1. Purpose
Prior Mindset is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This policy ensures compliance with the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE, 2023) where applicable, and other relevant statutory guidance. It sets out how all staff and associates will act to protect children from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
All Prior Mindset practitioners, staff, contractors, volunteers, and associates.
All services where children (under 18 years of age) or parents/guardians are involved, whether in person or through remote/online platforms.
3. Policy Statement
The welfare of the child is paramount.
Children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from harm.
Prior Mindset will create an environment where children feel respected, safe, and listened to.
Safeguarding concerns will be acted on immediately, using clear reporting and escalation procedures.
4. Key Definitions
Safeguarding: Protecting children from maltreatment, ensuring safe and effective care, and promoting wellbeing.
Child Protection: Part of safeguarding, specifically protecting children at risk of significant harm.
DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead): The named individual at Prior Mindset responsible for coordinating safeguarding.
5. Responsibilities
All Staff
Must complete safeguarding training at induction and refresher training every 12 months.
Must remain vigilant to signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or radicalisation.
Must report any concerns immediately to the DSL and record them accurately.
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Oversees all safeguarding activity within Prior Mindset.
Ensures all concerns are logged, investigated, and escalated appropriately.
Maintains links with local authority safeguarding teams and statutory agencies.
Ensures staff training and policy updates are carried out.
Management
Provides resources and support for safeguarding responsibilities.
Ensures compliance with legal duties, including safer recruitment and DBS checks.
6. Safer Recruitment
All staff working with children must undergo enhanced DBS checks.
Recruitment will follow safe practice, including reference checks, identity verification, and safeguarding-focused interview questions.
Ongoing suitability will be monitored, with staff required to disclose any relevant changes to their circumstances.
7. Recognising Signs of Abuse
Staff must be aware of the four categories of abuse:
Physical – hitting, shaking, burning, poisoning.
Emotional – constant criticism, exposure to domestic violence, bullying.
Sexual – exploitation, assault, exposure to inappropriate material.
Neglect – failure to provide basic care, food, shelter, or supervision.
Staff should also be alert to contextual safeguarding concerns such as child sexual exploitation (CSE), online grooming, county lines, and radicalisation. From discussion, with the child, parent or play therapy.
8. Responding to Concerns
Concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL.
Staff must not promise confidentiality to a child.
A written record must be completed within 24 hours.
The DSL will decide whether to escalate to children’s social care, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), or police.
If a child is at immediate risk of harm, staff should call 999.
9. Information Sharing & Confidentiality
Information is shared on a “need to know” basis, in line with UK GDPR and safeguarding law.
The safety of the child takes precedence over confidentiality.
Parents/guardians are informed unless doing so places the child at greater risk.
10. Remote & Online Safeguarding
Practitioners must verify the identity and age of the child.
A parent/guardian must be present or give explicit written consent for online sessions with children.
Practitioners must use secure, encrypted platforms and never record sessions without consent.
The child’s physical location must be known at each session in case of emergency.
11. Allegations Against Staff
Any allegation made against staff must be reported to the DSL immediately.
The DSL will inform the LADO without delay.
Staff may be suspended pending investigation, in line with fair HR practice.
12. Child-Friendly Practice
Practitioners will ensure children feel comfortable, heard, and respected during all interactions.
Feedback will be sought from children (age-appropriate) to shape safe practice.
Materials and communication will be adapted to suit the child’s developmental stage.
13. Training & Review
All staff must complete safeguarding training to Level 2, with DSLs trained to Level 3 or above.
Additional training will be provided for specific roles (e.g. working with online safety, trauma, or SEND).
Policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation or guidance changes.
14. Monitoring Compliance
The DSL will keep a safeguarding log, review all incidents, and ensure lessons learned are integrated into practice.
Annual safeguarding audits will be presented to management.
15. Policy Ownership
Owned by: Designated Safeguarding Lead
Approved by: Senior Management Team
Policy applies across all Prior Mindset services and platforms.
Business Name: Prior Mindset Ltd
Policy Creation Date: [Insert Date]
Policy Review Date: [Insert Date – one year from creation or sooner if law changes]
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): [Insert Name & Contact Details]
Deputy DSL: [Insert Name & Contact Details]