Croydon Arabic School

Safeguarding Vulnerable Beneficiaries Policy

(Full Ofsted / Charity Commission Compliant Version)

 1. Policy Statement

Croydon Arabic School recognises its moral, legal and regulatory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all vulnerable beneficiaries, including children and young people aged 5–16, who access its educational services.

The school acknowledges that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment in which all beneficiaries are protected from harm, neglect, abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

This policy is aligned with:

•  Children Act 1989 & 2004
•  Keeping Children Safe in Education
•  Working Together to Safeguard Children
•  Equality Act 2010
•  Charity Commission Safeguarding Guidance
•  Ofsted Inspection Framework

 2. Definition of Vulnerable Beneficiaries

A vulnerable beneficiary includes any child or young person who may be at increased risk of harm due to:

•  Age:
•  Special Educational Needs (SEN)
•  Disability
•  Communication difficulties
•  Emotional or behavioural needs
•  Family circumstances
•  Cultural or language barriers

 3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

•  All staff
•  Volunteers
•  Trustees
•  Contractors
•  Parents whilst on school premises

 4. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The school appoints a DSL who holds overall responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries, including:

•  Receiving and acting on concerns
•  Liaising with statutory agencies
•  Maintaining safeguarding records
•  Ensuring training compliance

 5. Risk Identification & Prevention

The school proactively identifies and mitigates risks by:

•  Conducting safeguarding risk assessments
•  Monitoring attendance and behaviour
•  Providing SEN support and differentiation
•  Maintaining supervision ratios
•  Maintaining safe physical environments

 6. Safer Recruitment

All staff and volunteers must:

•  Hold Enhanced DBS clearance
•  Provide suitable references
•  Complete safeguarding induction
•  Sign the Staff Code of Conduct

 7. Recognising Abuse & Neglect

Staff are trained to recognise:

•  Physical abuse
•  Emotional abuse
•  Sexual abuse
•  Neglect
•  Online harm
•  Radicalisation
•  Peer-on-peer abuse
•  8. Reporting Concerns

All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to the DSL.

If there is immediate danger, emergency services and Children’s Social Care will be contacted.

 9. Record Keeping

All safeguarding records are confidential, securely stored and retained in accordance with GDPR and Data Protection legislation.

10. Allegations and Concerns About Staff

Any concern, complaint or allegation about a member of staff or volunteer must be reported promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or School Manager.

The School will consider the information available and determine the appropriate course of action in accordance with its safeguarding and complaints procedures.

Concerns that do not meet the threshold for referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) may be managed internally as a low-level concern, conduct matter or formal complaint, as appropriate.

Where there is an allegation that a member of staff or volunteer has:

• harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
• behaved towards a child in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
• behaved, or may have behaved, in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children

the School will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as soon as reasonably practicable and within one working day

The School will ensure that all concerns are handled fairly, confidentially and proportionately, with the welfare and safety of the child remaining the primary consideration.

 11. Inclusion & Equality

The school ensures that safeguarding practices are inclusive and accessible to all beneficiaries regardless of background, religion, disability or language ability.

 12. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if legislative changes require.

Reviewed on: 10 January 2026