Safeguarding and Prevent Duty for Employers

Springpod is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students. 

As an innovative business dedicated to transforming the way that young people engage with employers and universities, we empower students to take control of their career path by connecting them with leading employers and education providers. 

We understand that this means we have a responsibility to hold student safety at the heart of everything we do.

The principles of safeguarding and the Prevent Strategy include respect, protecting human rights, and protecting from all types of abuse and neglect, including radicalisation and extremism. 

The employers we work alongside also have a responsibility to the students they support, so as an employer, it is important to understand what safeguarding means to you and your business and what to do if you suspect a student is subjected to or at risk of being exposed to harm. 

Every organisation that works with young and vulnerable people must ensure that their employees and students recognise their responsibilities through proper guidance, support, and training. 

This guidance intends to help you understand your responsibilities, how to be vigilant about spotting any signs of harm or potential harm and what to do about It. 

Safeguarding is about keeping people safe from harm, and protecting their right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

The underpinning piece of legislation on which the architecture is built on is The Children Act 1989. 

This legislation gave every child the right to protection from abuse and exploitation and the right to inquiries to safeguard their welfare. It has since been amended/supplemented by subsequent legislation and advice frameworks, including the Children's Act 2004 and Working Together To Safeguard Children 2018. 

In 2011 the government introduced the Prevent Strategy, which outlines aims and measures to protect vulnerable people from being drawn to terrorist or extremist activity and from being exposed to radicalisation.

We have a common law duty of care to ensure that the student is always safe, which goes beyond the workplace to include finding and acting on causes for concern outside of work.

Abuse is a violation of someone's human and civil rights by another person or group of people.

The person suffering abuse may know the person abusing them. They may be in a position of trust and power or be professional in healthcare, social care, or education. They could be a friend, relative or neighbour.

Abuse can happen anywhere, including at home or in public places. It can occur at school or college or in resource centres, workplaces, or accommodation services.

Abuse can be a single incident or repeated acts of abuse and neglect. 

• Understand what is meant by Safeguarding and Prevent Strategy and promote the welfare of students. 

• Be aware of your statutory duties about the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

• Provide a safe, supportive environment for students both on and off-site.

• Identify if there are students who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm.

• Be familiar with our guidance and reporting arrangements.

Depending on what policies you already have in place, it is likely that there will be no extra arrangements for many employers.

All employers must be aware that any student introduced to them by Springpod falls within the Safeguarding and Prevent legislation scope.

We all have a duty to safeguard our students and take steps to ensure the safety of our students and vulnerable adults, whether that is in a classroom or workplace environment, or in a virtual setting.

It is the employer's responsibility to ensure employees working alongside students have no prior convictions, are of sound character and judgement and will not pose a threat or danger to students.

• Physical

• Neglect

• Financial Exploitation

• Grooming

• Emotional or Psychological

• Sexual Abuse or Exploitation

• Cyber Bullying

• Radicalisation

Indication of harm could be:

• Wariness and distrust

• Self-esteem issues

• Alcohol or drug abuse

• Difficulty concentrating

• Reluctance to go home

• Becoming more argumentative/domineering in their viewpoints

• Inconsistent explanation of injuries

• Aggressive behaviour

• Suicidal feelings or attempts at suicide

• Being withdrawn

• Downloading or promotion of extremist content

• Questioning own faith and identity

Factors contributing to harm could be: 

• Isolation and lack of family support

• Care of a family member

• Low self-esteem and self-confidence issues

• Identity Crisis

• Stress

• Drug and alcohol problems

• Adverse childhood experiences

• A need for adventure or excitement

A child-centred approach is fundamental to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child and young person. 

A child-centred approach means keeping the child in focus when making decisions about their lives and working in partnership with them and their families. 

Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe. 

No single point of contact can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances and, if children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who meets them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action. 

For everyone to collaborate effectively, it is vital that if you work with children you understand the role you should play and the role of other people. 

As the hinge pin that holds employers and educators together, Springpod are well placed to coordinate a response. 

Employees working closely with young or vulnerable students should be alert to the possibilities of harm in or out of the workplace. Staff must inform but not to investigate or offer advice. 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead should give the support and advice, and they will decide whether to involve a third party such as the Police or Social Services. 

If an employer or any staff member, in the course of their work, has a student safeguarding issue brought to their attention, they must treat it as a priority and contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Springpod as soon as possible. 

Serious harm cases should be reported to either local Police or Social Services, who will log the report and make further investigations. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead will report this on the student's behalf if the employer and student have not done so themselves. 

If in doubt, contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead for advice. 

• Listen, stay calm, and don't judge. Try not to ask questions, do not probe, or investigate 

• If you have to ask questions to clarify understanding, make sure any questions you ask are 'open ended'. 

• Avoid giving any opinion or offering advice. 

• Explain that you may need to talk to someone at once about the situation and don't promise confidentiality. 

• Reassure the student but avoid unnecessary contact. 

• Inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Springpod as soon as possible. 

• Maintain confidentiality, do not discuss with others. 

• Record what the young person said using their own words, signing, and dating the document. 

• Make sure records are factual and do not contain personal bias or opinion. 

Springpod has developed policies to protect students and staff. These include: 

• A Safeguarding Policy to guide staff on spotting any signs of harm or potential harm.

• A Health and Safety Policy to help ensure that students are protected and looked after in their workplace.

• An Equality and Diversity Policy to ensure students are treated fairly and appropriately in the workplace.

If you have any queries or concerns about safeguarding or Prevent Strategy, contact our Safeguarding Lead:

Email: safeguarding@springpod.co.uk