Child Protection Policy Statement

LEAPS Child Protection Policy Statement

Purpose

LEAPS is a unique widening participation programme funded by its higher education institution partners and local council partners, to increase progression to higher education. We aim to encourage and advise students who are traditionally under-represented in higher education (at college or university). We currently work with state secondary schools throughout South East Scotland, supporting pupils who match LEAPS eligibility criteria. Our safeguarding and child protection procedures and policy statement have been produced to ensure that everyone involved in LEAPS is committed to keeping children safe.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

  • to protect children and young people who receive LEAPS services from harm.
  • to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of LEAPS, including senior managers and the Local Management Group, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

Scope

The scope of this policy covers all children under the age 18 and all adults (staff and volunteers) are expected to comply.

Legal Framework

The Scottish approach to child protection is based upon the protection of children’s rights. The Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) policy and practice model is a practical expression of the Scottish Government’s commitment to implementation of the United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This guidance supports this policy statement.

Policy statement

  • We believe everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them
  • We will give equal priority to keeping all children and young people safe regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
  • We recognise that some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of discrimination, previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues they face.

 

LEAPS will meet this commitment to keeping children safe by:

  • listening to children and respecting them
  • appointing a nominated child protection lead and who takes lead responsibility for safeguarding at the highest level in the organisation
  • writing detailed safeguarding and child protection procedures
  • making sure all staff and volunteers understand and follow the safeguarding and child protection procedures
  • ensuring children, young people and their families know about the organisation's safeguarding and child protection policies and what to do if they have a concern
  • building a safeguarding culture where staff, volunteers and children know how they are expected to behave and feel comfortable about sharing concerns.

 

Contact Details:

Child Protection Lead for LEAPS        

Helen Bly (Head of Business Operations)  hbly@ed.ac.uk

 

Deputy Child Protection Leads for LEAPS

Alice Smith alice.c.smith@ed.ac.uk

Alison Train alison.train@ed.ac.uk

 

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually. This policy was last reviewed on 26th June 2024.

 

Signed:

Helen Bly

Date: 26th June 2024

 

For more advice on child protection please contact:

NSPCC 0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk

Childline 0800 1111

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