Safeguarding Policy

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1. Introduction

The following Safeguarding Policy and Procedures have been adopted by the Management Committee of W1se Angels and are in place to promote the safety, wellbeing and protection of all adult learners, staff, volunteers, partner providers and other people who may come into contact with W1se Angels.

W1se Angels provides education and training for learners aged 19 and over. This policy is therefore primarily concerned with adult safeguarding and is based on the principles and requirements of the Care Act 2014, the Care and Support Statutory Guidance, particularly Chapter 14 – Safeguarding, and the safeguarding adults procedures and arrangements applicable in Waltham Forest.

W1se Angels’s adheres to the Waltham Forest Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board’s Safeguarding Adults Policy, and we are committed to the health, safety, and welfare of all at risk people, whether children or adults, participating in our courses or activities. 

W1se Angels’s, our staff, our providers, partners, and their staff have collective responsibility to prevent abuse or neglect of children or at-risk adults, respect any confidentiality, and report any abuse discovered or suspected. 

It is the W1se Angels’s policy that all staff who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults undertake a criminal record check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), checked prior to the commencement of their employment with W1se Angels’s, and act according to its policies and procedures. W1se Angels’s sets a contractual condition that our partner providers carry out DBS checks on all staff who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable/at risk learners. 

W1se Angels’s expects all partner providers to use or be informed by this policy and ensure that their staff are aware of the procedures for safeguarding children and vulnerable/at risk adults. 

W1se Angels’s expects all staff and our partner providers to report and act upon any allegation or concern regardless of how small or trivial it may seem. 

Where children or adults have been viewed as at-risk W1se Angels’s expects staff and providers to pay special attention to the learner’s learning needs and try to consider any special requirements that they may have. 

We recognise that extremism and exposure to extremist materials and influences can lead to poor outcomes for learners and so should be addressed as a safeguarding concern.  We also recognise that if we fail to challenge extremist views, we are failing to protect our learners and to promote equality and diversity.

W1se Angels recognises its responsibilities under the Prevent Duty and is committed to providing a safe learning environment in which adult learners can participate in respectful discussion, develop critical thinking skills and feel able to raise concerns.

Concerns relating to radicalisation, extremism or a risk of involvement in terrorism will be dealt with through the Prevent procedures contained within this policy and, where appropriate, through referral to the relevant Prevent or Channel arrangements.

Prevent concerns will be considered alongside any other safeguarding concerns affecting an adult learner. Where there is an immediate risk of harm or evidence of criminal activity, the appropriate statutory agency will be contacted.

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2. Definition

Young Person protection relates to any young person (under 18) who may suffer from, or may be at risk of physical injury, radicalised to support terrorism, neglect, and emotional or sexual abuse. A full list of definitions is attached as appendix 1.

3. Recognition

The first indication of concern about a child’s and vulnerable adult welfare is not necessarily the presence of an injury.  

Concerns may be aroused by:

• Bruises, bite marks, burns/scalds, scars or fractures on a learner's or vulnerable adult’s body.

• Remarks made by the learner, another learner, a parent, or another adult.

• Negative Behaviour or extremist views to race, religion, culture, environment, engagement with terrorist ideology, 

• Observations of the learner's behaviour or reactions to others.

• Unexplained changes in the learner's behaviour or personality.

• Evidence of disturbance or explicit detail in a child's play, drawing or writing.

• Neglect - where lack of due care for a learner is creating significant risk to their health & well-being.

4. Responsibilities of W1se Angels

W1se Angels, its Management Committee, staff, volunteers, partner providers and other relevant personnel have a shared responsibility to contribute to the prevention of abuse and neglect and to respond appropriately when concerns arise.

All staff and partner providers are expected to:

• understand their safeguarding responsibilities;

• remain alert to signs and indicators of abuse, neglect, exploitation and other safeguarding concerns;

• listen to and take seriously any concern raised by an adult learner;

• report safeguarding concerns promptly through the procedures set out in this policy;

• record concerns accurately and objectively;

• maintain appropriate confidentiality;

• share information where this is necessary and proportionate to protect an adult or prevent harm;

• cooperate with safeguarding enquiries and other appropriate investigations;

• respect the dignity, rights, views and choices of adult learners; and

• follow W1se Angels' safeguarding, Prevent and related policies and procedures.

