Section C
ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS
10.0 Students under 18 years of age and Risk Assessments for Children and
Vulnerable Adults
10.1 The University has a duty of care towards those students who are defined as children. For these students the Director of Academic and Student Affairs should:-
- inform parents and guardians that the University is not in loco parentis;
- have a list of the student’s emergency contact details, in particular those of parents and guardians;
- inform the student that he/she may not enter licensed premises or hold office; and
- advise those dealing with the student of the Code of Conduct
10.2 Risk assessments should be completed for all undergraduate students under the age of 18 and vulnerable adults undertaking work placements during the course of their studies. Assurances should be sought that staff of the business/agency with which the student has been placed have been checked to the appropriate level.
11.0 Code of Conduct
11.1 The University has developed a Code of Conduct for all staff and students that come into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults through the course of their duties or studies (Appendix 7).
11. 2 A copy of this policy and the Code of Conduct will be made available to all staff and students who will be working in regulated activity.
11.3 The Code of Conduct applies equally to staff and students working in regulated activity on behalf of the University off campus e.g. visits to secondary schools or further education colleges.
11.4 Staff and students who, during the course of their studies or duties or work placements, work with external Trusts, Agencies, Charities or businesses, should make themselves aware of the organisation’s code of conduct and policies in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and should adhere to these policies.
11.5 Staff or students who breach this Code and cause a child or vulnerable adult to be harmed/put at risk of harm or incites others to cause harm will be referred to the ISA who may decide that they should appear on either the disqualification of working with children or vulnerable adults lists. These individuals will also be subject to investigation under the University’s disciplinary procedure. Please refer to section D of this policy for further details.
12.0 Events organised by the University targeted at Children and/or Vulnerable Adults
12.1 The person responsible for any event targeted at children and vulnerable adults will ensure compliance with this policy and the accompanying Code of Conduct, Appendix 8.
12.2 The checklist at Appendix 8 will be followed and completed prior to each and every event. Failure to comply with this checklist may result in a disciplinary penalty
13.0 External Organisations Working with Children using Queen’s University’s
Facilities/Contractors
13.1 Queen’s has a duty of care to all visitors
13.2 All organisations working with children that visit Queen’s are required to produce to the University a declaration stating that their staff have been registered with the ISA and are allowed to work with children as well as having their own child protection policy, procedures and officer.
13.3 If the organisation does not have the appropriate child protection measures in place it will not be permitted to use Queen’s facilities.
13.4 Where the situation warrants it, the University will require that the terms of any contract awarded will require the contractor to register its own staff. The University will monitor the contractor’s compliance.
13.5 The organisation will be asked to complete the form at Appendix 9 and return to the contact at the University.
14.0 The Child Protection Review Group
14.1 This group will meet periodically to review the operation of this policy with the aim of ensuring the safety of Children and Vulnerable Adults.
15.0 Training
15.1 The senior person responsible for the protection arrangements in each School/Directorate will undergo relevant protection training, which will include training on this Policy and the Code of Conduct. Counter signatories will also be provided with this training.
15.2 The senior person responsible for protection arrangements in each School/Directorate will ensure that all staff and students from within their School/Directorate are trained on this policy and the Code of Conduct prior to commencing in regulated activity.
15.3 Training dates will be recorded on the recommended spreadsheets.
