Safeguarding Policy
Purpose
This policy sets out the statutory requirements and key principles that all staff should be complying with in their practise of safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk of harm or abuse.
All staff carrying out the business of WMISLT need to be aware of the integrated agenda to support and protect vulnerable children, young people and adults at risk. The key legislative framework supporting this policy includes: the Children Act 1989, the Human Rights Act 1998, the Children Act 2004, the Crime and Disorder Act (1998), the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Health and Social Care Act (2008), the Care Act (2014), the Care and Support Statutory OFFICIAL 6 Guidance (Chapter 14) and the Working together to safeguard children (2018), Education and Training (Welfare of Children) Act 2021
This policy applies to all employees and workers within WMSLT, including secondees into and out of the organisation, volunteers, students, apprentice trainees, contractors, and temporary workers, including locum clinicians and/or those working on a bank or agency contract. For ease of reference, all employees and workers who fall under these groups will be uniformly referred to as ‘staff’ in this document.
In developing this policy, WMISLT recognise that safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults at risk is a shared responsibility, with the need for effective joint working between the service provider, service user and statutory agencies. Employees of WMSLT Ltd have a responsibility to achieve and maintain the standards set out in this policy. WMSLT managers must understand and adhere to the safeguarding policy and help their staff maintain their training and awareness.
1. Safe Recruitment
1.1 Recruiting managers must apply for an enhanced DBS check prior to an employee commencing work for WMSLT. A pre-existing valid DBS certificate (issued within the last 3 years) may be provided to commence work whilst an application is being processed. If registered, a check will be made with the DBS update service prior to commencing work.
1.2 WMSLT managers will register all new staff with the DBS Update Service at the time of success application.
1.3 All WMSLT at commencement of their employment, are required to complete and sign the Birmingham Childcare Disqualification paperwork provided by Birmingham City Council. This is kept with staff files.
1.4 WMSLT induction process will inform new starters of their safeguarding responsibility and provide up to date information as to the Safeguarding Leads within the company.
1.5 As an employer of staff in a ‘regulated activity’, WMSLT has a legal duty to refer concerns to the DBS in accordance with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Amendment Order 2025)
1.6 A staff member of WMSLT Ltd must be referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service if:
• they have been permanently removed from ‘regulated activity’ through dismissal or permanent transfer, or
• they would have been removed or transferred if they had not left, resigned, retired or been made redundant, and if
• they are believed to have engaged in ‘relevant conduct’ (i.e. been involved in an action or inaction that has harmed a child, young person or vulnerable adult, or put them at risk of harm), or
• they have satisfied the ‘harm test’ (i.e. no action or inaction was found to have occurred, but there is still a significant risk that it could occur), or
• they have received a caution or conviction for a ‘relevant offence’ (i.e. involving automatic barring, either with or without the right to make representations). Anyone convicted or cautioned for certain serious offences will, subject to the consideration of representations where permitted, be barred from working in regulated activity with children and/or vulnerable adults.
1.7 Managers within WMISLT Ltd must ensure that the relevant employment checks have been completed on all employees prior to their commencement. These checks include acquiring at least 2 references of the employee’s suitability and qualification for the role offered, Identification and Right to Work checks, social media screening and ensuring that all qualified practitioner employees are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) or Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) as relevant.
1.8 Managers within WMSLT Ltd must ensure that ongoing checks of the HCPC register are made every 2 years in line with the 2 year registration period of all HCPC registered Allied Health Professionals
1.9 Management team will check DBS status with the DBS update Service at least annually. A new DBS certificate certification application will be made every 3 years for every employee.
2. Training
2.1 All employees of WMSLT Ltd must complete and pass an annual online safeguarding module (health/education) relevant to their role (Safeguarding Vulnerable Children and/or Adults)
2.2 All employees of WMSLT must complete annual online PREVENT training biannually.
2.3 All employees will receive Team Teach or equivalent positive handling coaching biannually. All employees are signposted to the Team Teach Policy on safe implementation for child/vulnerable adult safety
2.4 All employees are required to read the updated Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) annually and provide a signed declaration of such.
2.5 Managers within WMSLT Ltd must ensure that this training is updated in accordance with this policy and keep accurate staff records of compliance
2.6 All WMSLT staff are required to register with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) and work within the HCPC Standards of Professional Practice which include
· conduct, performance and ethics
· standards of proficiency
· continuing professional development
· relevant education and training
3. Managing safeguarding concerns
3.1 All employee’s of WMISLT Ltd working with educational settings must obtain a copy of the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for each individual work setting. It is requested within the Service Level Agreement (SLA), that Safeguarding Documentation is shared with WMISLT Ltd employees on commencement of a contract however it is the individual responsibility of employees to obtain this and adhere to the policy.