Staff and partner providers must not investigate safeguarding concerns themselves or attempt to determine whether abuse has occurred. Their responsibility is to recognise concerns, respond appropriately, record relevant information and report the concern to the appropriate safeguarding lead or statutory agency.

Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm or a suspected crime, the appropriate emergency or statutory service should be contacted without delay.

5. Designated person for learner protection

The Lead Safeguarding Lead (Diana Nickson and Eudene Sukwah) has the overall designated responsibility for Safeguarding protection, as appointed by the Management Committee. Anyone who has a concern about a learner should contact them on (0203 865 4277 or 07462 951 557) immediately.

The designated person will:

• Liaise, where appropriate, with Waltham Forest Adult Social Care, Adult Safeguarding, the Safeguarding Adults Board, the Police and other relevant agencies regarding individual cases of suspected or identified abuse, neglect or safeguarding concerns involving adult learners within the W1se Angels learning environment.

• Be responsible for co-ordinating safeguarding action within W1se Angels in response to concerns relating to adult learners, including ensuring that concerns are appropriately recorded, reported and referred where necessary.

• Ensure that all staff, volunteers and relevant partner providers are familiar with this Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and understand their responsibilities for recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns.

• Raise awareness of adult safeguarding, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and arrange appropriate safeguarding training and updates for staff, volunteers and relevant partner providers.

• Maintain appropriate links with local adult safeguarding services and other relevant agencies and ensure that W1se Angels remains aware of current local safeguarding procedures and referral arrangements.

• Promote a person-centred approach to safeguarding, taking account of the adult learner's views, wishes, feelings, dignity and wellbeing wherever appropriate.

• Ensure that safeguarding concerns are dealt with in accordance with the Care Act 2014, Care and Support Statutory Guidance and relevant local safeguarding procedures.

5. Safe Recruitment Procedures

W1se Angels’s’s recruitment policy stipulates that all staff (paid or voluntary) will have to complete an application form, detailing past work history and references. Individuals are then interviewed, and references requested. Only on receipt of satisfactory references will a formal offer of employment or placement be made. 

All staff and volunteers working directly with learners (under 18 years) and vulnerable adults are required to have an enhanced check through the Disclosure Service – the Government’s Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) before commencement of work or placement. W1se Angels’s is registered as a DBS check approved organisation.

Staff members (voluntary or paid) are thus required to fill out a DBS form and produce evidence as to their identity, in accordance with the Disclosure Service Guidelines. This information is then witnessed by the Designated Person responsible for learner protection and signed as an acknowledgement of information produced.

Copies of all returned DBS checks and documentation pertaining to any learner protection issues will be kept confidentially and securely locked within the organisations administration office.

Staff can undergo training and induction whilst waiting for the checks to clear but cannot undertake any unsupervised face-to-face work until satisfactory checks have been received. This training will include mandatory learner protection awareness.

6. The role of individual staff / volunteers

All staff & volunteers working for W1se Angels’s must be aware that a learner may be the victim of abuse. Concern about a learner or young person must be discussed with the Protection Champion so that, if necessary, a referral can be made without delay.  In urgent situations, referral must not be delayed.

Individual staff or volunteers should not investigate concerns.  This is the role of the statutory agencies.  However, if a learner does say something, it is vital to listen carefully, so that it can be reported accurately.

7. Confidentiality

Our learner & young people have the right to expect that all staff and volunteers will deal sensitively and sympathetically with their situation.  It is important that information remains confidential and that only those with a 'need to know' should be privy to it.

Procedure - what to do:

Concern may arise from observations of the learner (e.g., injury, behaviour, appearance and nature of play or work produced) or as a result of something said by the learner, another learner or an adult.

Do not delay:

1. Tell the Learner Protection Champion- as soon as you can, and such concern documented accordingly. See emergency contact numbers attached to this policy and procedure.

Early referral gives more time to help the learner and family before the situation becomes severe or serious. When necessary, early referral gives more time for others to protect the learner.

The Protection Champion may consult with the Local Education Authority, Social Services, and Waltham Forest Council. A flow chart of what to do and who to contact is explained further in a Referral Flow Chart (appendix 2).

