Safe Guarding

BLOSSOMIFY COMMUNITY INTEREST
COMPANY – SAFEGUARDING POLICY

These Safeguarding Policies and Procedures have been written in consideration of and will be applied in conjunction with: NSPCC guidance
Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023 Working Together to Safeguarding Children 2018
Safeguarding and Remote Education During Coronavirus (COVID‐19) (2021) Keeping children safe in out of school settings (2020)
Safeguarding Partnership Arrangements The Children Act 1989 The Children and Social Work Act 2017
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Prevent Duty Guidance: for England and Wales (2021) Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006
Channel Duty Guidance: Protecting vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism (2020)
Multi‐agency statutory guidance on FGM (July 2020)
What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused: advice for practitioners (2015)
Information sharing: advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services (2018)
Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges (2021)

1. Purpose of regulation: To inform parents/guardians of Blossomify CIC’s policies and
   responsibilities concerning safeguarding and to stress the importance of communication.
2. Purpose of regulation: To inform Staff & Volunteers of their responsibilities when working
   with children.

Blossomify CIC recognises that owing to their day‐to‐day contact with children, Staff &
Volunteers are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The setting will therefore:
Establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, encouraged to talk, and
are listened to. Ensure children know that there are adults whom they can approach if they are
worried.
Blossomify CIC recognises that children who are abused, witness violence, exploited, or neglected,
may not recognise their experiences as harmful, and/or may find it difficult to develop a sense of
self‐worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. They may not feel
ready or know how to tell someone that they are being abused. For example, children may feel
embarrassed, humiliated, or being threatened. This could be due to their

vulnerability, disability and/or sexual orientation or language barriers. This should not prevent
Staff & Volunteers from having professional curiosity and speaking to the DSL if they have
concerns about a child. It is also important that Staff & Volunteers determine how best to build trusted relationships with children and young people which facilitate communication.
The Blossomify CIC environment may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of children at risk.
During a session, their behaviour may be challenging and defiant, or they may be withdrawn.
The setting will endeavour to support the member through:
● an ethos which promotes a positive, supportive, secure environment, giving members
a sense of being valued.
● a behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable members attending sessions.
The Staff & Volunteers will ensure that the member knows that some behaviour is
unacceptable, but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
● Liaison with other agencies that support the member such as Children’s Social
Care, Education Welfare Services and Educational Psychology Services.

INTRODUCTION

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).
In England a child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. Child
protection guidance points out that even if a child has reached 16 years of age and is: living
independently, in further education, a member of the armed forces, in hospital; or in custody
in the secure estate; they are still legally children and should be given the same protection
and entitlements as any other child.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 defines a ‘child’ as a
person under the age of 18.
Scotland
In Scotland, the definition of a child varies in different legal contexts, but statutory guidance
which supports the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, includes all children
and young people up to the age of 18.

Where a young person between the age of 16 and 18 requires support and protection, services
will need to consider which legal framework best fits each person’s needs and circumstances.
The National guidance for child protection in Scotland gives more detail about this and explains how professionals should act to protect young people from harm in different circumstances (Scottish Government, 2021).
Wales
Section 3 of the Social Services and Well‐being (Wales) Act 2014 states that a child is a person who is aged under 18.
For the purpose of this policy document:
The term ‘child’ will be used to describe all children and young people under the age of 18
years old participating as a member at Blossomify CIC (i.e. any of our students).
The term ‘Staff & Volunteers’ will be used to describe those employed on a contract of employment at Blossomify CIC, as well as those working on a voluntary or temporary basis.

Staff & Volunteers must always follow this policy. This will protect the safety and well-being of children engaging with Blossomify CIC and that of our own Staff & Volunteers.

For all activities and events involving children at Blossomify CIC, at least one member of Staff & Volunteers will lead on safeguarding, raising awareness of this policy and its guidelines among other Staff & Volunteers and, where appropriate children and parents/guardians.
Where Staff & Volunteers engage with children members of Staff & Volunteers will have received appropriate training in safeguarding.

Children’s Rights
All children have needs and rights:
● The need for physical care and attention
● The need for intellectual stimulation
● The need for emotional love and security
● The need for social contact and relationships
● The right to have their needs met and satisfied
● The right to be protected from neglect, abuse and exploitation
● The right to be protected from discrimination
● The right to be treated as an individual

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The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) sets out the rights of every child in the world to:
Survive
Grow
Participate
Fulfill their potential
It sets standards for education, health care, social services and penal laws, and establishes the
right of children to have a say in decisions that affect them. (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), 1989). Children’s rights must be respected and protected online as well as offline (OHCHR, 2021). The UK signed this convention in 1990. The Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011 ensures that children’s rights are included in all legislation and policy making in Wales (Welsh Government, 2019).
Being subjected to harassment, violence and or abuse, may breach children’s rights, as set out in the Human Rights Act.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, incorporates the UNCRC into Scottish law. This means that public authorities across Scotland have to comply with children’s rights in all the work they do (Scottish Parliament, 2021).

What is Safeguarding?
In accordance with KCSIE and Working Together to Safeguard Children, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development, ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
In addition, the Children Act 1989 sets out six key principles in safeguarding:

1. Paramount – the child’s welfare is paramount.
2. Parental Responsibility – parents have a duty of care for their child and meet their
   needs.
3. Partnership – professionals and families are to work together for the welfare of children
4. Participation – children’s wishes, and feelings should be ascertained so that they can contribute appropriately.
5. Prevention and provision of Services – services may be necessary to safeguard and promote the welfare of a ‘child in need’.
6. Protection – a child must be protected from serious harm. The Local Authority has a duty to investigate any report that a child is suffering, or likely to suffer, ‘significant harm’
   How children’s concerns and expressions of need are perceived and responded to Staff & Volunteers must appreciate that children communicate their worries and concerns in a multitude of ways. Direct verbal expression is less likely than, e.g. behaviour changes or activity giving cause for concern ‐ perhaps a piece of writing which gives rise to some
   thought of “inappropriate” activity or knowledge beyond a child’s years, flinching when a hand or arm is raised innocently as if scared of being struck, unusual depression, social withdrawal, unexplained bruising, burns, injuries etc.
   Above all, children and young people who are in need or trouble always deserve and need someone:
   Who will listen
   Who will not make judgements
   Who will not make false promises about keeping a secret when that is not
   possible Who will not reject what they are saying as untrue
   A troubled child or young person will need to be reassured that their needs are being put first, and they are the priority above other concerns.” The Staff & Volunteers member is in a unique position in terms of sympathetic environment and of trust.
   Suitability and Nature of Physical Environment

The layout of the activity, premises and physical/online sites have been considered in terms of
a child’s safety, including from a safeguarding viewpoint. A Risk Assessment is conducted annually in consideration of physical risks, as well as a daily check to maintain standards within the setting.

Blossomify CIC’s Safeguarding Policy
In our provision for children, Blossomify CIC will ensure that:
The welfare of the child is paramount

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All children, whatever their age, culture, socio‐economic background, ability, language,
religious beliefs, racial origins, disability, gender and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All Staff & Volunteers have an inescapable responsibility to protect children from harm and to report concerns to the appropriate safeguarding lead member of Staff & Volunteers ASAP.

