Child Safeguarding Policy – Circl Learning Limited

Introduction

Circl is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people we work with. We collaborate closely with partner schools to ensure the wellbeing of all participants in both our in-person and virtual programmes.

Our mission is to upskill and connect the current and future workforce while promoting social mobility, including but not limited to:

• Improving the interpersonal skills of socio-economically disadvantaged young people

• Expanding the professional networks of these young people

This document outlines Circl’s Child Safeguarding Policy, which ensures that:

• Excellent safeguarding practice is embedded across Circl

• All children engaging with Circl are treated with dignity and respect

• All staff, coaches, interns, advisors, trustees and stakeholders are confident in recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns

• Safeguarding incidents are consistently and properly recorded, managed and escalated

Policy Principles

The policy is based on the following principles:

• The welfare of children and young people is always paramount

• Families will be supported and their wellbeing promoted

• Children’s and families’ rights, wishes, and feelings will be respected and listened to

• All Circl stakeholders will act in the best interests of children and young people, and will follow this policy

• Equal opportunities and respect for all individuals will be upheld at all times

Definitions

Child Safeguarding

Defined as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment

• Preventing impairment of health or development

• Ensuring safe and effective care

• Enabling all children to achieve positive outcomes

Child vs Young Person

• A child is any person who has not yet reached the minimum school leaving age (typically 16 in England and Wales)

• A young person is someone aged between school leaving age and 18

• In this policy, "child" and "children" refer to both children and young people

Who this policy applies to

This policy applies to all Circl staff, coaches, interns, advisors, and trustees, as well as anyone involved in Circl-led activities or events. While individual contact levels with children may vary, everyone must be aware of safeguarding risks and know how to respond appropriately.

All relevant staff will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before commencing their role.

Access to this policy

This policy is available:

• On our website: www.circl.org

• By emailing the Safeguarding Officer: charlie@circl.org

Protecting our coaches

To ensure coaches are prepared to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns:

• All coaches receive this policy in advance of training as part of their pre-reading

• Safeguarding training is delivered during initial coach onboarding

• Coaches must sign a declaration confirming they understand and agree to this policy before participating in any programme

• Signed declarations are stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018

No coach may start a Circl programme until these steps are completed.

Escalation Procedure

Stage 1 – Identifying a concern

All stakeholders must be alert to safeguarding concerns. It is not their role to investigate, but to report and escalate.

Types of abuse may include (non-exhaustive):

• Physical abuse: Hitting, shaking, poisoning, etc.

• Emotional abuse: Persistent negativity, rejection, or emotional harm

• Sexual abuse: Involving children in sexual acts or exposing them to inappropriate materials

• Neglect: Failing to meet a child’s basic physical or emotional needs

• Online abuse: Exposure to harmful content, contact, or conduct online

Issues that require escalation may include:

• Lack of supervision or medical care

• Physical harm or sudden behavioural changes

• Any form of abuse

Stage 2 – Reporting a concern

If you become aware of a safeguarding issue, take these steps:

1. Complete the Safeguarding Concerns Form (Appendix 1) with factual detail only

2. Report the concern to the lead teacher or staff member at the school immediately

3. Notify Circl’s Safeguarding Officer:

• Call: 07775 676868

• Email: charlie@circl.org (include completed form)

If Charlie is unavailable:

• Contact Deputy Safeguarding Officer Rosa Cerron-Reine 

• Call: 07974023132

• Email: rosa@circl.org

Do not attempt to investigate the matter yourself.

If a child is in immediate danger, contact police or social services and notify Circl as soon as possible.

If the concern is unrelated to a Circl event, contact the lead teacher and/or call the NSPCC Helpline at 0808 800 5000.

Disclosures from Children: Coach guidance

If a child discloses abuse during a session:

• Listen calmly and allow the child to speak without interruption

• Do not express judgement or offer opinions

• Do not be alone with the child—encourage another adult’s presence

• Reassure the child that they've done the right thing by telling you

• Explain that you must report it to someone who can help

• Avoid physical contact

• Record the conversation as factually as possible using the child's own words

Stakeholder conduct

All stakeholders are expected to act professionally and respectfully. Safeguarding includes being a positive role model at all times.

Stakeholders must:

• Treat children equally and with dignity

• Disclose any relevant criminal or disciplinary history to Circl

• Maintain appropriate boundaries and uphold their position of trust

• Use respectful, inclusive language

• Report any behaviour that could be misconstrued

Stakeholders must not:

• Share personal contact details or social media profiles with children

• Meet or communicate with children outside programme sessions

• Be alone with a child in an unsupervised setting

• Invite children to their home or provide transport

• Make inappropriate physical or verbal contact

• Accept or solicit valuable gifts (low-value thank-you gifts are acceptable)

• Consume alcohol or tobacco in the presence of children or supply them with either

Reviewing the Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Child Safeguarding Officer or sooner if required. Updates will be made in response to legal, procedural, or programme changes.

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Safeguarding Concerns Form

Appendix 2 – Contact information

Appendix 3 – Confirmation form