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2. Make written notes - as soon as you can, write down your concerns and record the facts accurately on the Learner Protection Incident Form, available from admin office (appendix 3). Be clear when you are expressing an opinion and what your opinion is based on.

These notes must be given to the Designated Person immediately and will help to ensure accuracy in recalling events.

3. Concern about what the learner or someone in W1se Angels’s says

If a child or an adult comes to you with an apparent report of abuse, you should listen carefully to him/her, using the following guidelines. When listening to the individual staff must observe the following: 

Do not promise to keep it secret - Remind the individual of your obligation to pass on information and that you will not be able to keep information confidential if it is a safeguarding concern as you will need to tell someone who can help.

Reassure - The learner has done nothing wrong - tell her / him it is all right to talk.  Allow the individual to speak without interruption.

Never trivialise or exaggerate the issue and never make suggestions. 

Never coach or lead the individual in any way.  

Reassure the individual, let them know you are glad they have spoken up and that they are right to do so. Make the individual feel secure and safe without causing them any further anxiety.

Always ask enough questions to clarify your understanding, do not probe or interrogate – no matter how well you know the individual – spare them having to repeat themselves repeatedly.

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Remain calm – remember this is not an easy thing for them to do. 

Do not show your emotions – if you show anger, disgust, or disbelief, they may stop talking. This may be because they feel they are upsetting you or they may feel your negative feelings are directed towards them Let the individual know that you are taking the matter very seriously. 

Any detailed information about a case will be confined to the Designated Person and the Head of Adult Learning, except where referral to an external agency is to be made. 

Information will be dealt with in a confidential manner. Staff will be informed of relevant details on a need-to-know bases when the Designated Person feels their having knowledge of a situation is relevant and appropriate. A written record will be made of what information has been shared with whom, when and why. 

Safeguarding records will be stored securely in a central place. Access to these records by staff other than the Designated Person and their deputies will be restricted. 

W1se Angels’s will not disclose to a parent, other relative or carer any information help on a child or at-risk person if it would put them at risk of significant harm. 

Although W1se Angels’s and our partner providers are funded to work with learners 16-18 and those over the age of 19, all staff should be aware of the mandatory duty to report to police any case where an act of female genital mutilation appears to have been carried out or about to be carried out on a girl under the age of 18.

4.  Remember

If in doubt, consult with senior staff members. Do not ignore concerns, even if these are vague. Your first responsibility is to the learner/vulnerable adult.

5. Contact with the family

Before speaking to the learner's family, you should talk to the Protection Champion, who may consult outside the bounds of W1se Angels’s

In cases where a physical injury causes concern, it may be appropriate to discuss this with the parent or carer.  If the explanation suggests the injury was non-accidental (or a failure to protect the Child/learner from harm), the parent or carer should be informed of the need to refer the matter to Social Services.

In cases of possible neglect or emotional abuse, the concern is likely to have built up over a period of time. There may have been discussion with the family about sources of help (e.g., Social Services, NSPCC), but if concerns persist, there must be an immediate referral to Social Services Referral and Assessment Team.

Where there are suspicions of sexual abuse, the Protection Champion will seek immediate advice from the Social Services Department before discussing the matter with the family.

Where there are Financial Issue Concerns, the Protection Champion will seek immediate advice from the Citizen Advise Bureau before discussing the matter with the learner.

6. Concern about a member of staff or volunteer

Allegations or concerns about a member of staff or volunteer must immediately be referred to the Protection Champion and eventually to a statutory agency.

7.  Requests for assistance by other agencies

W1se Angels’s should assist local authority Social Services or the Police when they are making enquiries about the welfare of Child/Vulnerable adult within our provision.  Information about a Child/Vulnerable adult must therefore be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis.

When such requests are received by telephone, always maintain security by checking the telephone listing before calling back.

Always advise the designated person of this contact.

8.  General issues

All staff & volunteers must always observe the above policy and procedures and adhere to the W1se Angels’s Child/Vulnerable Adult Protection Code of Conduct (appendix 4).

Parental /Carer Consent needs to be sought for all vulnerable adults or young people taking part in any on or off-site activities/events, using Registration & Parental/Carer Consent Form (appendix 5).

