Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
DIRECTORY
POLICY STATEMENT .......................................................................................4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BY HOST FAMILY .........................................................4
DEFINITIONS ..................................................................................................9
PROCEDURES ...............................................................................................16
ROLE OF DSL AND DDSL................................................................................25
PREVENT ......................................................................................................27
RECORD KEEPING .......................................................................................27
TRAINING AND UPDATES..............................................................................28
DSL AND DDSL..............................................................................................28
WHISTLEBLOWING .......................................................................................28
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
CONTACT DETAILS FOR LSP AND LADO WHERE THE GUARDIANSHIP
ORGANISATION IS LOCATED.........................................................................30
CONTACT DETAILS FOR LSPs AND LADOs ACROSS THE AREAS THAT COMPASS
CULTURE AND EDUCATION OPERATES.........................................................30
MENTAL HEALTH ..........................................................................................32
UPSKIRTING .................................................................................................36
SERIOUS VIOLENCE.......................................................................................37
COUNTY LINES ............................................................................................37
CYBERCRIME ................................................................................................39
DOMESTIC ABUSE.........................................................................................41
ONLINE SAFETY ............................................................................................42
REVIEW ........................................................................................................42
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
POLICY STATEMENT
Compass Culture & Education Ltd recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare
of every child in its care. We acknowledge that “it could happen here”. The safety and best interests
of the child are paramount. We provide an environment in which children feel safe, heard, valued
and respected, and in which concerns are acted on promptly.
The purpose of this policy is to provide staff, volunteers and homestays with the framework they
need in order to keep children safe and secure whilst they are in our care. The policy also informs
parents, agents and partner schools how we will safeguard their children whilst they are in our care.
This policy draws on Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (KCSIE 2026), Working Together to
Safeguard Children 2026, the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 and relevant safeguarding, equality and
data protection requirements. KCSIE applies directly to schools and colleges; Compass applies its
relevant safeguarding principles to the guardianship and homestay context in line with AEGIS Quality
Standards (September 2026).
KEY SAFEGUARDING CONTACT DETAILS
Role
Name
Telephone Number
07743 386699
Email
Yuexuan Wang
(Sunny)
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Tianlun Liu (Tina)
Lu Jin (Lucy)
07405 844198
24-hour emergency contact (routes
safeguarding to DSL/DDSL)
07912 847858
CHILD PROTECTION PRINCIPLES
The following principles underpin our provisions and practices in relation to safeguarding and child
protection:
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Compass Culture and Education will provide a safe and secure environment for all
students;
Homestays and transfer companies provide a safe and secure environment for all
students;
All students feel safe, secure and protected from harm;
All students know who to turn to for help, advice or support, can access services
confidentially, quickly and easily and have access to 24-hour support;
The company director of the company has overall responsibility and accountability for the
safeguarding and welfare of the students;
All staff, homestays and volunteers share in the responsibility to protect students from
harm, remain vigilant in identifying safeguarding and child protection issues and to follow
policies and procedures relating to safeguarding and child protection;
Students and staff have effective means by which they can raise child protection concerns
or report issues;
Staff have at least one reliable means to contact all students quickly and directly;
Staff are aware of the medical or learning needs of individual students via the Student
Record and these are shared with the homestay on a need to know basis;
In cases where the whereabouts of a student under Compass Culture and Education is not
known or the student is believed to be at risk of harm, procedures to locate the student by
the safest and quickest means possible, or secure the safety of the student will be invoked
immediately by following the Missing Student policy;
The company has procedures in place that enable child protection concerns and incidents
to be dealt with promptly and effectively and in line with relevant legislation.
Compass Culture and Education is committed to the protection of all children in its care. We are
committed to safeguarding student welfare and undertake rigorous checks on all who work with us
and we expect all staff, volunteers and homestays to share this commitment.
Safeguarding students is the responsibility of us all, including full-time, part-time, contracted, agency
and volunteer staff including those who do not have cause to come into direct or regular contact
with students in order to carry out their daily duties. It also applies to those who provide homestay
accommodation for our students and third party contractors.
When any safeguarding concern arises, Compass will use a child-centred, coordinated approach,
listen to the child and take their wishes and feelings into account while acting in their best interests.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Children receive age-appropriate guidance in the Student Handbook and at induction on staying
safe, contacting their guardian, reporting concerns and obtaining 24-hour help. Disclosures are
treated seriously and information is shared only as appropriate for safety.
All staff and homestays should be aware that children may not feel ready or know how to tell
someone that they are being abused, exploited, or neglected, and/or they may not recognise their
experiences as harmful. This should not prevent staff from having a professional curiosity and
speaking to the DSL if they have concerns about a child.
Staff and homestays should build trusted relationships with children and understand barriers to
disclosure, including language, culture, disability, fear, embarrassment or dependence on adults.
They must retain professional curiosity and refer concerns even if a child is not ready to disclose
abuse.
The safety and welfare of children, or Child Protection, means protecting children from physical,
emotional or sexual abuse or neglect where there is an identified risk. Safeguarding is the
minimisation of the risk to children from all forms of child abuse including for example:
Child sexual exploitation
Child on child abuse
Radicalisation and extremism
Female genital mutilation
Physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect
Domestic abuse
Online abuse
Bullying and cyber bullying
We aim to ensure that the students in our care experience at all times a caring and secure
environment in which they feel safe, respected and valued. In pursuit of this aim, Compass Culture
and Education undertakes the following:
1. We ensure that we lead from the top by ensuring that our Director has the appropriate
safeguarding knowledge and involvement in the procedures we have in place. This includes
having oversight of arrangements.
2. Training is provided for all staff and homestays to a level appropriate for their role (see
training section below);
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
3. We promote an environment of trust, openness and clear communication between
students, school and Compass Culture and Education staff and our Homestays, so that
student welfare, safety and pastoral care is recognised as the top priority;
4. We respond to any reported allegation or suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the
Compass Culture and Education procedures as outlined below;
5. Compass applies safer recruitment, suitability and appropriate DBS and Children’s Barred
List checks for staff, homestays and contractors as applicable to their duties, eligibility and
regulated activity. No person is treated as suitable solely because they are supervised.
Details and evidence are maintained under the Safer Recruitment Policy.
6. We maintain links with the appropriate agencies who have a statutory responsibility to
deal with child welfare and child protection concerns.
If you believe a child is at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation, report your concern IMMEDIATELY to
the DSL or DDSL. For immediate danger call 999 first. The 24-hour emergency contact can alert the
DSL/DDSL outside office hours. Do not wait until the next working day or assume another person has
reported.
24-hour safeguarding escalation: DSL Yuexuan Wang (Sunny) — 07743 386699; DDSL Tianlun Liu
(Tina) — 07405 844198; 24-hour emergency contact Lu Jin (Lucy) — 07912 847858. Lucy receives
out-of-hours emergency calls and must promptly alert the DSL/DDSL. If neither can be reached and a
child is at risk, report directly to statutory services rather than waiting.
Organisation contact details and urgent reporting routes must be communicated to children,
parents, schools, staff, volunteers and homestays, with staff briefed on what to do when the DSL is
unavailable.
SUPPORTING PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTS
This policy is to be read in conjunction with the following policies and documents:
Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Policy
Anti-Radicalisation / Prevent Policy
Online Safety Policy and annual online safety risk assessment
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Emergency Procedure, including school removal, 24-hour coverage and medical
emergencies
Low-Level Concerns Policy, allegations management and self-reporting
Missing Student Policy
Safer Recruitment Policy
Staff and Homestay Code of Conduct
Whistleblowing Policy; Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notice; Student, Parent and
Homestay Handbooks; and the mental health support and school-removal procedures set
out within this policy.
GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 (Department for Education):
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 (Department for Education):
KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IN EDUCATION
KCSIE 2026 Part One sets out safeguarding information for all staff. Although written for schools and
colleges, the relevant principles inform Compass’s staff and homestay induction, training and daily
practice. Compass expects all staff, including those not normally working directly with children, to
read the current Part One and understand the organisation’s own safeguarding procedures.
KCSIE 2026 no longer contains the former condensed Part One Annex A. In the 2026 edition Annex A
contains further safeguarding information, Annex B describes the DSL role, and Annex C summarises
changes. References in this policy use the 2026 edition.
DEFINITIONS
Term
What this means
Safeguarding and Safeguarding means providing early help and support when problems emerge;
promoting the
welfare of
protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation inside or outside the home,
including online; preventing impairment of their physical and mental health or
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
children
development; promoting safe and effective care; and taking action to enable the best
outcomes. All decisions must be child-centred.
Is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity that is
undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer,
significant harm.
Child Protection
Designated
Safeguarding
Lead (DSL)
This is the person identified as taking the lead in safeguarding matters in an
organisation. This person (and any deputy) will be trained to a higher level.