3.2 If an employee of WMISLT Ltd suspects that a child, young person or adult is at risk of harm or abuse, they should notify the local safeguarding lead within the setting as soon as is practically possible. The concern should be documented in accordance with the WMSLT and local guidance, within an attachment marked CONFIDENTIAL inside the WMISLT Ltd clinical notes (Therapy Plaza digital Platform). WMISLT Ltd employees should also report concerns to their managers as soon as is practically possible and document this within their clinical notes.
3.3 Any records of disclosures/concerns documented within the client’s digital notes will be held in line with the retention period of clinical notes, this being until the client is 25 years or 7 years after the 25th birthday of the client, if 25 years old, when discharged from the service.
3.4 In accordance with Working Together 2015 local policies and procedures, employees should notify the local Social Services department. They should also consider informing the local police.
4. Lone Working and Appropriate Contact
4.1 WMSLT employees will only work with children and young adults where appropriate written consent has been given.
4.2 When and where lone working cannot be avoided, staff will ensure that when lone working occurs, it is with knowledge of nursery/school/college staff and it takes place where they can be seen and heard. If privacy or quiet necessitates that the door is closed, it must be unlocked and ensure the child or young person is comfortable with this arrangement
4.3 WMSLT staff must set appropriate boundaries with students and never share personal contact details. Staff must not add, follow or interact with children or young adults on personal social media accounts.
4.4 Any physical contact with the child or young person must be appropriate, justifiable and approached sensitively and with consent.
4.5 As is a legal requirement, WMSLT staff will make a digital record the time date, duration, place of work and nature of the interaction, discussion with the child or young person.
4.6 It is the responsibility of WMSLT to ensure they have adequate information as to how to proceed in the event of an emergency to keep children and young adults in their care safe
4.7 WMSLT must never take a child or young people away from their setting unless specific written permission is granted and they are accompanied by education staff.
4.8 WMSLT will notify education staff should the child or young adult in their care require personal care. WMSLT must not undertake or participate in such care.
4.9 WMSLT staff must ensure that an appropriate adult is available during remote online working with a child or young adult and that an appropriate space is being used for the session. Staff must ensure that nothing personal or inappropriate can be seen or heard on screen. Separate written consent is required for remote online working
5. Information sharing
5.1 It is important that service users remain confident that their personal information is kept safe and secure. WMISLT Ltd employees must be confident to share information appropriately when safeguarding vulnerable individuals. At the same time, care should be taken to maintain the right to privacy of individuals when it is appropriate to do so.
5.2 WMISLT should seek advice from managers and/or refer to their own professional body’s advice regarding information sharing. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) government information is a further source of advice regarding the sharing of personal information. The Data Protection Act 2018 should not be regarded as a barrier to sharing information.
5.3 WMISLT Ltd staff are required to make a detailed and accurate record of what has been shared, with whom and for what purpose, and of every decision made and the reasoning behind it.
5.4 It is important to be open and honest with the individual concerned (and their family, where appropriate) from the outset, about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could, be shared, and to seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so. If in doubt, and if possible, a staff member should seek advice, without disclosing the identity of the individual concerned
5.5 Information sharing should be by consent where appropriate, and, wherever possible, respect the wishes of those who have not consented to share confidential information. Information may be shared without consent if it is believed, based on the facts of the case, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest.
5.6 It is important to consider the safety and well-being of the individual concerned, as well as others who may be affected by their actions.
5.7 Information sharing should always be necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure.
5.8 WMSLT must put the safety and wellbeing of service users and carers first. Where any safeguarding concerns are held with respect to a fellow WMSLT colleague, they should be reported to the DSL as soon as the concern arises. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects workers who report wrongdoings, providing it is disclosed to a prescribed person, and:
• it is about a criminal offence, e.g. fraud;
• someone’s health and safety is in danger;
• there is risk or actual damage to the environment;
• a miscarriage of justice is involved;
• the company is breaking the law; or
• the worker believes someone is covering up a wrongdoing.
6. Equipment
6.1 It is the responsibility of all WMSLT staff to ensure that the equipment used within their duties is maintained to a safe level to use and appropriate for the child/vulnerable adult it is being used with. Before using equipment, staff should carefully consider choking risks, ingestion risks and potential of harm through throwing or misuse.
6.2 WMSLT staff should never leave children or vulnerable adults alone with equipment provided.
6.3 WMSLT staff are forbidden to use noisy/interactive books/toys where the button style batteries are not secured within the unit with screws/accessible only by screwdriver.
