Purpose and Scope
All providers of adult, community and work-based learning in England are required by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (as revised) to secure the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are their learners. As a provider of education, Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd are committed to ensure all learners are kept safe so that they can learn and thrive. The drive for ‘Inclusive Learning’ has succeeded in bringing into the system learners with a wide range of needs, including many who can now be deemed ‘vulnerable’.
The term vulnerable is defined as a person ‘who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness: and who is or may be unable to care for him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation’ (Department of Health 2000).
Section 42, Care Act 2014
(a) has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
(b) is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
(c) as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
‘Safeguarding vulnerable adults is defined in the Care and support statutory guidance issued under the Care Act 2014 as:
The six key principles that underpin all adult safeguarding are
Empowerment
Prevention
Proportionality
Protection
Partnership
Accountability
The term vulnerable may also apply to people at increased risk of abuse or mistreatment due to some of the following factors:
At Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd, this may apply to a colleague or a learner you work with.
A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, ‘Children’ therefore means ‘children and young people’ The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education does not change his or her status or entitlement to services or protection under the Children’s Act 1989 (As revised)
Essential Annex documentation for safeguarding policy:
The essential appendices documentation is relevant to safeguarding policy covering children, young people and vulnerable adults and should be read in conjunction with this policy.
What is Safeguarding?
The term ‘Safeguarding’ describes the broader preventative and precautionary approach to planning and procedures that are necessary to be in place to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from any potential harm or damage.
Safeguarding is more than having background check policies and procedures in place. It means having a culture of vigilance where all staff know their responsibilities and act accordingly and all learners are aware of what they can expect and what to do if they have concerns. It is about providing a deep commitment to place the learner at the centre of our concerns and to build policies, practices, and procedures around the learner for them to succeed.
Safeguarding must be the informed responsibility of all Employees, Directors and Sub-contractors to ensure the learning environment is safe and secure for all. In order to do so they will need to consider and act on the 5 R’s:
Recognition
The ability to recognise behaviour that may indicate abuse is of fundamental importance. Whether the abuse may occur on Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd.’s premises, in the home or in any other setting in which the learner may find themselves, all those playing a role in meeting learners’ needs should be aware and informed so that possible abuse can be recognised, investigated, and acted upon effectively. Signs and symptoms of abuse of young people and/or vulnerable adults may include direct disclosure. All employees should be trained to understand signs of possible abuse and know how, where and to whom to report concerns. Employees will be able to recognise signs of abuse, will know how to respond to learners, how to use appropriate questioning and how to record information accurately. They will be aware of the Designated Person Flowchart and how to follow this procedure.
Response
Appropriate response by our staff is vital. No report of or concern about possible abuse should ever be ignored. Staff are trained how to determine the most appropriate response and to clarify precise details. They are aware of the correct protocol:
Reporting Procedures
Report your concern or allegation within 24 hours to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Sarah Martin or the Deputy Safeguarding Lead – Hayley Swan, using this link https://premierfleetsolutions.com/safeguarding-incident-report
The link will take you to a form embedded within Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd.’s website. Please complete and click on ‘Send’ at the bottom of the page. The information will then go directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead’s inbox and no data will be stored within the website.
Or complete a paper copy (available in the office or in trainer packs in vehicles) and hand directly to the DSL or deputy.
Alternatively, you can call the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Sarah Martin) on 07889 866179 and then complete the referral form as soon as you are able to do so.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy Lead may contact you for further information if require and will investigate from this point. The information must not under any circumstances be discussed with anyone apart from the designated Safeguarding Lead.
Recording
Staff are trained to ensure allegations are recorded precisely using the link above. Please use the words of the complainant and include accurate quotation. This can include observations about the physical and emotional state of the individual sharing their concerns. Information is recorded and stored securely, confidentially, and only accessible to those who need to access it as part of the action taken to resolve the complaint or allegation.
Referral
The decision to refer a complaint or allegation lies with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, having gathered and examined all relevant information. No one else will investigate such a situation. Investigation will involve questioning colleagues, learners, carers, parents, learners, assessors and the complainant. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will have access to organisations and websites in order to seek guidance and help for learners.