Prevent is the name given to part of the government's strategy to prevent terrorism by
reducing the possibility of radicalisation.
Prevent
Local safeguarding arrangements bring together three statutory safeguarding partners:
the local authority, the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the chief officer of police. They
coordinate safeguarding and publish local threshold and referral procedures. The 2026
guidance also uses “LSP” to mean Lead Safeguarding Partner; Compass therefore uses
“local safeguarding arrangements” rather than “LSP” for the partnership.
Local multi-
agency
safeguarding
arrangements
The role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is to coordinate all allegations
and concerns made against a person who works with children.
LADO
Children
‘Children’ includes everyone under the age of 18.
WHAT IS ABUSE AND NEGLECT?
Knowing what to look for is vital to the early identification of abuse and neglect. All staff
and homestays should be aware of indicators of abuse and neglect so that they are able
to identify cases of children who may be in need of help or protection. If staff or
homestays are unsure, they should always speak to the DSL (or DDSL).
All staff and homestays should be aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are
rarely stand-alone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases,
multiple issues will overlap with one another.
Contextual safeguarding: risk may arise beyond the child’s family or school, including in
homestays, local communities and online. Risks include sexual violence, harassment,
exploitation, teenage relationship abuse (including stalking), criminal or financial
exploitation, serious violence, organised criminal activity, county lines and radicalisation.
Staff and homestays refer concerns to the DSL/DDSL and support appropriate inter-agency
action.
Technology is a significant component of safeguarding. Harms can occur online and offline
together, including cyberbullying, misogynistic or discriminatory messages, grooming,
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
coercion, non-consensual making or sharing of nudes or semi-nudes, and AI-
generated/deepfake sexual imagery. All such reports require a safeguarding response; staff
must not forward images or carry out their own investigation.
TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The following definitions are informed by KCSIE 2026, Part One. They should be read together with
the current guidance, not as a substitute for it.
Abuse is the maltreatment of a child by causing harm or failing to prevent it. It may occur in the
family, community, school, homestay or online. Harm can include witnessing the ill-treatment of
others or child-to-parent/caregiver abuse, as well as direct physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or
scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also
be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a
child.
Emotional abuse is persistent emotional maltreatment causing serious adverse effects on
development. This can include belittling, name-calling, repeated criticism, humiliation, intimidation,
silencing a child, exposure to domestic abuse, bullying and other harmful behaviours, online or
offline.
Sexual abuse includes forcing, causing or inciting a child to take part in sexual activities, with or
without physical contact, whether or not the child understands what is happening. It includes sexual
assault, penetration offences, sexualised touching, grooming, creation or sharing of sexual images,
and online-facilitated offences. A child under 13 cannot consent to sexual activity; sexual activity
with a child under 16 raises specific criminal offences. Staff refer any concern immediately to the
DSL/DDSL and do not conduct investigative interviews.
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to
result in serious impairment of health or development. This can include lack of adequate food,
clothing, shelter, safe supervision, medical care, medication or response to emotional needs.
Health, disability, additional needs, language barriers or caring responsibilities may increase
vulnerability or create additional barriers to disclosure. Such circumstances must not be assumed to
explain away indicators of abuse.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
(For specific types of abuse, please see the additional information at the end of this policy).
SIGNS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The following information has been taken from the NSPCC website https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-
is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/.(This website page also includes further details on other specific signs
of abuse including bullying and cyberbullying, child sexual exploitation, child trafficking, criminal
exploitation and gangs, domestic abuse, FGM, grooming, non-recent abuse, and online abuse.)
Common signs
The NSPCC list the following as common signs that there may be something concerning happening in
a child’s life include:
unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
becoming withdrawn
seeming anxious
becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
lacks social skills and has few friends, if any
poor bond or relationship with a parent
knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age
running away or going missing
always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body
These signs don’t necessarily mean that a child is being abused, there could be other things
happening in their life which are affecting their behaviour – but we can help you to assess the
situation.
You may also notice some concerning behaviour from adults who you know have children in their
care, which makes you concerned for the child/children’s safety and wellbeing.
Indicators of Physical Abuse
Bumps and bruises don't always mean a child is being physically abused. All children have accidents,
trips and falls. And there isn't just one sign or symptom to look out for. But it's important to be
aware of the signs.
If a child regularly has injuries, there seems to be a pattern to the injuries or the explanation doesn't
match the injuries, then this should be reported.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Physical abuse symptoms include:
bruises
broken or fractured bones
burns or scalds
bite marks
It can also include other injuries and health problems, such as:
scarring
the effects of poisoning, such as vomiting, drowsiness or seizures
breathing problems from drowning, suffocation or poisoning
Head injuries in babies and toddlers can be signs of abuse so it's important to be aware of
these. Visible signs include:
swelling
bruising
fractures
being extremely sleepy or unconscious
breathing problems
seizures
vomiting
unusual behaviour, such as being irritable or not feeding properly
Indicators of Emotional Abuse
There might not be any obvious physical signs of emotional abuse or neglect. And a child might not
tell anyone what's happening until they reach a 'crisis point'. That's why it's important to look out for
signs in how a child is acting.
As children grow up, their emotions change. This means it can be difficult to tell if they're being
emotionally abused. But children who are being emotionally abused might:
seem unconfident or lack self-assurance
struggle to control their emotions
have difficulty making or maintaining relationships
act in a way that's inappropriate for their age
The signs of emotional abuse can also be different for children at different ages.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Children might:
use language you wouldn't expect them to know for their age
act in a way or know about things you wouldn't expect them to know for their age
struggle to control their emotions
have extreme outbursts
seem isolated from their parents
lack social skills
have few or no friends.
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
Knowing the signs of sexual abuse can help give a voice to children. Sometimes children won't
understand that what's happening to them is wrong or they might be scared to speak out. Some of
the signs you might notice include:
Emotional and Behavioural signs
Avoiding being alone with or frightened of people or a person they know
Language or sexual behaviour you wouldn't expect them to know
Having nightmares or bed-wetting
Alcohol or drug misuse
Self-harm
Changes in eating habits or developing an eating problem
Physical Signs
Bruises
Bleeding, discharge, pains or soreness in their genital or anal area
Sexually transmitted infections
Pregnancy
If a child is being or has been sexually abused online, they might:
spend a lot more or a lot less time than usual online, texting, gaming or using social
media
seem distant, upset or angry after using the internet or texting
be secretive about who they're talking to and what they're doing online or on their
mobile phone
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
have lots of new phone numbers, texts or email addresses on their mobile phone, laptop
or tablet
Children and young people might also drop hints and clues about the abuse
Indicators of Neglect
Neglect can be really difficult to spot. Having one of the signs doesn't necessarily mean a child is
being neglected. But if you notice multiple signs that last for a while, they might show there's a
serious problem. Children and young people who are neglected might have:
Poor appearance and hygiene
being smelly or dirty
being hungry or not given money for food
having unwashed clothes
having the wrong clothing, such as no warm clothes in winter
Health and development problems
anaemia
body issues, such as poor muscle tone or prominent joints
medical or dental issues
missed medical appointments, such as for vaccinations
not given the correct medicines
poor language or social skills
regular illness or infections
repeated accidental injuries, often caused by lack of supervision
skin issues, such as sores, rashes, flea bites, scabies or ringworm
thin or swollen tummy
tiredness
untreated injuries
weight or growth issues
Housing and family issues
living in an unsuitable home environment, such as having no heating
being left alone for a long time
taking on the role of carer for other family members
Change in behaviour
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
becoming clingy
becoming aggressive
being withdrawn, depressed or anxious
changes in eating habits
displaying obsessive behaviour
finding it hard to concentrate or take part in activities
missing school
showing signs of self-harm
using drugs or alcohol
PROCEDURES
All staff, volunteers, homestays and relevant contractors receive the current DSL/DDSL details, the
24-hour emergency escalation route, guidance on reporting concerns and access to this policy during
induction. The safeguarding reporting route is via the DSL/DDSL; any individual may contact
children’s social care or police directly where necessary to safeguard a child. LADO enquiries concern
allegations about adults in positions of trust and are a separate referral route.
Compass will self-report to AEGIS by promptly informing them of any significant safeguarding
concerns, incidents that could be perceived as compromising or subject to misinterpretation, or
instances where behaviour falls below expected standards. This will be done through formal
communication channels to ensure transparency and compliance with safeguarding regulations.
Actions when there are concerns about a child or young person
Concern or disclosure → ensure immediate safety → inform DSL/DDSL immediately → record the
facts → decide promptly whether to contact local authority children’s social care, police or health
services → document advice, decisions, action and follow-up. Contact 999 for immediate danger.
The applicable children’s social care team is the authority responsible for the child’s circumstances,
not automatically the authority of the office.
All staff and homestays must identify and respond to suspected abuse, exploitation or
neglect. A report or disclosure must be passed immediately to the DSL or DDSL, not within
24 hours. The person receiving the disclosure listens without leading questions, makes a
factual record, avoids promises of secrecy and does not investigate the allegation.
