Child Protection & Safeguarding

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Guardianship is, above all else, a duty of care. When parents entrust their child to British Guardianship, they place their confidence in an organisation whose entire structure is built around child protection and safeguarding. Every host family, every member of staff and every procedure we operate exists to keep international students safe, supported and cared for throughout their education in the UK.

Child Protection and Safeguarding

"Child Protection" is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare to protect specific children, who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm. "Safeguarding" is the protection of children from maltreatment, preventing the impairment of children's health and development and ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government, 2023)

The provision of a safe and caring environment for British Guardianship students is paramount. Our students' welfare is our priority and therefore we promote a policy of trust and clear communication between all parties: British Guardianship staff, students, Schools and British Guardianship host family.

We are committed to safeguarding students' welfare and undertake rigorous checks on all who work with us. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have a clear Child Protection Policy & Safeguarding guided by HM Government's 'Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)', 'Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026' and operate in line with the processes of the Local Safeguarding Partnership and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

You can view full "Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy" in our policies section. We aim to ensure that children in the care of British Guardianship, at all times, experience a caring and secure environment in which they feel safe, respected, valued and cared for. This gives parents peace of mind that all British Guardianship members are fully qualified in this field.

Recognising Our Safeguarding Responsibility

British Guardianship recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within the legal framework of the Children Acts 1989 and 2004. We are aware that many children and young people are the victims of different kinds of abuse and that they can be subjected to social factors that have an adverse impact upon their lives. We aim to create a safe environment within which children and young people can thrive and adults can work with the security of clear guidance.

British Guardianship ensures that all guardianship personnel, and personnel offering outsourced services who come into direct contact with students in our care, are recruited using safe recruitment practices and are formally screened through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

We promote a policy of openness, trust and clear communication between all parties: school, students, parents, overseas agents, host families and British Guardianship staff. We maintain links with the appropriate accreditation bodies and governmental authorities with jurisdiction in matters pertaining to child welfare.

We have an appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead who is able to respond appropriately and take the necessary actions if complaints of abuse are reported. We ensure that all guardianship personnel and students in our care are aware of the need to report any allegations or suspicions of child abuse to the appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead. We will investigate, record and report all complaints to the appropriate authorities in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Local Safeguarding Partnership referral process.

All child protection concerns should be acted upon immediately. If you are concerned that a child might be at risk or is actually suffering abuse, you should tell the Designated Safeguarding Lead within your organisation.

For any relevant concerns regarding the British Guardianship Designated Safeguarding Lead, please feel free to contact us.

More Information on British Guardianship

Our Policies

Read all our available policies available on dedicated section.