ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C.
Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Policy owner: Board of Directors
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Andra-Maria Ciupitu
DSL email: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Andra-Maria Ciupitu
Deputy DSL contact: andraceeacademy@gm
Approved by: Board of Directors
Effective date: 27 September 2026
Review date: 27 September 2027
Version: 2.0
1. Purpose
ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. is committed to protecting children, young people and adults at risk from abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of harm.
We are committed to creating safe, inclusive and respectful learning environments in which participants can develop skills, confidence and employment opportunities without experiencing abuse, discrimination, harassment or exploitation.
This policy sets out the principles, responsibilities and procedures that ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. will follow to:
promote the safety and welfare of participants;
prevent and minimise safeguarding risks;
recognise signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation;
respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns and disclosures;
provide clear routes for reporting concerns;
make appropriate referrals to statutory services where necessary;
maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
ensure staff, volunteers, freelancers and partners understand their safeguarding responsibilities; and
learn from safeguarding incidents, concerns and near misses.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone working on behalf of ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C.
2. Scope
This policy applies to everyone working on behalf of ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C., including:
Directors;
employees;
freelance and sessional workers;
facilitators;
mentors and coaches;
volunteers;
placement students;
contractors;
agency workers;
guest speakers and industry professionals;
people providing services on behalf of the Academy; and
delivery partners where relevant to their work with participants.
The policy applies to activities delivered:
in person;
online;
in educational or community settings;
in hired or partner venues;
through mentoring or coaching;
through industry networking and work-experience opportunities;
through external events;
through social media or digital communication; and
through photography, filming or other media activity.
The Academy's safeguarding responsibilities apply whenever participants are involved in Academy activities, including activities delivered jointly with another organisation.
3. Our Mission
ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. provides accessible, practical education and development opportunities designed to help people overcome barriers to participation, employment and progression within the creative industries.
Our work may particularly support people who experience barriers relating to:
socioeconomic circumstances;
limited access to opportunities;
disability;
neurodivergence;
education or employment circumstances;
discrimination;
financial barriers; or
other forms of disadvantage.
We aim to create learning environments that are:
inclusive;
respectful;
accessible;
culturally aware;
supportive;
physically and emotionally safe;
low-pressure where appropriate; and
focused on practical progression and confidence.
Safeguarding is an essential part of achieving this mission.
4. Activities
ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. delivers activities including:
4.1 Education and training
Providing practical education and training designed to develop knowledge, confidence, employability and creative-industry skills.
4.2 Mentoring and coaching
Providing structured mentoring, coaching and development support to help participants identify and work towards personal, educational and professional goals.
4.3 Industry connections
Connecting participants with creative-industry professionals, organisations, employers, events and opportunities.
4.4 Community and peer support
Creating opportunities for participants to build networks, share experiences and develop supportive professional relationships.
4.5 Creative employability
Supporting participants to develop practical skills and knowledge that can improve access to employment, freelance work and progression opportunities.
4.6 Addressing inequality and barriers
Identifying and addressing barriers that may prevent people from accessing or progressing within education, employment and the creative industries.
5. Safeguarding Principles
ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. will apply the following principles to all safeguarding activity.
5.1 Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
Everyone working on behalf of the Academy has a responsibility to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.
No member of staff, volunteer or freelancer is expected to investigate an allegation themselves.
5.2 Child-centred approach
When safeguarding children and young people, decisions will prioritise the child's welfare and best interests.
Children and young people should receive appropriate help, support and protection at the right time.
5.3 Respect and dignity
Everyone will be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.
5.4 Inclusion and accessibility
The Academy will seek to ensure that safeguarding arrangements are accessible to people with different communication, learning, disability and support needs.
Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.
5.5 Prevention
The Academy will identify safeguarding risks before activities take place and take reasonable steps to prevent or reduce those risks.
5.6 Proportionate response
Safeguarding concerns will be taken seriously and responded to proportionately according to the level and nature of risk.
5.7 Confidentiality and information sharing
Information relating to safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and shared only with people who need the information to protect someone from harm or to fulfil a safeguarding or legal responsibility.
Confidentiality will not prevent information being shared where this is necessary to protect a child or adult at risk.
The Academy will comply with applicable data protection legislation while recognising that data protection should not prevent appropriate safeguarding information-sharing.