If there is an immediate threat to life or serious harm, call 999 and take protective action.
For urgent safeguarding concerns requiring children’s social care, contact the relevant local
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
authority children’s social care/MASH by telephone, including its out-of-hours emergency
duty service where appropriate. The DSL/DDSL should be informed as soon as practicable;
their unavailability must not delay emergency action.
For non-emergency safeguarding referrals, the DSL/DDSL follows the relevant authority’s
current published online referral portal or secure referral process and its local threshold
guidance. Consider community-based early help / Family Help support where appropriate,
but do not delay a statutory referral where there is a risk of significant harm.
The DSL may also seek advice from Social Care or another appropriate agency about a
concern, if we are unsure how to respond to it.
Where concerns arise at school, Compass liaises promptly with the school DSL and relevant
statutory agencies. Allegations about a member of school staff are reported in accordance
with the school’s safeguarding procedure and relevant LADO route; an allegation about the
school head is not reported solely to that person. Any immediate risk is reported to police
or children’s social care without delay.
Where a concern does not yet meet the threshold for a statutory referral, the DSL/DDSL
records the concern, identifies proportionate early help or Family Help and reviews the
child’s safety. If concern escalates, the DSL/DDSL makes a prompt referral to the relevant
local authority children’s social care service and, where appropriate, police. Local
thresholds must never delay action where significant harm is suspected.
Parents/carers are normally consulted and informed where appropriate and safe; however,
consent is not a prerequisite to sharing or referring information where necessary to
safeguard a child. Do not alert a parent/carer if doing so might increase risk, undermine
protection or impede police enquiries; consult statutory agencies where needed and
record the decision.
If a member of staff or homestay continues to have concerns about a child and feels the
situation is not being addressed or does not appear to be improving, the staff member or
homestay concerned should press for re-consideration of the case with the designated
safeguarding lead.
If the DSL/DDSL is unavailable or is implicated, staff and homestays must not wait or route
concerns solely through the person complained about. They may contact the Director
where not implicated, and contact the relevant children’s social care service, LADO (for
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
allegations involving adults in the children’s workforce) or police directly. Any immediate
danger requires 999. The concern and action taken must be recorded securely.
The DSL/DDSL ensures a confidential safeguarding record is created promptly for every
concern, capturing the original disclosure, risks, referrals, advice, decisions, rationale,
safeguarding actions, people informed and review dates. Records are separate from
routine student files and available only to the DSL/DDSL and authorised senior managers
on a strict need-to-know basis.
Safeguarding and mental health response decisions should be recorded in the secure electronic
student safeguarding record following each incident; communications held in WeChat or email must
be transferred where relevant. The DSL must track unresolved actions and follow-up dates.
How Compass will respond to child on child Abuse
All staff and homestays should be aware that children can abuse other children (often referred to as
child on child abuse) and that it can happen both inside and outside of school or college and online.
That may mean it happens whilst students are in the care of homestays. It is important that all staff
and homestays recognise the indicators and signs of child on child abuse and know how to identify it
and respond to reports.
All staff and homestays should understand, that even if there are no reports in their organisation it
does not mean it is not happening, it may be the case that it is just not being reported. As such it is
important if staff or homestays have any concerns regarding child on child abuse they should speak
to the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy).
Compass does not tolerate abuse or discriminatory behaviour, including racism, faith-targeted
abuse, sexual harassment, misogyny, misandry, homophobic or other prejudice-based abuse. Staff
challenge harmful behaviour and do not dismiss incidents as banter. A report may raise safeguarding
needs for both the child harmed and the child alleged to have caused harm. Immediate safety,
support and proportional risk assessment come first.
Child-on-child abuse can include (whether online or offline):
bullying (including cyber bullying, prejudice-based and discriminatory bullying);
abuse in intimate personal relationships between children (sometimes known as
‘teenage relationship abuse’)
physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling, or otherwise causing
physical harm (this may include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or
encourages physical abuse);
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
sexual violence, such as rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault; (this may
include an online element which facilitates, threatens and/or encourages sexual
violence);
sexual harassment, such as sexual comments, remarks, jokes and online sexual
harassment, which may be standalone or part of a broader pattern of abuse;
causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, such as forcing someone
to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a third party;
consensual or non-consensual making or sharing of nudes and semi-nudes, including
digitally altered or wholly AI-generated sexualised images; each report must be considered
as a safeguarding concern;
upskirting, which typically involves taking a picture under a person’s clothing without
their permission, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks to obtain sexual
gratification, or cause the victim humiliation, distress or alarm; and
initiation/hazing type violence and rituals (this could include activities involving
harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group and
may also include an online element).
Compass Culture and Education has the following procedures that help to minimise the
risk of child on child abuse:
Regular training for staff and homestays
Educating students through our handbooks and through discussion
Providing students with clear guidelines within the student handbook on how to raise a
concern.
Fostering effective channels of communication so that students feel comfortable
approaching their homestay carer or guardian with any concerns.
Effective communication between the DSL (and DDSL) with the DSL in schools where
students are placed.
In the event of a report of child on child abuse, staff and homestays should inform the DSL
or DDSL as soon as possible.
How students can raise a concern
It is important that students understand that any concern they raise will be treated
seriously.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Students will be encouraged to talk to any trusted adult, including school staff, their
parents, homestay carer, their guardian or the guardianship organisation DSL/ DDSL. This
will be explained to them verbally, with a written reminder included in the student
handbook.
How allegations will be recorded, investigated and dealt with
All reports of child on child abuse will be made on a case by case basis with the DSL or
the DDSL taking a leading role using their professional judgement and supported by
other agencies such as social care or the police as required.
Compass Culture and Education asks staff and homestay to follow the procedures
outlined within this policy for person and for actions to be followed if there are concerns
about a child or young person.
Where a report involves nude or semi-nude imagery, staff/homestays must not request,
download, copy, print, forward or routinely view images. Preserve relevant information
without circulating the content, notify the DSL/DDSL immediately, follow current UKCIS
guidance and the school’s safeguarding procedure, and contact statutory services or police
as required.
The DSL will notify the DSL of the school that the student attends as soon as possible.
Risk Assessment
When sexual violence, serious physical harm, harmful sexual behaviour or harassment is reported,
the DSL/DDSL must assess immediate safety and support needs, considering the child harmed, the
child alleged to have caused harm, other children, any homestay household and school
arrangements. The risk assessment and safety plan must be documented, reviewed and coordinated
with the school and relevant agencies.
The victim, especially their protection and support;
The alleged perpetrator; and
All the other children (and, if appropriate, homestay family members) residing at a
homestay, especially any actions that are appropriate to protect them;
Risk assessments and safeguarding decisions are recorded in Compass’s centrally managed
confidential electronic safeguarding file, with access limited to the DSL/DDSL and authorised senior
management, and reviewed as circumstances change.
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The DSL/DDSL follows the published thresholds, referral protocols and joint working arrangements
of the relevant local authority and safeguarding partners, and keeps an accurate record of contacts
and decisions.
How victims, perpetrators and any other children affected by child
on child abuse will be supported
Compass Culture and Education will support students who have been involved in child on child
abuse. This could include:
Maintaining regular contact with the student/s to check on their welfare and provide an
opportunity to talk.
Providing homestays and staff information on a need-to-know basis so that they are able
to offer support where appropriate.
Working with the student’s school to provide consistent support
Making available the details of charities and helplines who can help students who have
been affected by child on child abuse.
Management of the report
The DSL coordinates the response to child-on-child abuse in line with the relevant local authority’s
safeguarding thresholds, the school’s safeguarding arrangements and advice from appropriate
statutory agencies. Depending on severity and risk, the following responses may be required:
Manage internally (including liaising with the students’ school DSL where appropriate)
Community-based early help or a Family Help assessment, with school and statutory-
partner liaison as appropriate;
Referral to children’s social care where a child is harmed, at risk of harm or needs statutory
assessment; immediately where significant harm is suspected;
Report to the police. Where a report of rape, assault by penetration or sexual assault is
made, Compass Culture and Education will consult with the police regarding how this
case should be managed.
Compass Culture and Education expects all staff and homestays to be clear on the policy and
procedures with regards to child on child abuse outlined in this policy and the important role they
have to play in preventing it and responding where they believe a child may be at risk from it.
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020 84490119
Compass Culture and Education acknowledges that addressing inappropriate behaviour (even if it
appears to be relatively innocuous) can be an important intervention that helps prevent
problematic, abusive and/or violent behaviour in the future.
Serious violence or weapons: concerns about knives, threats, serious assault, coercion, gang
involvement or exploitation must be promptly risk assessed. The DSL liaises with the school and,
where appropriate, children’s social care and police; the safety plan addresses the child harmed,
others at risk and the child alleged to have acted violently.
ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE AGAINST A MEMBER OF STAFF OR HOMESTAY
Allegations that meet the threshold
This guidance should be followed where it is alleged that anyone working, volunteering
or hosting students for Compass Culture and Education has:
behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child and/or;
possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child and/or;
behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk
of harm to children; and/or
behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to
work with children (known as transferable risk)
In the event that there is an allegation against a member of staff, volunteer or homestay,
Compass Culture and Education will follow the guidance in the most recent version of
Keeping Children Safe in Education Part 4.
Allegations about Compass staff, volunteers or homestays are reported without delay to
the Director, Lu Jin (Lucy), unless she is implicated. The Director acts as case manager and
contacts the relevant LADO promptly in accordance with local requirements, before
conducting an internal investigation. If the Director is implicated, the reporter must use the
independent LADO and/or children’s social care/police route directly; no concern may be
suppressed or investigated solely by its subject.
Compass Culture and Education will report promptly to the DBS any person whose
services are no longer used for regulated activity because they have caused harm or
posed a risk of harm to a child.
Any historical allegations should be referred to the police.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Allegations that do not meet the threshold
Low level concerns: Compass Culture and Education has a Low Level Concerns policy that outlines
the processes we will follow to deal with concerns (including allegations) which do not meet the
harm threshold set out above. We also have a staff code of conduct that explains professional
boundaries. Staff, homestays and volunteers are expected to act within these boundaries, and in
accordance with the ethos and values of Compass Culture and Education Ltd. It is imperative that
staff understand the importance of reporting any concerns that they may have.
Concerns may arise in several ways and from a number of sources. For example: suspicion;
complaint; or disclosure made by a student, parent or other adult within or outside of the
organisation; or as a result of vetting checks undertaken.
The term ‘low-level’ concern does not mean that it is insignificant, it means that the behaviour
towards a child does not meet the threshold set out above. A low-level concern is any concern – no
matter how small, and even if no more than causing a sense of unease or a ‘nagging doubt’ - that an
adult working in or on behalf of the school or college may have acted in a way that:
is inconsistent with the staff code of conduct, including inappropriate conduct outside of
work, and
does not meet the allegations threshold or is otherwise not considered serious enough to
consider a referral to the LADO.
Examples of such behaviour could include, but are not limited to:
being over friendly with children;
having favourites;
taking photographs of children on their mobile phone;
engaging with a child on a one-to-one basis in a secluded area or behind a closed door;
or,
using inappropriate sexualised, intimidating or offensive language.
Such behaviour can exist on a wide spectrum, from the inadvertent or thoughtless, or behaviour that
may look to be inappropriate, but might not be in specific circumstances, through to that which is
ultimately intended to enable abuse.
Prompt reporting of any low-level concern or self-report about an adult’s conduct is required,
however small. Staff, volunteers and homestays should report concerns to the DSL or Director unless
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66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
that person is involved; use the independent LADO/statutory route for allegations meeting the harm
threshold. Records are confidential, patterns are reviewed, and outcomes are documented.
Learning Lessons
Throughout the process of handling allegations and at conclusion of a case in which an allegation is
substantiated, the LADO should review the circumstances of the case with the case manager to
determine whether there are any improvements to be made to our procedures to help prevent
similar events in the future.
This should include issues arising from any decision to suspend the member of staff, the duration of
the suspension and whether or not suspension was justified. Lessons should also be learnt from the
use of suspension when the individual is subsequently reinstated.
The LADO and case manager should consider how future investigations of a similar nature could be
carried out without suspending the individual.
For all other cases, where the allegation concluded to be either, unfounded, false, malicious or
unsubstantiated the case manager (and if they have been involved the LADO) should consider the
facts and determine whether any lessons can be learned and if improvements can be made
How to receive a disclosure from a child or young person
Victims should be taken seriously, kept safe and never be made to feel like they are
creating a problem for reporting abuse, sexual violence or sexual harassment
Reassure the child and listen carefully – it is important that they know you believe them
Do not say you will not say anything to anyone – in fact you have a duty to disclose this
to another person so do not promise confidentiality
Make sure you take detailed notes, write everything down. If you are unable to take
notes at the time, you should do so as soon as you are able.
Ask open questions if appropriate, do not lead the conversation to find out what has
happened. Use words such as tell me, explain or describe, and allow the student to speak
Avoid words such as what, why, how when – these will be asked by the relevant agency
if appropriate.
Ensure that you notify the police by calling 999 if you believe that the young person is at
immediate or serious risk of harm
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Yuexuan Wang (Sunny), on 07743 386699, or
Deputy DSL, Tianlun Liu (Tina), on 07405 844198, IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait for a 24-hour
period or for office hours.
Outside office hours, contact the 24-hour emergency line (Lu Jin / Lucy: 07912 847858),
which must ensure immediate escalation to the on-duty DSL/DDSL. If the emergency
contact or DSL/DDSL cannot be reached and the child is at risk, contact children’s social
care, LADO (where appropriate) or police directly; call 999 for immediate danger.
Sharing Safeguarding Information
There will be occasions when safeguarding information will need to be shared with other parties in
order to safeguard the individual/s concerned. Information will be shared with guardianship
organisation staff, homestays and the school’s DSL (of the school that the student attends) who
‘need to know’ and with children’s social care, the safeguarding partners, other organisations,
agencies, and practitioners as required. Staff and homestays must ensure that any confidential
information shared with them remains confidential and is handled in line with our data protection
policy.
Compass Culture and Education will be proactive in sharing information as early as possible to help
identify, assess, and respond to risks or concerns about the safety andwelfare of children, whether
this is when problems are first emerging, or where a child is already known to the local authority
children’s social care.
Where safeguarding requires disclosure, Compass identifies and records an appropriate lawful basis
under Article 6 UK GDPR and, where special-category information such as medical or mental health
data is involved, an additional condition under Article 9 and relevant provisions of the Data
Protection Act 2018. The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 is also taken into account. The appropriate
bases are assessed case by case; Compass does not assume that public-task processing automatically
applies to it. Necessary safeguarding disclosures can be made without consent where a valid lawful
basis applies; do not delay urgent protection while seeking routine permission.
All staff and homestays must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might
compromise the child’s safety or wellbeing. However, staff and homestays are aware that matters
relating to child protection and safeguarding are personal to children and families, in this respect
they are confidential and the DSL and DDSL will only disclose information about a child to other
members of guardianship organisation staff, homestays the DSL of the school that the student
attends on a need to know basis.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
The DSL/DDSL records who shared the information, with whom, when, its safeguarding purpose, the
Article 6 lawful basis and any Article 9 condition, and the reason why disclosure was necessary and
proportionate. Access and onward sharing must be limited to what each recipient needs to
safeguard the child. The child and parents are informed when safe to do so; information must not be
withheld solely because of uncertainty about ordinary consent.
Where appropriate, seek the views of the child and involve their parent/carer, unless this is unsafe
or would hinder safeguarding action. Safeguarding referrals and necessary disclosures must not be
delayed while seeking consent when a child may be at risk. Record any decision to inform or not
inform parents.
ROLE OF DSL AND DDSL
The DSL has lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection, including liaison with local
authority children’s social care, LADO (allegations against adults), partner-school DSLs, police and
other professionals. The DSL must be a senior staff member resident in the UK with authority to act.
The role is recorded in the job description and the Director provides oversight.
The DDSL supports or acts for the DSL, receives concerns and makes referrals when the DSL is
unavailable. Compass will maintain adequate 24-hour escalation arrangements, including the
emergency contact’s ability to reach the DSL/DDSL; where neither is available, direct statutory
referral must not be delayed. Training and competence at the required level must be evidenced and
maintained.
The designated safeguarding lead is expected to:
refer cases of suspected abuse to the local authority children’s social care as required;
support staff and homestays who make referrals to local authority children’s social care;
refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern as
required (this may also be undertaken by the Prevent Lead, if the Prevent Lead is not the
DSL);
support staff and homestays who make referrals to the Channel programme(this may
also be undertaken by the Prevent Lead, if the Prevent Lead is not the DSL);
refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required.
act as a point of contact with the three safeguarding partners;
liaise with the Company Director (Lu Jin / Lucy), except where a concern involves the
Director, in which case the independent statutory referral route applies;
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66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
liaise with staff and homestays on matters of safety and safeguarding (including online
and digital safety) and when deciding whether to make a referral by liaising with relevant
agencies;
act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff and homestays.
understand the importance of information sharing, both within the guardianship
organisation, and with the safeguarding partners, the DSL for the school the student
attends, other agencies, organisations and practitioners
encourage a culture of listening to students and taking account of their wishes and
feelings, among all staff, homestays and volunteers and in any measures the
guardianship organisation may put in place to protect them; and,
understand the difficulties that students may have in approaching staff and homestays
about their circumstances and consider how to build trusted relationships which
facilitate communication.
ensure the guardianship organisation’s child protection policies are known, understood
and used appropriately;
ensure the child protection policy is reviewed at least annually, updated when statutory
guidance or procedures change and submitted to the Company Director for approval;
ensure the current, approved safeguarding policy is available to staff, volunteers and
homestays and published on the organisation’s website (https://www.compassedu.co.uk/),
and to parents and partner schools on request;
The DSL ensures appropriate cover during absence or leave, including a clear out-of-hours chain of
contact and rapid access to relevant secure records for authorised safeguarding decision-makers.