As part of overall good practice risk assessments should also be carried out for all on & offsite activities, with staff taking full responsibility for using measures to reduce risk for activities within W1se Angels.

This Policy and Procedures will be reviewed annually and/or whenever there are changes to relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local safeguarding procedures or organisational requirements. The policy will also be reviewed following any safeguarding incident or where changes in practice indicate that an earlier review is necessary.  

EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS

Waltham Forest Adult Safeguarding / Adult Social Care

Waltham Forest Direct – Adult Safeguarding

Telephone: 020 8496 3130
Email: WFDLiaison@walthamforest.gov.uk

The Adult Safeguarding Team should be contacted where there are concerns that an adult is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and may be unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.

Safeguarding concerns can be reported to Waltham Forest Adult Social Care at any time.

Police / Emergency Services

Emergency: 999

Call 999 where:

• an adult is in immediate danger;

• there is an immediate risk of serious harm;

• a crime is taking place or has taken place and an emergency response is required; or

• an ambulance, police or fire service is urgently required.

For non-emergency police matters, contact the Metropolitan Police on 101.

Waltham Forest Safeguarding Adults Board

W1se Angels will maintain awareness of the current policies, procedures, referral arrangements and guidance issued by the Waltham Forest Safeguarding Adults Board.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure that relevant contact details and local safeguarding procedures are reviewed regularly and updated when required.

Prevent

For concerns relating to radicalisation, extremism or terrorism, staff should report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in accordance with the Prevent procedures contained within this policy.

Where there is an immediate risk of harm or an emergency, contact the police on 999.

Victim Support

Victim Support provides support to people affected by crime, including adults who have experienced abuse, violence or exploitation.

Current contact details should be checked regularly before publication of this policy.

Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123

Samaritans provides confidential emotional support and is available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mental Health Support

Where an adult learner requires urgent mental health support, staff should consider the appropriate NHS or local mental health service.

Where there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, call 999.

Important

The Designated Safeguarding Lead should ensure that all staff and relevant partner providers have access to current safeguarding contact details.

Contact details will be checked as part of the annual review of this policy and whenever W1se Angels becomes aware of a change to local safeguarding arrangements.

Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, staff must not wait for a safeguarding referral to be processed and should contact the appropriate emergency service without delay.

Appendix 1:

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Definitions of Adult Abuse and Neglect

Adult Safeguarding

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Adult safeguarding means protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, while promoting their wellbeing and taking account of their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs.

W1se Angels recognises that abuse and neglect can happen to any adult and can occur in a range of settings, including the home, community, educational environment, workplace, care setting or online.

Abuse or neglect may be caused by a single act, repeated acts or a failure to act. It may be intentional or unintentional and may be carried out by a person known to the adult or by someone who is not known to them.

Abuse can be carried out by an individual, a group of people, an organisation or another adult. An adult may experience more than one type of abuse at the same time.

The types of abuse and neglect described below are not exhaustive. W1se Angels will consider the individual circumstances of each concern and will take seriously any information that indicates an adult may be experiencing, or be at risk of, abuse or neglect.

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Adult Safeguarding under the Care Act 2014

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Under the Care Act 2014, adult safeguarding duties apply where an adult:

• has needs for care and support, whether or not those needs are being met by the local authority;

• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and

• as a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect.

Where these circumstances apply, W1se Angels will follow its safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, refer concerns to Waltham Forest Adult Social Care or another relevant statutory agency.

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PHYSICAL ABUSE

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Physical abuse is the deliberate or inappropriate use of physical force which causes, or may cause, injury, pain or distress to an adult.

This may include:

• hitting, slapping, pushing or kicking;

• punching or other forms of assault;

• inappropriate physical restraint;

• misuse of medication;

• inappropriate physical sanctions;

• burning or scalding;

• misuse of physical interventions; or

• deliberately causing physical injury.

Physical abuse may be a single incident or may occur repeatedly.

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SEXUAL ABUSE

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Sexual abuse is any sexual activity, contact or behaviour that an adult has not freely consented to or has been pressured, coerced or forced into.

