Safeguarding guide for employers

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. It is about protecting children, young people (under 18) and adults at risk from abuse or neglect. In the context of UCLan, this usually means providing a safe environment for them to study, visit and participate in activities; we also have a responsibility to act where we become aware that a child, young person, or vulnerable adult is at risk outside of the university.

In all our activities, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of staff, students (including work-based learners or apprentices) and visitors. 

Our aim is to:

• Ensure UCLan is a safe place to study, work. visit and take part in activities.
• Act when we become aware of risk that may be occurring in/outside UCLan.
• Protect children, young people (under 18) and adults at risk from abuse or harm.

Many areas are considered to fall under the definition of safeguarding, and include but are not limited to:

• Bullying, including online.
• Sexual violence.
• Domestic abuse.
• Discrimination.
• Forced marriage and ‘so called’ honour abuse.
• Self-neglect.
• Self-harm.
• Radicalisation and extremism.
• Financial abuse.
• Modern slavery.
• Harassment.
• Criminal exploitation (County lines).

Our role:

• Ensuring that all employers are aware of their safeguarding obligations.
• Ensuring that employers are aware to not undertake an investigatory role when safeguarding concerns arise.
• Ensuring all employers are aware of the designated safeguarding leads.
• Ensuring apprentices have an awareness of safeguarding. Ensure they know how to access University student support and wellbeing services.
• Ensuring University employers working with apprentices have completed all relevant mandatory safeguarding training.
• Ensure University staff working with young and vulnerable people are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Employer's role:

• Be familiar with up-to-date legislation. Having a commitment to understand what safeguarding means in practice at their organisation.
• Understanding their role and responsibilities in the context of safeguarding in their organisation.
• Have a safeguarding policy which apprentices should be aware of.
• Ensuring staff who are working with apprentices and are in a position of trust do not present as a danger or a threat. They must have an appropriate check completed with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if working with young or vulnerable people.

It is important to ensure that apprentices get information on how to stay safe online. You can visit our online safety and security webpage for detailed information.

For personal, social and work-related reasons, being online and having an online presence is important. It is sometimes and essential part of people’s lives. Technology presents opportunities for learning and development. But it can also expose apprentices to different types of risks. Apprentices are at risk of harm online as well as face to face. So it's important that we safeguard our apprentice’s digital wellbeing too.

To help apprentices protect themselves from harm, it is important that they understand what the risks are. They need the skills to use the digital technology safely. Then they can take proactive steps to ensure the security of their personal data.

Online risks include:

• Bullying;
• Harassment;
• Non-consensual sharing of indecent images;
• Money muling;
• Abuse;
• Identity theft; and
• Grooming, phishing and malware.

Developing critical thinking and analytical skills is an integral part of an apprentice’s learning. Apprentices should challenge, question and evaluate the reliability of information, whatever the source. These skills will support their development, both academically and from a safeguarding perspective.

Our role:

• Provide relevant training for apprentices so that they can work safely and effectively online.
• Assess how apprentices may be at risk of harm using the internet or technology, and mitigate those risks, wherever possible.
• Help apprentices develop professional curiosity with online information.
• Make sure university staff are trained to identify and deal with concerns about online safety.
• Provide clear guidance on what is and is not an acceptable use of the internet at the University.

Employer's role:

• Ensure apprentices are aware of your organisation’s policies on using the internet and technology in the workplace.
• Understand the dangers apprentices may face using technology in the workplace and act to minimise risks.
• Communicate any concerns about online safety to the University.

Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on universities to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.”

The Terrorism Act 2006 defines ‘terrorism’ as an action or threat designed to influence the government or intimidate the public. Its purpose is to advance a political, religious, or ideological cause.

The Prevent duty is about safeguarding people from harm by preventing them from being radicalised and drawn into terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups. It is about safeguarding our apprentices to keep them safe and within the law. The Prevent duty is not about preventing apprentices from having political and religious views and concerns. It's about supporting them to use those concerns or act on them in non-extremist ways.

