Safeguarding

A key outcome of the Safeguarding Council’s business is the annual update to NCG’s Single Safeguarding Policy, which follows the relevant legislation and statutory guidance, notably the Education Act 2002, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) and Care Act 2014. The policy is adopted into local college procedures for operational clarity to college staff and students.

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) is statutory guidance from the Department for Education issued under Section 175 of the Education Act (2002), the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations (2014) and the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations (2015). Schools and colleges must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

KCSIE (2024, p7) defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as:

• Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge;
• Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online;
• Preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development; 
• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; 
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

The NCG Single Safeguarding Policy also includes the specific action required to safeguard adults at risk as defined in the Care Act (2014). The policy also covers the Group’s response to its statutory duty under the Prevent Duty Guidance and Counter-Extremism Strategy.