BPIF Training Cloud

Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Children, young people and adults at risk. BPIF Training Limited. Version 1.0, effective July 2026.

Report a safeguarding concern

1. Policy statement

BPIF Training is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, wellbeing and safety of all learners.

We recognise our responsibility to protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation and any form of mistreatment. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where learners can develop, achieve and thrive.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Every member of staff, volunteer, contractor, employer and stakeholder working with BPIF Training has a duty to promote learner welfare and report concerns appropriately.

This policy applies to all learners, staff, volunteers, contractors, associates and visitors engaged in BPIF Training activities.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• protect learners from harm
• promote learner welfare and wellbeing
• ensure effective safeguarding arrangements are in place
• provide clear reporting and referral procedures
• raise awareness of safeguarding responsibilities
• support compliance with safeguarding legislation and guidance
• ensure staff are appropriately trained and supported
• create a culture where concerns can be raised confidently and acted upon appropriately

3. Scope

This policy applies to: learners and apprentices; prospective learners; children and young people under 18; adults at risk; employees; directors; volunteers; contractors and associates; employers supporting apprentices; and visitors to BPIF Training activities and premises.

It applies to all learning environments, including workplace learning, employer premises, online learning, virtual meetings, training events and off-site activities.

4. Our safeguarding commitment

BPIF Training is committed to:

• creating a safe, respectful and supportive environment
• promoting a culture of vigilance and learner welfare
• embedding safeguarding throughout all areas of our provision
• listening to learners and taking concerns seriously
• working collaboratively with employers, parents, carers and external agencies
• protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm
• responding promptly and effectively to safeguarding concerns

5. What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action taken to protect individuals' health, wellbeing and human rights, and to enable them to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. It includes:

• protecting children and adults at risk
• preventing harm and abuse
• promoting health, safety and wellbeing
• supporting mental health
• ensuring online safety
• protecting individuals from radicalisation and extremism
• providing safe learning environments

6. Definitions

BPIF Training recognises that any adult may become vulnerable at different points in their life, and will respond appropriately to concerns regardless of formal definitions.

7. Types of abuse and harm

Safeguarding concerns may involve, but are not limited to:

8. Roles and responsibilities

BPIF Training will: maintain effective safeguarding arrangements; appoint trained safeguarding leads; deliver safeguarding training; promote learner awareness; ensure robust reporting systems; maintain accurate safeguarding records; work with relevant external agencies; and review safeguarding arrangements regularly.

Staff will: complete safeguarding training; remain vigilant to safeguarding concerns; report concerns immediately; maintain professional boundaries; promote learner welfare; and follow safeguarding procedures at all times.

Learners will: respect the safety and wellbeing of others; raise concerns where appropriate; engage in safeguarding activities and discussions; and follow BPIF Training policies and expectations.

Employers will: support learner welfare; work collaboratively with BPIF Training; raise safeguarding concerns where identified; and provide safe workplace environments.

9. Designated Safeguarding Lead

BPIF Training maintains designated safeguarding responsibilities to ensure concerns are managed appropriately. Contact details are at the top of this policy.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead has responsibility for: managing safeguarding concerns; making referrals to appropriate agencies; maintaining safeguarding records; providing advice and guidance to staff; supporting learners involved in safeguarding cases; and monitoring safeguarding activities across the organisation.

Current safeguarding contact details are also published in learner handbooks, staff guidance and safeguarding communications.

10. Reporting safeguarding concerns

Any safeguarding concern must be reported immediately. Concerns may involve: a disclosure from a learner; observed behaviour; concerns raised by employers, staff or third parties; online safety issues; Prevent concerns; mental health concerns; or suspected abuse or neglect.

Staff must never:

• investigate a safeguarding concern themselves
• question a learner further to establish whether an account is true
• promise a learner that a disclosure will be kept secret
• contact or confront the person a concern relates to
• delay reporting because they are unsure the concern is serious enough

All concerns must be referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead without delay, and on the same day.

Where there is an immediate risk of harm, contact emergency services on 999 first, then inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

11. The five Rs of safeguarding

12. Learner awareness and education

BPIF Training actively promotes safeguarding awareness through learner inductions, progress reviews, tutorials and coaching sessions, safeguarding campaigns, Prevent and Fundamental British Values activities, online safety discussions, equality and wellbeing initiatives, and topic-of-the-month communications.

Learners are encouraged to develop the knowledge and confidence they need to keep themselves safe, both inside and outside the workplace.

13. Online safety

BPIF Training recognises online safety as a safeguarding issue. We actively promote safe use of technology; responsible social media use; cyber security awareness; understanding online risks; identifying misinformation and harmful content; and reporting online concerns.

Appropriate monitoring systems and controls may be used to support learner safety and compliance with organisational policies.

14. Support for learners

Where safeguarding concerns are identified, BPIF Training will work to ensure learners receive appropriate support. This may include safeguarding interventions, welfare support, additional learning support, mental health support, employer engagement, referrals to specialist services and signposting to external agencies.

Support arrangements will always place learner welfare at the centre of decision-making.

15. Confidentiality and information sharing

Safeguarding information will be treated sensitively and confidentially. However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where concerns involve a risk of significant harm, criminal activity, safeguarding investigations or legal obligations.

Information will be shared only where necessary and in line with safeguarding responsibilities, UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Data protection is never a reason to withhold information where a learner may be at risk of harm.

16. Staff training

All staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role, including child protection, adult safeguarding, the Prevent Duty, online safety, professional boundaries and reporting procedures. Safeguarding training forms part of staff induction and ongoing professional development.

17. Working with external agencies

BPIF Training will work collaboratively with local authorities, children's services, adult social care, the police, Channel panels, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Ofsted, health services and other safeguarding partners. Referrals will be made where concerns meet safeguarding thresholds.

18. Monitoring and review

Safeguarding arrangements will be monitored regularly through safeguarding records and referrals, staff training compliance, learner and employer feedback, risk assessments and quality assurance activities.

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner where legislative or organisational changes require.

19. Related policies

This policy should be read alongside the Prevent Duty and Promotion of Fundamental British Values Policy; Safer Recruitment Policy; Staff Code of Conduct; Whistleblowing Policy; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy; Health and Safety Policy; Additional Learning Support Policy; Reasonable Adjustments Policy; Data Protection Statement; and Online Safety Policy.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Report every concern to the DSL the same day. Never decide alone whether it matters.