Equra College London
Version: 1.0
Approved by: Governing Body / Academic Board (as applicable)
Effective from: 20/01/2026
Review date: 15/01/2026 (annual review)
Owner: Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Governing Body
1. Purpose
Equra College London (“Equra”) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners. This policy sets out how Equra prevents harm, identifies safeguarding concerns, responds appropriately, and works with relevant agencies where necessary.
This policy aims to:
- Provide a safe and respectful learning environment;
- Protect students from abuse, neglect, harassment, exploitation, and harm;
- Ensure staff understand safeguarding responsibilities and reporting routes;
- Support students with appropriate interventions and referrals; and
- Maintain clear, auditable safeguarding processes.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All students and applicants engaging with Equra;
- All staff, contractors, volunteers, guest speakers and visiting professionals;
- All learning environments: on-site, online, off-site activities, placements, partner venues, and events.
Under 18s: Equra’s default expectation is adult learners. If Equra enrols learners under 18, additional safeguarding arrangements and procedures will apply and be communicated in writing.
3. Safeguarding principles
Equra’s safeguarding approach is based on:
- Prevention: creating a culture where concerns are recognised and addressed early;
- Proportionality: responding appropriately to risk and severity;
- Partnership: working with external agencies where necessary;
- Accountability: clear roles, responsibilities, and record keeping;
- Confidentiality: information shared on a strict need-to-know basis;
- Student-centred practice: listening to the learner and taking their needs seriously.
4. Definitions (brief)
Safeguarding: Protecting a person’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
Adult at risk (general meaning): An adult who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to care and support needs and/or vulnerability.
(Equra will apply a practical, safety-first interpretation and will make referrals where risk is suspected.)
Abuse types (examples):
- Physical, sexual, emotional/psychological abuse
- Neglect
- Domestic abuse
- Harassment, bullying, discrimination, hate incidents
- Financial exploitation
- Modern slavery/trafficking
- Online abuse and coercion
- Radicalisation (Prevent-related concerns)
5. Roles and responsibilities
5.1 Governing Body
- Has overall accountability for safeguarding;
- Ensures appropriate resources, oversight, and review.
5.2 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Leads safeguarding response and decision-making;
- Maintains records and liaises with external agencies;
- Ensures staff training and policy implementation.
5.3 Deputy DSL (DDSL)
- Acts in DSL’s absence and supports safeguarding management.
5.4 All staff
- Must understand safeguarding indicators and report concerns promptly;
- Must follow this policy and avoid informal handling of serious concerns.
5.5 Students
- Encouraged to report concerns for themselves or others;
- Expected to engage respectfully and follow safety guidance.
6. Safeguarding reporting routes
Students and staff can report safeguarding concerns via:
- Email: safeguarding@equracollege.org.uk (recommended)
- In person: to DSL/DDSL (as published)
- Emergency: where immediate danger exists, call 999 first.
Equra will publish DSL and Deputy DSL names and contact methods clearly on the website and student handbook.
7. Recognising safeguarding concerns
Safeguarding concerns may arise through:
- Direct disclosure by a student;
- Observations by staff;
- Behavioural changes or wellbeing indicators;
- Attendance/engagement patterns linked to harm;
- Online communications, messages, or evidence shared;
- Reports by peers, family members, partner staff, or external sources.
Equra trains staff to recognise indicators and respond appropriately.
8. How Equra responds (procedure)
8.1 Immediate risk and emergencies
If there is immediate danger to life or serious harm:
- Call emergency services (999) and follow their instructions;
- Inform the DSL as soon as possible;
- Record actions taken.
8.2 Receiving a disclosure (staff guidance)
When a student discloses a safeguarding concern, staff must:
- Listen calmly and take it seriously;
- Avoid leading questions or conducting their own investigation;
- Explain confidentiality limits (information may need to be shared to protect safety);
- Encourage the student to share key facts: what happened, when, who is at risk;
- Reassure the student they did the right thing by reporting;
- Report to DSL immediately.
8.3 Recording the concern
The person receiving the concern must record:
- Date/time, location (or online setting);
- Factual details shared (avoid opinion);
- Names of those involved (if known);
- Any immediate actions taken;
- Any evidence available (screenshots, messages, documents).
Records must be sent to the DSL promptly and stored securely.
8.4 DSL risk assessment and decision
The DSL will:
- Assess risk level and urgency;
- Decide on internal support actions;
- Decide whether external referral is required (e.g., social services, police, NHS, Prevent);
- Consider consent where appropriate, but act without consent if required to prevent harm;
- Maintain a written rationale for decisions.
8.5 Safeguarding action plan
Where appropriate, Equra may:
- Arrange student support meetings;
- Implement interim safety measures (e.g., no-contact arrangements);
- Adjust timetables/learning mode (where feasible);
- Refer to external support services (with consent where appropriate);
- Activate Fitness to Study route where wellbeing crisis affects safe study;
- Refer conduct matters to disciplinary routes where necessary.
9. Confidentiality and information sharing
Equra will:
- Share safeguarding information only on a need-to-know basis;
- Explain to students why information may need to be shared;
- Follow data protection principles and keep records secure.
Equra may share information without consent where:
- There is risk of serious harm;
- A child/under-18 is involved;
- A serious crime may have occurred;
- Required by law or safeguarding duty.
10. Online safeguarding and digital conduct
Equra recognises online learning risks including harassment, coercion, and misuse of digital platforms. Equra will:
- Set clear rules for respectful online conduct;
- Provide reporting routes for online abuse;
- Take appropriate action where online behaviour affects student safety/welfare.
11. Prevent and radicalisation (where applicable)
Equra will respond to concerns about radicalisation in line with relevant safeguarding principles. Staff will report concerns to the DSL, who will consider appropriate referral routes.
12. Allegations against staff or visitors
If an allegation is made against a member of staff, contractor, or visitor:
- It must be reported immediately to the DSL (or Chair of the Governing Body if the allegation is against the DSL);
- Equra will take appropriate interim actions (e.g., restricting contact);
- The matter may be referred to relevant external agencies and/or HR processes.
Equra will ensure fair process for all parties and prioritise student safety.
13. Safer recruitment and staff conduct
Equra commits to safer recruitment and staff conduct expectations, including:
- Appropriate identity and right-to-work checks;
- Reference checks where appropriate;
- Safeguarding training and clear conduct boundaries;
- Use of DBS checks where required by role, learner profile, or partner/regulatory requirements.
Equra will implement a Staff Code of Conduct and recruitment procedure accordingly.
14. Training and awareness
Equra will ensure:
- All staff receive safeguarding induction;
- DSL/DDSL receive enhanced safeguarding training;
- Refresher training is completed at least annually (or as required);
- Students receive clear safeguarding information and contact routes.
15. Record keeping and retention
Safeguarding records will be:
- Stored securely with restricted access;
- Kept separate from general academic records where appropriate;
- Retained in line with Equra’s retention schedule and legal requirements.
16. Complaints and concerns about safeguarding handling
If a student is dissatisfied with how a safeguarding concern was handled, they may use the Student Complaints Procedure, recognising that confidentiality and agency involvement may limit what Equra can disclose.
17. Policy review and governance
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if:
- There are regulatory changes;
- A serious incident occurs;
- Equra identifies a need to strengthen practice.
Appendix A — Safeguarding Contact Details (Template)
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Rabia Raza
Email: safeguarding@equracollege.org.uk
Emergency: Call 999 if immediate danger
Non-emergency police: 101 (where relevant)