6.4 WMSLT staff are not permitted to use personal mobile devices to photograph/record children/vulnerable adults. Company mobile devices may be used to photograph or record therapeutic activities including children/vulnerable adults and only where specific consent is given and only for the purpose for which consent is given. Any photographic or audio material must be destroyed according to permissions.
6.5 WMSLT staff should adhere to the WMSLT Use of IT Policy for safe internet use in schools.
6.6 WMSLT staff are only permitted to use online tools within educational setting that are recognised and authorised by WMSLT.
7. Monitoring
7.1 It is the responsibility of WMISLT Ltd managers to ensure that this policy is monitored annually in line with the wider Health and Safety Review and updated accordingly inline with changes to employment, education and safeguarding legislation or changes within local safeguarding practise.
7.2 It is the responsibility of WMSLT management team to ensure all staff are aware of the policy, any updates and where to find it.
Definitions of ‘at risk’, ‘harm’ and ‘relevant conduct’
Definition of people at risk Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
All staff within WMISLT Ltd have a responsibility to safeguard people in their care, but extra care must be taken to protect those who are least able to protect themselves. Children and young people, and vulnerable adults, can be at particular risk of abuse or neglect.
A child is a person aged under 18 years; young people aged 16 or 17 who are living independently are still defined as ‘children’.
A vulnerable adult is someone who may be in need of care because of a physical, learning or other disability, or because of their age or an illness. This definition also applies to an adult who is unable to take care of him or herself properly, or who is unable to protect him or herself from significant harm or exploitation.
Some groups of people are particularly vulnerable to harm and exploitation, and it is important that their needs are carefully considered:
• those with disabilities
• those living away from home
• asylum seekers
• children and young people in hospital
• children in contact with the youth justice system
• victims of domestic abuse
• those who may be singled out due to their religion or ethnicity
• those who may be exposed to violent extremism.
Definitions of harm
Children:
Physical harm
Physical harm is defined as physical contact that results in discomfort, pain or injury. It may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm. Supplying drugs to children, or the use of inappropriate or unauthorised methods of restraint, also fall under this definition. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces or causes, illness in a child. This situation is commonly described as ‘factitious illness by proxy’ or ‘Munchausen syndrome by proxy’.
Emotional and psychological harm
Emotional harm is defined as action or inaction by others that causes mental anguish. It involves the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child, which causes severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. Such harm may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on a child. These can include interactions that are beyond the child’s development capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. Emotional harm may also involve witnessing aggressive, violent or harmful behaviour towards another individual (e.g. domestic violence). It may also involve serious bullying, frequently causing a child to feel frightened or in danger, exploitation or corruption. Some level of emotional harm is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child (e.g. grooming, harassment, or inappropriate emotional involvement), though it may occur alone.
Sexual harm and exploitation
Sexual harm is defined as any form of sexual activity involving a child under the age of consent. It involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. Such activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape, buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in the looking at, or production of, pornographic material, causing them to watch sexual activities, or encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. Downloading child pornography, taking indecent photographs of children, and sexualised texting, are all forms of sexual harm.
Neglect and acts of omission
Neglect is a persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, which is likely to result in serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:
• provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
• ensure adequate supervision and/or adequate care-givers
• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, without medical justification. It is also known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘cutting’, and by other terms such as initiation, infibulation, sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan. FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It is very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health. UK communities most at risk of FGM include Kenyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Sierra Leonean, Egyptian, Nigerian and Eritrean. Non-African countries that practise FGM include Yemen, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Thailand (South) and Pakistan. FGM is a form of child abuse and is illegal in the UK. It is a mandatory duty for a regulated healthcare professional to report any concerns they have about a female under 18 years old, and to record when FGM is disclosed or identified as part of NHS healthcare.
This is a personal duty: the individual professional who becomes aware of the case must make a report, and the responsibility cannot be transferred. The Home Office’s Multi-agency Statutory Guidance on Female Genital Mutilation offers comprehensive information on FGM; Mandatory Reporting of Female Genital Mutilation: procedural information gives guidance on when and how to report a case of FGM.
Relevant conduct
Children:
A child is a person under 18 years of age. Any behaviour involving a child is classed as ‘relevant conduct’ if it:
• endangers a child, or is likely to endanger a child
• if repeated against, or in relation to, a child, would endanger the child or be likely to endanger the child
• involves sexual material relating to children (including the possession of such material)
• involves sexually explicit images depicting violence against human beings (including the possession of such material)
• includes any behaviour of a sexual nature involving a child.