Safeguarding Strategy
The safeguarding strategy sets out the strategic approach to strengthening our arrangements for safeguarding across the company.
Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd are committed to maintaining the highest possible standards to meet its social, moral and legal responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of every child/young person or vulnerable adult (hereinafter referred to as learners).
The emphasis of our safeguarding strategy and action plan is to focus on all the people who use our services. This will be a further demonstration of our organisational values & culture base. In order to meet the company culture and values to treat people well and keep people safe we need to demonstrate our effectiveness in safeguarding adults and children from abuse or the potential of abuse of any kind to enable people and children to feel safe.
The Aims of the Safeguarding Strategy
Our aims are:
We shall achieve our objectives by carrying out the following strategic activities:
Strategic Planning
Leadership and Management
Safer Recruitment
Induction
Continuous Personal Development (CPD)
Employer Checks
Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd are committed to ensuring that employers we refer our clients to have robust safeguarding policies and commit to keeping their employees, volunteers and learners safe within current legislation.
Radicalisation and Extremism
Since 2010, when the Government published the Prevent Strategy, there has been an awareness of the specific need to safeguard young people and families from violent extremism. There have been several occasions in which extreme groups have attempted to radicalise vulnerable young people to hold extreme views including views justifying political, religious, sexist or racist violence, or to steer them into a rigid and narrow ideology that is intolerant of diversity and leaves them vulnerable to future radicalisation.
When any employee has concerns that a learner or member of staff may be at risk of radicalisation or involvement with terrorism, they should speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
As part of the wider safeguarding responsibilities, staff at Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd will be alert to use of extremist or ‘hate’ terms to exclude others or incite violence.
Risk Assessment
Communication
Quality Improvement
In summary, the key processes required to be in place are:
These key processes are dependent on:
CTP Prevent Team Contact Details:
If you require further assistance or advice on any non-urgent Prevent or CT related matter,
please contact your local Prevent Team:
Contact Number- 0800 789 321
Regional Prevent Coordinator for the North East is Christopher Sybenga who can be contacted on:
Chris.SYBENGA@education.gov.uk
This is a website dedicated to counter terrorism https://actearly.uk
The following link contains help & advice around counter terrorism https://www.protectuk.police.uk
Roles and responsibilities
Communication of the Safeguarding Agenda
The directors hold quarterly meetings to discuss the implementation of this Safeguarding Strategy. Monthly staff meetings and annual training sessions also enhance communication of the safeguarding agenda and focus on improving practice.
Reporting Procedure
No one other than the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy should mount an investigation into complaints, allegations, or suspicions of abuse. If actions are carried out by someone other than the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy it could be seen as unjustified interference which could jeopardise an investigation and any possible subsequent court case.
Designated Safeguarding Lead – Sarah Martin
Deputy Safeguarding Lead – Hayley Swan
All allegations against people who work with children and that meet the specific criteria below should be reported by the Designated Safeguarding Lead within one working day to Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
If you need to contact your Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) please call (01226) 772341.
You can also go to Barnsley Safeguarding Children partnership for advice: https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/children-young-people-and-families/safeguarding-families-in-barnsley/safeguarding-children-in-barnsley/barnsley-safeguarding-children-partnership/#:~:text=The%20Barnsley%20Safeguarding%20Children%20Partnership,children%20in%20the%20local%20area.
If you are concerned about an adult you can seek advice from Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board for advice:
Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board
All reports of adult disclosures or concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead who will make a referral to Barnsley Safeguarding Adults Board if necessary.
The local authority have a statutory responsibility to cooperate with relevant partners to protect adults experiencing abuse or neglect.
If your local Adult Safeguarding board is different to the above you can locate your local Adult Safeguarding Board here: https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/find-your-nearest-safeguarding-adults-board/
Premier fleet Solutions Ltd have a Safeguarding Incident Report page which can be accessed via the following link: https://premierfleetsolutions.com/safeguarding-incident-report
Alternatively, you can call the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Sarah Martin) on 07889 866179 and then complete the referral form as soon as you are able to do so.
