Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy for Classroom365

Introduction to Classroom365’s Safeguarding Policy

Classroom365’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy aims to protect individuals, especially children, at-risk adults, and beneficiaries of our services, from harm potentially caused by their interaction with Classroom365. This includes risks from:

Conduct of Classroom365 staff or personnel.
Design and implementation of Classroom365’s programmes and activities.

Exclusions: This policy does not cover sexual harassment in the workplace (addressed under our Non-Discrimination and Code of Ethics policies) or safeguarding issues in the community not related to Classroom365.

1. Definition of Safeguarding

In the UK, safeguarding is understood as protecting people’s health, well-being, and rights, ensuring they live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. To learn more, please visit the UK Government’s safeguarding policy paper.

2. Scope

All Classroom365 contracted staff.
Associated personnel engaged in work or visits related to Classroom365.

3. Policy Statement

Classroom365 is committed to safeguarding everyone it interacts with. We adhere to safeguarding across three key pillars: prevention, reporting, and response.

4. Prevention

Staff training and familiarisation with this policy.
Risk mitigation in program and activity design.
Compliance with data handling during service visits.
Adhering to Classroom365’s rigorous Safer Recruitment Policy, including enhanced DBS checks.
Regular updates and compliance with client safeguarding policies.

5. Staff Responsibilities

Prohibition of sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18.
Understanding the role of KCSIE, the types of abuse and exploitation, and its prevention.
No engagement in commercial exploitation or trafficking.
Avoidance of sexual relationships with beneficiaries.
Reporting obligations for safeguarding violations.

6. Enabling Reports

Accessible reporting channels for staff and communities.
Protection for whistleblowers under the Code of Ethics policy.
Acceptance of external complaints.

7. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Reports should be made to the Office Manager or another member of the Senior Leadership Team if necessary.

8. Response

Follow-up of reports in line with policy, procedure, and legal obligations.
Disciplinary actions for policy breaches, including dismissal.
Survivor-led support for harm caused by staff or associated personnel.

9. Confidentiality

Maintaining confidentiality is vital throughout all stages of addressing safeguarding concerns. Information should be shared on a need-to-know basis and kept secure.

10. Review and Update

This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure compliance with the latest legal and regulatory standards in the UK, including adherence to the Children Act 1989 and Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

If you have any questions relating to this policy or safeguarding in general, please get in touch with us.