Safeguarding

Safeguarding at Summit AP

Safeguarding is central to how Summit AP operates. We work with schools, families and professionals to provide a safe, structured and responsive environment for young people.

Our commitment

Safeguarding built into our practice.

We follow safer recruitment principles.
We maintain appropriate staff checks.
We complete DBS checks and use quarterly DBS Update Service checks where applicable.
We maintain safeguarding policies and procedures.
We ensure staff understand their role in identifying, recording and reporting concerns.
We communicate safeguarding concerns promptly with the placing school, DSL, local authority or relevant agency.
We keep clear records.
We review risks and update support plans where needed.

Areas covered

Grouped areas of safeguarding focus.

Our safeguarding practice is organised around the areas that most commonly affect the young people we support.

Safer recruitment

Robust staff vetting and ongoing suitability checks.

Identity and right to work checks
References and employment history scrutiny
Enhanced DBS checks
Quarterly DBS Update Service monitoring where applicable
Staff induction and ongoing safeguarding training

Child protection

Clear procedures to identify, record and report concerns.

Recognising signs of harm and neglect
Recording concerns accurately
Reporting to the placing school’s DSL
Liaison with local authority and statutory partners
Allegations and low level concerns procedures

Online safety

Safe use of devices in sessions
Awareness of online risks and grooming
Conversations about digital footprint and privacy
Filtering and monitoring expectations

Exploitation and contextual safeguarding

Child criminal exploitation
Child sexual exploitation
County lines awareness
Domestic abuse awareness
Risks in the wider community and online context

Peer on peer concerns

Bullying and harassment
Harmful sexual behaviour awareness
Conflict and relational repair
Clear boundaries and expectations

Mental health and wellbeing

Recognising emotional distress
Supportive, non judgemental conversations
Awareness of self harm concerns
Signposting and partnership with specialist services

Attendance and children missing education

Daily attendance recording
Prompt communication where a young person does not attend
Identifying patterns and underlying barriers
Working with schools on children missing education concerns

Information sharing and GDPR

Lawful, proportionate information sharing
Confidentiality and professional boundaries
Secure record keeping
Compliance with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act

Escalation and partnership working

Clear escalation routes to placing school and DSL
Engagement with local authority safeguarding arrangements
Contact with emergency services where a child is at immediate risk
Joined up working with social care, health and education partners

Staff training and suitability

Staff Training and Suitability

Summit AP maintains clear expectations around staff suitability, safeguarding awareness and professional conduct. Staff are enhanced DBS checked and receive training relevant to working safely and effectively with young people. This includes safeguarding, first aid, trauma informed practice, restorative conversations, de escalation, anti bullying, internet safety, attendance awareness and appropriate information sharing.

Working with schools

Partnership with designated safeguarding leads.

Where a school commissions a placement, Summit AP works in partnership with the school's designated safeguarding lead and relevant professionals. We provide written information requested by commissioners, including confirmation of safeguarding checks, policies, risk management and reporting arrangements.

Need safeguarding information for a commissioning decision?

Request placement information or book a discussion and we will share what your team needs to make a confident decision.

Request placement information Book a provision discussion