Safeguarding Policy including Child Protection

1. Introduction

Sable Guardians is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people (referred to as “children” throughout; defined as under 18). We believe that:

• the welfare of children is paramount;
• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from harm; and
• working in partnership with children, parents, schools/colleges, host families and agencies is essential to promote children’s welfare.

We will create a culture of vigilance in which concerns are identified early and responded to promptly, in line with UK legislation, statutory guidance and AEGIS Quality Standards. All staff, contractors and host families share this commitment.

Every child and young person deserves to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse – physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect. Safeguarding applies equally to all children, regardless of gender identity, background, or circumstance.

Children may seek help from a range of adults, including Sable Guardians staff, school or college staff, boarding house staff, chaplains, medical professionals, counsellors, or independent listeners. The contact details for the DSL are provided to each school or college safeguarding officer.

Safeguarding issues should be addressed through the curriculum, personal, social, and health education, and tutorial systems, as well as within boarding houses. Pastoral care and school policies should ensure all children have strategies and contacts for self-protection.

It is continuously updated and accessible on the Sable Guardians website, with hard and electronic copies available to parents, students, and hosts.

2. Scope

3. Aims

Sable Guardians aims to promote the physical and mental health and emotional well-being of all young people in their care; to protect them from harm and neglect; and to keep them safe from maltreatment.

• Ensure children/students feel valued, secure, and able to speak openly
• Ensure children/students know there are approachable adults at school or college
• Take children/students’ wishes and feelings into account when determining actions and services

4. Procedures

Sable Guardians will:

• Maintain a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and at least one Deputy DSL, all appropriately trained
• Ensure all staff and host families are aware of signs of abuse, the need for early help, and their roles in supporting safeguarding
• Promote awareness of specific issues: peer-on-peer abuse, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), Children Missing Education (CME), Radicalisation (Prevent), sexual violence and harassment
• Clearly communicate the duty to report concerns to the DSL and, if necessary, escalate concerns directly to Children’s Social Care Services
• Regularly review and update safeguarding procedures

Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

• maintains safeguarding oversight across the organisation; ensures policies, training, safer recruitment and record-keeping meet legal/AEGIS requirements;
• acts as single point of contact for safeguarding and Prevent concerns; liaises with schools/colleges, LSCP/MASH, LADO and police as appropriate;
• ensures 24/7 on-call arrangements and that out-of-hours staff can access advice.

Deputy DSL(s)

• trained to the same level as DSL; covers when DSL unavailable.

All staff and host families:

• are responsible for reading the policy and knowing how to report concerns;
• complete induction and regular refresher training;
• complete screening, interview, accommodation inspection, ID verification, enhanced DBS check for those over 16, and reference checks before appointment
• observe and report changes in behaviour or disclosures of difficulty from children

Reporting Concerns: A Quick Reference Checklist If a child is at immediate risk of significant harm call 999.

5. Types of Child Abuse and Safeguarding Issues

We adopt the categories of abuse set out in statutory guidance:

• Physical Abuse
• Neglect
• Emotional Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

We also recognise specific safeguarding issues including (but not limited to): child-on-child abuse (peer-on-peer), sexual violence and harassment, online harms, child criminal/sexual exploitation (CCE/CSE), county lines, serious violence, self-harm and mental health concerns impacting safety, domestic abuse, FGM, forced marriage, honour-based abuse, radicalisation, and children missing education.

Abuse can affect any child or young person. Safeguarding applies equally to all, regardless of gender identity or background. All staff and hosts must avoid assumptions about victims or perpetrators and use inclusive language at all times.

Abuse can be perpetrated by anyone and experienced by any individual – safeguarding measures must support all children equally.

Statement of Inclusion: Sable Guardians affirms that safeguarding applies equally to all children and young people, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, ability, or background.

6. Training

• All staff receive safeguarding and child protection training at induction and refresher courses at least annually, in line with most recent statutory guidance
• All staff read and confirm understanding of current “Keeping Children Safe in Education” (2025)
• Training includes recognising and reporting abuse, safe working practice, and specific safeguarding issues
• DSL and Deputy DSL undertake additional training, updated every two years
• All Sable Guardians staff complete Prevent Awareness training annually.

7. Communication with Parents

• Discuss concerns with parents unless this would increase risk or impede a criminal investigation
• Use translators if necessary
• Ensure parents understand safeguarding responsibilities and partnership with other agencies

8. Safer Recruitment

9. Whistleblowing

We have a whistleblowing policy that protects staff, host families and contractors who raise genuine concerns about poor practice or wrongdoing. Concerns can be raised with the DSL, Managing Director or external prescribed bodies such as the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline. Staff are encouraged to raise concerns about safeguarding or the conduct of colleagues.

10. Code of Conduct & Professional Boundaries

We maintain a Code of Conduct that covers: appropriate communication and contact (including online), transport, gifts and hospitality, social media, photography/video, one-to-one situations, home visits, and managing conflicts of interest. Breaches may constitute a safeguarding concern.

11. Low-level Concerns, Allegations & LADO

Low-level concerns:

We encourage early reporting of any conduct that does not meet expectations. The DSL maintains a confidential record and takes proportionate action.

Allegations that may meet the harm threshold:

Any allegation that an adult who works with children has: behaved in a way that has harmed a child or may have harmed a child; possibly committed a criminal offence against/related to a child; behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children; or behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children (including behaviour outside work) must be reported immediately to the DSL and referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 1 working day. We will follow LADO advice, including on suspension and information sharing.

We will support staff facing allegations and follow statutory procedures as detailed in the latest guidance. We will inform parents if their child is involved in an allegation, as appropriate.

12. Induction, Training and Culture

13. Information Sharing, Confidentiality & Record Keeping

We share information in line with UK GDPR and statutory guidance where it is necessary to safeguard a child. Safeguarding concerns override confidentiality where a child is at risk of harm.

Records are factual, timely and secure; stored in our safeguarding system; and retained/disposed of in line with our retention schedule. We will transfer relevant records securely when a student moves school/guardian.

14. Managing Risk

We risk assess all travel arrangements; use vetted drivers (DBS, licence/insurance checks) and reputable companies; and require seat belt use at all times. Lone car travel with a single adult and a child should be avoided where possible and risk assessed if unavoidable.

We manage risks relating to devices, social media, image sharing, livestreaming, online bullying, and online grooming.

15. Accessing the Policy and Updates

• The most current version of this policy is always available on the Sable Guardians website
• Staff, parents, and students can request a copy from safeguarding@sableinternational.com
• All statutory guidance references are updated annually (next review: August 2026)
• Contact details and links are checked regularly for accuracy