Safeguarding roles and responsibilities

The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for ensuring that university safeguarding policies and procedures are effective and meet statutory requirements and all relevant national guidance.

The Board has ultimate responsibility and accountability. It does so by:

• Ensuring appropriate mechanisms are in place to meet statutory safeguarding and Prevent responsibilities;
• Nominate a safeguarding and Prevent Board member;
• Approving the safeguarding policy and associated procedures;
• Undertaking relevant training and receiving assurance that staff are trained to the appropriate levels;
• Receiving annual reviews and report;
• Ensuring processes are in place for dealing with allegations of abuse against a member of staff; and
• Ensuring we have an institution wide safeguarding culture, where it is understood that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that UCLan is a safe place to study, work, visit and undertake activities.

The Vice-Chancellor Group (VCG) supports the Board in delivery of its safeguarding agenda, with strategic responsibility delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive as UCLan’s Safeguarding Champion (Strategic).

VCG are responsible for:

• Providing assurances to the Board that all safeguarding requirements are fully met;
• Recommending the safeguarding policy to Board for approval;
• Ensuring the robust implementation of the safeguarding policy across the University;
• Submission of reports to the Office for Students (OfS), if deemed to be a reportable event; and
• Ensuring sufficient resources are in place to fulfil the requirements of the safeguarding agenda, and reviewed annually.

The Deputy Chief Executive is the strategic lead for safeguarding, ensuring safeguarding is afforded the highest priority and sufficiently resourced at the most senior level in the University. They have a key responsibility to ensure a robust safeguarding governance structure is in place across the institution.

The University Safeguarding Champion (Strategic) meets with the Principal Safeguarding Leads on a termly basis, receiving relevant and timely updates in relation to significant activity to ensure effective strategic oversight and informed decision making.

Our Principal Safeguarding Leads (Operational) are the Director of Student Services, Deputy Director of Student Services (Wellbeing), Safeguarding Manager, and Head of Student Wellbeing Services.

These roles:

• Act as the main contact within the University for safeguarding.
• Promote, implement, monitor and review the safeguarding policy.
• Oversee the framework and act as the lead for making external safeguarding referrals, including making referrals to the DBS Barring Service when they have concerns that a person has caused harm, or poses a future risk of harm to vulnerable groups, including children.
• Maintain key safeguarding records centrally and securely, overseeing and providing support for the team of Senior Designated Safeguarding Officers and Safeguarding Leads.
• Attend and play key roles in relevant committees, providing information and data as required.
• Have a sound knowledge of the local, regional and national safeguarding and prevent context.
• Share data and reports with relevant committees in relation to safeguarding and Prevent.
• Ensure that appropriate and relevant information, advice, training support is readily accessible and compliance with mandatory training.
• Establish and maintain internal and external safeguarding networks, to include LADO, Police, Social Services and local authorities.

Senior Designated Safeguarding Officers (SDSO) are Deans and Directors of Services. They have responsibility for ensuring that our safeguarding policy is implemented across their area.

The SDSOs provide a source of advice, support and communication and act as the safeguarding contact within their area. They embed a strong safeguarding reporting culture. The Safeguarding Leads, along with SDSO’s, represent schools and services on the Safeguarding Committees. The SDSOs provide advice and leadership on signposting within their area. They make referrals to the Principal Safeguarding Leads. They must ensure that all staff in their teams complete mandatory training. They also identify which roles need enhanced safeguarding training (Level 2 and 3). And, they must ensure that Safeguarding Leads are appointed within their area and complete the required training to fulfil their responsibilities.

 Within each school and service, Safeguarding Leads:

