The purpose of this policy statement is:

• To protect children and young people who receive The Pink Hoose Driving School’s services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.

• This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of The Pink Hoose Driving School, and provides them with the principles that guide our approach to child protection.

 

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Scotland. A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning.

 

We believe that:

• Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.

• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

 

We recognise that:

• The welfare of children and young people is paramount in the work we do and in all the decisions we take all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.

• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting them.

• Appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people.

• Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies.

• Providing effective management for all staff through support and training.

• Recruiting staff safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.

• Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance

• Making sure that children, young people and their families know what to do if they have a concern.

• Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, where there is risk of harm.

• Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.

 

How we deal with disclosures from young people

• We will endeavour to listen carefully to the young person, and involve their family or an appropriate adult where possible. We will seek to offer the most appropriate support, to gain advice from the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 where needed, and to contact the relevant agencies where appropriate.

 

How we deal with concerns about young people

• We may become aware of concerns through the young person, the family, or a third party. We will endeavour to listen to all concerns and take the most appropriate action. Where the risk to a young person is immediate or life threatening, we will contact the police on 999. We may contact the NSPCC for advice on 0808 800 5000, and/or we may contact the local authority to report our concerns.

• Whilst we follow GDPR regulations and are registered with the Information Commissioners Office (ZB515472), we will share concerns with the appropriate authorities if a young person or family is at risk.

• Any concerns must be reported to the nominated child protection lead (detailed below), and a safeguarding concerns report form must be completed and submitted to the nominated child protection lead for record keeping. The individual, family or third party concerned are able to access any reports that have been made about them, by contacting the nominated child protection lead.

 

Photography and sharing images

• The Pink Hoose Driving School will always ask for permission before taking and sharing images. These images will be of when pupils pass their driving test, and we recognise that some pupils will be under 18 years old. No pass photos will be taken or shared without verbal or written consent from the young person, or any other pupil. If the instructor is in any doubt that the young person is unsure of what they are agreeing to, the instructor will not take or share any pass photos.

 

Safe recruitment

• All instructors working with The Pink Hoose Driving School have an enhanced DBS check regularly, as part of their registration with the DVSA.

• All instructors must report any offences, allegations, or concerns, immediately to The Pink Hoose Driving School and the DVSA, who will deal with each report individually, with an absolute priority to protect all customers, including children and young people.

 

Training and guidance

• The Pink Hoose Driving School provide guidance in our handbook, as well as encouraging safeguarding training delivered by the NSPCC. Ongoing support and guidance are given through The Pink Hoose Driving School, with additional support from the NSPCC where needed.

 

Contact details

Nominated child protection lead

Name: Claire Mitchell
Text: 07813 791868
Email: driving@thepinkhoose.co.uk

 

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

 

The Pink Hoose Driving School reserves the right to change and amend this policy at any time without prior notice. If any changes are made, the revised policy shall be posted here.

To contact The Pink Hoose Driving School, please email driving@thepinkhoose.co.uk or call/text Claire Mitchell on 07813 791868. The best option is to send a message and we will get back to you as soon as we have stopped driving.

This policy was updated on 25th Feb 2023