Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults
1. Our Commitment
JL Academy acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Although our primary business is training professionals, our staff (including associate trainers) frequently visit regulated environments such as schools, hospitals, and care homes.
We are committed to ensuring our practices reflect statutory responsibilities, government guidance, and best practice, including compliance with the Care Act 2014 and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
2. Scope of Policy
This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers, the board of directors, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, students, and associate trainers acting on behalf of JL Academy.
Key Definitions
- Safeguarding: Protecting the health, wellbeing, and human rights of individuals, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect.
- Vulnerable Adult: A person aged 18 or over who is in need of care and support services and is unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.
3. Safe Recruitment & Staff Conduct
We ensure that all staff representing JL Academy are suitable to work within vulnerable sectors.
DBS Checks
All trainers and staff visiting client sites must hold a current Enhanced DBS Check. JL Academy maintains a central register of these checks.
References
We obtain at least two written references for all new staff and associates, explicitly verifying their suitability to work with vulnerable groups.
Code of Conduct
Staff must maintain professional boundaries at all times. They must not engage in any behaviour that could be misinterpreted or pose a risk to service users.
4. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
If a JL Academy trainer witnesses abuse, neglect, or poor practice while delivering training at a client's site, they have a duty to report it.
Immediate Action Required:
- Do not ignore it. Prioritise the safety of the individual.
- Report to the Client: Immediately inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Registered Manager at the client's organisation (unless they are implicated).
- Report to JL Academy: Inform the JL Academy DSL immediately so the incident can be logged.
- External Escalation: If the client fails to act, or if there is immediate danger, JL Academy will report the concern directly to the Local Authority, CQC, or Police (see our Whistleblowing Policy).