Contents

Introduction

This policy outlines BCM Academy Ltd’s safeguarding and protection approach and explains what learners can expect within the learning environment. The policy aims to support children, young people, and vulnerable adults throughout their learning experience by promoting safety, wellbeing, and protection.

The policy focuses on safeguarding principles, the organisation’s responsibilities towards learners, and the implementation of safeguarding practices across all training and educational activities.

Key Principles

BCM Academy Ltd recognises the importance of safeguarding within post-16 training environments and outlines the responsibilities of staff in protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

The policy also addresses potential risks that may arise within learning environments and promotes safe, supportive, and inclusive educational practices.

Definition of safeguarding

BCM Academy Ltd adopts the safeguarding definition established under The Children Act 2004, which includes protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm, preventing impairment of health or development, and supporting positive life outcomes.

Safeguarding also includes wider issues such as health and safety, bullying, discrimination, harassment, internet safety, first aid, substance misuse, physical intervention, and the security of the learning environment.

Guidelines

BCM Academy Ltd gathers learner feedback through formal and informal processes to ensure learners feel safe within the training environment. Safeguarding responsibilities extend beyond classroom settings and include off-site and work-based learning environments.

The organisation complies with safeguarding legislation and ensures staff understand their responsibilities, safeguarding procedures, and reporting processes. Recruitment and vetting checks are carried out for new staff, including identity and qualification verification.

Learners are supported in understanding personal safety, recognising inappropriate behaviour, resisting harmful pressure, and accessing support when needed.

Reducing risk

BCM Academy Ltd monitors safeguarding risks for children, young people, and vulnerable adults, particularly during off-site or work-based learning activities.

The organisation maintains clear safeguarding reporting procedures, effective referral systems, attendance monitoring processes, and appropriate risk assessments to help ensure learner safety and wellbeing at all times.