Safeguarding Guide for Employers
As an employer, you’re expected to take responsibility for an apprentice’s welfare in the workplace. You must seek appropriate advice when you feel an apprentice may be at risk.
We take our responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our apprentices seriously. We are committed to providing a safe, respectful and welcoming environment. We take a proactive approach to minimise risks to apprentices both in the workplace and at Training 2000.
We work together with our employer partners who help us deliver apprenticeship programmes. We all have a duty to comply with UK legislation and statutory responsibilities.
This guide gives you information on the support services we offer to employers working with apprentices.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
If you have a concern, pass it on. Contact our Safeguarding team
Supporting employers
Our Safeguarding Team are here to help if you need safeguarding, mental health or wellbeing support or advice. In an emergency or when suspecting a serious harm, please contact the appropriate authorities in the first instance.
Some apprentices may feel more comfortable talking to specific individuals in the workplace. Others may prefer seeking support outside of their place of work. Getting to know your apprentices through regular meetings and reviews will enable you to notice any causes for concern early. It offers you the opportunity to ensure apprentices are aware of all the support options available to them.
Recognising the signs
Sometimes apprentices may show signs that they are experiencing or at risk of significant harm. This may mean they need safeguarding. It’s important to recognise that these signs may not always be a definitive sign that something is wrong.
The signs may include:
- Being absent from work or training or frequently turning up late.
- Changes in appearance –for example a person may appear to be more unkempt.
- Changes in behaviour and character – becoming quiet or loud, aggressive or withdrawn.
- Crying, anxiety or low mood – general changes in their emotional health.
- Excessive alcohol consumption or substance misuse.
- Physical injuries – unexplained cuts or bruises.
- Poor living conditions.
- Self-harm.
- Withdrawing from certain activities. This could include reluctance to go online, or sudden changes in use of technology.
- Receiving expensive gifts.
Have you noticed a change in behaviour, perspective or opinion that may cause concern? Have they stopped engaging with their studies, or have they become withdrawn or isolated? Are they experiencing bullying or harassment? Or perhaps someone has told you something that could constitute abuse, harm or vulnerability to radicalisation?
Consider the following:
- Has someone shared information with you that is of concern? Does something not ‘feel right’?
- What have you noticed? Consider whether someone is at risk of harm or abuse.
- Who was involved?
- Does the incident relate to local, national or international events or news stories?
- Why do you feel the individual is vulnerable?
- Are there any other vulnerabilities or concerns that make the individual at risk of radicalisation?
Seek clarity and consider the following:
- Was it a one-off comment, behaviour change or incident that was out of context for the individual? Has the individual concerned been spoken with? If so, what explanation do they offer and has further information come to light? If not, what are the reasons for this?
- Do you know if there have been similar concerns before?
- Is the concern Prevent duty related?
- Does the individual need extra support or are they already in receipt of support?
If there is immediate concern, call 999. Then report to one of our safeguarding leads.
Report any genuine concerns as soon as possible. You should never investigate yourself.
Have you carried out the appropriate checks? Share your concerns by passing the information to our Safeguarding team.
Share your concerns in full, including:
- What was said or observed
- When it was noticed
- Who said it
- A description of the concerning behaviour, incident or comment
Also share if there have been any similar or historical concerns you are aware of.
The Safeguarding team will determine next steps. They will organise external referrals, as appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Safeguarding is everyone’s business. It is about protecting children, young people (under 18) and adults at risk from abuse or neglect. This usually means providing a safe environment for them to study, visit and participate in activities; we also have a responsibility to act where we become aware that a child, young person, or vulnerable adult is at risk outside of Training 2000.
In all our activities, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of staff, students (including work-based learners or apprentices) and visitors.
Our aim is to:
- Ensure Training 2000 is a safe place to study, work. visit and take part in activities.
- Act when we become aware of risk that may be occurring in/outside Training 2000.
- Protect children, young people (under 18) and adults at risk from abuse or harm.
Many areas are considered to fall under the definition of safeguarding, and include but are not limited to:
- Bullying, including online.
- Sexual violence.
- Domestic abuse.
- Discrimination.
- Forced marriage and ‘so called’ honour abuse.
- Self-neglect.
- Self-harm.
- Radicalisation and extremism.
- Financial abuse.
- Modern slavery.
- Harassment.
- Criminal exploitation (County lines).
Our role:
- Ensuring that all employers are aware of their safeguarding obligations.
- Ensuring that employers are aware to not undertake an investigatory role when safeguarding concerns arise.
- Ensuring all employers are aware of the designated safeguarding leads.
- Ensuring apprentices have an awareness of safeguarding. Ensure they know how to access student support and wellbeing services.
- Ensuring employers working with apprentices have completed all relevant mandatory safeguarding training.
- Ensure staff working with young and vulnerable people are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Employer’s role:
- Be familiar with up-to-date legislation. Having a commitment to understand what safeguarding means in practice at their organisation.
- Understanding their role and responsibilities in the context of safeguarding in their organisation.
- Have a safeguarding policy which apprentices should be aware of.
- Ensuring staff who are working with apprentices and are in a position of trust do not present as a danger or a threat. They must have an appropriate check completed with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if working with young or vulnerable people.
It is important to ensure that apprentices get information on how to stay safe online.
