Safeguarding Policy

For all Aveea after-school sessions and programmes

Last updated: May 2025

1. Our Commitment

Safeguarding children is the foundation of everything we do at Aveea.

We are committed to providing a safe, respectful environment where all young people are protected from harm, abuse, or neglect - whether they’re with us in a school, university, museum, or on a field trip.

2. Who This Policy Applies To

  • All Aveea staff (including freelancers, facilitators, volunteers, session leaders)

  • All Aveea programmes, regardless of location

  • All students and children who engage with Aveea sessions

3. Safeguarding Structure

  • First point of contact: The Aveea Lead delivering the session - all are safeguarding trained

  • If escalation is needed: Aveea Lead contacts our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at HQ

  • If on school/university premises: We will also inform the host organisation’s DSL, unless their safeguarding policy supersedes ours

4. What We Do if a Child Discloses or is at Risk

If a child discloses abuse or a staff member has concerns:

  1. The Aveea team member listens without judgement

  2. The child is reassured - never blamed

  3. A safeguarding concern form is completed immediately

  4. The incident is passed to the Aveea HQ DSL and the host venue’s DSL (if applicable)

  5. Urgent cases may be reported directly to Social Care or the police

5. Types of Abuse We Watch For

Our staff are trained to recognise:

  • Emotional abuse

  • Physical abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect

  • Exploitation or inappropriate adult attention

  • Peer-on-peer abuse

6. Record Keeping & GDPR

All safeguarding records are:

  • Kept secure and confidential

  • Logged using standardised forms

  • Stored in line with our Data Protection Policy and UK GDPR

  • Reviewed periodically as part of our safeguarding audit cycle

7. Allegations Against Staff

If a child, parent or school raises a concern about Aveea staff:

  • The allegation is logged immediately

  • Our HQ DSL informs the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

  • OFSTED is notified if required

  • Suspension may occur depending on LADO advice

  • A full investigation is carried out

  • We may refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) where appropriate

8. Training & Recruitment

We ensure that:

  • All staff are safeguarding trained and DBS-checked

  • Safe recruitment practices are used at every level

  • Every team member receives this policy and training on how to follow it

  • Our procedures align with:

    • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)

    • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)

    • What To Do If You’re Worried a Child Is Being Abused (2015)

9. Use of Photography

  • We may take photographs/videos during sessions to showcase learning

  • All media is vetted internally before sharing

  • If parents opt out in advance, no images of their child will be used

10. Safeguarding Misuse & Parent Conduct

  • Aveea reserves the right to reject or investigate any safeguarding allegation that appears to be false, malicious, or made in bad faith

  • We may bar any parent or carer from our sessions if their conduct is abusive, threatening, or unsafe

11. Annual Policy Review

This policy is reviewed every year by Aveea’s leadership, with updates made in response to:

  • Legislative changes

  • Feedback from schools, partners or families

  • Safeguarding incidents or investigations

📩 Report a Concern

To report a safeguarding issue involving an Aveea session:

📧 HR@aveea.org

📍 Or speak to the Aveea Lead at your child’s session

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