Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose

Safeguarding is the process of protecting children (under 18s) and vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their physical and mental health and development, and ensuring they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables them to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully. Ikigai Camps is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults, irrespective of race, gender, or ability, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We believe that every child has a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that may result in physical or psychological harm.

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2. Aims & Objectives

Our aims and objectives are to:

• Support the child's development in ways that foster security and confidence.

• Provide an environment in which children and vulnerable adults feel safe, secure, valued, and respected, so they may approach adults if they are in difficulties, believing they will be effectively listened to.

• Safeguard the welfare of students through positive measures.

• Raise the awareness of all teaching and non-teaching staff regarding the need for safeguarding and their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse.

• Provide a systematic means of monitoring children and young adults thought to be at risk and to ensure that we contribute to assessments of need and support packages for those in need.

• Emphasize the need for good levels of communication among all staff members.

• Develop a structured procedure within the organization which will be followed by all staff members in case of suspected abuse.

• Develop and promote effective working relationships with other agencies where required, especially the Child Protection/Safeguarding Partners.

• Ensure that all staff working within our organization and having access to children and young adults have been checked for suitability, including verification of their identity, qualifications, and undertaking an Enhanced DBS check/Criminal Record Check (from relevant authority).

• Ensure that a Single Central Register of staff is maintained.

• Ensure that any weaknesses identified in child protection and safeguarding are addressed promptly.

• Undertake an annual review with all relevant stakeholders.

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3. Procedures

Safe Environment and Staff

• All staff understand and fulfill their responsibilities.

• There are designated persons responsible for safeguarding (Designated Safeguarding Lead) who have undertaken Specialist Safeguarding training.

• The DSLs will be supported by an appropriate number of Designated Safeguarding Officers, who will receive Advanced Safeguarding training.

• All members of staff are provided with child protection awareness at induction, including the organization's safeguarding policy.

• All Camp Directors/center managers will be trained to a specialist level in safeguarding.

• Refresher safeguarding awareness training relevant to Ikigai Camps will be provided to all staff on an annual basis.

• All staff and volunteers know how to respond to a student who discloses abuse through safeguarding training.

• All staff understand their duty to report any child protection concerns to a Safeguarding Officer.

• Concern/Allegation forms will be made available for staff to make written disclosures.

• Verbal reports of concerns/allegations will be put in writing using the available forms.

• We will ensure that child protection concerns are referred to the local Child Protection/Safeguarding Partners for advice.

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Recruitment

• All staff will be carefully selected, screened, trained, and appropriately supervised.

• Safer recruitment procedures will be followed in accordance with the requirements of accrediting bodies and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

• Those from external agencies (not employed by Ikigai Camps) who have unsupervised contact with students under the age of 18 will have had the necessary checks made by their employer or other agency.

• When employing staff, the organization will:

  • Carry out an Enhanced DBS with barred list check/Criminal Record check from relevant authority

  • Request an additional overseas police check for applicants who have been working abroad.

  • Check the Prohibited List when recruiting teachers who are QTS.

  • Require an application form as well as a CV.

  • Conduct an online search on all shortlisted candidates.

  • Ensure all applicants have read and signed the Children Act 1989 declaration form.

  • Ask all staff to complete the online Safeguarding Level 1 training and Safeguarding and Prevent Training.

  • Confirm identity to establish that applicants are who they claim to be (through official documents) and have the appropriate status to work in the UK.

  • Ensure that references are checked and that any gaps in previous employment history are accounted for, offering referees an opportunity to share any concerns about candidate suitability.

  • If a DBS/Criminal Record check is still being processed at the commencement of employment, the organization will restrict the responsibilities/duties that a member of staff may undertake and put a risk assessment in place, following the Safer Recruitment Policy.

• Induction: All new members of staff will receive induction training, which will give an overview of the organization, its mission statement, and ethos, the structure and services provided, and will advise them of their role in the organization together with identifying and reporting abuse, and confidentiality issues.

• All staff will receive regular Safeguarding Awareness training to allow them to fulfill their responsibilities in respect of child protection effectively.

• External suppliers: An authorized representative of all external suppliers and contractors to our organization will sign a Safeguarding Statement, confirming that they are aware of the need to safeguard young and vulnerable adults within our camps and share this commitment.

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Student Welfare Induction

• Following enrollment, all students will receive a welfare induction where they receive the appropriate information, including the names of the staff responsible for safeguarding, who to consult if they have a problem with their classes, accommodation, or personal issues, curfew times where appropriate, the organization's code of conduct, health and safety advice, and legalities relating to various issues such as alcohol, visiting pubs, and drug use.

• An orientation tour of the camp and the surrounding area will form part of the induction program, during which any relevant issues relating to contextual safeguarding will be covered.

• Students will be shown how to recognize when they may be at risk and how to get help when they need it.

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Students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

• Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities can face additional safeguarding challenges, including assumptions that indicators of possible abuse relate to their disability, disproportionate impact from experiences like bullying, and communication barriers.

• Ikigai Camps staff will identify students who might need more support by carrying out pre-booking needs assessments, arranging to meet the student soon after arrival, and having regular touchpoints throughout their stay.

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Accommodation

• Homestay hosts accommodating under 18s will be required to undergo a background check appropriate for their location to ensure the safety and well-being of our campers. The specific requirements and checks will comply with local regulations and legal standards for child safety.

• Regular risk assessments are undertaken in the camp, including specific consideration of under 18 and vulnerable students or other safeguarding concerns.

• A risk assessment for unsupervised time for under 18s will be in place, in addition to a risk assessment for unsupervised time for students attending junior programs.

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Safe Space for LGBTQ+ Students

• Ikigai Camps recognizes that LGBTQ+ students may find speaking up and sharing concerns with staff particularly difficult.

• Consideration will be given to how the camp can create and offer a safe space to such students.

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Use of Surveillance Equipment

• The use of surveillance equipment in schools and residential accommodation will be clearly signposted to all students and staff.

• Students and parents will be informed in advance of any internal use of private surveillance equipment in homestay accommodation.

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Safeguarding Incident Reviews

• In the event of a serious safeguarding breach or concern, the Camp Director will hold a Safeguarding Incident Review together with all relevant parties to discuss the issues and address any ongoing concerns or actions needed.