The Legal definition of a child is a person under the age of 18 as outlined in the Children’s Act 1989. Study Links accommodates students of a range of ages and is AEGIS accredited and matches the requirements of the British Council for being a service provider and placement organiser to international students of all ages studying in the UK.

Policy Statement

At Study Links, we recognise our duty of care towards our students who are living away from their normal residents and without their usual support network.

The Study Links safeguarding policy represents our belief that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and it is the responsibility of all adults in contact with young people to safeguard their welfare.

All Study Links employees will undergo safeguarding Training Level 1, Child safe Training and all members of staff and management hold enhanced DBS checks and have been and are regularly involved in British council and AEGIS inspections.  Study Links has a Lead Safeguarding Officer / Child Protection Coordinator, and a Deputy Safeguarding Officer who have been trained to Safeguarding Level 3.

Terminology

• Safeguarding: Protecting children from that which isn’t in their best interests and caring for them appropriately.
• Child Protection: Protecting children from abuse.
• Abuse: all forms of physical and /or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.
• All employees and others working with Study Links: Refers to all adults who are working with the children including group leaders and homestay hosts.
• Child Protection Co-ordinator: Member of staff with overall responsibility for child protection and safeguarding issues.

Under 18’s Entitlement

At study Links, we acknowledge that the welfare of the child is paramount and that regardless of gender, age, disability, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity have equal protection from all harm and abuse.

Employees Responsibilities

At study Links all employees abide by this policy which involves directly employed staff, Study Links Student Support Representatives, Study Links Academic Consultants, homestay hosts, and volunteers or interns.  All employees as listed are expected to read the policy and procedures set out and abide by them.

Recruitment Policy

This policy is provided for two main reasons. Firstly, to provide protection for the under 18’s who use the Study Links services. Secondly, to provide guidance for employees of Study Links on procedures that should be taken if they suspect a child or young person may be either subject to or at risk of harm.

At Study Links, we work closely with partner schools and homestay hosts to ensure this guideline is considered and matches. This is including but not limited to the following in regards to students under 18:

• Showing under 18’s with respect, listening to their concerns and valuing them.
• Child protection guidelines are adopted for employees by using their suggested procedures and code of conduct.
• When recruiting staff and homestay providers ensuring all required checks are made.
• Ensuring when information is shared about child protection that it is done so with good practice for under 18’s, their parents and all adults.
• Ensuring concerns are appropriately shared with relevant agencies and including their parents and under 18’s suitably.
• Making sure appropriate recruitment policies, supervision, support and training is in place to allow for effective management for all employees.

Policy Review

At Study Links, we ensure that this policy is communicated effectively and understood by all. We also ensure that sufficient resources are available to implement this.

Roles and Responsibilities

In order to successfully implement this policy certain responsibilities are required as set out below:

• Students under 18 are responsible for gaining an understanding of the policy. They are also responsible for being supportive of fellow students and raising any concerns with adults if required.
• Employees are responsible for a strong understanding of the policy and taking on a proactive approach to its requirements.
• At Study Links there is a Child Protection Co-ordinator whose role it is to oversee the standards and practices that are set out across the group.

Code of Professional Conduct

At Study Links all employees must adhere to the policies involving the standards and behaviours as set out in this document. We ensure that a caring environment is implemented through set procedures and recruitment and training activities being in place.

At Study Links we expect all employees and others working with Study Links to be a role model to all students within their care to create a caring, safe and secure environment for all.

Interactions

• Establish, maintain and develop business relationships based on confidence, trust and respect.
• Be mindful of their responsibilities as professional people towards the wider community.
• Exhibit and defend professional and personal integrity and honesty at all times.
• Maintain professional physical and relationship boundaries and appropriately to your duty of care.
• Other than in exceptional circumstances, do not communicate via email, text or social media and only then prior consent from the child’s parent or guardian must be obtained.
• Safeguard all confidential, commercially sensitive and personal data as a result of the business relationship.
• Avoid situations where you may be on your own with an student as far as possible.
• Ensure you challenge other people if you suspect unlawful or unethical conduct or behaviour.

Appropriate appearance

It is important that all employees and others working with Study Links should:

• Dress appropriately to their role
• Promote a positive and professional image
• Dress in a way that is not likely to be viewed as offensive, revealing or sexually provocative
• Dress in a way that is not considered to be discriminatory.

Alcohol, drugs and smoking

It is important that all employees and others working with Study Links should:

• Not consume or allow student under 18 to consume any alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or intoxicating substances.
• Not provide alcohol, drugs, cigarettes or intoxicating substances to students under 18.

IT and social networks

It is important that all employees and others working with Study Links should:

• Not share any personal social media details with any students.
• Not take any images or videos of and under 18 students on your personal recording equipment.

Accommodation

• Abide by the accommodation rules and guidelines.
• Do not enter private areas without first gaining the students permission, or in the case of needing to search property without informing them first and doing so in their presence preferably with another employee present.

Transport

• Abide by the specific guidelines of your local centre.
• All transport providers, whether staff or contractors to have appropriate suitability checks.

Child Protection

Study Links understands the importance of protecting children from physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. Study Links is committed to protecting all children by:

• Creating policies and procedures to comply with all regulatory requirements and guidelines
• Reviewing policies and procedures on an annual basis.
• Training staff to an appropriate level of awareness regarding the safeguarding of children.
• Making all policies and procedures available to all employees and students.

Records

• Concerns of a serious nature communicated to the Child Protection Co-ordinator will be responded to on the same day.
• Access to any safeguarding records are only available to the Child Protection Co-ordinator and any official outside agent as appropriate.
• Details of allegations must always stay on a person’s confidential file including a summary of the allegation, how the allegation was followed up and resolves and a note of any action taken and decisions reached.

Recruitment

Applicants are informed that:

• References will be followed up.
• Proof of identity and qualifications will be required.
• Reference requests will ask specifically whether there is any reason that they should not be engaged in situations whether they have responsibility for, or substantial access to, persons under 18.
• Appropriate suitability checks will be required prior to confirmation of appointment.

Criminal Record

Applicants that have a criminal record will be judged by the Child Protection Co-ordinator and will consider the seriousness and nature of the offence as well as the nature of the appointment, the age of offence and the frequency of the offence. The disclosure will be discussed with the prospective employee and any decisions made must be in writing and signed by the recruiter and the Child Protection Co-ordinator.