This may include:

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• rape or sexual assault;

• unwanted touching or sexual contact;

• sexual harassment;

• inappropriate sexual comments, jokes or suggestions;

• sexual photography or recording;

• forcing or pressuring an adult to watch sexual material or sexual activity;

• exposing an adult to pornography;

• being forced or pressured to participate in sexual activity;

• being made to engage in sexual activity for someone else's benefit; or

• sexual activity where the adult is unable to give valid consent.

Sexual abuse can occur within a relationship, friendship, family, care setting, educational environment or any other situation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE

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Psychological or emotional abuse is behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, emotional or psychological harm to an adult.

This may include:

• threats of harm or abandonment;

• intimidation or coercion;

• humiliation or degradation;

• controlling behaviour;

• harassment;

• bullying or cyberbullying;

• verbal abuse;

• deliberately isolating an adult from friends, family or support networks;

• preventing an adult from expressing their views or making their own choices;

• blaming or repeatedly criticising an adult;

• deliberately undermining an adult's confidence or self-esteem; or

• unreasonable or unjustified withdrawal of support or services.

Psychological or emotional abuse may occur alongside other forms of abuse.

FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ABUSE

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Financial or material abuse involves the theft, misuse or improper control of an adult's money, property, possessions or benefits.

This may include:

• theft;

• fraud;

• scams or internet scams;

• coercion or pressure relating to money or financial arrangements;

• misuse of bank accounts;

• misuse of benefits or pensions;

• misuse or misappropriation of property or possessions;

• pressure relating to wills, inheritance or other financial arrangements; or

• preventing an adult from having reasonable access to their own money or possessions.

DOMESTIC ABUSE

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Domestic abuse may involve physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or financial abuse between people aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members.

Domestic abuse may include:

• physical violence;

• sexual abuse;

• emotional or psychological abuse;

• financial abuse;

• controlling or coercive behaviour;

• threats or intimidation;

• isolation from family or friends; or

• behaviour intended to control or restrict an adult's freedom.

Where W1se Angels becomes aware of concerns relating to domestic abuse, the concern will be taken seriously and dealt with in accordance with relevant safeguarding and domestic abuse procedures.

DISCRIMINATORY ABUSE

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Discriminatory abuse involves harassment, unequal treatment, abuse or other harmful behaviour because of a person's protected or personal characteristics.

This may include abuse or harassment relating to:

• race or ethnicity;

• religion or belief;

• disability;

• age;

• sex;

• sexual orientation;

• gender reassignment; or

• other characteristics protected by law.

Discriminatory abuse may be verbal, physical, psychological or online.

ORGANISATIONAL ABUSE

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Organisational abuse involves poor care, poor practice, neglect or abusive treatment within an organisation or service.

It may include:

• inappropriate or unsafe practices;

• failure to respect an adult's dignity or choices;

• rigid or inappropriate routines;

• poor standards of care or support;

• inappropriate use of restraint;

• inadequate staffing or supervision;

• failure to respond to safeguarding concerns; or

• organisational practices, policies or procedures that place adults at risk of harm.

Although W1se Angels is an education provider rather than a care provider, concerns about organisational abuse or poor safeguarding practice within W1se Angels or a partner provider will be taken seriously and investigated or referred appropriately.

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NEGLECT AND ACTS OF OMISSION

Neglect and acts of omission involve a failure to provide appropriate care, support or protection, or a failure to act when action is required.

This may include:

• ignoring an adult's physical, emotional or health needs;

• failing to respond appropriately to a known safeguarding concern;

• failing to provide appropriate support where a duty exists;

• withholding necessary medication, food or other basic needs;

• failing to protect an adult from avoidable harm;

• failing to provide access to appropriate health, care, support or educational services; or

• failing to take reasonable action when an adult is known to be at risk.

SELF-NEGLECT

Self-neglect involves an adult's inability or unwillingness to care for their own health, safety, personal hygiene or living environment to such an extent that there may be a risk of significant harm.

This may include:

• severe neglect of personal hygiene;

• failure to attend to significant health needs;

• unsafe living conditions;

• hoarding;

• refusal or inability to access necessary care or support; or

• behaviours that place the adult at significant risk of harm.

Self-neglect will be considered on an individual basis. Not every case of self-neglect will meet the criteria for a statutory safeguarding enquiry, and W1se Angels will seek appropriate advice and support where concerns arise.

MODERN SLAVERY AND EXPLOITATION

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Modern slavery includes slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.

