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ECET Foundation Explore. Create. Enrich. Together.
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Safeguarding & Safety Policies

Our commitment to protecting children and young people and maintaining safe environments in all ECET programmes, workshops and activities.

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Safeguarding Statement

ECET Foundation – Explore Create Enrich Together believes that every child has the right to feel safe and protected. The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children involved in its education, creativity and wellbeing programmes.

Purpose

ECET Foundation – Explore Create Enrich Together believes that every child and young person has the right to feel safe, secure and protected from abuse and harm. ECET Foundation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who attend, participate in, or receive support through our programmes. This policy explains the safeguarding arrangements ECET Foundation uses to keep children safe and to ensure concerns are handled quickly and appropriately.

ECET Foundation aims to:

  • Create a safe and welcoming environment for learning, creativity and wellbeing.
  • Ensure safeguarding concerns are recognised and responded to promptly.
  • Support staff and volunteers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
  • Work in partnership with parents, schools and statutory agencies where necessary.

Scope

This policy applies to all work carried out by ECET Foundation – Explore Create Enrich Together, including education support (KS2–KS5), 11+ and GCSE support, creative workshops (including metal craft), wellbeing activities and screen-free programmes. It applies to anyone working with children or representing ECET Foundation.

This includes:

  • Staff
  • Volunteers
  • Trustees/directors
  • Sessional workers and contractors
  • Visiting tutors or facilitators delivering activities for ECET Foundation

Safeguarding principles

ECET Foundation is guided by the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount. ECET Foundation promotes a culture of listening to children, taking concerns seriously and acting in a timely way to reduce risk.

In practice, ECET Foundation will:

  • Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity.
  • Act on concerns promptly and share information appropriately to protect children.
  • Use safer recruitment and clear expectations of conduct.
  • Provide safeguarding training and supervision for staff and volunteers.

Safeguarding roles and responsibilities

ECET Foundation has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who coordinates safeguarding and child protection. A Deputy DSL will be appointed as the organisation grows, so that safeguarding responsibilities are supported, and cover is available.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Ms Minal Vyas

Deputy DSL (if appointed): __________________

The DSL for ECET Foundation is responsible for:

  • Receiving and responding to safeguarding concerns.
  • Keeping safeguarding records securely.
  • Seeking advice and making referrals to safeguarding authorities when needed.
  • Supporting staff and volunteers to follow this policy.
  • Reviewing safeguarding arrangements and ensuring training is up to date.

All staff and volunteers at ECET Foundation must remain vigilant, follow the code of conduct, and report concerns to the DSL without delay.

Recognising abuse and safeguarding concerns

ECET Foundation recognises that child abuse and neglect can occur in all communities and across all cultures and socio-economic groups. Concerns may relate to what a child says, signs or injuries observed, changes in behaviour, online risks, or information from parents, schools or other professionals.

Safeguarding concerns may include (but are not limited to):

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Neglect
  • Child criminal exploitation or child sexual exploitation
  • Online abuse, grooming or harmful content

Responding to a disclosure or concern

If a child tells a member of ECET Foundation something that indicates they may be at risk of harm, the adult must respond calmly and appropriately. The focus should be on listening, reassuring and taking action rather than investigating.

ECET Foundation staff and volunteers should:

  • Listen carefully and allow the child to speak in their own words.
  • Reassure the child and acknowledge what they have said.
  • Avoid asking leading questions or making promises that cannot be kept.
  • Explain that information may need to be shared to keep them safe.
  • Record the concern as soon as possible using facts and the child’s own words where relevant.
  • Report the concern to the ECET Foundation DSL immediately.

Reporting and referral

ECET Foundation will follow local safeguarding procedures when concerns arise. The DSL will decide whether advice is needed and whether a referral should be made to children's services or other agencies.

If a child is in immediate danger, ECET Foundation will call 999.

Hertfordshire Children’s Services contact: 0300 123 4043 (use the appropriate route for safeguarding concerns).

Safer recruitment and suitability

ECET Foundation is committed to safer recruitment to reduce the risk of unsuitable people working with children. All staff and volunteers will complete recruitment and induction steps appropriate to their role and level of contact with children.

