Safeguarding

We realise that anyone can be vulnerable at particular times of their lives. Vulnerability is sometimes a passing phase in an individual's life. Individuals may require extra support as they try to maintain jobs, training and family commitments in the face of difficult situations such as ill health, bereavement, divorce, loss of home or income, or other challenges.

All learners are provided with a booklet explaining the Every Citizen Matters agenda and signposting them to organisations that give advice, support or practical help across a range of areas. We include information on recognising and dealing with harassment and bullying, and directions for reporting any concerns, including safeguarding issues affecting themselves or other learners they are concerned about.

Safeguarding is delivered at induction onto our training courses, and we ensure learners are treated fairly, without harassment, discrimination, bullying or abusive behaviour. We will challenge any inappropriate behaviour if we encounter it in learners, staff or employers, and we expect learners to treat others in a fair and courteous manner.

Norton Webb Ltd recognises its duty to protect our students from indoctrination into any form of extreme ideology which may lead to the harm of self or others. This is particularly important because of the open access to electronic information through the internet. The company aims to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults through educating them on the appropriate use of social media and the dangers of downloading and sharing inappropriate material which is illegal under the Counter Terrorism Act. The company vets all visitors carefully and will take firm action if any individual or group is perceived to be attempting to influence members of our learning community, either physically or electronically.

Our definition of radical or extreme ideology is 'a set of ideas which could justify vilification or violence against individuals, groups or self.' Staff are trained to be vigilant for spotting signs of extremist views and behaviours and to always report anything which may suggest a student is expressing opinions which may cause concern. We place a strong emphasis on the common values that all communities share such as self-respect, tolerance and the sanctity of life. We work hard to broaden our students' experience, to prepare them for life and work in contemporary Britain. We teach them to respect and value the diversity around them as well as understanding how to make safe, well-considered decisions.

Safeguarding and the Prevent values are delivered at induction onto our training courses and we ensure learners are treated fairly, without harassment, discrimination, bullying or abusive behaviour. We will challenge any inappropriate behaviour if we encounter it in learners, staff or employers, and we expect learners to treat others in a fair and courteous manner.

Staff training

All staff are trained in Safeguarding and Prevent WRAP (Workshop to raise awareness of Prevent) issues, including where to take their own concerns regarding learners, themselves, or other members of staff. We work in partnership with the local authority safeguarding team. Training takes place on an annual basis in order to keep staff up to date.

New members of staff will be trained at induction.

Current staff have all been vetted via DBS checks, with all staff having undergone enhanced Disclosures.

In addition to the DBS checks we 'open source' check individuals and organisations, particularly those organisations in the voluntary sector.

Staff are required to provide two referees before gaining employment with the company.

Reporting concerns

Should a member of staff receive a disclosure from a learner, they will record the learner's words verbatim, without asking leading questions, and bring the written record in to the designated manager. The disclosure will be passed on to the local safeguarding team, for them to investigate.

Learners receive Cause for Concern forms with details of where to return them.

We will refer any young person or vulnerable adult at risk of being radicalised or influenced by extremism through the Local Authority Channel Referral and Intervention processes.

Alison Walsh is our Designated Safeguarding Lead.

If you would like to report a concern, then please either telephone during office hours on 0113 239 6540 and ask for our Safeguarding Team, or our out of office hours number is 07508 409394. Alternatively email our Safeguarding Team confidentially at safeguarding@nortonwebb.com.

See our full Safeguarding Policy and the policies section for more information.