Confident Communication Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding is everyone’s business: it is up to all of us to keep children safe.

Our priority is that all students feel safe and happy in our workshops. Confident Communication are committed to safeguarding and meeting the needs of all our students.

All adults who work with Confident Communication must take account of safeguarding and promote the welfare of children and young people. Each school that we work with will promote a culture of being a safe organisation for young people and the adults who work with them.

All of those who encounter students through their paid or voluntary work are responsible for their own actions and behaviour. We all have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of students. Visitors to a school should act promptly if they witness any incident that could give rise to a concern. All incidents should be reported to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

All visitors to a school must sign in using the signing in book at reception. Include a note of vehicle registration in case of any problems. Visitors are usually issued with an identity badge to be worn at all times. When leaving a school site all visitors must sign out and return their badge to reception.

If whilst working with a student, you become concerned about:

• Comments made by the student
• Marks or bruising on the student
• Changes in the student’s behaviour or demeanour

Your concerns should immediately be reported to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

In the event of a student disclosure:

• Listen to what is being said, without displaying emotion
• Allow the student to talk freely
• DO NOT ask leading questions
• Reassure the student and ensure that they are aware that anything they say cannot be kept confidential, that you will need to share it with a member of the safeguarding team
• Do not compromise confidentiality by discussing with people other than a member of the Safeguarding Team
• Reassure the student that telling you was the right thing to do.

Record details of the disclosure immediately in writing, including where possible the exact words or phrases used by the student. Report your concern and give your written records to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.

Each school will have slightly differing behaviour policies. In general, to ensure visitor behaviour is always appropriate:

• Always be a positive role model by behaving in a mature, respectful, safe, fair and considered manner
• Appropriate relationships with students should be based on mutual trust and respect
• Treat all students equally and never build ‘special’ relationships or confer favour on particular students
• Do not photograph students or exchange emails, texts, phone numbers or share your personal details – this includes communication via social media
  
  

All adults who work with Confident Communication hold an Enhanced DBS check.