Safeguarding Policy

This policy reaffirms Charlton Premier Skills’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk across the UK. It also outlines the Trust's responsibilities and procedures for putting this commitment into practice, providing a sense of reassurance and security to all involved. 

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, and representatives of Charlton Premier Skills, including contractors and those on secondment. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved in or connected to our work must be protected and kept safe from harm.

This safeguarding policy promotes the welfare of individuals, reflects a commitment to inclusion and transparency, and fosters a culture of "Safeguarding First" within Charlton Premier Skills. The practices and procedures outlined in this policy are based on the principles established in UK legislation and statutory guidance. Adhering to the relevant statutory guidance and legislation from across the four nations is essential. For a complete list of key legislation, regulatory frameworks, and statutory guidance informing our safeguarding efforts, please refer to the appendix below.

We believe that all people in contact with our activities have the right to protection from harm, abuse, and exploitation. 

We are dedicated to protecting all children, young people and adults at risk participating in our programmes and activities, and our safeguarding commitment to them is built on the following principles: 

• That safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We      recognise our duty to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk      and we recognise that working in partnership with other organisations is      essential to this. 

• That the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is, and must always be, the paramount consideration in all the work of The Trust. 

• That all safeguarding concerns and allegations of      abuse must be taken seriously, reported, and responded to appropriately      including compliance with statutory safeguarding procedures and referral      to statutory agencies whenever required. 

We have a series of measures in place to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk participating in our programmes and activities. These include: 

• Recruitment and selection processes are used to assess the suitability of colleagues,      volunteers, and delivery partners to work safely with children, young people, and adults at risk.

• All relevant colleagues and volunteers are required to have current employment checks, such as DBS checks, in place during their work with The Trust. These checks will be at the necessary level, depending on their role. 

• The provision of a mandatory safeguarding induction to all members of colleagues and volunteers. 

• Mandatory safeguarding training for all colleagues and volunteers working within The Trust includes in-depth safeguarding training for colleagues and volunteers with additional safeguarding responsibilities. 

• A precise, accessible reporting mechanism that supports all colleagues,      volunteers, children, young people and adults at risk to report safeguarding concerns or allegations that is consistent with legislation and statutory guidance. 

• Guidance for all colleagues, volunteers, and other representatives of The Trust on the behaviour expected for any programme and activity with children, young people and adults at risk, whether online or face-to-face. 

The following organisational policies, procedures, and guidance support this Safeguarding Policy: 

• Safe Code of Behavior for Charlton Premier Skills Colleagues and Volunteers
• Code of Conduct  
• Safer Working: Disclosures and Handling Policy  
• Whistleblowing Policy  
• Data Protection Policy  
• Equality and Diversity Policy  
• Working with Young People Policy  

Join us for our upcoming events and help support our cause. From community festivals to fundraising events, we offer a variety of opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and make a difference in our community.

Your support helps us continue our work and expand our impact. You can donate online, by mail, or in person. Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference.

If you have any questions about our organization or want to learn more about how you can get involved, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are always happy to hear from members of our community.