Policy Statement
Blossomify CIC Staff & Volunteers have a professional duty to take all necessary steps to see that the child is safe from harm whilst involved in Blossomify CIC activities. All children have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly
vulnerable must be considered. Blossomify CIC will ensure the safety and protection of all children involved in its activities through adherence to this Safeguarding Policy and the Safeguarding Procedures.

Policy Aims
The aim of the Blossomify CIC Safeguarding Policy is to set the standard necessary to:
Provide children and young people with appropriate safety and protection whilst in our care.
Allow all Staff & Volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific safeguarding issues.
Identify and prevent safeguarding issues.

Policy Implementation
The Blossomify CIC Safeguarding Policy will be implemented by adhering to the policy guidelines within this document.
All Staff & Volunteers who work with children directly or indirectly must adhere to this policy.
The guidelines cover four main areas:
Staff & Volunteers recruitment, support and training Staff & Volunteers conduct E‐security

Safeguarding procedures
The Safeguarding Team
The manager is the safeguarding lead for their centre.

Blossomify CIC has an appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead (Ruth Musimbago –
ruth@blossomify.org – 07780390136 ), whose main responsibility is to support the safeguarding leads with any concerns and with making referrals where necessary. All Staff & Volunteers are informed of the identities of their safeguarding lead in their induction training
and on the company intranet.
Referrals: each centre’s designated safeguarding lead is expected to refer cases: of suspected abuse and neglect to the local authority children’s social care as required and support Staff & Volunteers who make referrals to local authority children’s social care. Where a person is dismissed or left due to risk/harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service as required; and where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required.
Work with others: the designated safeguarding lead is expected to:

• act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all of their center’s Staff & Volunteers; act as a point of contact with the safeguarding partners;
• liaise with the DSL to inform them of issues ‐ especially ongoing enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 and police investigations;
• as required, liaise with the “case manager” and the local authority designated
  officer(s) (LADO) for child protection concerns in cases which concern a Staff & Volunteers
  member.
• liaise with Staff & Volunteers on matters of safety and safeguarding and welfare
  (including online and digital safety) and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising
  with relevant agencies so that children’s needs are considered holistically.
• liaise with the DSL where safeguarding concerns are linked to mental health;
• promote supportive engagement with parents and/or carers in safeguarding
  and promoting the welfare of children, including where families may be facing
  challenging circumstances;
• work with the DSL and relevant strategic leads, taking lead responsibility for promoting
  educational outcomes by knowing the welfare, safeguarding and child protection issues that
  children in need are experiencing, or have experienced, and identifying the impact that these
  issues might be having on children’s attendance, engagement and achievement. This includes:
  o ensure that they know who its cohort of children who have or have had a social worker
  are, understanding their academic progress and attainment, and maintaining a culture of
  high aspirations for this cohort; and,

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o support tutors to provide additional academic support or reasonable adjustments to help
children who have or have had a social worker reach their potential, recognising that even when
statutory social care
intervention has ended, there is still a lasting impact on children’s educational outcomes.
Information sharing:
Each centre’s safeguarding lead is responsible for ensuring that child protection records
are kept up to date.
Raising Awareness: the designated safeguarding lead should:

• ensure their centre’s Staff & Volunteers have access to, and understand,
  Blossomify CIC’s safeguarding policy procedures;
  o link with the safeguarding partner arrangements to make sure Staff & Volunteers are
  aware of any training opportunities and the latest local policies on local safeguarding
  arrangements; and,
  o help promote educational outcomes by sharing the information about the welfare,
  safeguarding and child protection issues that children who have or have had a social worker are
  experiencing with tutors.
  Providing support to Staff & Volunteers: each centre’s safeguarding lead will:
  ensure that Staff & Volunteers are supported during the referrals processes; and
  support Staff & Volunteers to consider how safeguarding, welfare and educational
  outcomes are linked, including to inform the provision of academic and pastoral support.
  Understanding the views of children: each centre’s safeguarding lead must:
  encourage a culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings,
  among all Staff & Volunteers, and in any measures Blossomify CIC may put in place to protect
  them; and, understand the difficulties that children may have in approaching Staff & Volunteers
  about their circumstances and consider how to build trusted relationships which facilitate
  communication.
  Holding and sharing information: each centre’s safeguarding lead must:
  understand the importance of information sharing.
  understand relevant data protection legislation and regulations; and

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be able to keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals
and understand the purpose of this record‐keeping.

The DSL and DDSO:
The DSL (and the DDSO, where the DSL is not available) provides support to each centre’s
safeguarding lead in relation to any concerns they may have. They are also available to
assist with making referrals, although responsibility for making those referrals lies with the
centre safeguarding lead. In addition, the DSL/DDSO run a designated phoneline through
which they provide advice and guidance.
The DSL will also:
ensure the safeguarding policies and training are reviewed annually as a minimum and
the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly.
Ensure the safeguarding policies are available publicly and that parents/guardians are aware of
the fact that referrals about suspected abuse or neglect may be made and the role of the
organisation in this;
During service hours, the DSL or DDSO should always be available to Staff & Volunteers
to discuss any safeguarding concerns via the Safeguarding Helpline number.
Staff & Volunteers Recruitment, Support and Training
For Staff & Volunteers working with children at Blossomify CIC, safe recruitment will be
ensured by checking their suitability to work with children, including:

1. Suitability questions at interview.
2. All Staff & Volunteers complete a suitability self‐declaration.
3. A suitable Enhanced DBS/PVG/NI Access check every five years.
4. Two dated references requesting details of their previous experience and suitability
   to work with children. Where available, one must be from their most recent employer.
5. A record of Staff & Volunteers’s current and history of physical and mental health.
6. A check of the children’s barred list.
7. A declaration as to whether they are disqualified from childcare (where applicable).
   Staff & Volunteers Training
   Blossomify CIC believes that training and raising awareness of safeguarding is fundamental to the
   development and maintenance of a safer environment, safer organisation and safer Staff &
   Volunteers.

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Blossomify CIC will ensure that appropriate safeguarding training is provided to all Staff
& Volunteers, covering:

1. Induction training in Health and Safety, Fire Safety, Safeguarding including Online
   Safeguarding, Behaviour Management, and the ‘Common Core Skills and Knowledge of the
   Children’s Workforce’. As part of this induction training, all new Staff & Volunteers are
   provided with the identity of each centre’s safeguarding lead, the Senior Designated
   Safeguarding Officer (DSL) and the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer (DDSO).
2. All Staff & Volunteers to confirm the have read and answered questions about
   Blossomify CIC’s annual Policy &Procedures review on their training account.
3. Safeguarding training modules are refreshed annually and recorded centrally on
   Staff & Volunteers training platform Prodeceo.
4. Safeguarding training covers the four main types of abuse Physical, Emotionally,
   Neglect and Sexual as well domestic violence, county lines, sexual exploitation, peer on peer,
   FGM and radicalisation.
5. Safeguarding training covers preventing, recognising, responding, recording
   and referring concerns about abuse.
6. Awareness of The Prevent Duty, recognising the signs and symptoms that a child may
   be at risk from radicalisation, how to protect children from terrorism or extremism, and where
   to report concerns.
7. Awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to cover an understanding of key
   issues, risk factors, high risk absences, symptoms, long term health problems, legislation and
   how to share information to ensure a person at risk of FGM is referred to the appropriate
   support and that known incidents of FGM are reported to the police.
8. Awareness of safeguarding issues will continue to be addressed through on‐
   going training, guides and workshops.

