training courses

Assessors and verifiers

Safeguarding Students - Guidelines for Assessors

Eastwood Park is committed to safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults. This includes supporting their physical and psychological wellbeing by safeguarding them from all forms of abuse. The categories of abuse are: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.

Young people and vulnerable adults can also be at risk whilst using the Internet and other digital technology. We aim to further safeguard such individuals by promoting e-safety on our website.

In order to support our candidates and delegates, Eastwood Park will adhere to the Safeguarding principles and practices which by law includes those under 18 and adults classified as vulnerable. As an assessor, you have a duty to:

• recognise
• respond
• record and
• report

any concerns which you may have regarding any of your
students or any disclosures that are made to you.

Recognise – What are some of the symptoms of abuse?
Abuse can take many forms. You are not expected to be an expert in this field. However, you will develop knowledge of the students you assess or train and you may notice changes in their behaviour which may give cause for concern.
Indications of possible abuse may include:

• bruises or other injuries which the person may have difficulty explaining
• appearing scared, tearful or behaving in an unusual manner
• the tendency to self-harm or place themselves at risk
• a significant change in character.

Respond – If a student tells you of abuse...
Do take them seriously; it will have taken considerable courage to disclose this information.  Do reassure them that they have done the correct thing in telling you. You cannot promise to keep what they tell you secret. If the individual asks you, tell them that you will need to consult the appropriate person at Eastwood Park in order to get help and keep them safe. Contact the appropriate person at Eastwood Park immediately.

It is important, however, to try not to lead the student in any way and to allow them to disclose in their own words. Thank them for speaking to you and follow Eastwood Park’s procedures. The student may talk to you about events which happened many years ago and it is important that you treat these disclosures with equal care.

Record
You need to ensure that you make a full written record of what happened and how you dealt with the situation and the information. It is important to record this information as soon and as precisely as possible, writing exactly what was said and in which context. If possible, it is good practice to have another member of staff present to act as a witness to the discussion.

Reporting issues
You will need to record and pass on your concerns to the Nominated Person at Eastwood Park. This is Judy Greenland, our HR/Payroll Administrator. Her direct line telephone number is 01454 262794.

The needs of the disclosing person are paramount. Where an assessor has concerns regarding a young person or vulnerable adult, these concerns must be shared promptly and solely to the member of staff above due to the sensitive nature of such information.