1. Purpose
Lifeways Learning Centre is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where all learners, staff, and visitors feel protected from harm, neglect, abuse, and discrimination. This policy outlines our safeguarding responsibilities and the procedures in place to ensure the well-being of everyone engaged with our centre.
The aims of this policy
That:
- all reasonable steps are taken to make sure learners and staff are, and feel safe
- learners and staff have up to date knowledge of potential sources of harm and how to take steps to keep themselves their families and their communities safe
- learners and staff recognise the signs of abuse, including radicalisation
- staff know how to respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures with confidence
- learners and staff know how to report concerns within Lifeways Learning centre and to external agencies
- learners and staff know how to find out more and get help
- we meet our legal and statutory obligations
- we support Harrow Council’s safeguarding strategy
2. Scope
This policy applies to all learners, staff, volunteers, visitors, and external partners. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and Lifeways Learning Centre expects all individuals to contribute to maintaining a secure and respectful environment.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 Staff & Volunteers
- Adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Complete safeguarding training and refresher courses.
- Report any concerns or incidents following outlined procedures.
3.2 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- The name of the Designated Safeguarding Lead will be clearly shown in learning centre.
- Oversee safeguarding practices across Lifeways Learning Centre.
- Act as the main point of contact for concerns and disclosures.
- Ensure policy compliance and provide guidance to staff and learners.
3.3 Learners & Visitors
- Respect others and adhere to the centre’s safeguarding rules.
- Report concerns to a trusted staff member or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- 3.4 Responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Safeguarding Officers
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Safeguarding Officers are responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable learners and staff. Their key responsibilities include:
- Referrals
- Referring any vulnerable learner to the Local Adult Safeguarding Board if there are concerns about their welfare, possible abuse, or neglect, following the stipulated referral procedure as soon as possible within the working day.
- Referring individuals identified as being at risk of radicalisation to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The DSL will discuss all such cases with the local authority Designated Adult Safeguarding Manager (DASM).
- Referring cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant statutory agencies.
- Reporting to the local authority safeguarding board, sharing information as needed after seeking consent—unless doing so would increase the risk of harm.
- Acting as a source of support, advice, and expertise to staff when deciding whether to make a referral, and to all learners and staff affected by safeguarding incidents.
- Record Keeping and Confidentiality
- Ensuring that detailed, accurate, and secure written records of concerns and referrals are maintained—even if an immediate referral is not deemed necessary.
- Keeping all records confidential and stored separately from general learner records, with a front sheet that logs dates and brief entries for chronological tracking.
- Liaison and Multi-Agency Work
- Acting as a central point of contact for safeguarding concerns raised by staff.
- Liaising with other professionals and agencies as appropriate.
- Ensuring that either the DSL or another informed member of staff attends case conferences, core groups, or other multi-agency planning meetings when required.
- Training and Policy Implementation
- Staying up to date with current safeguarding practices and fulfilling all required training provided by the appropriate body.
- Ensuring that all staff, including new or part-time staff who may work across multiple sites, have access to and understand the safeguarding policy and procedures.
- Ensuring all learners are aware of and understand the organisation’s safeguarding policy and procedures.
- Ensuring all learners and staff receive induction training on safeguarding, including how to recognise and report any safety or welfare concerns immediately.
- Recognising the signs of abuse, neglect, and radicalisation and understanding when and how to refer concerns to appropriate agencies.
- Obtaining access to safeguarding resources and attending relevant or refresher training courses.
- Commitment to a Safe Culture
- Upholding a zero-tolerance approach to hate speech, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. These behaviours are never acceptable and will not be tolerated or dismissed as “banter” or “just having a laugh.”
3.5 Operating arrangements:
- Employers offering work placements are supported to recognise their responsibilities for safeguarding adults in their workplace
- A basic Disclosure and Barring Check will be made on all new entrants and staff working with learner information
- All new members of staff, volunteers and Governors will complete essential Safeguarding training which includes Prevent as part of their induction programme. Refresher safeguarding training will be completed by all staff and Governors every 2 years.
- All members of staff, volunteers and Governors know how to respond to a learner or customer who discloses abuse or a safeguarding concern and the procedure to be followed in appropriately sharing this information.
- All staff (including temporary tutors and volunteers) new to Lifeways Learning centre will be made aware by their line manager of the service policy and procedures, the name and contact details of the Designated Safeguarding Lead .
- No staff will be able to work with learners without supervision until mandatory induction training has been completed, satisfactory references are received, and a basic DBS check has been received and it is clean in all areas . In exceptional circumstances, a risk assessment process may be used by managers where one of these control measures is not fulfilled.
- We have clear and visible policies in place covering, staff, learners, use of premises which identify where learners or staff may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism.
- A safer recruitment policy is in place for staff and volunteers. Pre-employment checks to determine staff and volunteer suitability will be undertaken for all staff recruited to work for Lifeways Learning centre and appointment will not be confirmed unless satisfactory checks have been completed. These checks will include references and eligibility checks.
4. Safeguarding Measures
Lifeways Learning Centre implements the following protective measures to ensure a safe learning environment:
- Safe Physical Spaces: Regular risk assessments and security protocols to protect learners and staff.
- Digital & Online Safety: Guidance on responsible online behaviour and protection against cyber risks.
- Staff Training: Comprehensive safeguarding training for all employees.
- Background Checks: Thorough screening for staff and volunteers working with learners.
- Confidential Reporting Channels: A secure process for raising concerns without fear of retaliation.
5. Reporting & Responding to Concerns
5.1 How to Report Concerns
- Learners, staff, and visitors should report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a senior staff member.
- All concerns will be treated confidentially and investigated promptly.
Process for learners
Any learner who has concerns about themselves, other learners, staff or their work placement employer should initially talk to/email their tutor if appropriate or directly contact one of the Safeguarding Team.
We recognise that all matters relating to safeguarding and learner’s protection are confidential. The Designated Safeguarding Lead/Officers will disclose personal information about a learner to other members of staff on a need-to-know basis only. However, all staff have a professional responsibility to share information with other agencies to safeguard vulnerable learners. All staff are aware that they cannot promise a learner to keep secrets which might compromise safety or well-being or that of another. We will always undertake to share our intention to refer a learner to other services.
Allegations against Staff
All staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a learner or learners. It is always strongly recommended that interviews, tutorials or work with individual or learners to be conducted in view of other adults.
We understand that a learner may make an allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform a member of the Senior Management Team.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead on all such occasions will discuss the content of the allegation with the local authority the Designated Adult Safeguarding Manager (DASM) for adults.
5.2 Actions Following a Concern
- Immediate support will be provided to individuals at risk.
- Reports will be documented and assessed to determine appropriate action.
- Where necessary, external authorities (e.g., social services, law enforcement) may be involved.
6. Preventing Radicalisation & Extremism
As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, Lifeways Learning Centre is committed to preventing radicalisation and extremism by:
- Embedding British values in our curriculum and activities.
- Monitoring signs of radicalisation and reporting concerns.
- Ensuring staff training in Prevent Duty and counter-extremism practices.
7. Policy Review & Updates
Our procedures will be reviewed and updated every 2 years or sooner in response to new guidance and/or regulations