Terrorism is an action that:

• Endangers or causes serious violence to a person or people;
• Causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes with or disrupts an electronic system;
• Is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public.

Extremism is defined by the government as “vocal or active opposition to British values”. This includes democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths. Extremism and radicalisation might include the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups, and other causes.

Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. It is defined by the government as “the name given to the process that moves a person to legitimise their support or use of violence. It’s where terrorism begins.”

To help protect apprentices from the risks associated with radicalisation and extremism, we would encourage you to complete the Prevent duty training:

• Learn how to support people vulnerable to radicalisation training

Several factors may show that a person is more vulnerable to radicalisation. Whilst none of these factors are individually conclusive, they may show that a person is in need of support.

• Isolation.
• Low self-esteem.
• Anger or frustration.
• A sense of injustice.
• Personal grievances.
• Encouraging conspiracy theories.
• Offering inaccurate answers or falsehoods to grievances.
• Blaming specific communities for grievances.
• Encouraging the use of hatred and violent actions to get justice.
• Encouraging ideas of supremacy.
• Promoting an ‘us vs. them’ mentality.

Our role

• Provide relevant training to university staff to ensure staff are aware of their prevent duty obligations
• Have clear procedures in place so concerns can be raised to designated safeguarding leads regarding the Prevent Duty
• Ensuring all staff know who the designated safeguarding leads are.
• Providing curriculums that explores these matters
• Providing an environment that allows and encourages apprentices to have free speech. This ensures they can express views respectfully

Employer's role

• Ensure apprentices are able to express views in non-extremist ways. This creates and encourages respectful free speech.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the PREVENT Duty principles.
• Seek appropriate support if any concerns are raised.
• Be alert of changes in behaviour that may give your cause for concern.
• Advise the University of any concerns about your apprentice
• Provide opportunities for employees to discuss their own concerns about extremism, events in the news and about British values.

An essential part of the Prevent duty is the promotion of British values. The government monitors and ensures that all apprenticeship providers promote key ‘British values’. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy.

An important part of apprentice development is an approach incorporating key British values:

• Democracy;
• The rule of law;
• Individual liberty; and
• Mutual respect and tolerance.

This values-based approach centres on valuing our community. It celebrates diversity and helps people from all walks of life make the most of their individual potential. It forms part of our safeguarding culture to ensure UCLan is a safe place to study, to work and to visit.

We aim to develop a sense of citizenship amongst our apprentice community. One where everyone matters and there is support for all. We believe differences are to be celebrated and that we can all learn from one another.

Our role:

• Ensure British values are promoted throughout an apprentice’s programme.
• Create opportunities for apprentices to apply their learning to relevant situations and contexts.
• Encourage apprentices to respect each other and their differences, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Employer's role:

• Experience a community based on mutual respect and tolerance. One where all apprentices feel safe, valued, and supported.
• Contribute to creating a positive environment where discrimination does not exist.
• Work in line with relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.
• Demonstrate a commitment to British values.

If you have concerns regarding your apprentice, you can use our Report + Support service. This site allows employers, apprentices, students, staff, visitors and third parties to report a concern anonymously. You can also report a concern with contact details so that we can offer support.

The site also contains lots of useful information, advice and support, and information about campaigns.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have a concern, please pass it on.

To report a concern, or if you would like more information or have any questions, please email the Wellbeing Team. Or you can call +44 (0) 1772 893020 and ask for one of the Safeguarding Leads:

• Vanessa Chew
• Louise Noblett
• Megan Blissett
• Leah Campbell

The Safeguarding Leads will listen to your concerns and explore any support you may need following this concern. They would then determine what course of action to take. For concerns relating to Prevent they would discuss whether or not to make a referral to Channel. We ask that employers do the same.

You can also email the Apprenticeships Team who can offer further information, advice and guidance.

Outside of normal working hours, please contact Security on +44 (0) 1772 892068.

Any urgent concerns where there may be a serious risk to someone’s safety or wellbeing should be reported to the police:

• 999 (emergency)
• 101 (non-emergencies - do not require an immediate response)