5.8 No promise of secrecy
Staff and volunteers must never promise a participant that information disclosed to them will remain secret.
Where necessary, they should explain that information may need to be shared with the appropriate safeguarding person or authority to help keep them or someone else safe.
6. Safeguarding Risks
The Academy recognises that safeguarding concerns can take different forms.
These may include, but are not limited to:
physical abuse;
emotional or psychological abuse;
sexual abuse;
sexual harassment;
sexual exploitation;
neglect;
bullying;
harassment;
discrimination;
domestic abuse;
criminal exploitation;
sexual exploitation;
grooming;
coercive or controlling behaviour;
abuse of a position of trust;
financial abuse;
trafficking and modern slavery;
online abuse;
cyberbullying;
inappropriate online communication;
radicalisation and extremist exploitation;
forced marriage;
female genital mutilation;
self-neglect;
unsafe environments; and
inappropriate behaviour by staff, volunteers, contractors or other people in positions of trust.
Safeguarding concerns may arise within or outside Academy activities.
A concern does not need to occur at an Academy activity before it can be reported or acted upon.
7. Children and Young People
For safeguarding purposes, a child is anyone under the age of 18.
The Academy may work with participants aged 16–17 as well as adults aged 18 and over.
Where a participant is under 18, the Academy will apply appropriate child safeguarding arrangements regardless of the participant's level of independence or circumstances.
Staff must not assume that a young person's age, independence or circumstances means that safeguarding responsibilities do not apply.
8. Adults at Risk
The Academy also recognises its safeguarding responsibilities towards adults who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
For the purposes of adult safeguarding, the Care Act 2014 framework applies to adults who:
have needs for care and support, whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs;
are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
as a result of those care and support needs, are unable to protect themselves from the risk or experience of abuse or neglect.
The Academy will take concerns about the safety or welfare of any participant seriously. Staff do not need to determine whether someone meets the statutory definition of an adult at risk before reporting a concern.
9. Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Academy's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:
Andra-Maria Ciupitu
Email: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
The DSL is responsible for:
receiving safeguarding concerns;
ensuring concerns are recorded appropriately;
assessing immediate safeguarding risks;
making appropriate referrals;
seeking advice from relevant safeguarding professionals;
liaising with children's social care, adult social care, police and other agencies where appropriate;
maintaining safeguarding records;
ensuring staff and volunteers receive appropriate safeguarding training;
ensuring safeguarding procedures remain up to date;
monitoring safeguarding risks;
advising the Board of Directors on safeguarding matters; and
ensuring safeguarding concerns are escalated where necessary.
The Academy will maintain a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead to provide cover when the DSL is unavailable.
Deputy DSL: Andra-Maria Ciupitu
Contact: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
10. If the Safeguarding Lead Is Unavailable
If the DSL cannot be contacted and there is an immediate safeguarding concern, staff must not delay action.
They should:
contact the Deputy DSL where available;
contact the appropriate children's social care or adult safeguarding service;
contact the police where appropriate; or
call 999 where someone is in immediate danger.
Staff should not wait for the DSL to become available where doing so could increase the risk of harm.
11. If the Concern Is About the Safeguarding Lead
If a safeguarding concern or allegation relates to the DSL, the concern must not be reported to the DSL.
It should be reported to the Deputy DSL or another Director who has been designated to receive safeguarding concerns.
Where appropriate, the matter will be referred directly to the relevant local authority safeguarding service, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), adult safeguarding service or police.
No person should be responsible for managing an allegation concerning themselves.
12. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns
Staff and volunteers should remain alert to signs that a participant may be experiencing harm.
These may include:
unexplained injuries;
significant changes in behaviour;
fearfulness or withdrawal;
distress;
disclosure of abuse;
sexualised behaviour or communication that is inappropriate for the person's age;
concerning messages or online interactions;
unexplained absence or disengagement;
threats;
signs of exploitation;
bullying or harassment;
significant changes in emotional wellbeing;
concerns raised by another participant, parent/carer or professional; or
information suggesting someone may be at risk of harm.
A concern does not need to be proven before it is reported.
Staff should report concerns rather than investigate them.
13. Responding to a Disclosure
If a participant discloses abuse, neglect or another safeguarding concern, staff should:
DO
remain calm;
listen;
allow the person to speak;
take the disclosure seriously;
reassure them that they have done the right thing by speaking up;
explain that the information may need to be shared to help keep them safe;
record the information as soon as possible; and
report the concern to the DSL or Deputy DSL without delay.