The company Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer has undertaken Advanced Safeguarding
Training, Role of DSL The Prevent Duty awareness training, Managing Allegations, Online
Safety, and is able to provide advice and support to other members of Staff & Volunteers on
protecting children from the risk of abuse or radicalisation. Their DSO training is refreshed every
two years, with continual professional development in between.
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers Conduct
All Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should demonstrate exemplary behaviour in accordance with
the Code of Conduct and in order that they can protect themselves from allegations of misconduct.
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should maintain

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their standards of behaviour, therefore acting as a role model. The following are common
sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate for learning.
Good practice means:
Within Blossomify CIC Centres

• Always work in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations
  and encouraging open communication with no secrets). Never allow yourself to be left alone
  with a member. There may be rare occasions when a confidential one‐to‐one meeting is
  necessary and, in such circumstances, the meeting should be conducted in a room with an
  open door or visual access. Where this is not possible, the member of Staff & Volunteers &
  Volunteers should ensure that there is another adult nearby.
• Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance from children e.g. it is not appropriate for
  Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers to have a non‐ professional relationship with a child.
• Always avoiding all physical contact with children. Do not pick them up, allow cuddles or
  allow children to sit on your lap etc. There may be occasions where a distressed member needs
  comfort which may include physical comforting; Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should use their
  discretion to ensure that it is appropriate and not unnecessary or unjustified contact.
• Never using physical force against a member, unless it constitutes reasonable restraint
  to protect them or another person, or to protect property. Refer to ‘Physical Restraint Policy’ for
  more guidance.
• Never use physical punishment.
• Securing parental/guardian consent in writing if the need arises to administer medical
  treatment. First aid given should be recorded in writing and reported to the lead member of
  Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers who will inform the parent/guardian.
• Acting in accordance with our Storage, Handling and Administration of
  Medication/Treatment Policy and keep a written record of any injury that occurs, along with
  the details of any treatment given.
• Stopping and questioning any unknown or unsupervised adult who enters the premises
  and/or who attempts to engage with children. Members of the public are only permitted entry
  for a meeting with Blossomify CIC Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers and must never be left
  unsupervised or have access to the Blossomify CIC computers or network.

In Centre and Online through Deserve at Home
o Treat all children equally, and with respect and dignity. Blossomify CIC will take positive
action to eliminate discrimination against any person or group of people. Staff & Volunteers &
Volunteers should ensure that children are protected from unlawful discrimination on any grounds,
including ability and

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challenge discriminating comments and behaviour. Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers
should promote positive attitudes towards diversity.
o Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children to share
in the decision‐ making process.
o Conducting yourself in a manner that sets a good example to the participants. Be an
excellent role model – this includes not smoking, vaping, taking drugs or drinking alcohol or
the discussion of this in the company of / whilst responsible for children.

• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Always refer any problems or concerns to the safeguarding lead member of Staff &
  Volunteers & Volunteers.
  o Set Social Media settings to private so children and families cannot look Staff &
  Volunteers & Volunteers up/contact them. Dress appropriately according to Company Dress
  Code.
  Practices never to be sanctioned (where relevant to the setting):
• Tutors under 17 must never Tutor online as they must be under supervision at all times.
• Children’s inappropriate use of language and/or behaviour. This should always
  be challenged.1
  o Doing things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults that they can do for
  themselves.2
  o Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay.
  o Engaging in any form of inappropriate touching, including pinching or slapping. Making
  sexually suggestive comments towards a child or parent/guardian.
  O Reducing a child to tears as a form of control. The threat of corporal punishment.
  o Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst responsible for children or
  smoking/vaping in front of a child.
• Allowing safeguarding disclosures made by a child to not be discussed, unrecorded
  or not acted upon.
• Discussing personal matters about Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers or the child,
  unless a child raises a welfare or safeguarding concern.
  o Discussing inappropriate topics including subjects such as relationships, sexual
  activity or illegal activities. Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should notify parents/guardians of
  any inappropriate topics raised by the child. Conversations should be solely about their
  session or welfare.
  o Contacting a child outside an authorised session can put Staff & Volunteers &
  Volunteers and children at risk of safeguarding allegations such as grooming or inappropriate
  behaviour, no matter how innocent the intention. Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should
  protect themselves and children, both during and after their employment with Blossomify CIC,
  by never:

o Sharing personal contact details including: phone numbers, email or home addresses
or social media links/pages; nor accepting those provided by a family
o Contacting a child by text, WhatsApp, email or through any social media channel/platform
o Arranging to meet a child outside of an authorised session in person or online
whether professionally, or socially.
o Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers are advised to notify Managers of any attempt made by a
child/family to request/share details outside of authorised sessions.
o Committing any act that brings the reputation of the company into disrepute. Taking
a personal phone call when working with a child.

• Taking or sharing a photo or screenshot of children/their families.
  o Taking a voice or video recording for any purpose without written permission from
  parent/guardian before recording commences, using Blossomify CIC’s online permission form.
• Making or storing photos, videos or recordings of Blossomify CIC activities on a
  personal device.
  1Challenging behaviour: ‘Bad’ behaviour is often a response to a situation, or a way to seek
  attention. If children are occupied, there will be less of a need to seek attention and less of a
  chance for boredom to set in.
  The following guidelines can be used to deal with challenging behaviour constructively:
• Be aware of what unacceptable behaviour is. Ask your lead member of Staff &
  Volunteers & Volunteers if you are unsure.
• Explain to children why certain behaviour is unacceptable. This makes children
  feel responsible for their behaviour and they are less likely to repeat it.
• Make sure it is the behaviour that is punished and not the person. Always avoid
  labelling someone as ‘bad’.
• If appropriate, ignore the bad behaviour for a while – a child may only be attention
  seeking. Give extra attention and praise for positive behaviour to discourage ‘bad’ behaviour.
  2 It may be sometimes necessary for Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers to do things of a
  personal nature for children, particularly if they are young or disabled. These tasks should be
  carried out with the full understanding and consent of the parents/guardians. There is a need
  to be responsive to a person’s reactions. If a person is fully dependant on you, talk with them
  about what you are doing and give choices where possible – particularly if you are involved
  in dressing or undressing of outer clothing, or where there is physical contact, lifting, or
  assisting a child to carry out particular activities. Avoid

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taking on the responsibility for tasks which you are not appropriately trained.
Use of photographic/filming equipment/recording of sessions
If Blossomify CIC wishes to use an image or recording of a member, written consent will be
obtained in advance from parents/guardians via an online form. Parents/guardians will be
made aware of when, where and how the images may be used to give their informed consent.
This includes information regarding use of images e.g. in print, multimedia, broadcast; for what
purpose e.g. promotion, publicity, evaluation, audit, review; and where possible an indication of
who the audience will be e.g. the general public, the participating children and their families,
other organisations and institutions. Blossomify CIC will never disclose the full name or other
personal details of the child without the
parent/guardian’s separate written consent. Where a child is deemed to have capacity to
understand their own data rights, their view will also be considered where they object to the
use of an image or a recording.
Parents/guardians are not permitted to take photographs or videos unless a Manager
has granted permission. Use of Mobile Phones
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers are not permitted to use personal mobile phones whilst working
with a child. These should be switched off or silent during working hours. Personal mobile phones
and other personal devices must never be used to take or store images or recordings of any
children. Blossomify CIC cannot accept liability for the loss or damage of personal property kept in
centre.
Children and Visitors are not permitted to use mobile phones within the centre or during tutoring
sessions unless under supervision in an emergency or to ensure and communicate a child’s
safety such as if they arrived or intend to leave alone. Parents/guardians may use their phone
to take a photo of their own child, but Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers must ensure no other
members or information about members are also visible.
E‐security
The internet and social media expose children to potentially harmful and inappropriate
material’s identifies four key areas of online risk:

1. Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful content.
2. Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other user.
3. Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm.
4. Commerce: risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing
   and/or financial scams.

