Safeguarding Policy

This policy exists specifically to support the University of South Wales in fulfilling its obligations relating to the Safeguarding of Children and Adults at Risk as outlined in the All Wales Safeguarding Procedures. Safeguarding means preventing and protecting children and Adults at Risk from abuse or neglect and educating those around them to recognise the signs and dangers whether the encounter is through teaching, research, outreach or other University-led activities, whether on or off campus.

A Child is an individual under the age of 18 years.
An Adult at Risk describes anyone over 18 years of age who is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect and has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs) and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

The University of South Wales (USW) is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all members of the USW community, including students, colleagues, volunteers and visitors and we will not tolerate abuse of any kind against anyone.

This Policy and its associated guidance documents, sets out USW’s responsibilities, processes and procedures related to safeguarding. USW is committed to increasing awareness of safeguarding issues relating to Children and Adults at Risk, promoting good practice, and assisting the USW community to make informed and confident responses.

All colleagues, students and volunteers who work with Children or Adults at Risk must familiarise themselves with the procedures prior to engaging in any regulated activity. (what is Regulated Activity)

The University of South Wales Well-being Strategy is a complementary document to this
Safeguarding Policy which acknowledges the use of the term Safeguarding in a broader interpretation, denoting measures to protect the health, well-being and human rights of individuals. USW colleagues can view a copy of the Well-being Strategy on Connect.

It is important to note that there is no wrong door to raising concerns, and individuals have several routes that they can take to raise concerns. Any concerns relating to abuse (including sexual misconduct and violence) which do not fall within the definition of safeguarding set out in this policy, should still be reported so that appropriate action, including the provision of support, can be taken. Individuals will be able to raise concerns (or respond) in the Welsh language. Full information is available here (How do I raise a concern?).

Where settings or organisations are already registered, regulated and inspected they should meet their statutory requirements and follow existing safeguarding arrangements.

• This policy applies to the following individuals whether on USW campus or elsewhere undertaking University-led activities and covers our interaction with Children and Adults at Risk who are participating in University related activities including our core activities of teaching and research, or for example, are taking part in university led-sports, holiday schemes, volunteering projects, outreach and widening participation (Working together to safeguard people: code of safeguarding practice):
• Children (under the age of 18) and Adults at Risk who are registered students or who are applying to become students at USW
• Parents and guardians of applicants and students under 18 years of age
• Any member of the USW Community, including all colleagues, workers, students, research participants, volunteers and visitors including those colleagues that may be under 18 or an Adult at Risk

In the event that the university-led activity is hosted by another organization within its own facilities, the host organization’s Safeguarding Policy and related procedures will normally take precedence. However, members of the University engaging in those programs must also take note of, and act in accordance with the University’s Safeguarding Policy to the extent that this is possible in the circumstances.

We all have a duty to ensure that we treat everyone with care. We should therefore report (link) any concerns that we may have that Children or Adults at Risk are being abused or mistreated and that Children and Adults at Risk who engage with our colleagues, students, and volunteers in the course of our work and university led activities, do so in a safe and supportive environment.

Individual members of the University community must:

• Ensure that Children and Adults at Risk are treated with respect and supported whenever they engage in university led activity
• Ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities to safeguard Children and Adults at Risk whether they are acting as a paid university colleague or supporting university led activity in an unpaid capacity as a volunteer
• Ensure that they are aware how to report a safeguarding concern.

How do I know if something might be a safeguarding concern/issue?

Who might be at risk of abuse or neglect, and who might work with them?

Information about other specific safeguarding roles and responsibilities at USW can be found using the following links:

• What is the role of the Safeguarding Steering Group (SSG) and who is on it?
• Who is the Lead Safeguarding Officer and what are they responsible for?
• Who are the Principal Safeguarding Officers and what are they responsible for?
• What do the Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSO) and Deputy Safeguarding Officers (DDSO) do?
• Is there a specific safeguarding role for research activities?
• What responsibilities do Academic Faculties and Professional Services Departments have in relation to safeguarding?
• I don’t hold a specific safeguarding role. Do I have responsibilities for safeguarding?

It is extremely important that any safeguarding concerns are reported promptly so that appropriate action can be taken.

There are several routes to raise safeguarding concerns.