ECET Foundation safer recruitment includes:

  • Clear role descriptions and expectations.
  • Identity checks.
  • References where appropriate.
  • DBS checks at the appropriate level for the role.
  • Safeguarding induction before starting unsupervised work.

Code of conduct and professional boundaries

ECET Foundation expects all adults working with children to behave professionally and to maintain clear boundaries. This protects children and also protects staff and volunteers.

Adults working for ECET Foundation must:

  • Treat children fairly and without favouritism.
  • Avoid inappropriate physical contact and maintain appropriate language and behaviour.
  • Use approved communication channels and avoid private social media contact with children.
  • Follow agreed arrangements for one-to-one work and visibility in venues.
  • Report any concerns about adult behaviour or practice to the DSL.

Online safety

Where ECET Foundation uses technology for learning, communication or resources, the organisation will promote safe and appropriate online behaviour. Any online safety concern will be treated as a safeguarding matter and responded to in line with this policy.

ECET Foundation will:

  • Set clear expectations for online communication and use of platforms.
  • Encourage parents/carers to supervise online learning where appropriate.
  • Respond to concerns about harmful content, grooming or inappropriate contact.

Record keeping and information sharing

ECET Foundation will keep accurate, factual and timely records of safeguarding concerns. Records will be stored securely and only shared with those who need to know in order to protect a child. Information will be shared appropriately with parents and agencies when it is safe and necessary to do so.

Training and supervision

ECET Foundation will ensure that staff and volunteers receive safeguarding training that is appropriate to their role. The DSL will keep their safeguarding knowledge up to date and will ensure regular reminders and updates are provided to the wider team.

Whistleblowing

ECET Foundation – Explore Create Enrich Together is committed to maintaining a culture where staff and volunteers feel confident to raise concerns about safeguarding, unsafe practice or behaviour that may place a child at risk.

Whistleblowing is the process by which staff or volunteers report concerns about the conduct of colleagues, volunteers or organisational practices that may be unsafe or inappropriate. ECET Foundation recognises that raising concerns can sometimes feel difficult, and the organisation will ensure that individuals who report concerns in good faith are supported and protected.

Concerns that may require whistleblowing could include:

  • Behaviour that puts a child at risk of harm.
  • Unsafe safeguarding practices.
  • Failure to follow safeguarding procedures.
  • Inappropriate behaviour towards children.
  • Attempts to cover up safeguarding concerns.

Staff and volunteers are encouraged to raise concerns as soon as possible. In most cases, concerns should be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Where the concern involves the DSL or the person receiving the report, the concern should be reported to an appropriate external safeguarding authority.

ECET Foundation will ensure that concerns raised through whistleblowing are taken seriously, investigated appropriately and handled confidentially wherever possible.

Managing Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

ECET Foundation recognises that safeguarding concerns may occasionally involve allegations against staff members, volunteers or individuals working with children.

Any allegation that a staff member or volunteer has:

  • Behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child
  • Possibly committed a criminal offence against a child
  • Behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk to children
  • Behaved in a way that breaches professional boundaries

must be taken seriously and reported immediately.

If an allegation is made, ECET Foundation will:

  • Ensure the child is safe and supported.
  • Report the allegation to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • Seek advice from appropriate safeguarding authorities where required.
  • Cooperate fully with any safeguarding investigation.

If the allegation concerns the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the concern must be reported directly to the appropriate safeguarding authority rather than handled internally.

ECET Foundation will ensure that allegations are handled fairly, quickly and in accordance with safeguarding guidance, while ensuring the welfare of children remains the primary consideration.

Policy review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner if there are changes to safeguarding guidance, changes in ECET Foundation activities, or learning from incidents.

Safer Recruitment Policy

Introduction

ECET Foundation – Explore Create Enrich Together is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The organisation recognises that safe recruitment practices are essential to ensure that suitable individuals are selected to work with children. This policy outlines the steps ECET Foundation takes when recruiting staff, volunteers and facilitators to ensure that children are protected.

Purpose of the Policy

This policy explains how ECET Foundation ensures safe recruitment practices when appointing staff or volunteers who may work with children, aiming to:

  • Promote safeguarding during recruitment.
  • Ensure appropriate checks are carried out.
  • Ensure unsuitable individuals are prevented from working with children.
  • Create a safe environment for children and young people.

