Watney College is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, staff and visitors, and to fulfilling its statutory Prevent Duty under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015.
The College recognises its responsibility to create and maintain a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, particularly for vulnerable adults and young learners.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility · The welfare of the learner is paramount · All individuals have the right to feel safe and be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm · Concerns will be acted upon promptly and effectively · All concerns will be handled in line with GDPR and confidentiality guidelines.
Physical · Emotional or psychological · Sexual · Neglect and acts of omission · Financial or material · Discriminatory · Radicalisation and extremism (Prevent Duty)
Email: info@watneycollege.co.uk · Phone: 02080046463
Responsible for leading safeguarding practice, coordinating responses and reporting to external agencies as needed. Deputy DSLs may be appointed for operational coverage.
Enhanced DBS checks for all staff in regulated activities · Reference checks and ID verification · Safeguarding training as part of staff induction.
Watney College complies with the Prevent Duty (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015). The College promotes British values, identifies learners at risk of radicalisation, and refers concerns to the Channel programme where necessary.
The College promotes safe and responsible use of technology. Misuse of ICT systems, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content are addressed through digital literacy sessions, acceptable use policies and IT monitoring.
Access to pastoral support through the Student Support Team · Counselling referrals where needed · Safeguarding signposting displayed across the campus and WCSMS (VLE).
All staff undergo annual safeguarding refresher training, Prevent training, and induction on safeguarding procedures. Training records are maintained securely by HR.
This policy is reviewed annually or in response to legislative changes. The DSL is responsible for initiating reviews and ensuring compliance.
| Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) | Lead safeguarding practice, coordinate responses, report to external agencies |
| Deputy DSL(s) | Operational coverage where required |
| All staff and volunteers | Report concerns immediately, complete annual training |
| Board of Directors | Strategic oversight and ultimate accountability for safeguarding arrangements |
| Local safeguarding boards / social services | External referral where appropriate |
| Emergency services (999) | Immediate risk to life — contact before informing DSL |
Last reviewed: 5 November 2025 · Version: 1.2 · Next review: November 2026
Download the full Safeguarding and Prevent Policy (PDF)