The person receiving a report should know who is covering; absence must never postpone an
emergency referral.
The DSL/DDSL monitors local safeguarding arrangements, updated referral thresholds
and available multi-agency training and ensures staff and homestays receive relevant
updates.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR THE DSL AND DDSL
Role
Name
Telephone Number
Email
Yuexuan Wang
(Sunny)
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
07743 386699
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
Tianlun Liu (Tina)
Lu Jin (Lucy)
07405 844198
07912 847858
24-hour emergency contact (routes
safeguarding to DSL/DDSL)
PREVENT
Compass Culture and Education has a separate policy that outlines our procedure for Anti-
Radicalisation and Prevent. This can be requested from guardians.
PREVENT LEAD CONTACT DETAILS
Role
Name
Telephone Number
Email
Prevent lead (role to
confirm in annual review)
Lu Jin (Lucy)
07912 847858
RECORD KEEPING
All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, professional discussions, referral decisions, reasons, follow-
up and outcomes must be recorded contemporaneously and accurately in a confidential
safeguarding record distinct from ordinary student files. Access is restricted to the DSL/DDSL and
specifically authorised senior management. Do not keep the sole record in WeChat or personal
devices; relevant correspondence must be securely transferred to the organisational record.
Records will be detailed and accurate (either handwritten or using appropriate secure online
software). These will include all concerns about a student even if there is no need to make an
immediate referral and record the rationale for decisions made and action taken.
In summary, records should include:
a clear and comprehensive summary of the concern;
details of how the concern was followed up and resolved;
a note of any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome.
Copies of correspondence and records of discussions with local authority children’s social care, the
school DSL, LADO, police, health services or other professional agencies are retained securely in the
child’s safeguarding record.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
A restricted notation may indicate the existence of a separate safeguarding record in the student file
without revealing its sensitive contents. Disclosures are need-to-know, appropriately logged and
compliant with the Data Protection Policy. Retention, legal holds, annual review and secure disposal
follow the Director-approved Data Retention Schedule once adopted; until approval, do not bulk-
delete safeguarding records.
If in doubt about recording requirements, staff or homestays should discuss with the DSL (or DDSL).
TRAINING AND UPDATES
All staff, volunteers and homestay primary carers receive appropriate safeguarding training and
induction before starting duties, together with timely updates. The DSL maintains a training register
recording provider, course, completion date, evidence of certification, refresher due date and
relevant briefing attendance.
DSL AND DDSL
The DSL (and DDSL where applicable) must complete basic safeguarding awareness training before
undertaking their first DSL course, followed by appropriate DSL training delivered face-to-face, live
remotely or online. DSL training must be renewed at least every two years in accordance with AEGIS
Standard 6.2.2. Completion dates and certificates must be verified; this policy does not itself confirm
training has been completed.
OTHER STAFF AND HOMESTAYS
The DSL and DDSL must remain resident in the UK for their roles as required by AEGIS and maintain
relevant training evidence. AEGIS minimum requirements for training are monitored by the Director.
All staff, volunteers and homestay primary carers complete suitable safeguarding awareness training
before starting their roles, renewed at least every three years under AEGIS 6.3.1. Where two adults
share primary childcare responsibilities in a homestay, both should complete training. Existing
certificates may be recognised only after suitability and date checks; every person must understand
Compass’s reporting and emergency procedures.
Compass also encourages staff and homestays to self-report any situations where their actions may
be misinterpreted or fall short of the required standards outlined in the code of conduct. A clear,
confidential reporting system will be in place to document these incidents and escalate them to the
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
safeguarding team for review. Compass will manage these reports promptly, taking appropriate
action to address concerns and ensure ongoing compliance with safeguarding standards.
At least annually, Compass provides safeguarding and online-safety updates to staff and homestays,
and records attendance or circulation and acknowledgement. Staff know how to report concerns,
including out of hours and where the DSL or Director is implicated.
WHISTLEBLOWING
Compass Culture and Education has a separate policy that outlines the whistleblowing procedures.
These protect staff members who report colleagues they believe are doing something wrong or
illegal, or who are neglecting their duties.
LOCAL MULTI-AGENCY SAFEGUARDING ARRANGEMENTS AND REFERRAL CONTACTS
Compass uses each child’s relevant local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, children’s social
care service and published referral thresholds, rather than assuming that the organisation’s
registered office is the correct referral area. The DSL/DDSL liaises with statutory safeguarding
partners and school counterparts as appropriate.
Where a student attends school in one borough and stays with a homestay in another, the DSL
coordinates with the appropriate children’s social care teams and partner-school DSL. For an
allegation about a person working with children, the relevant LADO must be consulted. For
immediate danger call 999. Out-of-hours numbers must be used where urgent statutory
safeguarding input is needed.
Find the responsible authority’s current referral details: https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-
local-council (official GOV.UK service). Maintain a separate current local-authority directory for all
areas where students are placed.
The tables below provide contact routes for Hackney, Barnet and Enfield. They distinguish children’s
social care referrals, out-of-hours duty, local safeguarding partnerships and LADO routes for adult
allegations. These entries must be verified against each council’s current official guidance before
director approval and at every scheduled register review; this is not a complete list of all current
placements.
If there is immediate danger, contact 999. If the appropriate council number cannot be located
quickly, use the GOV.UK local-council directory, police or 101 for non-emergencies; do not delay
action because an internal list is incomplete.
Registered in England No. 9024815
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020 84490119
The DSL maintains a separate CONTROLLED LOCAL AUTHORITY SAFEGUARDING CONTACT REGISTER
for every area in which Compass currently supports children at school or in homestays. The register
must show the local safeguarding partnership, children’s social care referral channel, emergency
duty contact, LADO, links to official sources, the person checking the details and the last verification
date. This draft is not ready for public release until the live placement audit and full contact register
are completed.
For any student living in Scotland, the DSL uses the relevant local authority children’s social work
service and Police Scotland emergency routes, following local guidance; this must be recorded in the
student’s safeguarding plan if relevant.
For any student living in Wales, the DSL contacts the appropriate local authority children’s services
and follows local inter-agency safeguarding procedures. Details are verified at the time of placement
and referral.
HACKNEY — LOCAL PARTNERSHIP, CHILDREN’S SERVICES AND LADO (OFFICE AREA)
families/if-youre-worried-about-child-or-young-person/local-authority-designated-officer-lado.
Professionals use the council’s current LADO contact form before phoning unless directed otherwise.
For an urgent child protection concern use MASH, out-of-hours duty or 999.
Function
Safeguarding
Service
Telephone / route
Email / online route
Children
City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Partnership
020 8356 4183
Partnership
Children’s
Social Care /
MASH
Hackney Children and Families Services
020 8356 5500
Out-of-hours
Children’s
Services
Hackney Emergency Duty Team
020 8356 2710
via emergency duty line
LADO – adult
allegations
Hackney LADO online contact form
see official LADO webpage
hackney.gov.uk → LADO form
BARNET AND ENFIELD — CHILDREN’S SERVICES, OUT-OF-HOURS AND LADO
safeguarding-referral; Enfield LADO:
should be reviewed at least annually.
Area
Service / role
Telephone
Email / route
Council safeguarding referral
Barnet
Children’s Social Care (Family Access and Support)
020 8359 4066
portal
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66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Barnet
Barnet
Out-of-hours duty
LADO – allegations
020 8359 2000
020 8359 4066
Telephone for urgent cases
via Barnet Family Access and
Support
Enfield
Enfield
Enfield
Children’s MASH
Out-of-hours duty
LADO – allegations
020 8379 5555
020 8379 1000
020 8379 2850
Telephone, option 2
LIAISON WITH PARENTS / AGENTS AND PARTNER SCHOOLS
Compass coordinates support with the student, their parents or carers where safe, the partner
school’s DSL, the homestay and relevant statutory or healthcare professionals. The child’s own
account, wishes and feelings are sought, decisions and professional advice are documented, and
each person receives only the safeguarding information necessary for their role. The responsible
DSL/DDSL must consider whether language, disability, culture or other communication barriers
require additional support. Where language barriers affect understanding, the DSL/DDSL provides an
age-appropriate explanation and considers independent qualified interpreting or suitable translation
when reasonably needed; do not rely on a child or alleged perpetrator to interpret a safeguarding
disclosure. These arrangements and any unmet needs are recorded; urgent referrals must never be
delayed.