For personal, social and work-related reasons, being online and having an online presence is important. It is sometimes and essential part of people’s lives. Technology presents opportunities for learning and development. But it can also expose apprentices to different types of risks. Apprentices are at risk of harm online as well as face to face. So it’s important that we safeguard our apprentice’s digital wellbeing too.
To help apprentices protect themselves from harm, it is important that they understand what the risks are. They need the skills to use the digital technology safely. Then they can take proactive steps to ensure the security of their personal data.
Online risks include:
- Bullying;
- Harassment;
- Non-consensual sharing of indecent images;
- Money muling;
- Abuse;
- Identity theft; and
- Grooming, phishing and malware.
Developing critical thinking and analytical skills is an integral part of an apprentice’s learning. Apprentices should challenge, question and evaluate the reliability of information, whatever the source. These skills will support their development, both academically and from a safeguarding perspective.
Our role:
- Provide relevant training for apprentices so that they can work safely and effectively online.
- Assess how apprentices may be at risk of harm using the internet or technology, and mitigate those risks, wherever possible.
- Help apprentices develop professional curiosity with online information.
- Make sure Training 2000 staff are trained to identify and deal with concerns about online safety.
- Provide clear guidance on what is and is not an acceptable use of the internet at Training 2000.
Employer’s role:
- Ensure apprentices are aware of your organisation’s policies on using the internet and technology in the workplace.
- Understand the dangers apprentices may face using technology in the workplace and act to minimise risks.
- Communicate any concerns about online safety to Training 2000.
Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 places a duty on training providers to have “due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.”
The Terrorism Act 2006 defines ‘terrorism’ as an action or threat designed to influence the government or intimidate the public. Its purpose is to advance a political, religious, or ideological cause.
The Prevent duty is about safeguarding people from harm by preventing them from being radicalised and drawn into terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups. It is about safeguarding our apprentices to keep them safe and within the law. The Prevent duty is not about preventing apprentices from having political and religious views and concerns. It’s about supporting them to use those concerns or act on them in non-extremist ways.
Terrorism is an action that:
- Endangers or causes serious violence to a person or people;
- Causes serious damage to property, or seriously interferes with or disrupts an electronic system;
- Is designed to influence the government or to intimidate the public.
Extremism is defined by the government as “vocal or active opposition to British values”. This includes democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths. Extremism and radicalisation might include the extreme right wing, violent Islamist groups, and other causes.
Radicalisation is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies. It is defined by the government as “the name given to the process that moves a person to legitimise their support or use of violence. It’s where terrorism begins.”
Several factors may show that a person is more vulnerable to radicalisation. Whilst none of these factors are individually conclusive, they may show that a person is in need of support.
- Isolation.
- Low self-esteem.
- Anger or frustration.
- A sense of injustice.
- Personal grievances.
- Encouraging conspiracy theories.
- Offering inaccurate answers or falsehoods to grievances.
- Blaming specific communities for grievances.
- Encouraging the use of hatred and violent actions to get justice.
- Encouraging ideas of supremacy.
- Promoting an ‘us vs. them’ mentality.
Our role
- Provide relevant training to staff to ensure staff are aware of their prevent duty obligations
- Have clear procedures in place so concerns can be raised to designated safeguarding leads regarding the Prevent Duty
- Ensuring all staff know who the designated safeguarding leads are.
- Providing curriculums that explores these matters
- Providing an environment that allows and encourages apprentices to have free speech. This ensures they can express views respectfully
Employer’s role
- Ensure apprentices are able to express views in non-extremist ways. This creates and encourages respectful free speech.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the PREVENT Duty principles.
- Seek appropriate support if any concerns are raised.
- Be alert of changes in behaviour that may give your cause for concern.
- Advise Training 2000 of any concerns about your apprentice
- Provide opportunities for employees to discuss their own concerns about extremism, events in the news and about British values.
An essential part of the Prevent duty is the promotion of British values. The government monitors and ensures that all apprenticeship providers promote key ‘British values’. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent strategy.
An important part of apprentice development is an approach incorporating key British values:
- Democracy;
- The rule of law;
- Individual liberty; and
- Mutual respect and tolerance.
This values-based approach centres on valuing our community. It celebrates diversity and helps people from all walks of life make the most of their individual potential. It forms part of our safeguarding culture to ensure Training 2000 is a safe place to study, to work and to visit.
We aim to develop a sense of citizenship amongst our apprentice community. One where everyone matters and there is support for all. We believe differences are to be celebrated and that we can all learn from one another.
Our role:
- Ensure British values are promoted throughout an apprentice’s programme.
- Create opportunities for apprentices to apply their learning to relevant situations and contexts.
- Encourage apprentices to respect each other and their differences, in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Employer’s role:
- Experience a community based on mutual respect and tolerance. One where all apprentices feel safe, valued, and supported.
- Contribute to creating a positive environment where discrimination does not exist.
- Work in line with relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.
- Demonstrate a commitment to British values.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have a concern, please pass it on.
To report a concern, or if you would like more information or have any questions, please contact our Safeguarding team
The Safeguarding team will listen to your concerns and explore any support you may need following this concern. They would then determine what course of action to take. For concerns relating to Prevent they would discuss whether or not to make a referral to Channel. We ask that employers do the same.
You can also email your Account Manager who can offer further information, advice and guidance.
Any urgent concerns where there may be a serious risk to someone’s safety or wellbeing should be reported to the police:
- 999 (emergency)
- 101 (non-emergencies – do not require an immediate response)