Purpose and applicability
The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Manual sets out MCR Pathways commitment to creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all children, young people and vulnerable adults we work with. It outlines our legal, moral and professional responsibilities and provides a framework for recognising, responding to, and reporting concerns. The manual brings together our safeguarding policies, procedures, code of conduct, roles and responsibilities, and guidance for staff, trustees, volunteers , contractors and visitors. It reflects national legislation and best practice standards, ensuring compliance and consistency across all areas of our work.
Safeguarding Definition and Principles
Safeguarding involves promoting the welfare of children and protecting them from harm, including maltreatment and health impairment. It ensures children grow up in safe environments and enables them to achieve the best outcomes. MCR Pathways emphasises that no one involved in our work should experience abuse, and everyone shares responsibility for promoting welfare and creating a safe culture.
Key Safeguarding Frameworks England:
- Children Act 1989 , Children Act 2004 , Children and Social Work Act 2017
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025
- Working together to safeguard children – GOV.UK
Scotland:
- Children (Scotland) Act 1995
- Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
- Supporting documents – National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 – updated 2023 – gov.scot
- The Promise Scotland Plan 24-30
Key Areas of Operation
Group Work
Young people learn about safety as part of the curriculum, reinforced by Pathways Coordinators through group sessions on wellbeing and healthy relationships.
Mentoring
MCR Pathways ensures young person safety through mentor vetting, training, clear boundaries and continuous support.
Multi-agency Working
MCR Pathways staff participate in multi-agency efforts to support young people, following local authority guidelines for data sharing.
Reporting, Response and Escalation Pathways
MCR Pathways has detailed procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns, emphasising that it’s not the role of staff or mentors to investigate disclosures. The guidelines cover how to receive, reassure, react to, refer and record disclosures.
- Clear processes for reporting concerns or disclosures.
- Mandatory referral to Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).
- Immediate action if a child is at risk of significant harm.
- Flowchart guidance for handling disclosures.
Managing Allegations against Staff and Volunteers
MCR Pathways has procedures for dealing with safeguarding concerns or allegations made against MCR staff and volunteers working in or on behalf of schools in a paid or unpaid capacity. It details how allegations should be reported and the initial response required in both school settings and when allegations are made directly to MCR.
- Reporting Procedures
- Definitions of allegations
- Initial Response by Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)
- Consideration of Allegations
- Outcomes and Referrals
- Record Keeping and Responsibilities
Safer Recruitment & Training
MCR Pathways implements robust safer recruitment practices to identify and reject unsuitable staff and volunteers, including policy application, pre-employment checks and training for recruitment panels.
- Enhanced DBS (England) / PVG (Scotland) checks for all staff and mentors.
- Safer recruitment procedures with structured interviews and references.
- Mandatory safeguarding induction and continuous training for all staff, volunteers, and trustees.
Organisational Responsibilities
Overall responsibility lies with the Board of Trustees, the CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
- Board of Trustees: Strategic oversight and annual review.
- Chief Executive & Senior Leadership Team: Operational implementation and compliance.
- DSLs: Daily management of safeguarding concerns and ensuring policy adherence.
- All staff and volunteers must follow safeguarding rules and attend training, and liaison with external agencies.
Safeguarding Committee (SC) and Continuous Improvement
The SC focuses on establishing a safe environment, reviewing policies, monitoring compliance, and ensuring that MCR Pathways learns from Child Protection Cases.
- Termly Safeguarding Committee meetings.
- Annual safeguarding performance review.
- Policy updates aligned with legislation and best practice.
Contact Information and Special Features
The document provides contact details for Designated Safeguarding Leads in MCR Pathways UK
- Mentoring safeguarding protocols.
- Group work safety guidelines.
- Talent Tasters safeguarding processes.
- Multi-agency working alignment.