An adult may be at risk of exploitation through force, coercion, deception or threats.

Signs may include:

• being controlled by another person;

• being forced to work or provide services;

• having identity documents or money taken away;

• being prevented from leaving a situation;

• appearing fearful of another person;

• being moved or transported for the purpose of exploitation; or

• being subjected to sexual, criminal or financial exploitation.

Concerns about modern slavery or exploitation must be reported promptly through W1se Angels' safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, to the police or other relevant statutory agency.

ABUSE BY ANOTHER ADULT

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Safeguarding concerns may arise where one adult learner causes harm or poses a risk of harm to another adult learner.

This may include bullying, harassment, intimidation, financial exploitation, physical assault, sexual abuse, discriminatory abuse or other harmful behaviour.

The fact that the person causing the harm is also an adult learner does not prevent W1se Angels from taking safeguarding action.

ABUSE CAN TAKE PLACE IN ANY SETTING

Abuse and neglect can occur:

• within the family or household;

• between partners or former partners;

• within friendships or relationships;

• within educational settings;

• within care or support services;

• in the workplace;

• within the community;

• online or through social media; or

• through contact with people or organisations outside the local area.

The person responsible for the abuse may be known to the adult, may be in a position of trust, or may be a stranger.

RADICALISATION

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Radicalisation is the process through which a person comes to legitimise support for, or use of, terrorist violence.

W1se Angels recognises that susceptibility to radicalisation is complex and there is no single profile or pathway that indicates that someone will become involved in terrorism.

Concerns about radicalisation should be considered as safeguarding concerns and reported through W1se Angels' Prevent and safeguarding procedures.

Prevent aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and provides opportunities for early intervention and support where a person may be susceptible to radicalisation.

EXTREMISM

For the purposes of this policy, W1se Angels will use the current UK Government definition of extremism.

Extremism is the promotion or advancement of an ideology based on violence, hatred or intolerance, that aims to:

• negate or destroy the fundamental rights and freedoms of others;

• undermine, overturn or replace the UK's system of liberal parliamentary democracy and democratic rights; or

• intentionally create a permissive environment for others to achieve these aims.

The lawful exercise of freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression and association, including lawful debate, protest and campaigning for changes to the law, is not in itself extremism.

A person should not be considered extremist simply because they hold controversial, unpopular or strongly expressed views. Concerns should be considered in context, taking account of the available evidence and the nature and intention of the behaviour.

Where staff have concerns that an adult learner may be at risk of being drawn into terrorism or supporting terrorism, the concern should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and dealt with in accordance with W1se Angels' Prevent and safeguarding procedures.

W1se Angels will not attempt to determine whether an individual is an extremist. Staff should report concerns and allow the appropriate safeguarding, Prevent and statutory agencies to undertake the relevant assessment.

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PREVENTING EXTREMISM AND RADICALISATION 

Introduction

W1se Angels’s is committed to providing a secure environment for learners, where they feel safe and are kept safe and where equality and inclusion are actively promoted. This PREVENT strategy is underpinned by the following key objectives:

1. To promote and reinforce shared values.

2. To breakdown segregations amongst different students

3. To ensure student safety and ensure the Academy is free from bullying.

4. To provide support for students

5. To ensure both staff and students are aware of their roles and responsibilities in preventing violent extremism.

If you believe someone is at risk of radicalisation you can help them obtain support and prevent them becoming involved in terrorism by raising your concerns and making a referral to our Designated Safeguarding Officers. 

Ethos and Practice

When operating this policy W1se Angels’s uses the following definition of extremism:

‘Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs; and/or calls for the death of any person, whether in this country or overseas’.  

There is no place for extremist views of any kind in W1se Angels’s, whether from internal sources – learners, staff, or governors/trustees; or external sources - community, external agencies, or individuals.  Our learners see our classes as a safe place where they can, at appropriate times, explore controversial issues safely and where our teachers encourage and facilitate this – we have a duty to protect this freedom.

We recognise that extremism and exposure to extremist materials and influences can lead to poor outcomes for learners and so should be addressed as a safeguarding concern. We also recognise that if we fail to challenge extremist views, we are failing to protect our learners.

