• Purpose and aim

      AVADO Learning is dedicated to making education available for everyone and supporting enterprising professionals in their careers. The College has a responsibility and commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of AVADO Learning students.

      The purpose of this policy is to:

      • protect and safeguard students who receive AVADO Learning services
      • provide staff with the principles and guidance to safeguard students

      We recognise that:

      • all students, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
      • some students may be additionally vulnerable due to the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communications needs or other issues

      Links to relevant guidance

      This policy has been created on the basis of law and relevant guidance that seeks to protect and safeguard students:

      • Children Act 1989
      • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
      • Data Protection Act 1998
      • Children Act 2004
      • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
      • Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015
      • Keeping children safe in education 2015
      • Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children

      Listed below are other relevant organisational policies also available on the Virtual Learning Campus:

      • House Rules
      • Equality
      • Access Arrangements and Special Considerations

      Responsibilities and expectations

      This policy applies to all staff, including paid and volunteer staff and senior managers, and all students who receive AVADO Learning services. The policy covers all aspects of the study programme until the end of the student’s tuition period.

      It is the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Officer to ensure that AVADO Learning develops and implements an effective safeguarding policy and procedures. It is also the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Officer to ensure that any safeguarding issues raised by students are responded to promptly and effectively, recorded and referred to the appropriate agency where necessary.

      The Designated Safeguarding Officer will be:

      Keith Harvey
      Head of Student Services & Compliance Operations
      Keith.Harvey@avadolearning.com

      We will seek to keep students safe by:

      • valuing, listening to and respecting all students
      • developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures
      • providing effective management for staff & volunteers through supervision, support and training
      • adopting child protection practices through relevant procedures*
      • sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers*
      • sharing information with the appropriate agencies and involving the appropriate parties when relevant
      • promoting a safe and collaborative online culture free from bullying, harassment and discrimination
      • promoting and raising awareness of online safety

      *In the event that an AVADO Learning student is under 18.

      Tackling extremism and radicalisation

      AVADO Learning is dedicated to providing a framework for identifying and dealing with issues relating to vulnerability of students, radicalisation and exposure to extremism.

      Radicalisation is defined as the act or process of making a person more radical or the favouring of extreme or fundamental changes in political, economic or social conditions, institutions or habits of the mind. Extremism is defined as the holding of extreme political or religious views.

      The College will endeavour to:

      • raise awareness of radicalisation and extremism to help students understand and handle the risks involved
      • ensure all student support staff have an understanding of radicalisation and extremism and are familiar with the policy and referral procedures
      • create an environment in which students and staff feel safe and are able to share their concerns freely

      For additional information or guidance, please contact any of the following:

      • Student Services
      • Your Learning Community Coordinator
      • Your Head of Learning
      • The Head of Learning Operations

      We are committed to reviewing our safeguarding policy and procedures annually.

      This policy was reviewed on: May 2017

      By: Keith Harvey