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Many children have unlimited and unrestricted access to the internet via mobile phone
networks. This means some children sexually harass their peers via their mobile and smart
technology, share indecent images consensually and non‐ consensually (often via large
chat groups) and view and share pornography and other harmful content.
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers will be trained in online safety and the theme of online safety
will be an integrated theme in the way Blossomify CIC operates and in our policies. Staff &
Volunteers & Volunteers have a duty to escalate any concerns or suspicions relating to
members being exposed to potentially harmful or inappropriate online material or online abuse.
Technology, and the risks and harms related to it, evolve and change rapidly. Blossomify CIC
will therefore carry out an annual review of its approach to online safety, supported by an
annual risk assessment that considers and reflects the risks facing our members.
Within Blossomify CIC Centres
Children have supervised access to computers throughout the centre. Strict controls are placed
on access to websites. Blossomify CIC controls internet breakout through a pair of centralised
Fortinet sensory managed firewalls, which have defined limited profiles preventing access to
unsuitable sites/images or content. The centralised HA pair of managed FortiGate firewalls are
automatically updated/patched to ensure that the network is secured from new and changing
threats.
When Tutoring Online via Deserve at Home
If Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers are using a personal device for company purposes, we
recommend that they ensure that they are using Windows 10/11/Mac OSX and apply the
security updates when made available for these systems. In addition to the built‐in endpoint
protection present with Windows Defender and MAC OSX, we also recommend using third
party antivirus tools as an added safety net.
If a member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers leaves the organization, access to all company
linked tools is revoked from the device prior to leaving their role.

No sensitive company data is stored locally on personal devices.
No images or recordings of children are permitted to be taken or stored on any personal
device. Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers are required to
comply with the Online Learning policy.

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SAFEGUARDING MEASURES

Blossomify CIC follows the procedures set out by local multi‐agency Safeguarding Partnership
Arrangements and takes account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and
Skills to ensure:

1. Blossomify CIC holds the full name, date of birth and home address for every child, and the
   full name, contact number and home address for parents/guardians. This information will be
   kept securely and confidentially in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
2. Children’s attendance for sessions both in centre and online is recorded on our company
   membership database; electronically signed in and out on arrival and departure.
3. All Staff & Volunteers, visitors, parents/guardians who step through the centre gate must
   sign in and out with their full name and the time, so everyone is always accounted for for
   both fire and safeguarding regulations. Records must be written in pen for permanency.
4. Visitors to the centre, including parents/guardians, must always be supervised by a
   fully trained and vetted Staff & Volunteers member.
5. Staff & Volunteers with a criminal conviction or pending criminal investigation, in
   relation to children or any sexual offence, will not be allowed to work, or granted access
   to the centre.
6. The Centre Director of each centre / Service Delivery Lead of each virtual centre
   has received appropriate training and support to take on the role as Designated
   Safeguarding Lead for their members, family and Staff & Volunteers team, with the
   support of the Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer. The Head of Ofsted &
   Safeguarding, Kate Turner is the nominated Senior Designated Safeguarding
   Officer.
7. Every member of Staff & Volunteers (including temporary) know the names and
   roles of the Staff & Volunteers responsible for safeguarding.
8. All Staff & Volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs and
   symptoms of abuse, and for referring any concerns to the designated senior person
   responsible for safeguarding.
9. Parents/guardians understand the responsibility placed on the setting and Staff &
   Volunteers & Volunteers for safeguarding, by setting out its obligations in the setting’s
   Policies & Procedures.
10. Blossomify CIC Staff & Volunteers develop effective links with relevant agencies and
    co‐operate as required with their enquiries regarding safeguarding matters, including
    attendance at case conferences.
11. Staff & Volunteers keep written records of concerns about children, even where
    there is no need to refer the matter externally immediately.
12. Staff & Volunteers always follow procedures where an allegation is made against a
    member of Staff & Volunteers, as set out in the Managing Allegations Against
    Members of Staff & Volunteers.
13. All safeguarding incidents are reported centrally to the Head of Safeguarding (DSL)
    or Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer, to be recorded on the Company’s
    Central Incident Record file.
14. Safer recruitment practices are always followed.

Safeguarding Quality Assurance and Review
Blossomify CIC is committed to striving for excellence in the provision of all of its services. The
Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer actively reviews how all safeguarding concerns are
managed all year round and reports cases to the Senior Leadership Team on a quarterly
basis. Any serious cases, such as Staff & Volunteers allegations or safeguarding allegations
occurring on Blossomify CIC premises are reported immediately.
Blossomify CIC use electronic incident records which are saved centrally within a secure One
Drive Compliance folder to capture all relevant data that supports the evidence and monitoring
of compliance in safeguarding. This quality assurance mechanism is a crucial and integral part
of the governance structure.
The Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer and Senior Leadership Team review the
safeguarding policy and supporting procedures annually in August to ensure they continue
to reflect legislation and guidance.

GDPR and Safeguarding
The GDPR explicitly states that children’s personal data merits specific protection. It
also introduces new requirements for the online processing of a child’s personal data.
Children have the same rights as adults over their personal data. These include the right to:
be provided with a transparent and clear privacy notice which explains how their data will be
processed be given a copy of their personal data
have inaccurate personal data rectified and incomplete data completed exercise the right to
have personal data erased if they wish.
A child may exercise these rights on their own behalf as long as they are competent to do so.
In Scotland, a person aged 12 or over is presumed to be of sufficient age and maturity to
be able to exercise their data protection rights. In England and Wales and Northern Ireland,
competence is assessed depending upon the level of understanding of the child.
Even if a child is too young to understand the implications of their rights, they are still their
rights, rather than anyone else’s such as a parent or guardian.
The provisions of GDPR help children to keep themselves safe online by giving them more control
over the information they share. GDPR gives children the ‘right to erasure’. This means

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they can request online platforms to remove their personal data, including pictures, text or
status updates.
If a child has shared any material online that they no longer wish anyone to see, they have
a legal right to get this material removed, even if the content was posted by someone else.
Under this law, children must be at least 13 years old to provide consent for an information
society service (ISS) to process their personal data. Parents must provide consent if the child
is under 13. An ISS is an online service that is typically commercial and provided on request,
for example social media platforms, apps, connected toys and devices, and search engines.
GDPR emphasises the importance of asking children for consent before sharing
personal information.
If a child is mature enough you should give them the opportunity to decide whether they agree to
their confidential information being shared. If a child doesn’t have the capacity to make their own
decisions, you should ask their parent or carer (unless this would put the child at risk).
However, if you have a child protection concern, you must share information with the
relevant agencies, even if you haven’t been given consent. Fears about data processing
must never stand in the way of escalating concerns or making reports.

SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES

What is abuse?
CHILD ABUSE: A term to describe maltreatment of a child. Children may be abused by those
known to them, in a family or in an institutional setting, or by a stranger, including via the
internet. The abuse may take place wholly online. They may be abused by an adult or adults,
by a member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers or a group of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers,
or another child or children.
CHILD ABUSE IS PHYSICAL INJURY, EMOTIONAL, NEGLECT OR SEXUAL ABUSE
(PENS) inflicted or knowingly not prevented, which causes harm. It can happen over a period
but can also be a one‐off action. It can happen in person or online.

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All Staff & Volunteers should be aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely
standalone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases, multiple issues
will overlap with one another.
Awareness of actual or likely occurrence of abuse
There are several ways in which abuse can become apparent:
A child discloses abuse.
A child’s behaviour may indicate that it is likely they are being abused.
Someone else discloses that a child has told them or that they strongly believe a child has
been or is being abused.
A child may show signs of physical injury for which there appears to be no satisfactory
explanation. A member of Staff & Volunteers behaviour or in the way in which they relate to a
child causes concern.
A Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers member may witness or hear an instance of abuse. Receipt
of an anonymous allegation.
Becoming aware of abuse can cause a multitude of emotional reactions, which are personal to
everyone. Whatever the reaction and however the abuse has become apparent, actual or
suspected, it must always, without exception, be reported in the correct manner according to
the procedure outlined in this document. Even if the truth of the disclosure is uncertain, and
appropriate investigation and response must be formulated, in accordance with the procedure
outlined here.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the causing of physical harm. It can lead directly to neurological damage,
physical injury and disability. Some physical abuse is reactive; some may be premeditated
with the intent to cause harm. Types of abuse include hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning,
burning or scalding, drowning or suffocating, but may also be caused when a parent or carer
fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.
Signs that a child has been physically abused include bruises, abrasions, burns, scalds, bite
marks, fractures and scars.
Signs which may be indicators of concern include:
Explanations provided for an injury which may not be consistent with the injury.
Parents/Carers undisturbed or uninterested by an accident or injury.
Unexplained delay in seeking treatment for an injury.

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Repeated presentation for minor injuries, which may represent a cry for help. Reluctance to
give information or mention previous injuries.
Children who flinch at sudden movements.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause
severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It has an important
impact on a developing child’s mental health, behaviour and self‐esteem.
Types of emotional abuse include:
● Conveying to a child that they are worthless, unloved, inadequate or valued only
insofar as they meet the needs of another person.
● Not allowing a child to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’
of what they say or how they communicate.
● Persistently criticising, teasing or humiliating a child.
● Imposing developmentally inappropriate expectations, such as interactions beyond a
child’s developmental capabilities, overprotection, limiting exploration or preventing
normal social interaction.
● Causing a child to feel frightened or in danger. Exploitation or corruption of children.
● Allowing a child to see or hear the ill‐treatment of another. Bullying or cyberbullying.
Signs of emotional abuse may be difficult to recognise as they are mainly behavioural. From
the parent/child relationship perspective they include:
Abnormal attachment between the child and their parent.
Parents who frequently complain about their child, who never praise or give attention or who
are emotionally distant from their child.
From the child’s perspective, they include:
● Failure to thrive.
● Behavioural problems such as aggression or attention‐seeking.

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● Low self‐esteem, lack of confidence and fearfulness, distress or anxiety.
Poor relationships such as withdrawn or isolated behaviour.
● Delay in achieving developmental milestones.
● Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a
child, although it may occur alone.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not
necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether the child is aware of what is happening.
The activities may involve:
Physical contact, including assault by penetration (e.g. rape or oral sex) or non‐penetrative
acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching through clothing.
Non‐contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of,
sexual images, watching

sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet).
Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males; women can commit acts of sexual
abuse, as can other children.
Child sex abusers come from any professional, racial or religious background. Children
under 16 years of age cannot provide lawful consent to any sexual intercourse.
Recognition of sexual abuse is difficult unless the child chooses to disclose and is believed,
but signs are likely to be behavioural and emotional. There may be:
Sexually explicit conversation or behaviour inappropriate to the child’s age. Self‐harm, including
eating disorders and self‐mutilation.
Suicide attempts. Running away.
Poor peer relationships, including unwillingness to be involved or communicate.
Sudden changes in behaviours or extreme mood swings.
Withdrawal and/or depression.
Inappropriately sexualised conduct.
Neglect

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Neglect is the persistent failure to meet basic physical, emotional and/or psychological needs

and is likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development and long-
term difficulties with social functioning, relationships and educational progress.

Types of neglect include failure to:
Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter.
Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger or ensure adequate supervision.
Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
Respond to a child’s basic emotional needs.
Signs of general neglect include a child who:
Is unkempt or inadequately clothed. Is listless, apathetic or unresponsive.
Frequently and/or inexplicably attends hungry.
Has frequent accidents or injuries.
Thrives away from the home environment, but not in it.
Specific Safeguarding Issues
Abusive behaviours can be displayed in a variety of ways and can consist of sexual
abuse/activity; physical harm; emotional and/or verbal abuse. Additionally, behaviours linked to
the likes of drug taking, alcohol abuse, truanting and the sending of nude and semi‐nude
images put children in danger. Abusive behaviours can occur both inside and outside of
school, or online.
Blossomify CIC acknowledges the following as specific safeguarding issues:
bullying including cyberbullying
children involved in the court system children missing education
children missing from home or care
children with family members in prison child criminal exploitation
child sexual exploitation county lines
modern slavery cybercrime
domestic abuse homelessness drugs

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fabricated or induced illness faith abuse
female genital mutilation (FGM) forced marriage
gangs and youth violence
gender‐based violence / violence against women and girls (VAWG) hate
homelessness
so called ‘honour‐based’ violence mental health
peer on peer abuse (including sexual harassment and sexual violence between children) private
fostering
radicalisation
relationship abuse
sharing of nude and semi‐nude images and/or videos (with or without consent)
trafficking upskirting
Staff & Volunteers should be mindful that safeguarding incidents and/or behaviours can be
associated with factors outside the learning environment. This is known as contextual
safeguarding, which means that assessments of children should consider whether wider
environmental factors are present in a child’s life that are a threat to their safety and/or
welfare.
Peer on Peer Abuse (including peer on peer sexual harassment and sexual violence):
All Staff & Volunteers should be aware that safeguarding issues can manifest via peer-on-peer
abuse. This is most likely to include, but is not limited to, bullying (including cyber bullying), but
may also include physical abuse (e.g. hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling), abuse in
intimate personal relationships between peers, consensual and non‐consensual sharing of
nude and semi‐nude images and/or videos, upskirting, gender specific abuse, initiation/hazing
type violence and rituals (e.g. member’s being subject to initiation type activities), inappropriate
behaviour by an older member towards a younger or more vulnerable member or sexual
violence and sexual harassment. We have a zero-tolerance approach to peer-on-peer abuse
and Staff & Volunteers must never pass it off as “having a laugh”, “banter” or “part of growing
up”. Any reports of peer-on-peer abuse will always be taken seriously.
Peer on peer abuse can happen both inside and outside of schools, in our centres or online. It is of
the utmost importance that Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers are able to recognise the indicators and
signs of peer on peer abuse, and that they understand how to respond to reports. Whilst any report of
sexual violence or sexual harassment should be taken seriously, Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers
should be aware it is more likely that girls

