Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Last updated: 1 October 2025

Introduction

1.1 Guiding Principles

  1. Pamoja Education Limited (“Pamoja” or “the Company”) is committed to taking seriously, and responding appropriately to, concerns, suspicions and disclosures regarding the welfare of students.
  2. All staff, including employees, temporary staff and contractors, ("Staff") have a responsibility to immediately report concerns to one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads (“DSLs”).
  3. The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy applies to all students studying with Pamoja.
  4. The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy (the “Policy”) is based on the UK regulatory framework as an example of effective practice; however, Pamoja recognises that this policy must cover multiple jurisdictions and is committed to complying with applicable legislation.

1.2 Policy Aims

The aims of the Policy are to promote effective safeguarding practices by:

  1. Setting clear expectations of professional practice for all Staff.
  2. Preparing Staff to make informed and confident responses to safeguarding concerns, including identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.  
  3. Maintaining a structured reporting procedure for suspected or disclosed abuse.  
  4. Developing effective working relationships with other agencies, including Customer Schools, that are responsible for the care of children and families.  
  5. Ensuring that all Staff working within Pamoja undergo verification of their identity and qualifications, and other checks including, but not limited to, Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) check, as appropriate, or the local equivalent, and that a central record is kept for audit.

1.3 Related Policies and Procedures

Refer also to the Pamoja teacher code of conduct, which can be provided on request.

1.4 Terminology

  1. Abuse: when someone is intentionally harmed by an adult or young person. It can happen as a one-off or over a period of time.
  2. Allegation: a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong.
  3. Agencies: an authority, business or organisation that provides services in relation to child protection.
  4. Customer School: a school in a contractual relationship with Pamoja, with lead responsibility for the safeguarding of their students
  5. Disclosure: when a person makes a child protection incident, issue or concern known.
  6. Designated Safeguarding Lead (“DSL”): staff who have undergone Level 3 Designated Safeguarding Lead training and are part of the Safeguarding Team.
  7. Event: face-to-face and online events, webinars, online lessons and conferences, organised by Pamoja.
  8. Harm: physical and/or mental damage or injury caused either intentionally or through neglect.
  9. Incident: an occurrence of harm, or an observation or action that causes concern.
  10. One-to-one: one adult in a setting with one student.
  11. Parent: an adult in a legal position of care for a student eg a relative, carer, guardian.
  12. Referral: the process of formally requesting support from another agency, including but not limited to medical facilities and the police.
  13. Safeguarding: the measures taken to protect children from harm.
  14. Safeguarding Team: the Designated Safeguarding Leads from Pamoja who together oversee safeguarding.
  15. Safer Recruitment: a process coordinated by HR to ensure that suitable checks are in place to ensure that Staff are suitable to work with children.  
  16. Staff: all employees of Pamoja, including full-time and part-time permanent and temporary employees, and contractors.
  17. Student: a child or young person who may be in the care of Pamoja, including those over the age of 18.
  18. Technology: includes any electronic devices used for communication, photography, videography, audio recording.

2. Roles and responsibilities

2.1 All Staff

All Staff shall:

  1. Recognise their duty to safeguard and protect all Students who come into their care.
  2. Comply with the Pamoja Safeguarding Code of Conduct at all times.
  3. Immediately refer cases of suspected or disclosed abuse to the DSLs, following the appropriate guidance.
  4. Complete safeguarding training before working directly with Students and/or within the first six months of their employment.
  5. Complete safeguarding refresher training at least once every three years.

2.2 The Designated Safeguarding Leads

The DSLs for Pamoja shall:

  1. Have operational responsibility for safeguarding and report to the Principal, who reports to the Managing Director.
  2. Monitor Students known or thought to be at risk of harm and/or abuse, and take action as appropriate.
  3. Ensure that detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns, referrals and outcomes are kept confidentially, even if there is no need for immediate action.
  4. Where appropriate, refer cases to the Customer School or relevant agencies and law enforcement.
  5. Receive DSL Level 3 training every two years and engage in other ongoing professional development as relevant.
  6. Make themselves known to and act as a source of advice and support for Pamoja Staff.
  7. Ensure at least one member of the Safeguarding Team is reachable via email or Microsoft Teams during UK office hours, organising cover as required.
  8. Check the safeguarding@pamojaeducation.com inbox on a daily basis.
  9. Ensure all Staff receive safeguarding training, including all new Staff, and refresher training every three years for all Staff.
  10. Ensure that information about safeguarding at Pamoja is available for Customer Schools, Students and/or parents.
  11. Contribute to Serious Case Reviews/Internal Case Reviews as required.
  12. If required, facilitate the secure and confidential transfer of safeguarding files to a new school, obtaining confirmation of receipt from the receiving institution.
  13. Provide a quarterly summary to the Managing Director including concerns and recommendations regarding the policy and procedures, training undertaken and the number and type of incidents/cases.
  14. Organise a deputy as needed who undertakes the same training requirements.
  15. Ensure that the Policy is updated and reviewed at least annually.

3. Recruitment

Pamoja is committed to protecting all of its customers and users; therefore, the Company undertakes comprehensive recruitment screening and selection to ensure that all Staff are carefully selected and vetted for suitability to work with Students.

  1. Pamoja uses Safer Recruitment for all new Staff.
  2. Successful candidates for all positions provide or undergo a check through the UK DBS or local agency equivalent, as appropriate.
  3. Pamoja reserves the right to investigate any gaps in employment.
  4. Photographic evidence of identity is to be provided by all new Staff.
  5. Pamoja communicates its strong Policy, which is strictly adhered to.
  6. Pamoja gives candidates the opportunity to disclose previous prosecutions or allegations.
  7. All new Staff read the Code of Conduct, and confirm they understand and agree to it.

4. Allegations against Staff

  1. Pamoja recognises that a Student may make an allegation against a member of Staff.
  2. An allegation is any information that indicates that a member of Staff may have: 
    1. Behaved in a way that has or may have harmed a Student.  
    2. Committed a criminal offence in relation to a Student.
    3. Behaved towards a Student or Students in a way which indicates they will pose a risk of harm if they work regularly or closely with Students.
    4. This applies to any Student with whom the member of Staff has contact in their personal, professional or community life.  
  3. If an allegation meets any of the criteria set out in 4b) above then Staff should immediately inform the DSL, who will contact the relevant authorities and/or conduct an internal inquiry.  
  4. Pamoja recognises that allegations may be made erroneously or maliciously; however, all allegations will be taken seriously and followed up immediately with steps taken to ensure the safety and welfare of the Student.  
  5. Pamoja recognises that suspension of the member of Staff against whom an allegation has been made, deserves and requires careful consideration. The Managing Director will seek the advice of the HR department in making this decision. In the event of an allegation against the Managing Director, the decision to suspend will be made by the board of Pamoja.  
  6. Allegations found to be false will be removed from personnel records and will not be referred to in employer references.

5. Supporting Staff

  1. Pamoja recognises that Staff who have become involved with a Student who has suffered harm, or appears to be likely to suffer harm,  may find the situation stressful and upsetting.  
  2. Pamoja will support such Staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their experience with the DSL.  

6. Policy Evaluation and Review

  1. Pamoja commits to ensuring that an effective Policy is in place and is reviewed annually.
  2. Pamoja commits to communicating relevant changes in policy or procedure to Staff and updating training to reflect this.