Safeguarding Policy

1. The Forerunners Education (the 'Organisation') works actively to prevent harm and promote the welfare of all children and adults at risk that we interact with (i.e. as The Forerunners Education's clients). This safeguarding policy outlines our commitment to creating a secure and supportive learning environment, and applies to all individuals referred to as 'Beneficiaries'.

2. The Organisation is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all the Beneficiaries, free from discrimination based on age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

3. This Safeguarding Policy adheres to the latest safeguarding laws of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, including relevant government guidance. If there is any conflict between this Policy and these laws, The Forerunners Education will always prioritise upholding the legal requirements.

4. The Forerunners Education has implemented this Safeguarding Policy in fulfilment of its obligations as an organisation working with children and adults at risk.

5. For questions about this policy, please contact Rufeida Alhatimy in the first instance, via email safeguarding@theforerunnerseducation.com or via phone +447741699000.

6. This policy applies to all individuals working for or representing The Forerunners Education in the UK, regardless of position, employment type (full-time, part-time, temporary, intern), or affiliation (direct employee, contractor, volunteer, intern; collectively 'Staff Members'), and is including but not limited to, students, parents, staff, volunteers, and contractors.

7. This policy is separate from employment contracts. To ensure its effectiveness, The Forerunners Education may revise the Policy at any time. We will communicate any changes transparently.

8. This Policy outlines The Forerunners Education's approach to harm prevention for its Beneficiaries through Staff Members' conduct and practices.

9. This Safeguarding Policy applies to the organisation and operation of all The Forerunners Education activities that involve children and adults at risk (i.e. Relevant Activities). These primarily include:

13. Prioritising child safety by following local safeguarding arrangements. These comprehensive plans, developed by local authorities, police, and healthcare providers, offer valuable leadership and guidance to ensure children's well-being.

14. Prioritising safeguarding adults by applying leadership and guidance provided by local Safeguarding Adults Boards.

15. All Staff Members will receive training on identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns. Also, The Forerunners Education encourages them to report any Safeguarding Concerns they identify (set out below under the heading 'Procedures: Reporting').

16. We create a safe, accessible, fair, and efficient space for all Staff Members to raise safeguarding concerns (colleagues, beneficiaries, or anyone else involved). We expect all staff to listen attentively and professionally. Training will equip Staff Members to support those raising concerns and guide them through The Forerunners Education's established reporting procedures. All reported concerns will be handled by designated individuals and teams following The Forerunners Education's relevant procedures (detailed below under 'Procedures: Investigation and Response').

a. The Forerunners Education has fair and objective procedures to address all safeguarding concerns, even when they involve Staff Members. Allegations are taken seriously, with the severity of the claims considered throughout the process. We are committed to protecting all parties involved. This means we will only presume guilt or publicly criticise people once a thorough investigation is completed.

b. Reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and following all relevant whistleblowing policies and law.

17. Rufeida Alhatimy is designated as the lead for safeguarding policies and procedures within The Forerunners Education.

18. Following appropriate recruitment processes for all new staff members, including volunteers. These processes include:

a. Conducting pre-employment checks following relevant regulations.

b. All new Staff Members must take part in, and understand the content of, all necessary safeguarding training before having any contact with The Forerunners Education's Beneficiaries. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to keep everyone safe.

c. Following The Forerunners Education's staff recruitment and selection procedures.

19. Every Staff Member should be provided with, and required to undertake, training that is appropriate to their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. This should, if appropriate, include training on:

a. Identify and respond to abuse by recognising signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

b. Learn active listening skills and how to navigate disclosure of safeguarding concerns, including confidentiality.

c. Follow reporting procedures by understanding when and how to report concerns using The Forerunners Education's established procedures.

d. Stay informed by discovering additional resources like policies, documents, and external training to stay up-to-date on safeguarding best practices.

e. Online Safety.

f. Protecting Children and Young People.

g. Our Responsibility to Young People and their Families.

20. Treating all safeguarding information with the utmost confidentiality and security. This involves:

a. Complying with UK data protection legislation, including The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

b. Following The Forerunners Education's data protection policies and procedures, including The Forerunners Education's data protection and data security policy.

c. Providing Staff Members with training on data protection and privacy, if appropriate.

d. Making Rufeida Alhatimy easy to access: she can be contacted by emailing director@theforerunnerseducation.com for questions or concerns about data protection and privacy.

e. Sharing safeguarding information internally ONLY on a strict need-to-know basis to ensure the best possible care for the beneficiary involved.

21. Building a safe environment by creating a culture of transparency and awareness to prevent harm. For example:

a. Encourage open communication by informing beneficiaries about The Forerunners Education's safeguarding procedures and how to report any concerns.

b. Staff Members acknowledging safeguarding laws, The Forerunners Education's safeguarding commitments and procedures, and Staff Members' responsibilities concerning these.

22. Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-to-date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for The Forerunners Education's Relevant Activities and workforce, and meeting any review and evaluation requirements specific to The Forerunners Education's industry and organisation type.

24. To ensure the safety of The Forerunners Education Beneficiaries, Staff Members will be trained to recognise potential safeguarding concerns like abuse, neglect, and threats to well-being.

25. Staff Members who identify a safeguarding concern should report it following these steps:

a. In the first instance, staff members must listen attentively and openly to safeguarding concerns presented by a student. While it is important to maintain a safe space for young people to approach us, secrecy cannot be promised.

b. Staff members must ensure that they have a clear and accurate record of any safeguarding concerns presented to them. Anyone who has concerns about the safety or well-being of a student should report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

c. Reports will be treated confidentially and with the utmost sensitivity. Staff members, along with the DSL, must keep clear and accurate records of any safeguarding concerns, actions taken, and outcomes.

26. Staff Members unable to follow the standard reporting steps should still report the concern in another way. This may be the case if, for example:

a. Contacting someone potentially involved in the concern, or someone the Staff Member feels uncomfortable approaching, or

b. In emergencies involving a risk of serious harm, contact emergency services (e.g. police, ambulance, mental health crisis line) directly, or, if appropriate, report the concern to a senior member of The Forerunners Education's staff.

31. Other documents that support The Forerunners Education's Safeguarding Policy:

a. Documents for safeguarding in recruitment procedures.

32. While this Safeguarding Policy outlines key procedures, The Forerunners Education has additional policies to safeguard Beneficiaries, Staff Members, and others. These include:

a. An anti-harassment and bullying policy.

b. A health and safety policy.

c. An equal opportunities policy.

d. A data protection and data security policy.

33. Contact the person within the Organisation responsible for HR matters or Staff Members' line managers to obtain this policy, along with related procedures and documents.