School Ready Kids
Safeguarding Policy Statement
Name of Practitioner: Stavroula Alachiotis-Merchant
Date of Most Recent Review: September 2025
Introduction
As a self-employed practitioner, I am committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and protection of all children and adults I engage with as part of my practice. This policy statement outlines my commitment to safeguarding children from harm and promoting their best interests, in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance.
Legislation and Guidance
I am committed to working in line with the latest legislation and guidance, including: • Children Act 1989
• Care Act 2014
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
• Information Sharing Guidance for Practitioners 2024
• After-school clubs, community activities and tuition safeguarding guidance 2023 • Any other relevant legislation, guidance or policies guidance issued by the UK Government, the Department for Education, the Department for Health and Social Care, the Home Office, any relevant Local Authorities and any relevant Safeguarding Children Partnerships.
• I will also consider guidance and advice published by national organisations such as the NSPCC (for children) and the Ann Craft Trust (for adults).
Purpose
The purpose of this safeguarding policy statement is to:
• Protect children and adults who receive my support from harm.
• Provide contractors and myself with the overarching principles that guide my approach to safeguarding.
• Ensure a consistent and effective approach to the management of safeguarding concerns.
Commitment
I am fully committed to:
• Establishing a safe environment in which children and adults can receive support and therapeutic services and express themselves freely.
• Recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect, emotional harm and exploitation and responding appropriately.
• Ensuring that I am suitably trained and knowledgeable about safeguarding issues,
School Ready Kids
procedures and legal requirements.
• Behaving professionally, safely and appropriately at all times.
Procedures
I will:
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding practices through regular training and professional development.
• Ensure that all interactions and sessions with children and adults are conducted in an appropriate and professional manner that respects their rights and promotes their welfare.
• Follow local or organisational procedures for reporting concerns about a child or adult’s welfare, both to statutory bodies and (where appropriate) to parents, guardians or carers.
• Maintain confidentiality and share information on a need-to-know basis in accordance with Information Sharing guidance 2023.
• Store personal and sensitive data securely in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and professional confidentiality expectations.
• Follow the safeguarding policies, procedures and requirements of any contracting body.
Reporting and Response
In case of any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child or adult, I will:
• Act swiftly and in the best interests of the individual concerned.
• Record all concerns and decisions made, along with the reasons for those decisions.
• Report concerns to the local authority social care team (children’s or adult’s), the child’s school (where appropriate) or the police if anyone is in immediate danger.
• Follow the safeguarding procedures of any contracting body, where required.
• Cooperate fully with any investigations into allegations of harm or abuse.
Further Details
This policy statement aims to outline my approach to safeguarding children and adults. Further information about specific areas of safeguarding and practice can be found at NSPCC (www.nspcc.org.uk), Ann Craft Trust (www.anncrafttrust.org), Social Care Institute for Excellence (www.scie.org.uk) or referenced in specific government guidance, such as Keeping Children Safe in Education.
School Ready Kids
Review
This statement will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to ensure it remains in line with current legislation and best practice guidelines.
Declaration
Here, I confirm my commitment to the safeguarding of children and adults and will ensure that all aspects of this policy are implemented and adhered to at all times.