Safeguarding and Prevent Policy

Introduction

Oxford College of Business and Management (https://www.ocbm.uk/) (“OCBM”, “we”, “us”, or “our”), including our sub-brands eConsultancy (https://econsultancy.ocbm.uk/) and eLearning (https://elearning.ocbm.uk/) (collectively referred to as the “Websites”), is fully committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students, educators, staff, and stakeholders. This Safeguarding and Prevent Policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults, as well as our duties under the Prevent Duty to prevent radicalization and extremism.

 

1. Purpose

This policy aims to:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and stakeholders associated with OCBM.
• Provide clear guidelines on identifying, reporting, and addressing safeguarding concerns.
• Outline our responsibilities under the Prevent Duty to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism.
• Promote a culture of vigilance, where Safeguarding and Prevent concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly.

 

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff, including teaching and non-teaching staff, contractors, and volunteers.
• All students, including those enrolled in eLearning and consultancy programs.
• All visitors, including external speakers, suppliers, and partners.

 

3. Key Principles

OCBM’s Safeguarding and Prevent Policy is guided by the following principles:

• Child-Centred Approach: The welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is paramount. All actions taken under this policy must prioritize their safety and well-being.
• Zero Tolerance: OCBM has zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, neglect, or radicalization in any form.
• Confidentiality: All Safeguarding and Prevent concerns will be handled with the utmost confidentiality, with information shared only on a need-to-know basis.
• Accountability: All staff, students, and stakeholders are accountable for adhering to this policy and are expected to act promptly on any concerns.

 

4. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by key UK legislation and guidance, including:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004
• The Education Act 2002
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• The Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022
• The Prevent Duty Guidance for Higher Education Institutions 2015

 

5. Definitions

• Safeguarding: Protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm.
• Vulnerable Adult: An individual aged 18 or over who may be at greater risk of abuse or neglect due to a physical or mental disability, illness, or age.
• Radicalization: The process by which individuals come to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.
• Prevent Duty: A legal requirement under the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 for institutions to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism.

 

6. Roles and Responsibilities

a. Governing Body

The Governing Body of OCBM is responsible for:

• Ensuring that robust Safeguarding and Prevent policies are in place and regularly reviewed.
• Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Prevent Lead to oversee the implementation of this policy.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of Safeguarding and Prevent measures.

 

b. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is responsible for:

• Leading on all safeguarding matters and providing support to staff, students, and stakeholders.
• Ensuring that safeguarding concerns are recorded and managed appropriately.
• Liaising with external agencies, including social services and the police, where necessary.
• Providing training and updates to staff on safeguarding issues.

 

c. Prevent Lead

The Prevent Lead is responsible for:

• Overseeing the implementation of the Prevent Duty across OCBM, eLearning OCBM, and eConsultancy OCBM.
• Identifying and addressing any risks of radicalization within the institution.
• Providing training and guidance to staff on the Prevent Duty and how to recognize signs of radicalization.
• Working with external agencies, including the police and local authorities, to share information and take appropriate action.

 

d. Staff and Volunteers

All staff and volunteers are responsible for:

• Adhering to this policy and promoting a safe and supportive environment.
• Attending Safeguarding and Prevent training as required.
• Reporting any Safeguarding or Prevent concerns to the DSL or Prevent Lead immediately.

 

e. Students

All students are responsible for:

• Adhering to the principles of this policy.
• Reporting any concerns about their own safety or the safety of others to a member of staff.

 

7. Safeguarding Procedures

a. Identifying Concerns

Staff, volunteers, and students should be vigilant and aware of the signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and radicalization. These may include:

• Physical Abuse: Unexplained injuries, fear of physical contact, or aggressive behavior.
• Emotional Abuse: Withdrawal, low self-esteem, or extreme emotional reactions.
• Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate sexual behavior, reluctance to participate in physical activities or unexplained physical symptoms.
• Neglect: Poor hygiene, frequent absences, or lack of appropriate clothing or medical care.
• Radicalization: Expressing extremist views, isolating from peers, or associating with extremist groups.

 

b. Reporting Concerns

If a Safeguarding or Prevent concern is identified:

1. Immediate Action: Ensure the individual is safe. If there is an immediate danger, contact the police.
2. Report: Report the concern to the DSL or Prevent Lead as soon as possible.
3. Record: Document the concern, including any relevant details and the actions taken.
4. Referral: The DSL or Prevent Lead will decide whether the concern should be referred to external agencies, such as social services or the police.

 

c. Responding to Allegations

If an allegation is made against a member of staff, volunteer, or student:

1. Immediate Suspension: The individual may be suspended pending an investigation.
2. Investigation: The DSL or Prevent Lead will conduct a thorough investigation, in line with OCBM’s disciplinary procedures.
3. External Involvement: If necessary, the concern will be referred to the appropriate external agencies.
4. Support: Support will be provided to the victim and the accused during the investigation.

 

8. Prevent Duty Implementation

a. Risk Assessment

OCBM will conduct regular risk assessments to identify areas where students or staff may be at risk of radicalization. This includes:

• Monitoring the use of IT systems to ensure that individuals are not accessing extremist content.
• Assessing external speakers and events to ensure that they do not promote extremist views.

 

b. Training and Awareness

All staff and volunteers will receive training on the Prevent Duty, including how to:

• Recognize signs of radicalization.
• Understand the processes of radicalization.
• Report concerns to the Prevent Lead.

 

c. External Speakers and Events

OCBM has procedures in place to ensure that all external speakers and events are assessed for potential risks of radicalization. This includes:

• Vetting all external speakers to ensure they do not promote extremist views.
• Monitoring the content of events to ensure they align with OCBM’s values.

 

d. Support for Victims

OCBM is committed to providing support for victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and radicalization. This includes:

• Counselling Services: Access to professional counselling services.
• Referral to External Agencies: Referring victims to external support services, such as social services, the police, or healthcare providers.
• Confidentiality: Ensuring that all support is provided confidentially and with respect for the victim’s privacy.

 

9. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the OCBM’s Governing Body to ensure it remains effective and compliant with current legislation. Any changes will be communicated to all staff, students, and stakeholders.

 

Contact Information

For further information or questions regarding this Safeguarding and Prevent Policy, please contact:

Oxford College of Business and Management

Address: [MC 101, 3 HQ, The Quadrant, Warwick Road Coventry UK, Postcode: CV1 2DY]
Email: [info@ocbm.uk]

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This safeguarding and prevent policy is effective as of 1st August 2024.

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Thank you for your trust in Oxford College of Business and Management. We are committed to providing the best education and consultancy services.