The guardianship organisation may be required to share confidential safeguarding
information with the DSL of the school or college that the student attends. When a
student moves school or college, safeguarding information may be shared with the DSL
of the new school. All schools and colleges have their own safeguarding and child
protection policies that outline their procedures. These can be found on their websites.
Compass works openly with parents and carers where safe and appropriate. However,
when necessary to protect a child, the DSL/DDSL may contact local authority children’s
social care or police before informing parents, especially if notifying them might increase
risk or compromise an enquiry. The reason must be documented.
Compass Culture and Education will not usually share safeguarding information with
agents unless it is necessary to safeguard the student. In this case information will be
provided on a need-to- know basis and on the understanding that it should be kept
strictly confidential.
FURTHER DETAIL ON SPECIFIC TYPES OF ABUSE
The following topics are informed by the current KCSIE 2026 Part One and Annex A. They are
adapted for the guardianship context. Consult the full guidance for additional detail; none of these
short summaries replaces statutory agency advice.
Registered in England No. 9024815
Compass Culture and Education Ltd.
66 Paul Street, London EC2A 4NA
020 84490119
Safeguarding issues
Staff and homestays should recognise overlapping safeguarding risks including substance misuse,
prolonged absences or missing episodes, serious violence, financial or criminal exploitation, modern
slavery, radicalisation, and consensual or non-consensual making or sharing of nudes and semi-
nudes (including AI-generated imagery). All concerns must be promptly reported and considered in
the round.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
Both CSE and CCE are forms of abuse that occur where an individual or group takes advantage of an
imbalance in power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into taking in sexual or criminal activity,
in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or
increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or through violence or the threat of violence.
CSE and CCE can affect children, both male and female and can include children who have been
moved(commonly referred to as trafficking) for the purpose of exploitation.
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
Some specific forms of CCE can include children being forced or manipulated into transporting drugs
or money through county lines, working in cannabis factories, shoplifting or pickpocketing. They can
also be forced or manipulated into committing vehicle crime or threatening/committing serious
violence to others.
Children can become trapped by this type of exploitation as perpetrators can threaten victims (and
their families) with violence, or entrap and coerce them into debt. They may be coerced into
carrying weapons such as knives or begin to carry a knife for a sense of protection from harm from
others. As children involved in criminal exploitation often commit crimes themselves, their
vulnerability as victims is not always recognised by adults and professionals, (particularly older
children), and they are not treated as victims despite the harm they have experienced. They may still
have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears to be something they have agreed or
consented to.
It is important to note that the experience of girls who are criminally exploited can be very different
to that of boys. The indicators may not be the same, however professionals should be aware that
girls are at risk of criminal exploitation too. It is also important to note that both boys and girls being
criminally exploited may be at higher risk of sexual exploitation.
For current definitions and signs of child criminal exploitation, see KCSIE 2026 Part One and Annex A
(Further Information). Annex B in KCSIE 2026 concerns the DSL role, not child criminal exploitation.
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020 84490119
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
CSE is a form of child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, including assault by
penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or no penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing,
rubbing, and touching outside clothing. It may include non-contact activities, such as involving
children in the production of sexual images, forcing children to look at sexual images or watch sexual
activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in
preparation for abuse including via the internet.
CSE can occur over time or be a one-off occurrence, and may happen without the child’s immediate
knowledge e.g. through others sharing videos or images of them on social media.
CSE can affect any child, who has been coerced into engaging in sexual activities. This includes 16
and 17 year olds who can legally consent to have sex. Some children may not realise they are being
exploited e.g. they believe they are in a genuine romantic relationship.
Further guidance and indicators for CCE/CSE are provided in KCSIE 2026 Part One and Annex A.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health concerns may themselves become safeguarding concerns, including self-harm,
suicidal ideation or risk of suicide, and may indicate underlying abuse, neglect or exploitation. Staff
and homestays should be alert to behavioural changes, disrupted sleep, withdrawal, loss of interest,
self-injury or neglect of self-care and report concerns promptly, without diagnosing a condition.
Only an appropriately qualified healthcare professional may diagnose mental health conditions.
Guardianship staff and homestays can identify concerns, respond safely and refer to the DSL/DDSL,
school staff and clinical services; they must not attempt clinical risk diagnoses or substitute
unsupervised transport for appropriate care.
A mental health concern affecting immediate safety is treated as an emergency safeguarding matter.
The DSL/DDSL coordinates with the school, considers the student’s wishes and the available clinical
advice, identifies who will supervise the child, and assesses any travel or temporary accommodation
risks. Records are created and reviewed without delay.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 or arrange immediate A&E assessment by a suitable
responsible adult, as directed by emergency services. Where urgent mental health help is needed
without immediate danger, contact NHS 111 (mental health option). The school and parents are
involved when appropriate and safe; professional services lead clinical assessment and treatment.
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Any safeguarding-linked mental health concern must be reported to the DSL/DDSL immediately.
Compass coordinates with partner-school safeguarding/pastoral staff, statutory agencies and
healthcare professionals as necessary. The person making a report must not assume another person
has acted.
Schools may notify Compass by email or telephone to the office, designated guardian, or out-of-
hours emergency contact. The guardianship team establishes why school removal is proposed, what
the school has already done, the student’s immediate safety, safeguarding/medical advice,
supervision and appropriate follow-up. A coordinated plan is recorded before a planned removal.
For a planned removal from school, Compass requests that school staff complete and return the
Student Removal Form (Appendix 2) BEFORE collection, so that risks and arrangements are
documented. However, a form must never delay essential emergency treatment or immediate
safeguarding action; where emergency removal is unavoidable, Compass documents the reasons
and requests the completed form as soon as practicable afterwards. Collection may involve the
designated guardian, another trained team member or an approved driver subject to assessment; a
driver does not replace required adult supervision or medical support.
Pre-acceptance assessment: before Compass agrees to provide guardianship, parents are asked to
complete the Medical Form. The guardianship team reviews relevant health, mental health, SEND
and additional support needs, considers whether accommodation, school liaison and emergency
support are feasible, records any identified risks and support arrangements, and decides whether
Compass can meet the child’s needs. No acceptance decision is deemed risk-free merely because a
form has been completed.
Post-removal safety plan: after any removal, the DSL/DDSL records who took responsibility for the
student, how transport and temporary accommodation were assessed, any clinical advice and
follow-up plan, school/parent communications, review arrangements and eventual return-to-school
or alternative plan.
SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT BETWEEN
CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES CONTEXT
Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two children of any age and sex from
primary to secondary stage and into colleges. It can also occur online. It can also occur through a
group of children sexually assaulting or sexually harassing a single child or group of children.
Children who are victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment will likely find the experience
stressful and distressing. This will, in all likelihood, adversely affect their educational attainment and
will be exacerbated if the alleged perpetrator(s) attends the same school or college. Sexual violence
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and sexual harassment exist on a continuum and may overlap, they can occur online and face to face
(both physically and verbally) and are never acceptable.
It is essential that all victims are reassured that they are being taken seriously and that they will be
supported and kept safe. A victim should never be given the impression that they are creating a
problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor should a victim ever be made to feel
ashamed for making a report. Detailed advice is available in Part five of the full version of KCSIE.
Staff and homestays should be aware that some groups are potentially more at risk. Evidence shows
girls, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and LGBT children are at greater
risk.
Staff and homestays should be aware of the importance of:
challenging inappropriate behaviours;
making clear that sexual violence and sexual harassment is not acceptable, will never be
tolerated and is not an inevitable part of growing up;
not tolerating or dismissing sexual violence or sexual harassment as “banter”, “part of
growing up”, “just having a laugh” or “boys being boys”; and
challenging physical behaviours (potentially criminal in nature), such as grabbing
bottoms, breasts and genitalia, pulling down trousers, flicking bras and lifting up skirts.
Dismissing or tolerating such behaviours risks normalising them.
WHAT IS SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
Sexual violence
It is important that guardianship organisation staff, homestays and any volunteers are aware of
sexual violence and the fact children can, and sometimes do, abuse their peers in this way and that it
can happen both inside and outside of school/college. When referring to sexual violence we are
referring to sexual violence offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003135 as described below:
Rape: A person (A) commits an offence of rape if: he intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or
mouth of another person (B) with his penis, B does not consent to the penetration and A does not
reasonably believe that B consents.
Assault by Penetration: A person (A) commits an offence if: s/he intentionally penetrates the vagina
or anus of another person (B) with a part of her/his body or anything else, the penetration is sexual,
B does not consent to the penetration and A does not reasonably believe that B consents.
