountability 
 EDClass has a nominated Designated Safeguarding Lead. This is Cara Radford, Office & Risk Manager. Cara Radford reports directly to the Managing Director.
 Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Code of Conduct
 Being clear with partner agencies; contractors and commissioners about our safeguarding expectations 
 Clear strategies for safeguarding which anticipates and responds to external and internal developments 
 Secure IT and telephone systems 
 All building is under CCTV surveillance 
 Policies and procedures such as Whistleblowing Policy; Recording Policy; Complaints policy, Prevent Policy and Peer on Peer Abuse Policy
 HR Support through Citation  
 A clear organisational focus on risk management 

2. Acting on concerns of abuse 
 Consistent procedures for reporting concerns to partner agencies and investigating agencies 
 Working jointly with other agencies to provide services 
 Management of allegations against staff  

3. Recording and information sharing 
 Recording and reviewing file information to identify patterns of risk 
 Information sharing with other agencies to protect children 
 CCTV
 Secure IT and telephone systems
 Fully trained and qualified staff with SIA CCTV licence

4. Recruitment 
 Standard safer recruitment processes to ensure consistency 
 Recruitment in line with the expectations of ‘Keeping children safe in education (2021)
 Requirement for references 
 Requirement for criminal records checks (Enhanced)
 Scrutiny of employment history for suspicious gaps
 Professional advice and support from Citation  

5. Supervision 
 Regular formal supervision of all EDClass staff at all levels 
 Regular staff appraisal/ performance review 

6. Inspection 
 Internal and external inspection of service 

7. Empowering children 
 Ensure EDClass remains child-centred and educational-focused 
 Commitment to equality/diversity issues — e.g. being able to communicate to any service users using 
EDClass’ resources in first language; age appropriate interaction; awareness of issues around gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability and race; 
 Development of participation 
 Development of education and qualifications 
 Commitment that protection of Children; Young People and Vulnerable Adults is always taken seriously 
 Formal complaints process 

8. Raising concerns about poor and dangerous practice (whistle-blowing) 
 Whistleblowing Policy
 An organisational culture which allows challenge to poor practice 
 Clear procedure backed up by disciplinary/criminal code
 Independent investigation of concerns 
 No victimisation of whistle blowers 
 Emphasis on learning from mistakes 

9. Learning and development 
 Induction and continuous learning matched to roles and responsibilities for safeguarding and protecting children and young people 
 Mandatory training requirements
 Regular staff appraisal/ performance review 
 Learning and development opportunities to support the implementation of safe positive behaviour management
* September 2021. Department for Education: Keeping children safe in education. Statutory guidance for schools and colleges.
* July 2018. HM Government: Working together to safeguard children. A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
* March 2015. HM Government: What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused. Advice for practitioners

Safeguarding and professional boundaries at work policy 

DEFINITION 

EDClass believes that every child, young person and vulnerable adult has a right to be safe from harm.  EDClass may work with a child, young person or vulnerable adult as a ‘service user’ of its systems or whilst they are on work experience with the EDClass. 
Professional boundaries are the framework by which an individual member of staff’s relationship with a child, young person and vulnerable adult or service user is clarified to ensure that it is always safe and appropriate. It defines the parameters of that relationship to ensure it is professional and complies with the EDClass Safeguarding Code of Conduct. 

PURPOSE 

This policy not only protects the children, young people and vulnerable adults we work for and with but also safeguards the reputation of the EDClass. If staff and volunteers are clear about professional boundaries and what is and is not acceptable this can protect them from the possibility of false allegations and poor practice. 

SCOPE 
This policy document applies to all EDClass Limited staff and volunteers who have regular access to children, young people and vulnerable adults as part of their work.
A breach of professional boundaries is never acceptable and it is the responsibility of the managers to make sure the relationship with a child, young person or vulnerable adult is maintained on a professional level. 

Professional boundaries are important in our work for a number of reasons: 

 To safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults and to ensure that staff/volunteers are aware of what EDClass expects of them in terms of their conduct and relationships with them, their educational institute and their families. 
 To recognise and appropriately manage power imbalances and unequal relationships 
 To build appropriate relationships of trust with children, young people and vulnerable adults alongside their educational establishment 
 To ensure we understand the issues around working with vulnerable children, adults and families within education and their expectations of any EDClass worker. 
 To fulfil the requirements of different regulatory bodies and Schools and the need to comply with their codes of conduct and practice 
 To protect the reputation of The EDClass 

SETTING AND MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE AND VULNERABLE ADULTS.

Before undertaking any work with or delivering any service to children, young people and vulnerable adults it is important that clear boundaries about the nature of the work and relationship are set. 
Staff and volunteers should be familiar with the EDClass Safeguarding Code of Conduct and the safeguarding & Protecting Children and Whistle blowing policies in order that they can refer to them in all of their work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES POLICY 
Staff/volunteers should: 
 Be clear of their roles and responsibilities as defined in their job description and confirm that understanding in discussion with their line manager
 Know and practice the protocols around confidentiality and recording and share these with the school child/young person/vulnerable adult and family as appropriate 
 Continually reflect upon and consider the relationships established with children young people and vulnerable adults to ensure that the professional boundaries are being maintained whilst educated through EDClass 
 Seek help and support in dealing with issues or concerns they have about professional boundaries from their line manager 

