Child Protection
Safeguarding
The safety and welfare of every young person we work with is our highest priority. Our commitment to safeguarding is absolute — it underpins every decision we make and everything we do.
The Basics
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding refers to the actions taken to protect vulnerable individuals — particularly children and young people — from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It encompasses a wide range of measures designed to promote the welfare of children and ensure they are able to grow up safely and healthily.
Safeguarding is not just a policy or a procedure. It is a culture — a shared responsibility held by every adult who works with or around young people. At Northway Education, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. It is not an add-on or a box to tick; it is fundamental to who we are and how we work.
Every member of our team understands that protecting young people is their primary professional duty, and we take that responsibility with the seriousness it demands.
Our Promise
Our Safeguarding Commitment
We operate a comprehensive safeguarding framework that meets and exceeds statutory requirements. Every aspect of how we recruit, train, and support our staff is designed with child protection at its core.
We do not work in isolation. We work closely with each school's Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure that information is shared appropriately and that any concerns are acted upon promptly and in accordance with local safeguarding procedures.
Our safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain aligned with the latest statutory guidance, and all staff receive ongoing training to keep their knowledge current.
In Practice, This Means
- All staff hold a current, enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
- All staff complete regular safeguarding training in line with the latest statutory guidance
- We operate under strict safeguarding policies and procedures, reviewed annually
- All staff understand their individual duty to report concerns without delay
- We work closely with each school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Parents and carers are always kept informed and actively involved
Our Responsibilities
Northway's Duty of Care
As an organisation working with vulnerable young people, Northway Education holds a profound duty of care. This extends beyond legal compliance — it is a moral obligation that shapes every interaction our staff have with the young people we support.
We recognise that many of the young people we work with may have experienced adversity, trauma, or instability. Our duty of care therefore means not only protecting them from harm, but actively creating the conditions in which they can feel safe, respected, and supported.
Every member of our team — from mentors to management — is held to the same high standards, with no exceptions.
Our Duty Includes
- We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all young people in our care above all else
- Every young person has the right to feel happy, safe, and able to learn
- We have robust safeguarding measures in place to protect against bullying, abuse, discrimination, or harassment
- Our staff are trained to maintain the highest standards of safeguarding at all times
- We have a designated safeguarding lead responsible for ensuring all policies remain current and effective
- We encourage open, honest communication with parents and carers throughout every programme
Statutory Guidance
Keeping Children Safe in Education
Northway Education fully endorses and implements the statutory guidance set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) — the government's primary guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding and child protection in England.
All of our policies, procedures, and staff training are aligned with the most current version of KCSIE. We review our compliance with this guidance each time it is updated to ensure that the young people we work with are always protected in line with the latest requirements.
As an alternative provision provider working in partnership with schools, we understand that KCSIE applies to all organisations that schools work with. We take this seriously and are committed to full and ongoing compliance.
Further information: For more details on the statutory guidance, visit the Department for Education's guidance on Keeping Children Safe in Education at gov.uk.
Safeguarding concerns or questions?
If you are a school, parent, or carer with a safeguarding concern or question about how we work, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We take every concern seriously and will respond promptly.
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