Whistleblowing
Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd are committed to conducting their business fairly, honestly and with transparency and in compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations. We expect all Premier Fleet Solutions Directors, employees and anyone acting on our behalf to do the same and to maintain the highest standards of ethical business behaviour. However, all organisations face the risk of things going wrong from time to time. A culture of openness and accountability is essential in order to prevent such situations occurring and to address them when they do occur.
A key aspect of ensuring and maintaining Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd commitment to conducting business with such integrity and in an open and fair manner is providing a robust whistleblowing policy and reporting channel for Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd so that all colleagues feel able to report any wrongdoing in confidence. At Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd we encourage employees to report any concerns as soon as they arise; such concerns can be of any nature, including any matters in connection with Premier Fleet Solutions personnel, as well as customers, suppliers and other third parties.
Please refer to the Whistle blowing policy for further information.
Key guidance and legislation
The key guidance and legislation for the safeguarding of vulnerable adults for Premier Fleet Solutions Ltd are contained within:
Forms of Abuse
Physical Abuse:
May involve hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult. Factitious Disorder is also classed as physical abuse. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child/vulnerable adult whom they are looking after. The situation is commonly described using terms such as Factitious illness by proxy or Factitious Disorder.
Emotional Abuse
Is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child or vulnerable adult that causes severe and persistent side effects on their emotional development. It may involve conveying to the children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving them 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 the child’s development 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 causing children to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is present in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it can still occur alone.
Sexual Abuse
Involves forcing or enticing a child or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery) or nonpenetrative acts. They may involve non-contact activities such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of sexual online images, pornographic material, or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to act in sexually inappropriate ways. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Woman can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. On 21st June 2018 the law changed to include ‘Upskirting’ as a criminal offence.
Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
It is important that Premier Fleet Solutions Employees are aware of sexual violence and the fact that this can, and sometimes does happen. When referring to sexual violence this is a reference to the sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003:
Rape – A person (A) commits an offence of rape if: there is intentional penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth of another person (B) with his penis, B does not consent to the penetration and A does not reasonably believe that B consents
Assault by penetration – A person (A) commits an offence if s/he intentionally penetrates the vagina or anus of another person (B) with a part of his / her body or anything else, the penetration is sexual, B does not consent to the penetration and A does not reasonably believe that B consents
Sexual assault – A person (A) commits an offence of sexual assault if: s/he intentionally touches another person (B), the touching is sexual, B does not consent to the touching and A does not reasonably believe that B consents.
Sexual Harassment, means ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature’ that can occur online or off-line. This is likely to violate a child or adults dignity, and/or make them feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated and/or create a hostile, offensive or sexualised environment.
This can include:
Disclosures will be referred in line with Local Authority procedures.
Neglect
Is the persistent failure to meet a child’s or vulnerable adult’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 misuse. Once a child is born it may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter or clothing, failing to protect the child or vulnerable adult from physical harm or danger, or failure to ensure access to medical care or treatment. It may also be neglect of or unresponsiveness to the child’s emotional needs. This also applies to adults at risk of harm for whom neglect is an often under-reported or unchallenged concern.
Financial Abuse
This applies largely to adults at risk of harm and relates to circumstances where trust in relation to financial matters is abused. It includes theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
Homelessness
The homeless Reduction Act 2017 places a new legal duty on English councils so that everyone who is homeless or at-risk homelessness will have access to meaningful help an assessment of their needs and circumstances, development of a personalised housing plan or work to help them retain their accommodation or find a new place to live. Staff who identify a learner either at risk of homelessness or are homeless should raise this with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
‘Honour Based’ Violence (HBV)
HBV encompasses crime or incidents that have been committed to defend or honour of a family and or community. This may include forced marriage or female genital mutilation. All forms of HBV are abuse regardless of the motivation.
Female Genital Mutilation (FMG)
FMG comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. FMG is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long lasting harmful consequences.
Forced marriage
Forcing a person into a marriage is a crime in England and Wales. A forced marriage is one entered into without the full and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats or any other form of coercion is used to cause a person to enter into a marriage. Threats can be physical or emotional and psychological. A lack of full and free consent can be where a person does not consent or where they cannot consent (if they have learning disabilities, for example). Nevertheless, some communities use religion and culture as a way to coerce a person into marriage. Schools and colleges can play an important role in safeguarding children from forced marriage.