Extremists of all persuasions aim to develop destructive relationships between different communities by promoting division, fear and mistrust of others based on ignorance or prejudice and thereby limiting the development of learners. Education is a powerful weapon against this; equipping people with the knowledge, skills and critical thinking, to challenge and debate in an informed way and to ensure that they thrive, feel valued and not marginalised.  

As part of wider safeguarding responsibilities staff will be alert to:

• Disclosures by learners of their exposure to the extremist actions, views, or materials of others outside of the provider, such as in their homes or community groups, especially where learners have not actively sought these out.

• Graffiti symbols, writing or artwork promoting extremist messages or images.

• Learners accessing extremist material online, including through social networking sites.

• Partner providers, local authority services, and police reports of issues affecting learners in other providers or settings.

• Learners voicing opinions drawn from extremist ideologies and narratives.

• Use of extremist or ‘hate’ terms to exclude others or incite violence.

• Intolerance of difference, whether secular or religious or, in line with our equalities policy, views based on, but not exclusive to, gender, disability, homophobia, race, colour or culture.

• Attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others.

• Extreme Anti-Western or Anti-British views.

 Local Prevent contact: Waltham Forest Prevent Team – prevent@walthamforest.gov.uk

Visiting External Speakers and Events 

In order to comply with the Prevent duty, W1se Angels’s takes the appropriate measures to ensure that visiting speakers are suitably vetted, safety of our learners is not compromised, and security and welfare of learners and staff are prioritised. We encourage the use of external/visiting agencies or speakers to enrich the experiences of our learners; however, we will positively vet those external agencies, individuals or visiting speakers, to ensure that we do not unwittingly use agencies that contradict or are in opposition with the service’s values and ethos, in particular the Values of "democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs".  

To ensure the safety of all our learners and staff we will follow the guidelines set out in the Waltham Forest  Adult Learning Safeguarding and Prevent Policy – Visiting Speakers section.  

These apply to all staff, learners and visitors and clearly set out what is required for any event or visit to proceed.

We understand that each provider needs to balance their legal duties in terms of both ensuring freedom of speech and protecting student and staff welfare.

NB: -If any member of staff has any concern regarding a venue or event, they should contact the Waltham forest Safeguarding Adults Board on 020 3373 0440 or they should contact the police.

Teaching Approaches

At W1se Angels’s we promote the values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. We teach and encourage learners to respect one another and to respect and tolerate difference.

We will all strive to eradicate the myths and assumptions that can lead to some people becoming alienated and disempowered, especially where the narrow approaches they may experience elsewhere may make it harder for them to challenge or question these radical influences.

In our provision this will be achieved by good teaching. We will ensure that all our teaching approaches help our learners build resilience to extremism and give learners a positive sense of identity through the development of critical thinking skills. We will:

• make a connection with learners through good teaching design and a learner centred approach.

• facilitate a ‘safe space’ for dialogue, and

• equip our learners with the appropriate skills, knowledge, understanding and awareness for resilience.

This approach will be embedded within the ethos of our providers so that learners know

and understand what safe and acceptable behaviour is in the context of extremism and radicalisation.

Our goal is to build mutual respect and understanding and to promote the use of dialogue not violence as a form of conflict resolution. 

E-safety

On-line safety and security is a prime consideration for all W1se Angels’s provision.  W1se Angels’s recognises the benefits and opportunities which new technologies offer to teaching and learning. However, the accessible and global nature of the internet and variety of technologies available mean that we are also aware of potential risks and challenges associated with such use. 

We will do all that we can to make our learners and staff stay e-safe and to satisfy our wider duty of care. This Safeguarding policy should be read in conjunction with the W1se Angels’s E-Safety and Acceptable Use of ICT policy and all other relevant W1se Angels’s policies.

Reporting Concerns

Where there are concerns of extremism or radicalisation, they should be reported to the provider’s designated safeguarding person under existing safeguarding and Channel referral procedures (please see Reporting Flow and the Channel Referral Process Flowchart below).

Local Prevent contact: Waltham Forest Prevent Team – prevent@walthamforest.gov.uk  

Appendix 2:

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Safeguarding Procedures Flow Chart for Referral

ARE YOU WORRIED A CHILD/YP/VA IS BEING ABUSED?

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