will be the victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment and more likely it will
be perpetrated by boys.
Peer on peer sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any
age and sex. It can also occur through a group of children sexually assaulting or sexually
harassing a single child or a group of children. It is never acceptable. We adopt an attitude of
“it could happen here” in relation to sexual violence and sexual harassment. In every possible
instance we will seek to address inappropriate behaviour (even if it appears relatively
innocuous) before it becomes problematic, abusive and/or violent in the future. All Staff &
Volunteers & Volunteers have a role to play in proactively being alert to instances of potential
peer on peer sexual violence or sexual harassment.
Sexual violence includes:
Rape
Assault by penetration Sexual assault
Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent
Sexual harassment includes:
Sexual comments, such as: telling sexual stories, making lewd comments, making
sexual remarks about clothes and appearance and calling someone sexualised names
Sexual “jokes” or taunting
Physical behaviour, such as, deliberately brushing against someone, interfering with
someone’s clothes and displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature
Online sexual harassment. This may be standalone, or part or a wider pattern or
sexual harassment and/or sexual violence. It may include:
Consensual and non‐consensual sharing or nude and semi‐nude images and/or videos Sharing
of unwanted explicit content
Upskirting
Sexualised online bullying
Unwanted sexual comments and messages, including on social media Sexual
exploitation, coercion and threats
Sexual harassment creates a culture that, if not challenged, can normalise
inappropriate behaviours and provide an environment that may lead to sexual violence.

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If students wish to report peer on peer abuse, they may make that report to any member of Staff
& Volunteers & Volunteers, and that that member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers will take
their report seriously, and that they will never be made to feel like they are creating a problem
by making the report.
If Staff & Volunteers become aware of a peer-on-peer incident or any member behaviour that
gives rise to a safeguarding concern, they must report it to the safeguarding lead in accordance
with the procedures set out in this policy. All victims will be reassured that they are being taken
seriously and no victim will ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report. It is important to
explain that the law is in place to protect children and young people rather than criminalise
them, and this should be explained in such a way that avoids alarming or distressing them.
All Staff & Volunteers will be trained in how to make a report. This will include the importance of not
promising confidentiality at the initial stage and the need to listen carefully to the child whilst not
being judgmental. Ideally, two Staff & Volunteers members will be present (although this will not
always be possible) and clear notes will be taken (best practice is to wait until the end of the
disclosure and then write up notes immediately). Where nude or semi‐nude images or videos are
involved, Staff & Volunteers will avoid viewing them wherever possible and make sure they are not
forwarded on.
We understand that any child who is engaging in abusive behaviour towards others may have
been subject to abuse from other children or from adults. Where an allegation is made against a
member, both the victim and the

perpetrator will be treated as being at risk and safeguarding procedures in accordance with
this policy will be followed. Appropriate support will be provided to all members involved,
including support from external services as necessary. All allegations will be recorded.
Careful consideration will be given to the appropriate response to any report of child-on-child
sexual violence and/or sexual harassment. This will involve a risk and needs assessment and
consider the nature of the alleged incident (including whether a crime may have been
committed), the ages of the children involved, any power imbalance between the children,
whether the incident is a one‐off or sustained pattern, intra familial harms and support for
siblings, the on‐going risks present and other related issues and the wider context. Special
consideration will be given to the appropriateness of separating the perpetrator and victim from
any tutoring sessions they share. The needs and wishes of the victim will be considered
paramount and the victim will be at the heart of our response. We will seek to allow the victim to
continue in their normal routine, as far as possible, ensuring that our centres, and online
sessions are all a safe space for them. We will consider whether any medical, practical or
emotional care is needed by the victim. We have a strong commitment to its anti‐bullying and
will consider all coercive acts and inappropriate child behaviour within a child protection context.
We will take will the appropriate action to ensure the safety and welfare of all members
involved, including the member or members accused of abuse. This may include:
Managing the incident internally Early Help

Referrals to Children’s Social Care Reporting to the police
Victims may not disclose the whole picture immediately and children who have been victims of
sexual violence or sexual harassment may be traumatised and struggle in a normal classroom
environment. Perpetrators may also need support. We will be alert to the need for on‐going
safeguarding vigilance and support for both victim and perpetrator in all cases of child-on-child
abuse.
If a report is shown to be deliberately invented or malicious, Blossomify CIC will consider
whether any disciplinary action is appropriate against the individual who made it.
Staff & Volunteers must understand that a lack of reporting of peer-on-peer abuse does not mean
that it is not happening. It may be the case that it is just not being reported. As such it is important
that if Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers have any concerns regarding peer-on-peer abuse, they
must report it to their safeguarding lead, even when the child about whom they are concerned
has not made a report.
Children absent or missing from education:
A child being absent or going missing from school education can be a warning sign of a range
of safeguarding concerns, including, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or child criminal
exploitation.
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should follow up on member absences, whether they are
absences from in centre sessions or online sessions.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE):
CSE and CCE occur where a child is coerced, manipulated or deceived into taking part
in sexual or criminal activity.
CSE is a form of sexual abuse, where children are sexually exploited for money, power or
status. It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults. In some cases, young
people are persuaded or forced into exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts,
affection or status. Consent cannot be given, even where a child may believe they are
voluntarily engaging in sexual activity with the person who is exploiting them. Child sexual
exploitation does not always involve physical contact and can happen online. A significant
number of children who are victims of sexual exploitation go missing from home, care and
education at some point.
Further information can be found at
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Are‐you‐worried‐your‐child‐is‐
being‐sexually‐exploited/

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CCE often includes children being forced or manipulated into transporting drugs or money
through county lines, shoplifting, pickpocketing or committing violence. As children involved in
CCE often commit crimes themselves, their vulnerability as victims is not always recognised by
adults and professionals, so Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should be particularly alert to this
type of exploitation. Children may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears
to be something they have agreed or consented to.
Honour based abuse: ‐
So‐called ‘honour‐based’ abuse (HBA) encompasses i n c i d e n t s o r crimes which have
been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or the community, including
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), forced marriage and practices such as breast ironing. Abuse
committed in the context of preserving ‘honour’ often involves a wider network of family or
community pressure and can include multiple perpetrators. It is important to be aware of this
dynamic and additional risk factors when deciding what form of safeguarding action to take. All
forms of HBA are abuse (regardless of the motivation) and should be handled and escalated as
such. Professionals in all agencies, and individuals and groups in relevant communities, need
to be alert to the possibility of a child being at risk of HBA, or already having suffered HBA.
As with all matters pertaining to the maintenance of a safeguarding culture within the way we
operate and in our tutoring sessions, Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers are expected to be
vigilant in identifying concerns and ensuring these are passed to their safeguarding lead without
delay. The DSL will take further advice from the Safeguarding Children Partnership and make a
referral where this is deemed necessary.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): ‐
All Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should be alert to the possibility of a girl being at risk of,
or already having suffered, FGM (sometimes referred to as female circumcision). Victims
are likely to come from a community that is known to practise FGM. The age at which FGM
is carried out varies enormously and may be carried out shortly after birth, during childhood
or adolescence, just before marriage or during a woman’s first pregnancy.
There is a range of potential indicators that a member may be at risk, the most pertinent being a
parent notifying us that the child will be absent from our sessions for an extended period with an
unconvincing explanation for the absence. FGM may already have happened if a girl has
difficulty walking, sitting or standing or spending longer than usual away from a classroom
during the day with bladder problems.
Concerns should be reported immediately to the safeguarding lead and the DSL, who will
involve the Safeguarding Children Partnership as appropriate. If a member of Staff &
Volunteers discovers that FGM appears to have been carried out on a child, they should
personally report this directly to the police. This is a mandatory duty.