1. Directly with the Faculty, Department or University Safeguarding Officers.
2. With your Faculty, Department or University Prevent leads. USW colleagues can view a list of Prevent leads on Connect.
3. If you are concerned about the welfare or safety of a colleague, you should let their line manager or HR know, or raise it via the Report & Support system.
4. If you are concerned about the welfare or safety of a student, you should let their Lead Tutor know, or raise it via the Report & Support system.

A student or colleague could become an Adult at Risk at any time. You may notice a change in appearance or behaviour, attendance or performance. Whilst these do not necessarily indicate abuse or neglect, they may indicate a cause for concern.

You can use the following links to access specific information to help you determine what action you need to take:

When might something be considered a safeguarding allegation?

What do I do if someone tells me something that might be a safeguarding issue?

How do I report a safeguarding concern and what information do I need?

What happens if the disclosure is related to historic/non-recent allegations of abuse?

What happens if sharing information may breach confidentiality or GDPR?

What if I have safeguarding concerns about a colleague but I am worried about raising them?

What happens if there are allegations against or suspected abuse by a member of the University?

What if I am concerned about someone being abused who is not a part of the University community?

What happens if there are allegations of abuse by an individual from an external organisation using USW facilities?

Safeguarding concerns are serious in nature, and it can be a cause of worry for members of the University community who are working with “at risk” individuals or groups.

We recognise that young people can be at risk of being drawn into extremist ideologies which can lead to a risk of radicalisation. In the context of the University Safeguarding Policy, the risk of being drawn into extremist ideologies and radicalisation is considered to be a significant safeguarding concern which is of equal weight alongside other forms of abuse and mistreatment of Children and Adults at Risk. A safeguarding concern of this nature would also fall within the scope of PREVENT.

Guidance is available to help you ensure that you are able to work in a safe way with Children and/or Adults at Risk. Please use the following link to access the guidance:

Working together to Safeguard People

Facilities and services for students at USW are designed with a predominantly adult user group in mind. Therefore, it is assumed that students under 18 are competent to make decisions regarding their personal data and their consent is required, in the same way as for adults, with regard to any matters of data protection.

In view of this, USW will not ordinarily share or discuss personal information of students under 18 with any third parties, including parents or guardians, unless the student has given written consent or it is an emergency or a serious safeguarding concern.

The Designated Safeguarding Officers will determine whether the safeguarding issue is considered serious and/or requiring urgent action, and whether the next of kin, parent/guardian and/or emergency contact should be contacted without consent.

To ensure consistency and legal and regulatory compliance, it will not be expected that Faculties or Professional Service departments develop local procedures that deviate from the central policy unless they can demonstrate a specific need to do so. Where a need is identified for a local procedure, this must be approved by the Principal Safeguarding Officer or Lead Safeguarding Officer and will be reported to the Safeguarding Steering Group.

What are the training requirements for people who hold a specific safeguarding role?

Any member of USW who will be planning activities with/for Children or Adults at Risk is required to undertake appropriate training as identified by the University.

Training is mandatory for those with identified safeguarding roles. Training for all categories of Safeguarding Officers is required and must be renewed every two years and as/when policies and procedures are changed substantially.

All relevant colleagues will have training covering safeguarding and are able to recognise and report any concerns immediately they arise to the appropriate person.

A record of all safeguarding training undertaken by colleagues will be maintained on iTrent.

The key aims that surround this policy are stated in safeguarding legislation, which include;

• The Data Protection Act 1998
• Human Rights Act 1998
• The Children Act 1989
• In Safe Hands (Welsh Government 2000)
• The Children Act 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2004
• All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008
• Safeguarding Children in Education (DIES 2004)
• Safeguarding Children: A Framework for HEIs (2007), Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Wales Interim Policy and Procedures for the protection of Vulnerable Adults (2013)
• Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014
• Female Genital Mutilation Act 2004
• Forced Marriage Act 2007
• Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.
• Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual violence (Wales) Act 2015
• Serious Crime Act 2015
• All Wales safeguarding procedures

The University has a clearly defined structure for safeguarding, which is governed by the Safeguarding Steering Group. The Steering Group is formed by key colleagues with designated safeguarding responsibilities.