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This policy in 60 seconds
- Who it is for: everyone who works with TTT learners.
- Protecting learners from harm, abuse, neglect and radicalisation is everyone's responsibility.
- Immediate danger: call 999 first, then tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
- Report every other concern to the DSL within 24 hours. The DSL decides on any outside referral within 24 hours.
- Concerns are recorded securely and shared only with people who need the information to keep someone safe.
The full policy below is the official version.
1. Purpose
This policy sets out TTT's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of every learner, staff member and associate engaging with our provision. It defines the principles, responsibilities and procedures that protect individuals from harm, abuse, neglect and radicalisation and it sets out how TTT discharges its statutory Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All learners enrolled on TTT qualifications or short courses, including adult learners aged 19 and over and any learner aged 16 to 18 where such provision is delivered
- All TTT staff, including Course Tutors, Course Assessors, IQAs and administrative staff
- Associates, freelance assessors and third parties involved in the delivery or support of TTT provision
- All contexts of engagement, including online virtual classrooms, forums, assessment interactions, written communications and any face-to-face delivery such as employer-led cohorts
3. Definitions
The following terms carry the meanings given throughout this policy.
4. Policy Statement
TTT is committed to the following principles and commitments.
- 1TTT has zero tolerance of abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment or radicalisation in any form.
- 2TTT will create and maintain a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment for every learner, staff member and associate.
- 3TTT complies with all relevant legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Act 1989, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Care Act 2014, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the Equality Act 2010, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 and Keeping Children Safe in Education where 16 to 18 provision is within scope.
- 4TTT actively promotes fundamental British values throughout its curriculum, delivery and associate conduct.
- 5TTT ensures that all staff and associates receive safeguarding and Prevent awareness training at induction and annually thereafter, with additional enhanced training for the DSL and Deputy DSL.
- 6All concerns, disclosures and allegations will be taken seriously, recorded and acted upon promptly, proportionately and in line with this policy.
- 7TTT will cooperate openly with external agencies, including Local Authority safeguarding services, the Police, the LADO, Channel Panels, the Disclosure and Barring Service and Awarding Organisations where required.
- 8TTT adopts safer recruitment practices for all staff and associates who have contact with learners.
- 9Confidentiality is respected at all times, balanced with the overriding duty to protect individuals from harm. Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis and in accordance with data protection law.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
The table below sets out safeguarding responsibilities across TTT.
6. Types of Abuse, Harm and Radicalisation
Staff should be alert to the following categories of harm. Indicators may be subtle, cumulative or absent, so concerns should always be raised even where evidence is uncertain.
7. Prevent Duty and British Values
TTT discharges its Prevent Duty through the following measures.
7.1 Risk assessment
The DSL completes an annual Prevent risk assessment covering learner profile, delivery modes, online spaces and partnerships. The assessment is reviewed after any incident or significant change.
7.2 Curriculum and delivery
British values are embedded throughout delivery. Course Tutors promote open, respectful debate and challenge extremist or intolerant views constructively.
7.3 Online safety
Virtual classrooms and forums are moderated. Learners are briefed on acceptable conduct during induction. Concerns about extremist content are escalated to the DSL immediately.
7.4 Referral and Channel
Where radicalisation is suspected, the DSL will contact the regional Prevent coordinator or local police Prevent team and, if appropriate, refer to the Channel programme. Channel participation is voluntary and confidential.
7.5 Staff training
All staff complete the Home Office Prevent awareness e-learning at induction and refresh annually. The DSL completes enhanced Prevent training.
8. Procedure
8.1 Recognising a concern
Staff should be alert to changes in behaviour, appearance, engagement or written output. Concerns may arise from learner disclosures, observations, third-party reports or content within assessments.
8.2 Responding to a disclosure
- Listen calmly without interrupting or leading the account
- Reassure the learner that they have done the right thing
- Do not promise confidentiality; explain the need to share with the DSL
- Record the words used by the learner as soon as possible after the conversation
- Report to the DSL without delay
8.3 Reporting to the DSL
All concerns are reported to the DSL within 24 hours of identification, in person or by secure email. Where there is immediate danger to life, the Police (999) are contacted first and the DSL is informed thereafter.
8.4 Referral to external agencies
The DSL decides the appropriate external referral within 24 hours of receiving the concern. Routes include:
- Local Authority Children's Social Care or Adult Social Care
- Police (999 for emergencies or 101 for non-emergencies)
- LADO where the allegation concerns a person who works with children
- Channel or local Prevent team where radicalisation is suspected
- Relevant Awarding Organisation where the concern affects assessment integrity
8.5 Allegations against staff or associates
Allegations against a member of staff or associate are reported directly to the DSL. The DSL notifies the LADO within one working day where the allegation relates to a person in a position of trust. The accused person may be suspended on full pay pending investigation. Confidentiality is maintained and natural justice is upheld.
8.6 Low-level concerns
Concerns that do not meet the threshold of significant harm are recorded on the Low-Level Concerns Log and reviewed termly by the DSL for patterns. Recording supports early intervention and protects learners, staff and the centre.
8.7 Record keeping
All concerns, referrals and actions are recorded in the Safeguarding Incident Log maintained by the DSL. Records include date, time, source, content, decisions taken and outcomes. Records are held securely for a minimum of seven years after the learner's last engagement with TTT or longer where required by law. Data retention aligns with the TTT Data Protection and GDPR Policy.
8.8 Information sharing
Information is shared on a need-to-know basis. Consent is sought where appropriate but is not required where sharing is necessary to protect a person from harm. Sharing complies with the UK GDPR and the seven golden rules of information sharing.
9. Online Safety
Given TTT's predominantly online delivery model, online safety is a central safeguarding priority.
- Virtual classrooms are password-protected and only accessible to enrolled learners and approved staff
- Recordings, where made, are stored securely and retained in line with the Data Protection and GDPR Policy
- Course Tutors avoid one-to-one online contact with learners outside scheduled sessions; where contact is necessary, a second staff member is copied in or the session is recorded
- Staff do not communicate with learners through personal social media accounts
- Learners are briefed during induction on acceptable online behaviour, image and recording consent and how to raise concerns
- Incidents of online harm are reported to the DSL and, where appropriate, to the Police, CEOP or the UK Safer Internet Centre
10. Safer Recruitment
TTT follows safer recruitment practice for all staff, associates and assessors. This includes verified identity checks, right-to-work confirmation, full employment history with any gaps explained, at least two professional references obtained before engagement and Enhanced DBS checks for any role involving regular contact with under-18s or vulnerable adults. All references are checked in writing. The Safer Recruitment Policy provides full detail.
11. Training
Training requirements are as follows.
12. Monitoring and Review
This policy is reviewed annually by the Centre Manager as part of TTT's self-evaluation process. Interim reviews are triggered by legislative change, Awarding Organisation requirements, statutory guidance updates, a significant safeguarding incident or stakeholder feedback. The Safeguarding Incident Log is reviewed termly by the DSL for patterns and lessons learned. All outcomes are recorded in the Version History at Section 14.
13. Related Policies
This policy should be read alongside:
14. Version History
15. Approval
This policy has been reviewed and approved by the Centre Manager of TTT.
16. Key Safeguarding Contacts
Learners and staff with a safeguarding concern should contact the DSL in the first instance. The external contacts below are provided for reference and direct contact where required.
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