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Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/multi‐agency‐statutory‐guidance‐
on‐female‐genital‐mutilationhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mandatory‐reporting‐
of‐female‐genital‐ mutilation‐procedural‐information
Forced Marriage: ‐
Forcing a person into a marriage is a crime. A forced marriage is one entered without the full
and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats or any other form of
coercion is used to cause a person to enter into a marriage. Threats can be physical or
emotional and psychological. Some communities use religion and culture as a way to coerce
a person into marriage. Further information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the‐right‐to‐choose‐government‐guidance‐on‐for
ced‐marriage
Preventing Radicalisation: ‐
We recognise our responsibility to protect children from being radicalised or drawn into
terrorism. We support the ‘Prevent Strategy’, which works to prevent the growth of issues that
create a climate which encourages radicalisation and extremism, which in turn can lead to
acts of violence or terrorism. Indicators of vulnerability to radicalisation include:
Family tensions.
Sense of isolation/low self‐esteem/feeling of failure.
Distance from cultural heritage/events affecting the member’s country or region. A sense
of grievance triggered by personal experience.
Early indicators of radicalisation or extremism may include:
Becoming involved with a new group of friends.
Searching for answers to questions about identity, faith and belonging.
Expressions of support for terrorism, justifying the use of violence to solve real or perceived
grievances. Possessing or accessing extremist materials.
Changes in behaviour or language.
It is important to note that children experiencing these situations or displaying these behaviours are
not necessarily showing signs of being radicalised. There could be many other reasons for the
behaviour, including those already detailed in this policy. Protecting children from the risk of
radicalisation is part of our wider safeguarding duties and is similar in nature to protecting

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children from other harms (e.g. drugs, gangs, neglect, sexual exploitation), whether these
come from within their family or are the product of outside influences. Further information can
be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent‐duty‐guidance
Domestic Abuse: ‐
Domestic abuse can encompass a wide range of behaviours and may be a single incident or
a pattern of incidents. That abuse can be, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual,
financial or emotional. Children can be victims of domestic abuse. They may see, hear, or
experience the effects of abuse at home and/or suffer domestic abuse intheir own intimate
relationships (teenage relationship abuse). All of which can have a detrimental and long‐ term
impact on their health, well‐being, development, and ability to learn.
Children left at home alone: ‐
This is a common occurrence but is potentially dangerous for children physically
and emotionally. The NSPCC says:
children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time children
under 16 should not be left alone overnight
babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
If a member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers is concerned (for example, if a child mentions
being home alone, or they appear to be home alone in an online session), they should inform
their Safeguarding Lead. The Safeguarding Lead may decide to contact the parents, to check
when someone is due to return and to express serious concern and highlighting the risks to the
child. Reassurance will be sought from the parents that such a situation will not be repeated. If
such reassurance is refused and the child continues to be left at home alone, the Safeguarding
Lead should contact their Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Private Fostering: ‐
If we become aware that one of our students is being cared for 28 days or more by someone
who is not their parent or close relative, we will refer the arrangement to the LA Children’s
Services. Where the tutoring session is delivered in connection with the school, we will first
confirm with the school whether they have already made a referral to the LA’s Children’s
Services. Close relatives are defined as stepparents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, uncles
or aunts (whether of full blood, half blood or by marriage).
Responsibility
Staff & Volunteers made aware of suspicions, allegations or actual abuse, are
responsible to take the appropriate action according to this procedure.

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The primary responsibility of the person who first suspects or who is told of abuse is to report it
to the safeguarding lead member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers, and to ensure that all
reports and suspicions are taken seriously whilst adhering to the dos and don’ts below.
It is not for Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers to decide whether a suspicion or allegation is true.
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers should never try to deal with a suspicion, allegation or
actual incident of abuse by themselves.
The safeguarding lead will take responsibility for dealing with allegations or suspicions of
abuse and liaising with appropriate authorities.
What to do upon suspicion or disclosure of abuse
There are some basic principles in reacting to suspicions, allegations, and/or disclosures.
Follow our CHAIRS principle:

WHAT TO DO:

COMMUNICATE:
Stay calm, provide a safe, private environment. Take the time to give your full attention;
listen, hear, be supportive and show you believe them.
Encourage the child to tell you as much as they feel comfortable to. Give time to the person
to say what they want in their own words, try not to interrupt.
Use Open Questions i.e. “Can you tell me more about
what happened?” Describe, Explain
Establish the facts where possible and clarify: who, when, where, what, why, how, how
frequent? etc Try to distinguish if this was behaviour management or potential abuse.
Reassure and explain that they have done the right thing in telling someone. Explain that
only those professionals who need to know will be informed.
HISTORY
Any previous concerns or disclosures? ‐ check records and
with management team
ASSESS THE RISK

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Consider if it is safe and appropriate for the child to
go home, or if this may put the child at risk. INFORM

Act immediately in accordance with our policies. Report to
the lead member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers in
your team. RECORD

Record in writing in verbatim what they said asap. Save Incident Report in One
Drive Compliance Incident Folder.
SUPPORT
Care for all those involved: yourself, Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers, child, parent/guardian.

WHAT NOT TO DO

Ignore the situation.
Panic or over‐react. It is unlikely that the child is
immediate danger.
Make assumptions. Don’t paraphrase or offer alternative explanations.
Ask leading questions, or put words in their mouth, this could influence what they say and
lead to a false statement.
Push the child if they do not wish to discuss it. Heavily questioning the child may affect how
the child’s disclosure is received later.
Accuse the child of doing anything wrong or deserving what happened.
Make a child repeat a story unnecessarily. This can cause further distress.
Promise confidentiality to keep secrets or that

everything will be ok, you cannot guarantee this.
Try to deal with it by yourself, it is not your role to counsel the child or investigate their claims.
Always contact the safeguarding lead.
Make negative comments about any person in the
allegation. Always remain impartial.
Gossip with colleagues about what has been said to you. Only discuss with senior Staff &
Volunteers & Volunteers that need to be informed.
Reporting suspected, alleged, or actual incidents of
abuse
Allegations against Staff & Volunteers should be raised in accordance with the Managing
Allegations Against Members of Staff & Volunteers policy. All other suspected, alleged, or
actual incidents of abuse should be reported in accordance with the below procedure.
It may sometimes be difficult to accept that something has been disclosed in confidence by
a child or anyone else.
But the welfare of a child must be paramount, and you therefore have a duty to report all
suspicions, allegations or actual incidents to the safeguarding lead immediately. If the
safeguarding lead is unavailable, the report should be made directly to the DSL or, in their
absence, to the DDSO. Information should be reported if you have concerns that a child may
be suffering harm or at risk from abuse (for any reason, based upon anything Staff &
Volunteers & Volunteers suspect may have happened in school, in centre, outside of school, at
home or online), even if you are unsure about your suspicions. Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers
should not assume another colleague or professional will take action. Staff & Volunteers &
Volunteers should be aware that the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 do not prevent, or
limit, the sharing of information for the purpose of keeping children and young people safe.
Staff & Volunteers are reminded that normal referral processes must be used when there are
concerns about children who maybe at risk of being drawn into terrorism and for all instances
of peer-on-peer abuse (including peer on peer sexual harassment and/or sexual violence).
Once this initial report has been made, the safeguarding lead member of Staff & Volunteers &
Volunteers will consider the appropriate course of action in accordance with the local authority’s
referral thresholds. Such action may involve consulting with the relevant statutory agencies,
which will be done immediately where a child is suffering or is likely to suffer from harm. Where
the disclosure was made during a school visit, the DSL at the school will always be notified and
Blossomify CIC will work with the school in accordance with the school’s safeguarding
procedure.