Scope

This policy applies to all recruitment activities undertaken by ECET Foundation, including the appointment of staff, volunteers, sessional tutors, workshop facilitators and contractors who may work with children.

Recruitment Principles

ECET Foundation follows safer recruitment principles that place safeguarding at the centre of recruitment decisions:

  • Recruitment decisions must prioritise the safety and welfare of children.
  • All applicants will be treated fairly and consistently.
  • Appropriate background checks will be carried out.
  • Safeguarding responsibilities will be clearly communicated.

Recruitment Process

When recruiting individuals to work with children, ECET Foundation will follow a structured recruitment process to ensure appropriate safeguarding checks are completed:

  • Clear role descriptions outlining responsibilities and safeguarding expectations.
  • Application forms or written expressions of interest.
  • Interviews or informal meetings where appropriate.
  • Verification of identity.
  • Reference checks where applicable.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

ECET Foundation will ensure that DBS checks are obtained where roles involve regulated activity or regular contact with children:

  • Enhanced DBS checks will be obtained where appropriate.
  • DBS checks will be recorded and monitored.
  • Individuals may not begin unsupervised work with children until appropriate checks are completed.

Volunteers

ECET Foundation recognises the valuable contribution volunteers make to its programmes. Volunteers working with children will receive appropriate safeguarding guidance and supervision.

Induction and Training

All staff and volunteers working with children will receive safeguarding information and guidance during their induction, including:

  • Introduction to safeguarding procedures.
  • Understanding the safeguarding policy.
  • Knowing how to report safeguarding concerns.

Record Keeping

ECET Foundation will maintain records of recruitment checks and safeguarding documentation in accordance with data protection requirements.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that recruitment practices remain safe and compliant with safeguarding guidance.

Staff and Volunteer Code of Conduct

Introduction

ECET Foundation – Explore Create Enrich Together is committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive environment for children and young people. This Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for staff, volunteers and anyone representing ECET Foundation when working with children. It helps ensure professional boundaries are maintained and safeguarding standards are upheld.

Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that everyone working with ECET Foundation understands their responsibilities when interacting with children and young people:

  • Promote respectful and professional behaviour.
  • Protect children from harm or inappropriate conduct.
  • Protect staff and volunteers from misunderstandings or allegations.
  • Support a safe learning and wellbeing environment.

Professional Behaviour

All staff and volunteers must act in a professional manner at all times when working with children and representing ECET Foundation:

  • Treat all children with respect and dignity.
  • Be positive role models.
  • Maintain appropriate language and behaviour.
  • Ensure fairness and avoid favouritism.

Professional Boundaries

Maintaining clear professional boundaries helps protect both children and adults working within the organisation:

  • Avoid inappropriate physical contact.
  • Avoid sharing personal contact details with children.
  • Avoid private meetings with children unless appropriate safeguards are in place.
  • Ensure activities take place in safe and visible environments.

Communication with Children

Communication with children and young people should always be appropriate, respectful and related to programme activities:

  • Use appropriate language and tone.
  • Communicate through approved channels.
  • Avoid private social media contact with children.
  • Ensure communication is transparent where possible.

Online Conduct

When online learning tools or digital communication are used, staff and volunteers must ensure safe and responsible use:

  • Use approved digital platforms.
  • Avoid personal messaging with children.
  • Report any online safety concerns.
  • Encourage safe use of technology.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers share responsibility for safeguarding children and must follow the ECET Foundation safeguarding policy:

  • Remain alert to safeguarding concerns.
  • Report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • Follow safeguarding procedures.
  • Participate in safeguarding training where required.

Reporting Concerns

If a member of staff or volunteer witnesses behaviour that may be inappropriate or harmful, it must be reported immediately:

  • Report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • Record concerns accurately.
  • Cooperate with safeguarding procedures.

Breaches of the Code of Conduct

Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in appropriate action being taken by ECET Foundation. This may include additional guidance, supervision or termination of involvement depending on the circumstances.

Policy Review

This Code of Conduct will be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains effective and aligned with safeguarding guidance.