A person’s conduct endangers a child if it:
• harms a child
• causes a child to be harmed
• puts a child at risk of harm
• makes an attempt to harm a child
• incites another person to harm a child.
A person’s conduct satisfies the ‘harm test’ if they are thought likely to:
• harm a child
• cause a child to be harmed
• put a child at risk of harm
• make an attempt to harm a child
• incite another person to harm a child.
Definitions of harm
Vulnerable adults:
Safeguarding means protecting the adult’s right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect and promoting the adult’s wellbeing. Safeguarding duties apply to an adult at risk as defined in Section 42 of The Care Act 2014 which is:
A. has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs)
B. is experiencing, or at risk of abuse and neglect
C. as a result of their needs for care and support unable to protect themselves from the abuse or neglect or risk of it
Physical harm
Physical harm is any physical contact that results in discomfort, pain or injury. Examples of physical harm include:
• assault, rough handling, hitting, slapping, punching, pushing, pinching, shaking, bruising or scalding • exposure to excessive heat or cold
• a failure to treat sores or wounds
• inappropriate use of medication (e.g. under- or overuse of medication, or the use of un-prescribed medication)
• activity is also a form of sexual exploitation.
• the unlawful or inappropriate use of restraint or physical interventions
• the deprivation of liberty.
Sexual harm and exploitation
Examples of sexual harm and exploitation can include the direct or indirect involvement of the vulnerable adult in sexual activity or relationships that:
• they do not want or have not consented to
• they cannot understand, and cannot consent to, since they lack the mental capacity
• they have been coerced into because the other person is in a position of trust, power or authority, e.g. a care worker.
Sexual harm can involve bruising or injury to the anal, genital or abdominal area, and the transmission of STD. It also includes inappropriate touching. Being forced to watch sexual activity is also a form of sexual exploitation.
Psychological and emotional harm
This is behaviour that causes mental distress or has a harmful effect on an individual’s emotional health and development. It can include:
• mocking, coercing, bullying, verbal attacks, intimidation or harassment
• demeaning, disrespectful, humiliating, racist, sexist or sarcastic comments, shouting, swearing or name-calling
• excessive or unwanted familiarity
• the denial of basic human and civil rights such as self-expression, privacy and dignity
• negating the right of the vulnerable adult to make choices • undermining the individual’s self-esteem
• isolation and over-dependence that has a harmful effect on the person’s emotional health, development or well-being
• the use of inflexible regimes and lack of choice.
Neglect
Neglect occurs when a person’s well-being is impaired because his or her care or social needs are not met. Examples of neglect include:
• the failure to allow access to appropriate health, social care and educational services
• the failure to provide adequate nutrition, hydration or heating, or access to appropriate medication
• ignoring medical or physical needs, e.g. untreated weight loss, or a lack of care that results in pressure sores or uncharacteristic problems with continence
• poor hygiene, e.g. lack of general cleanliness or soiled clothes not being changed
• the failure to address the vulnerable individual’s requests.
Neglect can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional neglect can include:
• wilfully failing to provide care
• wilfully preventing the vulnerable adult from getting the care they need
• being reckless about the consequences of the person not getting the care they need.
Unintentional neglect can include:
• a carer failing to meet the needs of the vulnerable adult because they do not understand their needs
• a carer lacking knowledge about the services that are available
• a carer’s own needs preventing them from being able to give the care the person needs
• an individual being unaware of, or lacking an understanding of, the possible effect on the vulnerable adult of a lack of action.
Discrimination
Discrimination exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power, or the denial of rightful opportunities, so causing harm. Any psychological abuse that is racist, sexist, or linked to a person’s sexuality, disability, religion, ethnic origin, gender, culture, or age, is discriminatory.
Institutional harm
Examples of institutional harm can include:
• an observed lack of dignity and respect in the care setting
• the enforcement of rigid routines
• processes and tasks being organised to meet the needs of staff rather than those in their care
• disrespectful language and attitudes.
Financial harm
Financial harm is the use of a person’s property, assets, income, funds or other resources without their informed consent or authorisation. It includes:
• theft
• fraud
• exploitation
• unauthorised withdrawals of funds from an account
• undue pressure in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions
• the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits
• the misuse of an enduring power of attorney, or a lasting power of attorney, or an appointeeship. Domestic violence and self-harm should also be considered as possible indicators of, and/or contributory factors to, harm or abuse.
