As an accredited provider of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) the University is bound by the ITT Criteria 2026/2027 which sets out the following requirements and adheres to these for all ITE and Work Based Learning Experiences:
“Providers should have regard to the Keeping children safe in education statutory guidance when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. They should ensure all trainees have been subject to appropriate pre-selection checks. This will include obtaining and considering Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records checks and children’s barred list information.“
At Edge Hill we ensure that every student goes through an enhanced DBS check as part of their conditions for entry/enrolment to their ITE course. Where something is on the DBS this is considered on a case by case basis through a triage process with a panel of professionals, comprising representatives from partner schools, settings or colleges and from the Faculty of Education.
Trainees provide their placement school with DBS in the form of an electronic letter from the university at the start of their placement. The DBS letter contains their DBS number and clearance date. Trainees are also able to provide their DBS certificate upon request.
Prior to professional practice all trainees complete online Safeguarding training (Safeguarding Children – Levels 1 and 2) including Prevent and radicalisation. All trainees are instructed to read and be familiar with ‘Keeping children safe in education: Statutory guidance for schools and colleges’.
Managing a Safeguarding Concern on Professional Practice
It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard and protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
Whilst completing your professional practice you may encounter or observe safeguarding concerns through different means e.g. direct observation, disclosure from a child, young person or vulnerable adult or observation by a third party.
Reporting incidents or disclosed information requires an immediate and professional response.
| Reporting a concern or incident during Professional Practice | Reporting a concern or incident at university |
|---|---|
| 1. Inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in your setting immediately. Do not leave the premises until you have done so. 2. Inform the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) in the Faculty of Education by completing the form found here: Safeguarding Report Form | 1. Inform the Designated Safeguarding Officer in the Faculty of Education by completing the form found here: Safeguarding Report Form |
| Should you wish to contact the faculty Senior Safeguarding Lead for anything other than reporting a disclosure please email [email protected]. Remember: You MUST use the Safeguarding Report Form to report a disclosure. Reporting a concern out of hours: If a safeguarding issue occurs out of hours (for example when the Designated Safeguarding Officers will not be in work) then you need to consider whether anyone is currently at immediate risk of harm. If you believe anyone to be at immediate risk of harm you should: – call 999 for the police or ambulance as appropriate and report it immediately – contact Campus Support on 01695 584227 and make a report to them Campus Support will decide whether it is necessary to contact other senior staff at the University or whether this can wait until the next working day. If you do not believe anyone is at serious risk of harm, then the report should be made to your Designated Safeguarding Officer the next working day. However, it is advisable to keep notes at the time so that these are up to date and available if needed. Once the information has been reported this will conclude your involvement in the incident. You must not discuss the disclosure or incident with anyone else unless explicitly requested to do so by the DSO or Safeguarding Lead in the setting/Edge Hill. | |
You can read more about the Edge Hill Safeguarding Policy by clicking here.