DO NOT
promise confidentiality;
investigate the allegation;
ask leading or unnecessary questions;
confront the alleged perpetrator;
attempt to determine whether the allegation is true;
pressure the participant for additional information;
express disbelief or judgement; or
delay reporting.
The purpose of the initial response is to listen, preserve relevant information and ensure appropriate safeguarding action is taken.
14. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
Any safeguarding concern must be reported to the DSL or Deputy DSL without delay and, wherever possible, on the same day.
The person reporting the concern should provide:
what happened or what was disclosed;
when and where it happened;
who was involved;
what the participant said, using their own words where possible;
any immediate safety concerns;
what action has already been taken; and
any other information that may help assess the risk.
The person receiving the concern will determine what further action is necessary.
Staff and volunteers must not wait until they have gathered complete information before reporting.
15. Immediate Danger or Emergency
If a child, adult at risk, staff member, volunteer or other person is in immediate danger:
Call 999.
Where appropriate, the police, ambulance service or other emergency service should be contacted before the DSL.
The DSL should then be informed as soon as reasonably possible.
For non-emergency police matters:
Call 101.
16. Referral to Children's Social Care
Where there is a concern that a child may be suffering, or may be at risk of suffering, significant harm, the Academy will make an appropriate referral to the relevant local authority children's social care service.
The Academy will follow the safeguarding procedures of the local authority in which the child is located and/or where the concern arises.
The Academy will cooperate with statutory safeguarding partners and provide relevant information where lawfully required.
17. Adult Safeguarding Referrals
Where an adult may be experiencing or be at risk of abuse or neglect and meets the relevant safeguarding criteria, the Academy will contact the appropriate local authority adult safeguarding service.
The Academy will:
consider the adult's wishes and views;
take immediate steps to reduce risk where necessary;
share information appropriately;
cooperate with safeguarding enquiries; and
respect the adult's rights, dignity and independence wherever possible.
18. Allegations Against Staff, Volunteers, Freelancers or Contractors
The Academy recognises that safeguarding concerns can involve people working within the organisation.
An allegation may include circumstances where someone working with children is alleged to have:
harmed a child or may have harmed a child;
potentially committed a criminal offence against or related to a child;
behaved towards a child in a way that may indicate a risk of harm; or
behaved in a way that raises questions about their suitability to work with children.
These principles apply to paid staff, volunteers, freelancers, contractors and other people working on behalf of the Academy.
Where an allegation concerns a person working with children:
the concern must be reported immediately to the DSL or an appropriate senior person;
the Academy will seek advice from the relevant local authority;
the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) will be informed where the allegation meets the relevant criteria;
the police and/or children's social care will be contacted where appropriate;
the Academy will not conduct its own investigation where doing so could interfere with a statutory investigation;
appropriate steps will be taken to manage immediate risk; and
the rights and welfare of both the participant and the person subject to the allegation will be considered.
The Academy will follow the relevant local authority LADO procedures.
19. Professional Boundaries
All staff, volunteers, freelancers and contractors must maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
This includes:
avoiding inappropriate personal relationships with participants;
not engaging in sexual or romantic relationships with participants under 18;
not using their position to exploit or pressure participants;
using appropriate communication channels;
avoiding inappropriate private messaging;
not requesting inappropriate images or information;
maintaining appropriate physical boundaries;
not meeting participants privately where this is unnecessary or inappropriate; and
not using professional access or influence for inappropriate purposes.
Where staff work with participants aged 18–25, appropriate professional boundaries must still be maintained.
20. Online Safeguarding
The Academy recognises that safeguarding risks can occur through:
email;
social media;
messaging applications;
online learning platforms;
video calls;
group chats;
shared digital platforms; and
other forms of digital communication.
Staff should use Academy-approved communication channels wherever reasonably possible.
Staff must not:
engage in inappropriate private conversations with participants;
request sexual or intimate material;
share inappropriate content;
use communication channels to exploit or manipulate participants;
use personal accounts to create inappropriate relationships with participants; or
use digital communication to circumvent organisational safeguarding procedures.
Online safeguarding risks will be considered when designing and delivering programmes.
