Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement on Safeguarding - Protection of Children and Adults

The following statement was agreed by the Governors on: 23 May 2023

  • Ripon College Cuddesdon is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and ensuring their well-being.
  • We recognise we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm or abuse to children and adults with care and support needs in all their recognised forms.
  • We recognise the personal dignity and rights of adults and children and will ensure all our policies and procedures will reflect this.
  • We believe all adults should enjoy and have access to every aspect of the life of Ripon College Cuddesdon.
  • We undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with children and vulnerable adults.
  • We believe every child should be valued, safe and happy.  We want to make sure that children we have contact with know this and are empowered to tell us if they are experiencing harm.

We are committed to:

  • Following the Church of England statutory and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that as a College all staff will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.
  • Implementing, as far as is practicable and reasonable, the requirements of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and referring concerns about adults with care and support needs to the local authority under the Care Act 2014.
  • Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake this work.
  • Ensuring that we keep up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.
  • Ensuring that everyone agrees to abide by these recommendations and the guidelines established by the College.
  • Supporting all in the College affected by abuse.

We recognise:

  • Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.  Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
  • Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted within 24 hours.
  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

We will review this statement and our policy annually.

Safeguarding Lead                             Revd Dr Sarah Brush

Deputy Safeguarding Lead:                Rt Revd Humphrey Southern

Safeguarding Governor:                     Judith Knight

If you have any concerns for a child or adult then speak to one of the following who have been approved as safeguarding co-ordinators for the College.

Safeguarding Co-ordinations

Cuddesdon based pathways:             Dr Oliver Keenan, Room 4 Gore, Extn 482, Telephone:  07769 341788

Gloucester and Hereford:                   Revd Dr Sarah Brush Telephone: 01452 874969, [email protected]

CMS Pioneer Pathway:                      Helen Brook, Telephone: 01865 787496

Portsmouth Pathway:                         Revd Richard Wyld, Telephone: 07971 876699

Deputy for all pathways:                     Rt Revd Humphrey Southern, Room 2, College House, Extn 401, Telephone: 01865 877401 or 874902 (home)

A copy of the College’s policy can be obtained from the Principal and is available within each of the College’s centres. 

Signed by the Chair of Governors and the Principal

 

Signed:            Mr Philip Gee                                                  Rt Revd Humphrey Southern

                        Acting Chair of Governors                              Principal

           

Date: September 2023 (incorporating personnel updates for Academic Year 2023-2024)