PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS POLICY STATEMENT

Specifically Learning Ltd aims to enable, equip and empower practitioners and parents to meet the needs of learners with specific learning difficulties in schools. This work involves training, consultancy, tutoring and advisory work.

At Specifically Learning Ltd, we believe that all children have the right to grow up safe from abuse, neglect or exploitation, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. We believe everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to work in a way that protects them.

The purpose of this policy statement is to:
• protect children and young people who receive Specifically Learning Ltd’s services from harm
• provide staff, associates and volunteers, as well as children, young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Specifically Learning Ltd.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), September 2024

Working Together to Safeguard Children, December 2023 

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), September 2023

Prevent Duty Guidance, updated 2023

What to Do If You’re Worried a Child Is Being Abused: Advice for Practitioners, DfE 2015

Information Sharing Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners, July 2023

Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings, Ofsted 2019

Online Safety Act 2023

Children and Families Act 2014

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

This policy should be read alongside our:
– Privacy Policy
– Terms and Conditions (including Complaints Procedure)

OUR COMMITMENT

We recognise that:
– the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
– working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting welfare
– child abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, or a combination of these
– all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection
– some children are additionally vulnerable because of previous experiences, level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues
– extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

WE WILL SEEK TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE BY:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them
• recording and storing information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation
• making sure that children and families know where to go for help if they have a concern
• sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving children, parents and carers appropriately
• ensuring effective complaints measures are in place
• providing a safe physical environment for children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in line with law and guidance
• complying with the safeguarding policy of schools we visit
• staying up to date with safeguarding training and statutory updates
• recognising signs of abuse when working with children
• ensuring parents and stakeholders are aware of our complaints procedure
• ensuring a parent/carer (or trusted adult) is present or within earshot during any home-based or online work with a child
• ensuring safe and appropriate online working practices, in line with KCSIE 2024 and the Online Safety Act 2023

ACTING ON CONCERNS

Unless we believe that it would put the child at further risk of harm, we will discuss concerns with a child’s parent/carer if we notice:

• significant changes in a child’s behaviour
• deterioration in general wellbeing or appearance
• unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect
• concerning comments made by a child
• reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting

If a child makes a disclosure, we will:

• listen calmly and take them seriously
• avoid asking leading questions
• reassure them that telling us was the right thing to do
• explain that we cannot promise confidentiality, as we may need to share information to keep them safe
• record their words accurately, noting time, date, place and witnesses
• report concerns immediately to the school DSL (if in a school) or to Children’s Services following local safeguarding partner procedures

RECORD KEEPING

In all instances of concern we will record:

• child’s full name and address
• date and time of record
• factual details of concern (bruising, what was said, who was present)
• any previous concerns
• any action taken (speaking to parents, referrals made)
• details of parent/carer explanations (if appropriate and safe to do so)

All safeguarding logs will be stored securely and retained for the legally required period.

CONTACTS

Local Safeguarding Partners

• Hertfordshire County Council Children’s Services: 0300 123 4043
• Hertfordshire Constabulary: 101

Useful Contacts

• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
• Childline: 0800 1111
• National Youth Advocacy Service: 0808 808 1001
• Bullying UK: 0808 800 2222
• Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline: 08 088 088 088

Other References

• Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership: www.hertsscb.proceduresonline.com
• Families First: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/familiesfirst
• The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care (MacAlister, 2022)

CONTACT DETAILS

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Louise Selby
Tel: 07973 717278
Email: Click to show email