Our proactive response to safeguarding and our duty to keep children, young people and adults at risk protected and safe
Board Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we have adopted a consistent and robust approach to protect children, young people and Adults at Risk. While we recognise that there are subtle differences to the needs of children and adults, our commitment is developed as one, because we want to make a difference and we strive to develop best practice approaches in safeguarding to protect all of our learners.
Everyone across Wiser Academy recognises their responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of our staff, learners and our customers. As a Board we are proud to be leading Wiser Academy and we will do all we can to continue to build a culture where safeguarding responsibilities and procedures for raising concerns are widely understood by everyone who works for and with us. We aim to embed these through our values and culture so that everyone can understand the importance of safeguarding.
While our policy framework sets out our safeguarding governance, this is supported through robust training requirements for each member of our staff, according to their work activities. We will support workforce development and continually strive to improve our safeguarding practices.
If anyone has any questions relating to this policy and associated working procedures, please contact the Safeguarding team.
This policy has been approved by
- Crescens George – Managing Director
- Katie Johnson – Designated Safeguarding Lead Officer
- Safeguarding Lead : Katie Johnson
- Email contact : safeguarding@wiseracademy.co.uk
- Contact : 01264317517 or 07394331504
- Contact out of hours: 07523386993
Our Safeguarding Commitment
To offer an enjoyable experience and create inclusive and welcoming environment where children, young people and adults at risk are safe, protected, valued and respected.
The aims of this policy are to:
- Promote and develop the highest possible standards in safeguarding
- Establish effective safeguarding measures to create safe, fair and inclusive environments for all
- Demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding and outline the expectations of our staff
- Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and they are provided with appropriate learning and development opportunities
- Ensure we have an effective safer recruitment practice in place to assess the suitability of staff.
- Ensure staff understand their responsibilities to take appropriate action in relation to any concerns, allegations, incidents of harm, exploitation, poor practice or abuse
- Provide an effective framework to report any concerns
This policy outlines our collective approach and duty to keep children, young people and Adults at Risk protected and safe. Any statutory agency policies and procedures must always take precedence over any governing body guidance.
Our Safeguarding Principles
This policy applies throughout all areas of Wiser Academy and must be observed by all those coming into contact with our learners and customers. This document aims to ensure best practice in safeguarding is promoted and adhered to.
- Children, young people and Adults at Risk have the right to protection from incidents of harm, exploitation, poor practice, abuse, mistreatment and exploitation in any form. This is regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, or socio-economic background.
- We will always adopt a person-centred approach and put anyone at risk at the heart of our decision-making processes.
- Safeguarding is the collective responsibility of everyone connected with Wiser Academy and we continually strive to create an environment where everyone is empowered to protect themselves and others.
- We continue to work collaboratively and in partnership with employers, parents, carers and all relevant statutory agencies and other external stakeholders.
- Wiser Academy is committed to address any additional vulnerability or extra barriers that children, young people or Adults at Risk may face (for example those in care, those with specific mental health issues or other disabilities).
- We strive to communicate openly and transparently and create best practice approaches; we encourage challenge if it helps us to improve the development of our safeguarding framework.
- We recruit staff (including, for the purposes of this policy, casual workers, agency staff, consultants, volunteers and researchers) in line with our robust safer recruitment practices and individuals are only employed after the completion of all necessary checks and referencing.
- When appropriate we will report to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) anybody delivering a Regulated Activity for Wiser Academy who is believed by us to present a risk of harm to a child, young person or Adult at Risk. Where Wiser Academy ‘withdraws permission’ for a person to deliver a Regulated Activity they will also be reported to the DBS without exception.
- All suspicions or allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to efficiently, fairly and appropriately. Any necessary referral or sharing of information will always be completed promptly and without undue delay.
- We ensure that our staff are role models of good behaviour and have appropriate supervision and training in place to support them.
Safeguarding in Practice
1. Induction and On-Boarding of Learners
Safeguarding is embedded from the outset of a learner’s journey with Wiser Academy.