The child’s parent/carer will normally be contacted and kept informed of any action to be taken
under these procedures. The decision as to when to contact parents will be made by the
Safeguarding Lead, supported by the DSL/DDSO. However, there may be circumstances
when the Safeguarding Lead will need to consult the Local Authority Designated Officer,
Children’s Social Care and / or the police before discussing details with parents, for example, if
doing so could put the child at risk of harm. In all cases, the Safeguarding Lead will be guided
by the Local Safeguarding Partnership Arrangement procedures.
Making a referral
A referral to the police: ‐
If a crime has been committed, the safeguarding lead member of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers
has a legal duty to report a concern directly to the Police. This includes the reporting of concerns
of physical punishment in areas of the UK where smacking is illegal.
A referral to local authority services: ‐
All serious child protection concerns must be reported by the safeguarding lead to the Local
Authority Services. As Blossomify CIC is a nationwide organisation, the relevant local authority
services will vary according to where the child lives.
In Centre: Local contacts are displayed on the Emergency Numbers Poster in the
centre’s office.
Online Learning: Where a disclosure was made in accordance with online learning,
the applicable local contacts will be those in the child’s local area.
These local authority services include:
Local Safeguarding Partnership Arrangements Safeguarding Team & Out of Hours
Emergency Duty Team Safeguarding Partners / MASH ‐ Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
Emergency Services – Police, Ambulance Police Non‐Emergency

If the referral is made by telephone, this should be followed up in writing. The
following information may be required:
Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers name, address, telephone number, position/role within the
setting.
As many details about the child as possible, e.g. name, DOB, address, home
telephone number, school, home environment.

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What the reasons are for making a referral, e.g. suspicion, allegations, disclosure ‐ what has
been said, giving details of times and dates and the child’s emotional state, or what the child
has said in response to the suspicions/concerns. Make a clear distinction between what is fact,
opinion and hearsay.
What action has been taken so far.
Where possible, a referral to Children’s Social Care should be confirmed in writing within 24
hours. Ensure you obtain the name of the services worker and a case number to be recorded
on the Incident Report.
The relevant statutory agency will then give instructions as to what to do next and take
the responsibility for further action.
Statutory safeguarding procedures
What happens next is entirely up to the relevant statutory agency, usually Children’s
Social Care.
Within one working day of a referral being made, a local authority social worker should
acknowledge receipt to the referrer and make a decision about the next steps, and the type of
response that is required (if this is not received, the safeguarding lead should contact
Children’s Social Care again). This will include determining whether:
the child requires immediate protection and urgent action is required.
the ‘child is in need’, and should be assessed under section 17 of the Children Act 1989;
there is reasonable cause to suspect the child is suffering or likely to suffer ‘significant harm’,
and whether enquiries must be made and the child assessed under section 47 of the Children
Act 1989;
any services are required by the child and family and what type of services;
further specialist assessments are required to help the local authority to decide what further
action to take; and to see the child as soon as possible if the decision is taken that the
referral requires further assessment.
Enough information passed onto the agency may lead to the suspicion, allegation or actual
incident, being dealt with quickly with few complications, or it may lead to thorough checks
with several other organisations and possibly a safeguarding conference or a visit from an
Ofsted Inspector.
A safeguarding conference involves as many people as possible, (including the
parents/guardian and sometimes the child as well), who discuss the issues that have been
raised in the suspicions, allegation or actual abuse that has been reported and
investigated. Decisions about what will happen next are made at the conference.

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Quite often, the initial person who has made the report may not be contacted again unless
further information is required. It is not usual practice for the relevant statutory agency to inform
of developments in an investigation. However, if you feel not enough action has been taken,
and the child is still at risk, concerns should be reported again, or the NSPCC Child Protection
Help Line contacted for advice. If Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers have not heard back, they
should follow up within 7 days to ensure it has been actioned.
Internal management
If it is decided that an external referral is not required, the Senior Designated Safeguarding
Officer will communicate how the matter should be handled internally. This will include keeping
the matter under review and consideration will be given to a referral to Children’s Social Care
if the child’s situation does not appear to be improving. Where the tutoring in question is being
delivered in partnership with a school, the Senior Designated Safeguarding Officer will work in
close partnership with the school’s DSL to determine how the matter should be handled.
If a child is in immediate danger or at risk of harm
If a child is in immediate danger or is at risk of harm, a referral should be made to
Children’s Social Care and / or the police immediately. Anybody can make a referral in
these circumstances.
If a referral is made by someone other than the safeguarding lead, the DSL (or in their absence,
the DDSO) should be informed of the referral as soon as possible. Where the tutoring was being
delivered in partnership with a school, the school’s DSL must also be informed of the referral as
soon as possible.
Recording suspected or actual incidents
No matter what happens to a suspicion, allegation or actual incident of abuse, (regardless
of whether it is processed through a statutory agency or not), all details must be recorded.
Important information to record includes:
The date and time of disclosure, suspicion, allegation or actual abuse incident.
Details given to you about the above, e.g. date and time of when things occurred. Any
indication of the parties involved.
Details of the action that you and the setting have taken.
Details of reporting, including who to, both internally and statutory agencies, and when. Name
of Staff & Volunteers & Volunteers reporting and witnesses (if applicable)
Name of parent/guardian if permitted to inform

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If for any reason it is decided not to consult with a relevant statutory agency, a full
explanation of why must be documented.
Recording must be factual, that is no reference made to subjective opinions.
Electronic record forms should be used for reporting. All physical and online teams should
file completed forms in their centre’s One Drive Compliance Incident Folders, shared with
the Head of Ofsted and Safeguarding.
Records should be kept completely confidential and secure and only shared with those
who need to know about the suspicion, allegation or actual incident of abuse.
Incidents should be reported to the company Designated Safeguarding Officer (Head of
Ofsted
& Safeguarding) to be recorded on the company’s Central Incident Record file. Reports
must be deleted from laptops or other devices for data protection purposes once shared.
Historical/Non recent Abuse
Historical or non‐recent allegations of abuse are any concerns that relate to abuse that
happened more than a year ago, whether involving anyone working for/ belonging to the
organisation or outside of it. Often victims of abuse take many years to come forward due to
the shame and fear of being disbelieved, however the alleged perpetrator may remain a risk
to others. Such allegations of abuse must be taken seriously and acted upon in line with our
safeguarding procedures, even if the victim is no longer being harmed now.