Relevant conduct
Vulnerable adults:
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who is receiving a service or assistance which is classed as regulated activity for adults. Any behaviour is classed as ‘relevant conduct’ if it:
• endangers a vulnerable adult or is likely to endanger a vulnerable adult
• if repeated against, or in relation to, a vulnerable adult, would endanger the vulnerable adult or be likely to endanger them
• involves sexual material relating to children
• involves sexually explicit images depicting violence against human beings (including possession of such images)
• is of a sexual nature involving a vulnerable adult. A person’s conduct endangers a vulnerable adult if it:
• harms a vulnerable adult
• causes a vulnerable adult to be harmed
• puts a vulnerable adult at risk of harm
• makes an attempt to harm a vulnerable adult
• incites another person to harm a vulnerable adult.
A person’s conduct satisfies the ‘harm test’ if they are thought likely to:
• harm a vulnerable adult
• cause a vulnerable adult to be harmed
• put a vulnerable adult at risk of harm
• make an attempt to harm a vulnerable adult
• incite another person to harm a vulnerable adult
Legislation
Children and young people
The legislation and guidance relevant to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children includes the following:
• The Children Act 1989
• The Children Act 2004 as amended by Sections 12-31 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017
• The Children and Social Work Act 2017
• Promoting the Health and Well-being of Looked After Children – statutory guidance (2015)
• Working Together to Safeguard Children – July 2018 (Statutory guidance)
Adults at risk of harm or abuse
The legislation and guidance relevant to safeguarding adults at risk of harm or abuse includes the following:
• Care Act 2014
• Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Chapter 14 – Safeguarding)
The Mental Capacity Act
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) is designed to protect and empower people who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It applies to people aged 16 and over. People who may lack capacity include those with:
• dementia
• a severe learning disability
• a brain injury
• a mental health illness
• a stroke
• substance or alcohol misuse
• confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness because of an illness or treatment for an illness. Just because a person has one of these health conditions doesn't necessarily mean they lack the capacity to make a specific decision.
Five important principles underpin the Mental Capacity Act:
• It is important to assume that a person has the capacity to make a decision themselves, unless proven otherwise.
• Wherever possible, people should be supported to make their own decisions.
• A person should not be treated as lacking the capacity to make a decision just because they make what seems like an unwise decision.
• If a decision is made on behalf of someone who doesn't have capacity, it must be made in their best interests.
• Any treatment or care provided to someone who lacks capacity should be the least restrictive possible of their basic rights and freedoms.
The MCA also allows people to express their preferences for care and treatment, and to appoint a trusted person to make a decision on their behalf, should they lack capacity in the future. Amendments to the Mental Capacity Act, to come into effect in 2019, will make changes to the ways in which a person may be deprived of liberty where he or she does not have the capacity to consent.
Training
WMISLT commission the services of E-Learning at Work for provision of staff safeguarding training. This includes provision of Safeguarding Children, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Prevent Duty
Prevent Duty
Staff working for WMISLT Ltd will meet and treat people who may be vulnerable to being drawn into terrorism. Being drawn into terrorism includes not just violent extremism but also non-violent extremism, which can create an atmosphere conducive to terrorism and can popularise views which terrorists exploit. The key challenge for the healthcare and education sector is to ensure that, where there are signs that someone has been, or is being, drawn into terrorism, the worker is trained to recognise those signs correctly and is aware of, and can locate, available support, including the Channel programme where necessary. Preventing someone from being drawn into terrorism is substantially comparable to safeguarding in other areas, including child abuse or domestic violence, and all staff within WMISLT have a duty to prevent. WMISLT has incorporated Prevent into its safeguarding arrangements, so that Prevent awareness and other relevant training is delivered to all staff who provide services to children and vulnerable adults.
Recording Safeguarding Concerns and Disclosures
It is vital that WMSLT staff record any safety or welfare concerns about a child, young/vulnerable adult. This must be done regardless of whether concerns are shared with social services or the police. These same concerns should always be shared with the designated safeguarding lead within setting in which the child, young/vulnerable adult attends and with the management team at WMSLT.
Staff should make an accurate record of the following
· the date and time of the incident/disclosure/concern
· the time and date the record/report
· the name and role of the person to whom the incident/disclosure/concern was originally reported and their contact details
· the names of all parties involved or present, including any witnesses
· the concern/incident/disclosure details (what was said or done and by whom)
· any other relevant information about the child or adult who is the subject of the concern
· any actions taken as a result of the incident/disclosure/concern
Ensure
· the record is factual
· the WMSLT Do’s and Don’ts advice is adhered to at all times – staff should keep this on their person at all times when in educational settings
· the record is signed and dated (by the individual reporting the incident/disclosure/concern)
· Is in digital format, password protected in a word document and uploaded to Therapy Plaza labelled as SAFEGUARDING CONFIDENTIAL
Prepared by: WMSLT Management Team
Updated: September 2025