Effective Date: 1 April 2024
Purpose and Scope
This document delineates the protocols employed by Stem Futures to ensure the welfare of children and young adults (ages 10-18) who partake in our live online sessions and mentorship programs (“User”). The protection of students accessing the Stem Futures platform is of paramount significance. We assert that all children, irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, possess an inherent right to safety from all forms of maltreatment or abuse.
Legal Framework
This policy is formulated in accordance with the most recent legislation and guidelines issued by the UK Government and relevant authorities concerning the safeguarding of children within the UK. A comprehensive overview of pertinent legislation can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-and-remote-education.
We pledge to:
- Establish a safe and confidential system for children to report any issues or concerns, ensuring constant supervision of this mechanism.
- Make certain that children, young people, and their families are informed about the appropriate avenues for assistance and support for any concerns they might encounter.
- Prioritise the well-being and dignity of children by showing them respect, valuing their input, and actively listening to them.
- Commit to best practices in child protection and safeguarding through our policies, procedures, and staff codes of conduct.
- Develop and execute an extensive online safety policy and corresponding procedures.
- Offer effective management, supervision, support, training, and quality assurance for our staff.
- Ensure that all team members are adequately trained and confident in adhering to our policies, procedures, and behaviour codes.
- Conduct thorough safe recruitment and selection processes for staff, including all necessary background checks.
- Manage information professionally and securely, in compliance with data protection legislation and guidelines.
- Engage with children, young people, parents, families, and caregivers as appropriate.
- Address allegations against staff properly through our established protocols.
- Foster a culture of respect and enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and cyberbullying.
- Maintain policies and procedures to effectively manage any instances of bullying and cyberbullying.
- Implement effective measures for complaints and whistleblowing.
- Cultivate a safeguarding culture characterised by mutual respect, trust, and open communication among staff, children, young people, and their families.
Measures for Ensuring Student Safety:
Student Code of Conduct
Participants in the online sessions and mentorship programs must comply with our rigorous Student Code of Conduct, which forbids behaviours that could endanger children or other participants, such as harassment, bullying, cyberbullying or discrimination. This code also specifies the repercussions for policy breaches, including possible disciplinary actions or expulsion from the program.
Communication Guidelines
All interactions between educators and children, including those related to the mentorship service, are conducted through official channels authorised by Stem Futures. Direct and private messaging or the exchange of personal contact details with children is strictly forbidden to prevent any inappropriate communications. Furthermore, educators are prohibited from engaging in personal discussions with children beyond the educational or mentorship sessions.
Reporting Procedure
Any inappropriate communications, violations of the Student Code of Conduct, and other safety concerns must be promptly reported to safeguarding@stemfutures.co.uk. Reports should detail the names of all individuals involved, the platform on which the incident occurred (Stem Futures platform, Discord, livestream, etc.), and the reporter’s preferred contact details (email, mobile phone number, home address).
Background Checks
Stem Futures conducts comprehensive background investigations on all educators, to ascertain they have no history of abuse or misconduct. This includes up-to-date enhanced DBS checks, reference verifications, and the authentication of academic credentials.
Parental Consent
Users under 18 must have received full consent from a parent or legal guardian, with both the Student and Parent affirming their understanding and acceptance of the terms under which the Stem Futures Course is provided, as outlined in the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Student Code of Conduct.
Data Protection
Stem Futures is dedicated to safeguarding the personal data of children and other participants involved in our online sessions and mentorship programs. We adhere to all applicable data protection laws and regulations, employing stringent safeguards to ensure the privacy and security of personal information.
Review and Update
Our safeguarding policy is regularly reviewed and updated to maintain its relevance and alignment with the latest safeguarding guidelines and best practices.