• Promote and embed a culture within the School/Service where safeguarding is ‘everyone’s business’. This helps create a safe culture where everyone can thrive.
• Ensure safeguarding practices within the school or service operate in line with university policies and procedures.
• Act as a source of support and advice when colleagues in the school or service have a safeguarding concern. They facilitate referrals to the Designated Safeguarding Leads. They are a point of contact for ongoing cases, keeping detailed and accurate records which are stored securely.
• Identify training and development needs within the school or service. This means working with Student Services and the People Team to meet those needs. Then colleagues will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take appropriate action in the event of a safeguarding concern.
• Promote on school or service agendas that we all have a duty to act if we have cause for concern about the safety and wellbeing of others.
• Ensure any safeguarding concerns which emerge as a result of any university procedures are shared with the Principal Safeguarding Leads as soon as they become known. For example fitness to practice, student disciplinary and admissions. This is particularly important to ensure any external referrals, are made by UCLan, as required. This includes DBS and professional body referrals.
• Have a working knowledge of the University’s Support for Study policy. They must ensure it's on school or service agendas to encourage timely notification of any emerging student or apprentice issues.
• Work with Deans and Associate Deans to produce course risk assessments for the safe admission to study of students under the age of 18.
• Promote the need for all colleagues within the school or service to undertake UCLan’s mandatory online safeguarding training. This must be in line with the published schedule. Also role specific training, including Prevent and Suicide Prevention. This ensures staff know how to recognise and report any safeguarding concerns.
• Be particularly alert to the needs of under 18 students and adults who may be potentially at risk. This includes international students. Thereby ensuring that colleagues know how to report any emerging issues to the Wellbeing Team. This ensures early help is provided.
• Work with the People Team and recruiting managers. They should promote the importance of adhering strictly to safe recruitment practices. This includes DBS requirements for colleagues working with under 18’s and adults at risk, as appropriate.
• As needed, attend safeguarding drop-in sessions (in person or online) facilitated by one of our Principal Safeguarding Leads. They can share best practice and build a network of school or service Safeguarding Leads.
• Undertake appropriate training. This includes: Level 2 Safeguarding; Level 3 Safeguarding; Prevent awareness and referrals courses; and suicide prevention and disclosure training. They will broaden their knowledge and understanding of the wider spectrum of safeguarding. They should take advantage of the opportunity to engage in training available around the wider spectrum of safeguarding concerns. Further details are available for colleagues on the development portal.

As well as the points in the 'Safeguarding Leads' section, academic schools that work with children or adults at risk must:

• Appoint a Safeguarding Lead specifically for this area of work.
• Ensure that staff are appropriately trained staff to support this area of work.
• Ensure that departmental staff, students, apprentices and volunteers who work with children and adults at risk, are selected or recruited in line with Safer Recruitment best practice. They must also receive appropriate safeguarding training which is updated at least every year.
• Ensure that procedures are in place to record work with children and adults at risk. They must inform the University Safeguarding Team accordingly.
• Ensure that an appropriate Safeguarding Risk Assessment is carried out. Any actions identified by the risk assessment should be completed before the activity commences.

We all have a duty to ensure that we treat everyone with respect. We must report any concerns that we may have that children or adults at risk are being abused or mistreated. Children and adults at risk may engage with our staff, students, apprentices and volunteers in the course of our work and University-led activities. We need to ensure they do so in a safe and supportive environment.

As a member of the University community, you must:

• Be aware of and follow safeguarding policies and other related procedures.
• Provide a safe learning environment.
• Be able to identify children and adults at risk who may be in need of early help.
• Ensure that children and adults at risk are treated with respect. They should be supported whenever they engage in University-led activity.
• Undertake mandatory and other appropriate safeguarding training before engaging in any University-led activity involving children or adults at risk.
• Ensure that you're aware of your responsibilities to safeguard children and adults at risk. This is whether you're acting as a paid member of University staff or supporting University-led activity in an unpaid capacity as a volunteer.
• Ensure that you are aware how to report a safeguarding concern and raise concerns as soon as possible.
• Raise concerns about your own support and safeguarding needs at the earliest opportunity.
• Operate within the boundaries of your role, seeking support and advice from specialist services as needed.

UCLan aims to develop a sense of citizenship amongst its learner community. Everyone matters and there is support for all. We believe differences are to be celebrated and that we can all learn from one another.Looking out for one another and sharing concerns forms part of UCLan’s safeguarding and reporting culture. This ensures UCLan is a safe place to study, to work and to visit.

Our Yes to Respect video sets out the culture of respect we expect from our UCLan community. We welcome people with open arms, value each other and treat everyone with respect. Regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, belief, background or any other characteristic. This reinforces that there is no place at UCLan for bullying, sexual harassment, intimidation, abuse or inappropriate remarks. Whether in the classroom, on a night out or in the workplace.

