Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Steer to Success Policy Statement 

1.1 Steer to Success is committed to supporting and empowering children and young people to reach their full potential through accessible and high-quality educational resources. 

1.2 The purpose of this policy (this “Policy”) is: 

• to protect children and young people who engage with Steer to Success from harm. This includes children of adults who use Steer to Success’s services; and 

• to provide staff, contributors and volunteers, as well as children, young people, and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding. 

1.3 This Policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Steer to Success, including but not limited to owners, managers, paid staff, contributors, sessional workers, agency staff, and volunteers. 

Legal Framework 

2.1 This policy is based on legislation, policy, and guidance relevant to safeguarding in both the UK and the UAE. For UK standards, a summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from the NSPCC (nspcc.org.uk/childprotection). In the UAE, this policy aligns with Federal Law No. 3 of 2016 on Child Rights (Wadeema’s Law) and other relevant local regulations. 

Supporting Documents 

3.1 This Policy statement should be read alongside Steer to Success’s other organisational policies, procedures, and guidance, including but not limited to: 

• recording concerns and information sharing 

• safeguarding records retention and storage 

• code of conduct for staff and volunteers 

• behaviour codes for children and young people 

• photography and sharing images guidance 

• safer recruitment practices 

• online safety protocols 

• anti-bullying policies 

• managing complaints 

• induction, training, supervision, and support 

• Steer to Success believes that: 

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind; and 

• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, keep them safe, and practise in a way that protects them. 

Steer to Success recognises that: 

• the welfare of children is paramount in all our work and decisions; 

• partnership work with children, young people, their parents, carers, and relevant agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare; 

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse; 

• some children are more vulnerable due to previous experiences, levels of dependency, communication needs, or other factors; and 

• additional safeguards may be required to ensure the safety of children who are particularly vulnerable. 

Steer to Success will seek to keep children and young people safe by: 

• valuing, listening to, and respecting them; 

• adopting safeguarding best practices through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for staff and volunteers; 

• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures; 

• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures, ensuring all personnel are familiar with and follow our policies, procedures, and behaviour codes with confidence and competence; 

• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks (including enhanced background checks and references) are conducted; 

• recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance applicable in both the UK and the UAE; 

• ensuring that children, young people, and their families know how and where to seek help if they have a concern; 

• using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies that need to know and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately; 

• managing any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately through clear procedures; 

• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and implementing policies and procedures to deal with any bullying that may arise; 

• ensuring we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place. 

• providing a safe digital environment for children, young people, staff, and volunteers, by applying measures in accordance with the relevant laws and regulatory guidance; and 

• building a safeguarding culture where staff, volunteers, children, young people, and their families treat each other with respect and are encouraged to share concerns comfortably. 

Social Media Communication and Responsibility 

Please be aware that while Steer to Success maintains a presence on various social media platforms, these channels are primarily used for general communication, updates, and engagement with our community. We do not consistently monitor direct messages, comments, or posts on social media for safeguarding concerns or other critical issues. 

If you have an urgent or sensitive matter, especially related to safeguarding, do not rely on social media to contact us. Instead, please use our official communication channels: 

• Website Contact Form 
• Email: hello@steertosuccess.co.uk 
   

Steer to Success does not accept any liability for delays or failures in responding to safeguarding concerns or other important issues communicated through social media. We strongly encourage all users to use the appropriate channels listed above for any serious inquiries or concerns to ensure a timely and appropriate response. 

Scope and Limitations of Safeguarding Efforts 

While Steer to Success is dedicated to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of all children and young people who engage with our services, it is important to acknowledge the scope and limitations of our safeguarding efforts. 

Scope of Safeguarding: 

• Communication Boundaries: Our ability to safeguard is limited to the interactions and communications we have directly with students and their families. We rely on the accuracy of the information provided to us and the willingness of individuals to communicate openly and promptly about any concerns. 
• External Collaboration: In situations where safeguarding concerns are raised, we collaborate with external entities such as schools and parents, but our role is advisory and supportive. We do not have the authority to intervene beyond these boundaries. 

Limitations: 

• Indirect Communication: We do not have direct oversight or control over students’ environments outside of our educational services. Safeguarding efforts are contingent upon the cooperation of students, parents, and schools. 
• Geographical and Jurisdictional Constraints: As our services span multiple regions, including the UK and UAE, our safeguarding practices must comply with the respective legal frameworks, which may differ. This may impact how quickly and effectively we can act on certain concerns. 
• Digital Limitations: While we implement robust online safety measures, we cannot fully monitor all digital interactions that occur outside of our platforms. We advise parents and guardians to maintain active supervision of their children’s online activities. 
• Non-Monitoring of Social Media: As previously stated, our social media channels are not monitored for safeguarding issues. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that serious concerns are communicated through the appropriate, monitored channels. 

Steer to Success strives to create a safe and supportive environment for all users, but it is crucial to recognise these limitations. By understanding the scope of our capabilities, users can more effectively collaborate with us to ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people. 

Privacy Policy and Safeguarding 

• Refer to our Privacy Policy for detailed information on how we handle and store data related to safeguarding concerns. We are committed to ensuring that all information is processed in compliance with data protection laws. 

Helplines and Support Agencies 

• For those struggling with safeguarding issues, the following support is available: 
• UK: NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000), Childline (0800 1111). 
• UAE: Emirates Child Protection Centre (800 988), Dubai Foundation for Women and Children (800 111). 

Responding to Safeguarding Concerns 

• At the point of registration, students are asked to share their school and a parental contact email. Depending on the nature of the concern or disclosure, we may contact the school’s designated safeguarding officer (DSO) or the parental contact. 
• When safeguarding concerns arise, we follow a clear procedure to ensure the matter is handled appropriately and in the best interest of the child or young person involved. 

For any safeguarding concerns, please contact Steer to Success at hello@steertosuccess.co.uk.