Safeguarding

Stevenage Education Support Centre is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff, and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults feel confident about sharing any concerns they may have about their safety or the well-being of others.

SESC aims to:

· Provide a safe educational environment for all learners, staff and visitors

· Maintain vigilance in identifying the signs and symptoms of abuse and operate clear procedures for all staff to follow in response

· Ensure that vulnerable learners, at risk and/or likely to suffer significant harm are identified and that appropriate action is taken to keep them safe

· Effectively monitor learners who are vulnerable or at risk of harm

· Promote an ethos in which learners feel safe, feel able to talk openly and are listened to

· Promote and share safe practice with learners, parents and staff

· Ensure that all parents/carers are aware of SESCs child protection responsibilities

· Ensure that all records of child protection concerns and cases are kept and maintained confidentially.

All staff and volunteers are subject to the relevant safeguarding checks; this includes an advanced DBS clearance. Rigorous checking of qualifications and references will also be undertaken by SESC before offering anyone employment. Appropriate general training on Child Protection issues will be provided on induction and at regular intervals to all members of staff and volunteers. Specialist training will be attended by the designated staff, in accordance with statutory requirements