All organisations that work with young people and vulnerable adults should have safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that everyone, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, has a right to equal protection from harm. 

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. It means:

• protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment

• preventing harm to health or development

• taking action to enable all young people and adults to have the best outcomes

Big Creative Training will take all necessary steps to support and protect its learners, both while at work and during their off the job training. 

All AEB learners, trainees and apprentices are assigned a work coach employed by BCT who meets regularly with the apprentice to support them. Your work coach is responsible for ensuring that you are aware of the safeguarding and 'Prevent' arrangements in place, and what to do if you have any concerns.

Safeguarding concerns are referred to, and managed by, the DSL in exactly the same way as any other learner at Big Creative Training.

We want to work with you to ensure that you have the ability – and, if necessary, the training – to recognise and support your well-being or welfare concerns but also your peers and colleagues as well. That includes making your employers aware of the Big Creative Training's safeguarding policy and safeguarding team. 

When potential issues are flagged early, relevant support can be put in place. At Big Creative Training, this includes:

• 1:1 support with a member of the safeguarding team

• Referral to our internal counselling service

• Industry-specific support  with your work coach

• Referral to specialist organisations in the community such as mental health support, housing associations, etc.

Your line managers and trainers are also not exempt from low mood, stress or anxiety. You may recognise these signs in other people – so make sure they know where or how to raise any concerns. 

If you raise concerns about your workplace or a colleague, we will stop you from attending the workplace until an investigation has been carried out by the Apprenticeship team and the DSL.

Apprentices and employers must follow the detailed guidance around safeguarding and 'Prevent' available in the relevant policies and procedures issued to them as part of the enrolment and induction processes (see the policies here) . 

Never hesitate to raise worries, concerns or questions with your work coach or with the safeguarding team. We are here to listen to you, and to provide you with support and guidance.

You might spend a large proportion of your studies working from home, or remotely from another location. Although you’re busy with your role and studies, you need to be aware of the risks online and work in a safe and secure way.

Online security top tips

• Make sure your computer, tablet and mobile have security software to protect you.

• Create passwords others won’t be able to guess.

• Never share your security details with anyone else and don’t write them down for others to find.

• If you use a shared computer, make sure you log out every time you have finished.

• Don’t click on links, emails or pop-up ads you don’t recognise.

• Before entering any personal or payment details on a website, look out for a small padlock symbol in the address bar or browser window and a web address beginning with ‘https’. The ‘s’ stands for secure.

• Don’t give out personal information such as address or phone number

• Don’t open emails or attachments from people you don’t know.