Safeguarding Policy

Vacational Studies takes steps to ensure that all children in its care are properly protected and that their well-being is ensured.

The designated Safeguarding Officer is Ian Mucklejohn. Another named Safeguarding Officer is Paddy Douglass. Another is Matthew Debney. All are trained.

Vacational Studies accepts young people from 10-19. Those over 18 are aware and have signed their agreement that the rules and norms of Vacational Studies take precedence over whatever rights English Law gives those over 18.

Vacational Studies is a closed community in which everyone is known. Students, management and staff meet frequently. For these reasons we do not check our older students as adults who work for Vacational Studies are checked, nor do we restrict their freedom to socialise. They are advised: 'UK law changes for anyone aged 18 or above who may be considered as caring for under 18s and who has access to under 18s. From a safeguarding perspective, 18+s are in a 'position of trust' and are legally not able to have any sort of intimate interaction with those they are with under the age of 18. All relationships must be entirely open and in no way exclusive. No advantage may be taken of an under-18 because of age or status.'

All Vacational Studies staff have been the subject of checks by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas equivalents. The DBS searches police records and, in relevant cases, barred list information, and then issues a DBS certificate to the applicant.

Referrals are also made to the DBS when an employer or organisation, e.g. a regulatory body, has concerns that a person has caused harm, or poses a future risk of harm to vulnerable groups, including children.

Bullying is also covered in our policy document. Our students know that they can take their concerns to any member of staff or direct to Ian Mucklejohn or Paddy Douglass or Matthew Debney. Staff know they can take concerns to named officers in Vacational Studies

All staff take an online course in basic safeguarding and Prevent and have basic safeguarding and Prevent training.

All staff take or have taken within the last three years a first-aid course on arrival so that they can provide immediate assistance in the event of an emergency.

This is a link to our detailed 'Child Safeguarding Policy'.

Contacting us

If you have any questions about this Child Safeguarding Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:

Vacational Studies

Pepys' Oak

Tydehams

Newbury

Berkshire

RG14 6JT

United Kingdom

07717 007 007

vacstuds@vacstuds.com

This document was last updated on 14 June 2024.