1.1 Safeguarding, Prevent and British Values Induction
All learners must attend a structured induction session covering:
- Safeguarding and recognising harm
- The Prevent Duty and risks of radicalisation
- British Values
- Online safety and wellbeing
- Reporting procedures and support mechanisms
- Attendance is mandatory and recorded.
1.2 Mandatory Prevent Training
All new learners are required to complete the official Prevent awareness training available via Gov.uk.
- A certificate of completion must be produced.
- The certificate forms part of the enrolment documentation.
- Enrolment will not be fully completed until this requirement is satisfied.
1.3 Reinforcement at First Training Session
At the first formal training session, trainers must:
- Reiterate key safeguarding principles.
- Remind learners of the reporting process.
- Ensure all learners record the safeguarding contact details.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Katie Johnson
Email: safeguarding@wiseracademy.co.uk
Telephone: 01264 317517
Mobile: 07394 331504
Out of Hours: 07523 386993
This reinforcement ensures learners know how to access support at any stage of their programme.
2. Safeguarding During Programme Delivery
Safeguarding remains a continuous priority throughout the learner journey.
2.1 Progress Reviews
At each formal progress review, the following must be discussed:
- Safeguarding awareness
- Prevent and British Values
- Wellbeing and mental health
- Safety within the workplace
- Learners must be reminded of the DSL contact details during these reviews.
2.2 Ongoing Vigilance by Staff
During all teaching sessions and one-to-one meetings, trainers must:
- Remain alert to potential safeguarding risks.
- Monitor behavioural changes or concerning disclosures.
- Take appropriate action in line with this policy.
Any concern, however minor it may seem, must be reported promptly.
3. Positive Working Practice
Wiser Academy promotes a culture of safe, professional conduct.
3.1 Open and Transparent Working
Staff must:
- Work in environments that are open and observable wherever possible.
- Avoid situations where they are alone in private or unsupervised settings with learners.
- Encourage transparent communication and avoid secrecy.
3.2 Professional Boundaries
Staff must:
- Maintain safe and appropriate physical distance.
- Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
- Maintain clear professional relationships at all times.
3.3 Online Conduct
Communication with learners must only occur via approved Wiser Academy channels.
- Private conversations through personal social media or messaging platforms are not permitted.
- Any alternative communication method must have prior approval from the DSL or Safeguarding Team.
3.4 Personal Contact Information
Personal telephone numbers must not be shared with children, young people or Adults at Risk.
3.5 Record Keeping
A written record must be kept of:
- Any incident or injury
- Any safeguarding concern
- Actions taken or treatment provided
Concerns must be reported to the DSL via:
- safeguarding@wiseracademy.co.uk
- Accident and Incident Report Form
- Records must be completed within 24 hours.
4. Staff Induction and Training
All staff are required to complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role as part of induction.
This includes:
- Internal safeguarding reporting procedures
- Recognition of safeguarding concerns
- Prevent duty awareness
All staff will receive a copy of this policy.
In addition:
- All staff must attend safeguarding training equivalent in standard to that undertaken by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Certification must be maintained and updated in line with statutory requirements.
5. Managing a Direct Disclosure
If a child, young person or Adult at Risk makes a direct disclosure, staff must take the following actions:
- Remain calm and listen carefully.
- If emergency medical assistance is required, call 999 immediately.
- Take the individual to a safe and quiet space.
- Reassure them that they are not to blame.
- Take the disclosure seriously and avoid judgement.
- Do not ask leading questions; only seek minimal clarification where necessary.
- Do not promise confidentiality or specific outcomes.
- Do not contact the alleged perpetrator.
- Do not investigate the matter yourself.
- Refer the concern immediately to the DSL.
- Submit a written record via safeguarding@wiseracademy.co.uk within 24 hours.
The responsibility of staff is to report, not to investigate.
6. Preserving Evidence
Following a disclosure, the primary priority is the safety and welfare of the individual. However, preservation of evidence may be critical.
