Safeguarding Policy

 

The purpose of this policy statement is:

- To protect children and young people who receive Scotts Driving School services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
- This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Scotts Driving School, and provides them with the principles that guide our approach to child protection.

 

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning.

 

We believe that:

- Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.
- We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

 

We recognise that:

- The welfare of children and young people is paramount in the work we do and in all the decisions we take all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
- Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

- Valuing, listening to and respecting them.
- Appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people.
- Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies.
- Recruiting staff safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
- Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
- Making sure that children, young people and their families know what to do if they have a concern.
- Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, where there is risk of harm.
- Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.

 

How we deal with disclosures from young people

We will endeavour to listen carefully to the young person, and involve their family or an appropriate adult where possible. We will seek to offer the most appropriate support, to gain advice from the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 where needed, and to contact the relevant agencies where appropriate.

 

How we deal with concerns about young people

We may become aware of concerns through the young person, the family, or a third party. We will endeavour to listen to all concerns and take the most appropriate action. Where the risk to a young person is immediate or life threatening, we will contact the police on 999. We may contact the NSPCC for advice on 0808 800 5000, and/or we may contact the local authority to report our concerns.

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Photography and sharing images

Scotts Driving School will always ask for permission before taking and sharing images. These images will only be of when pupils pass their driving test, and we recognise that some pupils will be under 18 years old. No pass photos will be taken or shared without verbal or written consent from the young person, or any other pupil. If the instructor is in any doubt that the young person is unsure of what they are agreeing to, the instructor will not take or share any pass photos.

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NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

 

This policy was last reviewed on 24th April 2021 by Scott Williams