MANAGING A BREACH OF PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES 

Staff/volunteers may at times breach professional boundaries even though their initial intentions were well meaning. Regardless of the intention, the issue must be shared with the line manager and steps taken to support the individual not to repeat the behaviour or action. The breach may not be a single event but a series of events and interactions which together cause the individual to cross the boundary between what would be considered a professional relationship to a non-professional relationship. Areas where professional boundaries can be breached may include:

BECOMING OVER-FAMILIAR 

If the relationship with a child, young person or vulnerable adult becomes over-familiar professional judgement may be clouded and behaviours may be misinterpreted. Over- familiarity is difficult to define but may involve: 
 thinking about the child, young person or vulnerable adult constantly; 
 feeling a sense of attachment similar to them being a sibling or a friend; 
 wanting to see them more than necessary or continue the relationship even when any planned work is finished; and 
 considering asking them to come with you to social events that are not work related. 
In any work undertaken with children, young people and vulnerable adults there must be a clear plan of how, where, when and why the work will be undertaken and by whom with clear plans being established with their school / organisation. This includes not visiting a child, young person or vulnerable adult outside of agreed and planned working hours and not inviting them to your home or to be part of your family or social network. Any changes to the agreed parameters of the work must be discussed with your line manager and recorded in a plan alongside clear discussions with the school/college. 

INAPPROPRIATE FEELINGS 

Any concern about the nature of the relationship with the young person or vulnerable adult should be discussed with the line manager to avoid misinterpretation or confusion on the part of the child/young person/vulnerable adult service user or potential breach of professional boundaries. This includes a worker's perception that a child/young person/vulnerable adult has developed a "crush" on them or another worker. 

GIFTS AND FAVOURS 

Staff/volunteers should never use a relationship with a child, young person or vulnerable adult or their family for personal gain. 
This includes using contacts to get information that they would not otherwise have access to or obtaining discounted or free products. Gift giving and accepting should only take place in line with EDClass agreed policies general obligations to EDClass and should be agreed with your line manager. 

FAMILY AND FRIENDS 

There may be some instances where staff/volunteers live and work in the same community as service users of EDCLASS services. It is usually inappropriate for EDClass Limited staff/volunteers to deliver a service and education a friend or family member. If this situation occurs, arrangements should be made for another staff member to take over the case and not be the account manager. Any exceptions to this must be agreed with line managers. 

SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Any inappropriate sexual relationships with service users or members of their families are a breach of professional boundaries and codes of practice and may also be against the law. (Exceptions would be where staff member is married to the parent of a service user for example). 

SELF DISCLOSURE 

Although some member of the EDClass Limited staff may have had personal experiences of abuse in their own life which may give them empathy and understanding of the situations in which the children, young people and vulnerable adults they work with find themselves in, it not usually acceptable for a member of staff to self-disclose their personal experiences to a service user / school / organisation. Apart from being unprofessional a worker might find they are vulnerable or at least embarrassed if their personal information is given to others. 

GIVING OUT PERSONAL CONTACT DETAILS 

Staff must not give out their personal mobile, home telephone numbers or home email in any circumstances to any child / young person / vulnerable adult. If staff require any contact with a user of EDCLASS this should be done through appropriate use of EDClass issued equipment. 
If the service user needs to contact the member of staff they should wherever possible use the work email address, telephone/text number. It is not appropriate for staff to be part of service user social networking sites or agree to be e-friends, unless this is an agreed part of the work and has been risk assessed by line managers. 
Staff must not share personal blog addresses or other modes of electronic communication with children, young people or vulnerable adults. It is also important that staff are aware of privacy setting on their own personal social networking sites to prevent inappropriate content being shared with service users.

CONTINUING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AFTER THE SERVICE OR PIECE OF WORK IS COMPLETE 

It is normally not acceptable for a member of staff to continue to see a child, young person or vulnerable adult in a personal capacity once the service or piece of work they have been involved in is complete. Any exceptions to this must had been agreed with line management and demonstrate here is a purpose to the continued contact that is in the service user's best interests and does not compromise professional boundaries in any way. 

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY AND SUPERVISION 

It is important that managers use supervision to help workers reflect on their professional relationship with children, young people and vulnerable adults and identify if there are any warning signs that professional boundaries may be in danger of being compromised. If at any time a member of staff believes that it is appropriate to act in a way which is counter to this policy and procedure, they must discuss this with their manager before taking any action and a record must be kept by them and the manager of the discussion. 
All staff and volunteers have responsibility to act if they suspect that a colleague may be in breach of professional boundaries. 
In the first instance you should share your concerns with your line manager. If you don't feel able to do this then you should refer to the EDClass Whistle blowing policy and guidance. These will enable you to talk through your concerns confidentially. You must always act upon your concerns to protect children. 
Line managers must print this form for staff/worker signature at the commencement of employment or for already employed workers at the next supervision meeting.
Safeguarding our learners and staff whilst delivering teaching and learning sessions 
Students can access the support mechanism within EDClass instantly once they are logged on to our online virtual portal classroom and seats. 
This is where teachers and assistants can be seen live teaching and supporting your students.  Once in a seat, the live stream starts for safeguarding and the learner can ask for assistance anytime via face-to-face; verbal chat; instant chat; written chat; question and answer sessions.
We record everything. We save our face-to-face, text and verbal communications directly to your server for child protection and safeguarding. The progress of answers, questions and knowledge are instantly tracked in our live activity tracker.  Meanwhile, a manager in charge of EDClass in schools in Multi-Academy Trusts (our partners) can have eyes-on learning and an overview of the curriculum to see everything.