Where physical or sexual assault is suspected:
6.1 Immediate Considerations
- Only observe injuries if consent is given and observation is appropriate.
- Do not touch or disturb the scene unnecessarily.
- Do not clean, wash or remove any material that may constitute evidence.
- Avoid handling items unless essential.
- If handling is unavoidable, minimise contact and store items in a clean, dry environment for the police.
- Secure the area and prevent unnecessary access until authorities arrive.
6.2 Prior to Police or Medical Examination
- Ensure no physical contact occurs between victim and alleged perpetrator.
- Advise the individual not to shower.
- Advise against changing clothing.
- Encourage them not to eat or drink if oral evidence may be relevant.
- Preserve all items even if the individual initially states they do not wish to involve the police.
Decisions regarding police involvement must be made in consultation with the DSL and in accordance with statutory safeguarding thresholds.
Reporting a Concern regarding an employee of Wiser Academy
If a learner, employer/parent has a concern/allegation about a member of Wiser Academy staff: All learners
are to be informed that if they have a concern over their own personal welfare and wellbeing that they
do not feel comfortable talking to their Trainer about, they are to contact Wiser Academy’s Designated
Officer. Contact details for the designated person are available in this policy. Contact details and how to contact will be shared at these touchpoints…
- At new apprentice onboarding, induction and first day of training
- Details are in the learner handbook, shared as a soft copy at induction and a hard copy shared on the first day of face-face training
- Details are available on our website, under the “contact-us” tab
- Trainers will reinforce the contact details and process at every progress review stage. The contact details are embedded into every progress review forms
- Staff email signatures will always carry the details on how to get in touch with us
Consent
It is important to us that we act with openness and honesty and we will always communicate the following:
- Why we are collecting information
- What information will be collected
- How information will be collected
- How information will be shared
Wiser Acadmy will share information with the relevant statutory agencies, Charity Commission, Police, Local Authority where is it appropriate to do so in relation to safeguarding.
- Advice should always be sought from Wiser Academy’s Safeguarding Team if there is any doubt about sharing information or the potential disclosure of information linked to the identity of anyone involved in a safeguarding concern.
- Information is shared with informed consent where appropriate and, where possible, there is respect for the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. Information will always be shared, even without consent if, in Wiser Academy’s discretion, there is a legitimate reason to do so (e.g. someone’s safety may be at risk if we fail to share that information). Any decision will be based on the facts of the case that are available to us at the time.
- The safety, welfare and wellbeing of children, young people and Adults at Risk is always our primary consideration when sharing information.
- Information is only shared when it is necessary, proportionate, relevant, timely and secure to do so. Only accurate and up-to-date information will ever be shared.
- Records of Wiser Academy’s decision to share information in relation to any reported concern must always to be recorded by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Such a record should include details of who the information has been shared with together with clear and legitimate reasons for sharing that information.
Safer Recruitment
Wiser Academy is fully committed to safer recruitment practices to ensure that we only employ individuals who are aligned to our vision, values and safeguarding commitments.
We have put in place robust recruitment process to reduce the risk of staff
falling short of our expected standards. As part of Wiser Academy’s recruitment and selection process, offers of work for positions which come into contact with children, young people or Adults at Risk are subject to completion of a satisfactory:
- Criminal record check (DBS) of the appropriate level for their role from Basic to an Enhanced level check with barred lists
- C.V. checks
- Right to work in the UK check
All offers of work are subject to a satisfactory outcome to the rigorous screening process. Until such time that all background checks are deemed as acceptable by the academy, the person concerned will not be permitted to commence work with us.
All employees, workers, consultants, agency staff and volunteers in a position of trust are required to undergo regular DBS disclosure clearances. These will be completed once every three years as a best practice minimum or earlier if required.
When Wiser Academy uses suppliers or agencies to undertake its work, they are also subject to rigorous vetting and safeguarding checks and required to adhere to Wiser Academy’s policy and Safeguarding Supplier Code of Conduct as set out in their contracts or service level agreements where relevant