Designated Safeguarding and Child Protection Officer:
Sophia Hughes
sophia.hughes@lexiaeducation.co.uk
0117 427 4267
07860 671053

Date: 18th January 2023 (reviewed annually)

This policy applies to all internal staff at Lexia Education Services, all temporary workers, agency staff, contractors, or anyone working on behalf of Lexia Education Services. Lexia Education is compliant with all regulatory standards set out by the Department for Education in their most up-to-date publication – keeping children safe in education.

Safeguarding children and young adults is the action we take to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm. Lexia Education takes our safeguarding duty of care seriously by ensuring that the staff we place are properly qualified to keep children and vulnerable adults safe in their care. All children and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.

We intend to make sure:

• Individuals who are known to be unsuitable do not gain access to children or vulnerable adults
• Those who become unsuitable are detected at the earliest stage and prevented from continuing their work with children and vulnerable adults
• Those who intend to do harm are prevented from entering the workforce
• All necessary checks are completed, monitored, and audited for staff, temporary workers, and candidates. ‘Best Practice’ for safeguarding policies and procedures is annually updated
• Up-to-date training is provided for staff, temporary workers, and candidates to achieve a ‘whole company’ approach to safeguarding and thus the importance and knowledge are embedded throughout the company

In addition, we adhere to all Government legislation and REC guidance set out below.

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE) 2022
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018
• Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006
• Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (the ‘Prevent Duty’)
• The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
• The Care Act 2014
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Special Educational Needs and disability (SEND) code of practice 0-25 years (HM Government
  2015)
• The Childcare Act 2006
• Modern Slavery Act 2015
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Lexia Education Services confirms that before supplying any staff to a local authority, school, or educational setting it has undertaken the following safeguarding steps and checks:

• Conducted a personal face-to-face interview with the applicant. *Please note if Covid-19 restrictions are in place a virtual registration will take place
• Verified a candidate’s identity, from current photographic ID, and proof of address
• Verified the person’s right to work in the UK following Home Office advice
• Obtained a new enhanced DBS check (with relevant workforce) – or one which is subscribed online with the update service (checked annually)
• Obtained a separate barred list check if an individual will start work in regulated activity before the DBS certificate is available (checked annually)
• Verified a teacher’s prohibition status and QTS status via the Teaching Regulation Agency
• Obtained proof of National Insurance
• Gained a minimum of 2 professional references dated within the last 2 years, one of which must be from the worker-seeker’s most recent employment
• Verified original qualification certificates
• Received acknowledgement and a signed copy of; – Disqualification by association declaration
  • Child Protection declaration
  • Medical declaration
  • Lexia Education Services Safeguarding Policy and Keeping Children Safe In Education