Grayline Coaches

Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement

Grayline Coaches is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We believe that everyone has the right to travel safely and be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.

As a provider of school transport, private hire, contract services and transport for vulnerable groups, we recognise our responsibility to create a safe environment for all passengers and to work in partnership with local authorities, schools, social care services and other safeguarding agencies.

All employees have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children and adults at risk and to report any concerns immediately.

This policy is based upon the principles of:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children

• The Care Act 2014

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (where applicable)

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

• The Equality Act 2010

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Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) plays a vital role in helping employers make safer recruitment decisions.

Grayline Coaches operates robust safer recruitment procedures and will ensure that any employee undertaking regulated activity undergoes the appropriate Enhanced DBS check, including a Children's and/or Adults' Barred List check where legally required, before commencing employment.

Individuals included on a DBS Barred List are prohibited by law from undertaking regulated activity with children or adults at risk.

All drivers employed on school transport or other regulated services are required to maintain their Enhanced DBS clearance and remain registered with the DBS Update Service to enable ongoing monitoring.

Grayline Coaches has a legal duty to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service where an employee or volunteer has:

• harmed a child or adult at risk;

• placed them at risk of harm;

• been removed from regulated activity because they posed a safeguarding risk; or

• resigned before disciplinary action could be concluded where safeguarding concerns existed.

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Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk

Grayline Coaches is committed to protecting:

• Children and young people under the age of 18.

• Adults at risk who require care and support and who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

Everyone has the right to live free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and harm.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.

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Types of Abuse

Employees should be aware that abuse may take many forms and may involve a single incident or repeated acts.

These include:

Physical Abuse

Assault, hitting, pushing, inappropriate restraint or misuse of medication.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Threats, intimidation, humiliation, bullying, coercive control, verbal abuse or isolation.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual assault, inappropriate touching, sexual exploitation, grooming, indecent exposure or sexual harassment.

Neglect and Acts of Omission

Ignoring medical needs, withholding food or medication, inadequate supervision or failing to provide appropriate care.

Financial or Material Abuse

Theft, fraud, exploitation, misuse of money, coercion regarding financial affairs or property.

Discriminatory Abuse

Harassment or unfair treatment because of age, disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.

Domestic Abuse

Physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial abuse occurring within domestic or family relationships.

Organisational Abuse

Poor care practices, neglect or abuse arising from institutional settings or organisations.

Modern Slavery

Human trafficking, forced labour, servitude or exploitation.

Self-Neglect

Failure to care for one's own personal hygiene, health or surroundings.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Including county lines activity, coercion into criminal behaviour or exploitation by organised criminal groups.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Where children are manipulated or coerced into sexual activity.

Online Abuse

Cyberbullying, online grooming, exploitation through social media or inappropriate online contact.

Radicalisation and Extremism

The process by which an individual may be drawn into extremist ideology or terrorism.

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Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Employees should remain vigilant for indicators including:

• unexplained injuries

• fearfulness or anxiety

• sudden changes in behaviour

• poor hygiene or appearance

• inappropriate sexual behaviour

• unexplained absence from school

• disclosure of abuse

• signs of neglect

• controlling behaviour by another person

• financial exploitation

• concerns raised by passengers, parents or schools

Employees are not expected to investigate concerns but must report them.

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Responsibilities of Employees

All employees and volunteers must:

• safeguard the welfare of passengers;

• remain alert to signs of abuse or neglect;

• treat every safeguarding concern seriously;

• report concerns immediately;

• maintain accurate records;

• cooperate with safeguarding investigations;

• maintain professional boundaries at all times.

Employees must never:

• promise confidentiality;

• investigate allegations themselves;

• question a child or vulnerable adult extensively;

• confront an alleged perpetrator.

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Responding to a Disclosure

If someone discloses abuse:

• Remain calm.

• Listen carefully.

• Take what they say seriously.

• Reassure them they have done the right thing.

• Never promise to keep secrets.

• Explain that the information must be shared to keep them safe.

• Record exactly what was said using the individual's own words wherever possible.

• Report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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Reporting Procedures

Any safeguarding concern must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or, in their absence, a senior manager.

The DSL will assess the concern and determine whether it should be referred to:

• the Local Authority Children's Services;

• Adult Social Care;

• the Police;

• the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH);

• the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO);

• the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS); or

• any other appropriate safeguarding agency.

MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub)

Where concerns relate to a child who may be suffering or is at risk of significant harm, referrals may be made to the local Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). MASH brings together professionals from children's services, police, health and education to share information and determine the most appropriate safeguarding response.

LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer)

Where an allegation is made against an employee, volunteer or contractor who works with children, the Designated Safeguarding Lead must immediately seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) before any internal investigation begins.

The LADO manages allegations where an individual has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child;

• possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;

• behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk to children; or

• behaved in a way that may make them unsuitable to work with children.

No internal investigation should prejudice any police or safeguarding investigation.

Where there is an immediate risk of harm, employees should contact the Police by calling 999 without delay.

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Recording Concerns

All safeguarding records should include:

• Date and time.

• Location.

• Names of those present.

• Details of the individual concerned.

• Factual description of what was observed or disclosed.

• Exact words used where possible.

• Any injuries observed.

• Action taken.

• Person receiving the report.

Records must be factual, signed, dated and stored securely in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

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Designated Safeguarding Lead

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Mr Les Harrison

Compliance and Training Manager

Telephone: 01869 244610

Email: les@grayline.co.uk

Employees must report safeguarding concerns immediately to the DSL.

If the DSL is unavailable and there is an immediate risk of harm, employees should contact the Police, MASH or the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team directly.

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Training

Grayline Coaches is committed to ensuring all employees receive safeguarding awareness training appropriate to their role.

Training includes:

• safeguarding children;

• safeguarding adults at risk;

• recognising abuse and neglect;

• responding to disclosures;

• reporting procedures;

• Prevent awareness;

• professional boundaries;

• refresher safeguarding training at appropriate intervals.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead will undertake enhanced safeguarding training and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current legislation and best practice.

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Confidentiality

Safeguarding information will only be shared on a "need to know" basis with appropriate agencies to protect children and adults at risk.

Confidentiality must never prevent information being shared where there is a safeguarding concern.

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Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or safeguarding guidance changes.

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Approved by

B Gray

Director

Grayline Coaches

Blackthorn Hill

Bicester

Oxfordshire

OX25 1TL

Policy Review Date: 01/01/2027