21. Photography, Filming and Recording
The Academy may use photography, video or audio recording to document activities, demonstrate impact or promote its work.
Where participants are photographed or recorded:
appropriate consent procedures will be followed;
participants will be informed how recordings may be used;
additional safeguards will apply when working with children;
images will not be used inappropriately;
personal information will not be unnecessarily disclosed; and
recordings will be stored and handled in accordance with the Academy's data protection arrangements.
The Academy will maintain appropriate photography, filming and media consent procedures.
22. Safer Recruitment and DBS Checks
The Academy will use safer recruitment procedures proportionate to the role and safeguarding risk.
Depending on the role, this may include:
application and CV review;
interviews;
identity checks;
references;
consideration of employment gaps;
right-to-work checks where applicable;
assessment of suitability;
DBS checks where legally eligible and appropriate; and
other relevant checks.
DBS eligibility will be assessed according to the duties actually carried out by the individual.
The Academy will not automatically require the same level of DBS check for every role.
Where a role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check and/or a Children's Barred List check, the Academy will obtain the appropriate check before the individual undertakes the relevant regulated activity, subject to applicable legal requirements.
From 1 September 2026, the previous supervision exemption for certain regulated activities with children was removed. Where a person teaches, trains, instructs, cares for or supervises children frequently enough, or meets the relevant period condition, the activity may constitute regulated activity even where another person supervises them. The Academy will therefore assess DBS eligibility whenever roles or delivery arrangements change. GOV.UK
DBS checks will be considered alongside references, interviews, suitability checks and risk assessments rather than being treated as the only safeguarding measure.
23. Safeguarding Training
All staff, volunteers, facilitators and other personnel whose work involves children or adults at risk will receive safeguarding information and training appropriate to their role.
Training and induction will cover, as appropriate:
safeguarding responsibilities;
recognising abuse and neglect;
responding to disclosures;
reporting concerns;
professional boundaries;
online safety;
information sharing;
recording concerns;
equality, inclusion and respectful practice;
exploitation;
relevant local referral procedures; and
emergency safeguarding arrangements.
Safeguarding training will be refreshed periodically and whenever there are significant changes to legislation, statutory guidance or organisational practice.
The Academy will maintain records of safeguarding training.
24. Risk Assessments
The Academy will carry out safeguarding and wider risk assessments appropriate to its activities.
Risk assessments may consider:
participant age;
venue;
staffing;
lone working;
supervision;
accessibility;
travel;
online activity;
photography and filming;
physical activities;
contact with external professionals;
industry networking;
personal information;
emergency arrangements;
additional support needs; and
any known safeguarding risks associated with an activity.
Risk assessments will be reviewed when circumstances change.
25. Working With External Organisations and Professionals
Where the Academy works with schools, colleges, universities, charities, community organisations, venues, employers, creative professionals or other partners, safeguarding responsibilities will be clearly established.
Where appropriate, agreements will specify:
which organisation has primary responsibility for safeguarding;
who the relevant safeguarding contacts are;
how concerns will be reported;
who will make external referrals;
DBS responsibilities;
supervision arrangements;
information-sharing arrangements;
photography and media responsibilities; and
emergency procedures.
Where a partner organisation is responsible for safeguarding within its setting, Academy staff will still report concerns in accordance with this policy and the partner's procedures.
26. Safeguarding and Equality
The Academy is committed to protecting participants from discrimination, harassment and abuse.
Safeguarding arrangements will take account of factors that may increase vulnerability or create barriers to reporting concerns, including:
disability;
neurodivergence;
communication needs;
language barriers;
social or economic disadvantage;
previous negative experiences of institutions;
isolation;
age; and
individual circumstances.
The Academy will make reasonable adjustments to enable participants to understand safeguarding information and raise concerns.
The Academy will maintain an inclusive, anti-discriminatory safeguarding culture and expects staff and volunteers to challenge discriminatory behaviour where appropriate. This reflects the strengthened emphasis on inclusive and anti-discriminatory safeguarding cultures in Working Together 2026. GOV.UK
27. Information Sharing and Data Protection
Safeguarding information will be:
accurate;
relevant;
proportionate;
securely stored;
accessed only by authorised people; and
shared where necessary for safeguarding purposes.
Information will be shared in accordance with applicable data protection law and safeguarding guidance.