Radicalisation
Some young people and adults at risk of harm may be vulnerable to radicalisation for the purpose of violent extremism. Concerns regarding radicalisation will be referred to Channel which is a multi-agency panel who offer guidance and support with the aim of preventing activity which could be deemed as criminal. Extremism goes beyond terrorism and is defined in the Governments Counter Extremism Strategy as vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values including the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. The calls for the death of armed forces is also considered as extremism.
Criminal Exploitation – County Lines
Criminal exploitation of children or vulnerable adults is a geographically widespread form of harm that is a typical feature of county lines criminal activity: drug networks or gangs groom and exploit children and vulnerable adults to carry drugs and money from urban areas to suburban and rural areas, market and seaside towns. Key to identifying potential involvement in county lines are missing episodes, when the victim may have been trafficked for the purpose of transporting drugs and a referral to the National Referral Mechanism should be considered.
Like other forms of abuse and exploitation, county lines exploitation:
Domestic Abuse
The Home Office defines Domestic Abuse as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 years old or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to:
Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour. Coercive behaviour is an act or pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten their victim”. Children who live in households where domestic violence is taking place are seen to be highly vulnerable.
Child on child abuse
Children can abuse other children. This used to be referred to as peer on peer abuse and can take many forms. This can include (but is not limited to) bullying (including cyberbullying); sexual violence and sexual harassment; physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing physical harm; sexting and initiating/hazing type violence and rituals.
Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sex abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. (Department of Education March 2017).
Exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition. For example, being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet / mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child / young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and / or economic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, involvement in exploitive relationships being characterised in the main by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/ economic and / or emotional vulnerability. CSE can take a number of forms and Barnardo’s has identified three areas:
Other forms of abuse can include, but are not limited to, and may pose a risk to children and vulnerable adults;
It must be remembered that all forms of abuse will have a negative impact on mental health.
All concerns should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Staff Responsibilities and Training
Learners
Employee Training
Recording, Sharing of Information and Consent Issues
Important statutory duties in relation to vulnerable adults and children in need cannot be met without effective and appropriate sharing of information. For agencies to work together to the benefit of children, they must be able to share relevant information.
This includes a referral to Children’s Social Care, but could simply be sharing information between supporting agencies regarding a young person, for example, before a referral is made. However, sharing of information should take place according to the principles of good practice and on a need-to-know basis. When a request for information is made, we need to be clear about why the information is needed and the way it is going to be used. Prior to information being shared with other agencies, or a referral being made, consent should normally be sought from the young person and/or from one parent/carer with agreed parental responsibility. However, there are certain important circumstances where consent should not be sought.
These are:
• If this would put the child or young person at greater risk of significant harm.
• Interfere with criminal enquiries
• Raise concerns about the safety of staff.
Safeguarding Guidance
Good practice ideas:
Practices to be avoided:
Other Relevant Policies
Please refer to the following policies for further guidance:
• Safer Recruitment
• Equality and Diversity
• Health and Safety
• Whistle blowing Policy
• Disciplinary procedures
Monitoring
Our procedures for safeguarding learners will be in line with Government legislation and the Education & Skills Funding Agency guidelines. When this is changed our policy will be amended to reflect the changes. The implementation of this policy will be monitored by the Directors each year.
Signed: S Martin
Position: Operations Director
Date: 09 Dec 2024
Next Review date: December 2025
If a learner makes a disclosure or staff member has concerns:
You should
Listen, do not ask questions
Take the matter seriously
Act without delay – if you are unsure whether the matter needs reporting consult the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Note down the details and pass all records to the DSP.
You should not
Promise confidentiality – say ‘you can keep it a secret’ as you may have to pass the information on. Make promises you cannot keep.
Please complete a Safeguarding Children/Vulnerable adult incident record form and deliver the Designated Safeguarding lead – Sarah Martin or alternatively complete one using the link below: https://premierfleetsolutions.com/safeguarding-incident-report