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Sexual Assault: A person (A) commits an offence of sexual assault if: s/he intentionally touches
another person (B), the touching is sexual, B does not consent to the touching and A does not
reasonably believe that B consents. (Schools should be aware that sexual assault covers a very wide
range of behaviour so a single act of kissing someone without consent, or touching someone’s
bottom/breasts/genitalia without consent, can still constitute sexual assault.)
Causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent: A person (A) commits an offence if:
s/he intentionally causes another person (B) to engage in an activity, the activity is sexual, B does not
consent to engaging in the activity, and A does not reasonably believe that B consents. (This could
include forcing someone to strip, touch themselves sexually, or to engage in sexual activity with a
third party.)
What is consent?
Consent is about having the freedom and capacity to choose. Consent to sexual activity may be given
to one sort of sexual activity but not another, e.g. to vaginal but not anal sex or penetration with
conditions, such as wearing a condom. Consent can be withdrawn at any time during sexual activity
and each time activity occurs. Someone consents to vaginal, anal or oral penetration only if s/he
agrees by choice to that penetration and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice. Further
information about consent can be found here: Rape Crisis England & Wales -Sexual consent
a child under the age of 13 can never consent to any sexual activity;
the age of consent is 16;
sexual intercourse without consent is rape.
Sexual harassment
When referring to sexual harassment we mean ‘unwanted conduct of a sexual nature’ that can occur
online and offline and both inside and outside of school/college. When we reference sexual
harassment, we do so in the context of child on child sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is likely
to: violate a child’s dignity, and/or make them feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated and/or
create a hostile, offensive or sexualised environment.
Whilst not intended to be an exhaustive list, sexual harassment can include:
sexual comments, such as: telling sexual stories, making lewd comments, making sexual
remarks about clothes and appearance and calling someone sexualised names;
sexual “jokes” or taunting;
physical behaviour, such as: deliberately brushing against someone, interfering with
someone’s clothes (schools and colleges should be considering when any of this crosses a
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line into sexual violence - it is important to talk to and consider the experience of the
victim) and displaying pictures, photos or drawings of a sexual nature; and
online sexual harassment. This may be standalone, or part of a wider pattern of sexual
harassment and/or sexual violence. It may include:
o consensual and non-consensual sharing of nudes and semi-nudes images and/or videos. As set out
young people (which provides detailed advice for schools and colleges) taking and sharing nude
photographs of U18s is a criminal offence;
sharing of unwanted explicit content;
upskirting (is a criminal offence);
sexualised online bullying;
unwanted sexual comments and messages, including, on social media;
sexual exploitation; coercion and threats.
UPSKIRTING
The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019, which is commonly known as the Upskirting Act, came into force
on 12 April 2019. ‘Upskirting’ is where someone takes a picture under a persons clothing (not
necessarily a skirt) without their permission and or knowledge, with the intention of viewing their
genitals or buttocks (with or without underwear) to obtain sexual gratification, or cause the victim
humiliation, distress or alarm. It is a criminal offence. Anyone of any sex, can be a victim.
The response to a report of sexual violence or sexual harassment
The initial response to a report from a child is incredibly important. How a school, college or
guardianship organisation responds to a report can encourage or undermine the confidence of
future victims of sexual violence and sexual harassment to report or come forward. Schools, colleges
and guardianship organisations not recognising, acknowledging or understanding the scale of
harassment and abuse and/or downplaying of some behaviours can actually lead to a culture of
unacceptable behaviour. It is essential that all victims are reassured that they are being taken
seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe. A victim should never be given the
impression that they are creating a problem by reporting sexual violence or sexual harassment. Nor
should a victim ever be made to feel ashamed for making a report.
Where a child raises a concern, staff or homestays follow the current reporting and referral
procedures in KCSIE 2026 Part One and this policy. Seek immediate advice from the DSL or DDSL if
unsure.
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SERIOUS VIOLENCE
All staff and homestays should be aware of the indicators, which may signal children are at riskfrom,
or are involved with serious violent crime. These may include increased absencefrom school, a
change in friendships or relationships with older individuals or groups, a significant decline in
performance, signs of self-harm or a significant change in wellbeing,or signs of assault or
unexplained injuries. Unexplained gifts or new possessions couldalso indicate that children have
been approached by, or are involved with, individualsassociated with criminal networks or gangs and
may be at risk of criminal exploitation(see above).
All staff and homestays should be aware of the range of risk factors which increase the likelihoodof
involvement in serious violence, such as being male, having been frequently absent orpermanently
excluded from school, having experienced child maltreatment and havingbeen involved in offending,
such as theft or robbery. Advice for schools and colleges isprovided in the Home Office’s Preventing
youth violence and gang involvement and its Criminal exploitation of children and vulnerable adults:
county lines guidance. This is also useful advice for guardianship organisations.
CHILDREN MISSING FROM EDUCATION
All staff and homestays should be aware that children going missing, particularly repeatedly, can act
as a vital warning sign of a range of safeguarding possibilities. This may include abuse and neglect,
which may include sexual abuse or exploitation and can also be a sign of child criminal exploitation
including involvement in county lines. It may indicate mental health problems, risk of substance
abuse, risk of travelling to conflict zones, risk of female genital mutilation, ‘honour’-based abuse or
risk of forced marriage. Early intervention is necessary to identify the existence of any underlying
safeguarding risk and to help prevent the risks of a child going missing in future. Staff should contact
the students’ school or college should they suspect a student is missing from education. The school
or college will have a procedure for reporting this absence.
COUNTY LINES
County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting
illegal drugs using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. This activity can happen
locally as well as across the UK - no specified distance of travel is required. Children and vulnerable
adults are exploited to move, store and sell drugs and money. Offenders will often use coercion,
intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons to ensure compliance of victims.
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Children can be targeted and recruited into county lines in a number of locations including schools
(mainstream and special), further and higher educational institutions, pupil referral units, children’s
homes and care homes.
Children are also increasingly being targeted and recruited online using social media. Children can
easily become trapped by this type of exploitation as county lines gangs can manufacture drug debts
which need to be worked off or threaten serious violence and kidnap towards victims (and their
families) if they attempt to leave the county lines network.
A number of the indicators for CSE and CCE as detailed above may be applicable to where children
are involved in county lines. Some additional specific indicators that may be present where a child is
criminally exploited through involvement in county lines are children who:
go missing and are subsequently found in areas away from their home;
have been the victim or perpetrator of serious violence (e.g. knife crime);
are involved in receiving requests for drugs via a phone line, moving drugs, handing over
and collecting money for drugs;
are exposed to techniques such as ‘plugging’, where drugs are concealed internally to
avoid detection;
are found in accommodation that they have no connection with, often called a ‘trap
house or cuckooing’ or hotel room where there is drug activity;
owe a ‘debt bond’ to their exploiters;
have their bank accounts used to facilitate drug dealing.
Further information on the signs of a child’s involvement in county lines is available in guidance
MODERN SLAVERY AND THE NATIONAL REFERRAL MECHANISM
Modern slavery encompasses human trafficking and slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory
labour. Exploitation can take many forms, including: sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery,
servitude, forced criminality and the removal of organs.
Further information on the signs that someone may be a victim of modern slavery, the support
available to victims and how to refer them to the NRM is available in the Modern Slavery Statutory
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CYBERCRIME
Cybercrime is criminal activity committed using computers and/or the internet. It is broadly
categorised as either ‘cyber-enabled’ (crimes that can happen off-line but are enabled at scale and at
speed on-line) or ‘cyber dependent’ (crimes that can be committed only by using a computer).
Cyber-dependent crimes include;
unauthorised access to computers (illegal ‘hacking’), for example accessing a school’s
computer network to look for test paper answers or change grades awarded;
denial of Service (Dos or DDoS) attacks or ‘booting’. These are attempts to make a
computer, network or website unavailable by overwhelming it with internet traffic from
multiple sources; and,
making, supplying or obtaining malware (malicious software) such as viruses, spyware,
ransomware, botnets and Remote Access Trojans with the intent to commit further
offence, including those above.
Children with particular skill and interest in computing and technology may inadvertently or
deliberately stray into cyber-dependent crime.
If there are concerns about a child in this area, the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy),
should consider referring into the Cyber Choices programme. This is a nationwide police programme
supported by the Home Office and led by the National Crime Agency, working with regional and local
policing. It aims to intervene where young people are at risk of committing, or being drawn into, low
level cyber-dependent offences and divert them to a more positive use of their skills and interests.
Note that Cyber Choices does not currently cover ‘cyber-enabled’ crime such as fraud, purchasing of
illegal drugs on-line and child sexual abuse and exploitation, nor other areas of concern such as on-
line bullying or general on-line safety.