We ask that students and apprentices complete the Safeguarding Essentials and Suicide Prevention online training. This is so you can be aware of the signs indicating someone may need support. As a student or apprentice you have a range of support, advice and guidance available. Details of this are available on the Student Hub.

 Schools offering apprenticeship programmes must:

• Ensure that apprentices have an awareness of safeguarding and Prevent. They must also understand how to access support services at the University.
• Ensure that safeguarding training is provided for all members of University staff working with apprentices.
• Maintain open communications with employers regarding the safety and wellbeing of apprentices.
• Ensure that employers that they work with are aware of their safeguarding and Prevent obligations. They should access support from the Degree Apprenticeship and Safeguarding Teams where appropriate.

Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO)

This is a key role in accordance with statutory guidance and every Local Authority must have a Designated Officer (LADO) who is responsible for providing advice, liaison and monitoring the progress of cases where allegations have been made against people who work with children. The LADO should be informed directly, or via Children or Adult Social Care/the Police if they are involved, of all allegations that come to UCLan’s attention where it is alleged that a person who works with children or adults at risk has:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child/ vulnerable adult; or
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against children/adults at risk; or adults at risk.

This applies to paid and unpaid roles, volunteers, casual, agency or self-employed roles and captures concerns/allegations/offences emanating from outside of work as well as within the workplace. The LADO is involved from initial phase to conclusion and provides advice and guidance, helping to determine that the allegation sits within the scope of the procedures. The LADO helps co-ordinate information sharing with the right people. They monitor and track any investigation, with the expectation that it will be resolved as quickly as possible.

LADO Lancashire
Call: +44 (0) 1772 536694
Email: LADO Lancashire

Lado Cumbria
Call: +44 (0) 3003 033892
Email: LADO Cumbria
Out of hours: +44 (0) 300 373 2724

Children’s Social Care (previously Social Services)

Children’s Social Care has a statutory duty to ensure the welfare of children and to work with the CSAP - Children’s Safeguarding Assurance Partnership to comply with its procedures. When a safeguarding referral is made, Children’s Social Care has a legal responsibility to make enquires where a child who lives or is found in their area is considered to be at risk of, or actually suffering from, significant harm. This may involve talking to the child and family and gathering information from other people who know the child. Enquires may be carried out jointly with the Police where a crime has been alleged. If action needs to be taken urgently and out of office hours, then the Police will deal with the enquiry sensitively and effectively. Children’s Social Care will link in closely with their respective CSAP and cross-reference the guidance produced by the CSAP. Children’s Social Care are a very important source of advice and support.

Children's Social Care Cumbria
Call: +44 (0) 333 240 1727
Out of hours: +44 (0) 333 240 1727

Children’s Social Care Lancashire
Call: +44 (0) 300 123 6720 
Out of hours: +44 (0) 300 123 6722

Emergency Duty Team

The out-of-hours team that deals with both childcare and adult emergency referrals to social services.

Adult Protection Unit

In Lancashire there is a pan Lancashire Adult Protection Unit that is part of the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team.

Adults Social Care Lancashire
Call: +44 (0) 300 123 6720
Out of hours: +44 (0) 300 123 6722

Adults Social Care Cumbria 
Call: +44 (0) 300 373 3732
Out of hours: +44 (0) 1228 526690

Persons in a Position of Trust (PIPoT) Lead

The Local Authority PIPoT Lead should be contacted in relation to adult cases of professional abuse.

Victim services

Victim services are available to anyone who has been affected by crime, in addition to friends, family and other people involved. Help is available regardless of when the crime took place and it is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Victim Support is independent from the police and support is free and confidential. 

Victim Support Lancashire
Call: +44 (0) 300 323 0085
Out of hours: +44 (0) 808 16 89 111

Victim Support Cumbria
Call: +44 (0) 300 303 0157

Mental health crisis services

Mental health crisis services provide assessments and support for people experiencing acute mental health distress. Teams are usually made up of different health professionals and can support people at acute hospitals, in their own home, at GP surgeries or at police stations.

Residents from across Central and West Lancashire who need to access mental health help and support are now able to via one number, 24 hours a day.

Initial Response Service Lancashire
Call: +44 (0) 800 953 0110

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team Cumbria
Call: +44 (0) 300 123 9015