SO-CALLED’ HONOUR’ -BASED ABUSE
(including Female Genital Mutilation and Forced Marriage)
So-called ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA) encompasses incidents or crimes which have been committed
to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or the community, including female genital
mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, and practices such as breast ironing. Abuse committed in the
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context of preserving ‘honour’ often involves a wider network of family or community pressure and
can include multiple perpetrators. It is important to be aware of this dynamic and additional risk
factors when deciding what form of safeguarding action to take. All forms of HBA are abuse
(regardless of the motivation) and should be handled and escalated as such. Professionals in all
agencies, and individuals and groups in relevant communities, need to be alert to the possibility of a
child being at risk of HBA, or already having suffered HBA.
Actions
If staff or homestays have a concern regarding a child who might be at risk of HBA or who has
suffered from HBA, they should speak to the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy). As
appropriate, the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy) will activate local safeguarding
procedures, using existing national and local protocols for multi-agency liaison with police and
children’s social care. Where FGM has taken place, since 31 October 2015 there has been a
mandatory reporting duty placed on teachers that requires a different approach (see Annex A of
KCSIE 2026 for further details).
Where staff or homestays have concerns about so-called “honour”-based abuse, FGM or forced
marriage, contact the DSL/DDSL immediately. The DSL/DDSL follows the current statutory referral
requirements. Any specific statutory duty falling on a teacher or regulated healthcare professional is
not assumed to apply automatically to every guardianship employee.
FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or
other injury to the female genital organs. It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse with long-
lasting harmful consequences.
Whilst all staff or homestays should speak to the designated safeguarding lead (or deputy) with
regard to any concerns about female genital mutilation (FGM), there is a specific legal duty on
teachers (and also regulated health and social care professionals in England and Wales). If a teacher,
in the course of their work in the profession, discovers that an act of FGM appears to have been
carried out on a girl under the age of 18, the teacher must report this to the police. See Annex B of
Keeping Children Safe in Education for further details.
KCSIE 2026 Part One and Annex A contain further information about FGM. A teacher who discovers
in the course of their professional work that FGM appears to have been carried out on a girl under
18 has a specific mandatory reporting duty to the police. Other staff and homestays must still report
concerns immediately to the DSL/DDSL and appropriate statutory services.
Forcing a person into a marriage is a crime in England and Wales. A forced marriage is one entered
into without the full and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats or any
other form of coercion is used to cause a person to enter into a marriage. Threats can be physical or
emotional and psychological. A lack of full and free consent can be where a person does not consent
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or where they cannot consent (if they have learning disabilities, for example). Nevertheless, some
perpetrators use perceived cultural practices as a way to coerce a person into marriage. Schools,
colleges and guardianship organisations can play an important role in safeguarding children from
forced marriage.
36 of which focus on the role of schools and colleges. Staff can contact the Forced Marriage Unit if
DOMESTIC ABUSE
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2021. The Act
introduces the first ever statutory definition of domestic abuse and recognises the impact of
domestic abuse on children, as victims in their own right, if they see, hear or experience the effects
of abuse. The statutory definition of domestic abuse, based on the previous cross-government
definition, ensures that different types of relationships are captured, including ex-partners and
family members. The definition captures a range of different abusive behaviours, including physical,
emotional and economic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour. Both the person who is
carrying out the behaviour and the person to whom the behaviour is directed towards must be aged
16 or over and they must be “personally connected” (as defined in section 2 of the 2021 Act).
Types of domestic abuse include intimate partner violence, abuse by family members, teenage
relationship abuse and child/adolescent to parent violence and abuse. Anyone can be a victim of
domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexuality or background
and domestic abuse can take place inside or outside of the home. The government will issue
statutory guidance to provide further information for those working with domestic abuse victims
and perpetrators, including the impact on children.
Children may be harmed by domestic abuse in their family, homestay or intimate relationships. This
can include coercive control, physical, emotional, psychological or financial abuse; a child may
experience harm by seeing, hearing or experiencing its effects. The child’s welfare and safety remain
paramount.
Teenage relationship abuse, stalking or coercive behaviour may arise whether or not the young
people involved fall within the statutory domestic abuse definition. Safeguarding procedures,
proportionate safety planning and referral to the school DSL, children’s social care or police must be
followed as appropriate.
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Guardianship organisations should be aware that students could potentially experience domestic
abuse both in their own homes or whilst staying with homestays.
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDING SUPPORT
Compass takes a zero-tolerance approach to racism, faith-targeted prejudice, misogyny, misandry,
homophobic bullying and other discrimination, whether online or offline. Staff and homestays
should report incidents as safeguarding concerns when they affect safety or welfare. The DSL
considers the child’s views and needs, the risk of retaliation, and appropriate school or agency
coordination.
Children with SEND, disability, medical conditions or allergies, mental health concerns, young-carer
responsibilities or language and cultural barriers may require tailored communication, support and
safeguards. Staff must not attribute signs of harm automatically to a child’s disability or condition.
Relevant information from the parental Medical Form should be shared on a need-to-know basis.
If a child is questioning their gender, staff respond respectfully, listen without assumptions or
prejudice, consider the child’s safety, wellbeing and wishes and work with the school and
appropriate professionals. Compass does not make clinical determinations or independently adopt
school-specific policies on toilets, sports or boarding accommodation; safeguarding and privacy
matters are considered in line with applicable law and current guidance.
ONLINE SAFETY
Compass is committed to protecting students from online harms, including risks arising from social
media, gaming, messaging, generative AI, image manipulation and peer interactions.
Staff/homestays respond promptly to concerns and make safe referrals rather than conducting their
own investigations.
Online safety risks are considered in four interrelated categories: content, contact, conduct and
commerce. The Online Safety Policy and supporting annual risk assessment address how such harms
may arise during school, travel, homestay stays and other guardianship activities.
Content: exposure to harmful or illegal material, misinformation, pornography,
discriminatory content, extremist material, self-harm or suicide content, and AI-generated
sexual imagery.
Contact: harmful interaction with other users, grooming, exploitation, coercion,
impersonation, manipulation and unwanted contact, including via AI-enabled services.
Conduct: behaviour that causes risk, such as cyberbullying, harassment, sharing or
threatening to share intimate images, creating deepfake images, risky posting or other
harmful digital behaviour.
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Commerce: scams, phishing, gambling risks, inappropriate advertising, fraud, extortion and
financial exploitation. Staff report concerns to the DSL/DDSL and follow statutory reporting
routes as appropriate.
The standalone Online Safety Policy addresses safe communication, student digital awareness,
reporting pathways and appropriate Wi-Fi filtering/parental controls in homestays. A serious online
safety report is handled as a safeguarding concern and information is shared on a need-to-know
basis.
Compass conducts an annual Online Safety Risk Assessment in line with AEGIS Standard 6.10.2.
The assessment covers cyberbullying, grooming, harmful content and AI-related risks.The DSL and
Director review the findings and identify necessary actions. Risks, training updates and corrective
actions are documented and monitored.
REVIEW
Version: 2026 – Version 1.0
Previous Review Date: 20 August 2025
Review Date: 20 August 2026
Effective Date: 20 August 2026
Next Review Date: 20 August 2027
Approved by: Lu Jin (Lucy)
Position: Director
Signature: ________Lucy Jin______________
Date Approved: 20 August 2026
INCIDENT FORM
CHILD PROTECTION RECORD – Report of a Concern
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Date of record:
Date of incident:
Name of referrer:
Student name:
Role of referrer:
use initials for other children / young people involved, unless there is
a specific need to name them in full
Details of concern:
contemporaneous notes, if taken, may be attached to this form
Role of person
reported to:
Reported to:
Signed:
For DSL/ DDSL use:
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Advice sought:
(from whom and what
was advice given)
Action taken:
Concern / referral
discussed with
parent / carer?
If not, state reasons
why – if yes, note
discussion with parent
If not, state reasons
why – if yes, record to
whom and any action
agreed
Referral made:
Feedback to
referring member of
staff or homestay:
By whom
By whom
Response to / action
taken with student:
Name and contact
number of key
workers:
Name and contact
details of GP:
Other notes /
information /
concerns:
Any other action
required:
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APPENDIX 2: STUDENT REMOVAL FORM
In order to support the student safely, Compass asks the school to complete and return this Student
Removal Form by email to gd2@compassedu.co.uk BEFORE a planned school removal. Where there
is an immediate safeguarding or medical emergency, necessary emergency action must not be
delayed while awaiting the form. In those circumstances, the reason for urgent action must be
recorded, and the completed form requested as soon as practicable afterwards.
School Name
Student Name
Date of Birth
Reason for request of removal of
student
Has the student been assessed by a
medical professional?
Yes ☐ No ☐
Date of assessment if applicable.
Please provide a summary of
assessment if applicable.
Is the student at risk of harm to
themself?
Yes ☐ No ☐
Yes ☐ No ☐
Is the student a risk to others?
Has the school followed its mental
health and child protection policies and
procedures?
Please provide a copy of any relevant
policies and procedures.
Yes ☐ No ☐
Any other additional information we
should be made aware of
Signature
Name
Position
Date
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