The Academy will not allow concerns about confidentiality or data protection to prevent necessary action to protect someone from harm.
28. Safeguarding Records
All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, incidents and referrals will be recorded promptly.
Records should include, where appropriate:
date and time;
the name of the person raising the concern;
the name of the participant;
factual information about the concern;
the participant's words where relevant;
immediate action taken;
safeguarding decisions;
the reasons for decisions;
referrals made;
advice received;
follow-up actions; and
outcomes.
Records must distinguish between facts, observations, information provided by others and professional judgement.
Safeguarding records will be stored securely and separately from general participant records where appropriate.
Access will be restricted to authorised individuals.
Records will be retained in accordance with the Academy's data protection and records-management arrangements.
29. Whistleblowing
Everyone working on behalf of the Academy has the right and responsibility to raise a safeguarding concern if they believe:
a participant is at risk;
a safeguarding procedure is not being followed;
a safeguarding concern has not been acted upon;
someone in the organisation is behaving inappropriately;
a member of management is preventing appropriate safeguarding action; or
there is a wider safeguarding failure.
Concerns should normally be raised with the DSL or Deputy DSL.
If the concern relates to the DSL or cannot safely be raised internally, the person should report it to an alternative Director or the relevant external safeguarding authority.
The Academy will not penalise a person for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.
The NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line is available to people who cannot safely raise a safeguarding concern within their organisation:
0800 028 0285
30. Complaints
Safeguarding concerns are different from ordinary complaints, although a complaint may contain safeguarding information.
Where a complaint raises a potential safeguarding concern, the safeguarding procedure will take priority.
The Academy will ensure that complaints and safeguarding concerns are not dismissed simply because they are uncomfortable, difficult or involve someone working for the organisation.
31. Prevent, Exploitation and Radicalisation
The Academy recognises that children and young people can be vulnerable to exploitation, grooming, extremist influence and radicalisation.
Staff should report concerns where they believe a participant may be:
being groomed;
exploited;
coerced into criminal activity;
being targeted by extremist groups;
experiencing threats or manipulation;
being trafficked; or
otherwise at risk of exploitation.
The Academy will seek appropriate professional advice and make referrals where necessary.
Where Prevent-related concerns arise, the Academy will follow the relevant local authority and national procedures applicable to the Academy's activities.
32. Safeguarding During Mentoring and One-to-One Support
One-to-one mentoring and coaching can create additional safeguarding risks.
Where possible:
sessions should take place in appropriate professional settings;
online sessions should use approved platforms;
staff should maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
communication should remain relevant to the participant's development;
concerns arising during mentoring must be reported through the safeguarding procedure; and
staff should avoid creating unnecessary dependency or inappropriate personal relationships.
Where a participant discloses a safeguarding concern during a mentoring session, the disclosure must be handled in accordance with this policy.
33. Working With Parents and Carers
Where participants are under 18, the Academy will involve parents or carers in safeguarding matters where appropriate and safe to do so.
However, parents or carers will not automatically be informed where doing so could:
increase the risk of harm;
compromise a safeguarding investigation;
place the child at greater risk; or
otherwise conflict with professional safeguarding advice.
Where necessary, the Academy will seek advice from children's social care or another appropriate safeguarding professional.
34. Safeguarding Contacts
The Academy will maintain an up-to-date safeguarding contacts list for the local authorities in which it delivers programmes.
This will include the relevant:
Children's Social Care / Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH);
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO);
Adult Safeguarding / Adult Social Care service; and
local safeguarding partnership or board.
Because the Academy may deliver programmes in different local authority areas, the relevant local authority safeguarding procedures will apply according to where the activity or concern takes place.
Emergency
Police / Ambulance / Fire: 999
Police non-emergency
101
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Andra-Maria Ciupitu
Email: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Andra-Maria Ciupitu
Email: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
0808 800 5000
NSPCC Whistleblowing Advice Line
0800 028 0285
The Academy will regularly check its safeguarding contact information and update it whenever it begins delivering activities in a new local authority area.
35. Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers
Everyone working for the Academy must:
understand this safeguarding policy;
complete required safeguarding training;
maintain professional boundaries;
remain alert to safeguarding concerns;
report concerns without delay;
record information accurately;
maintain confidentiality appropriately;
cooperate with safeguarding enquiries;
follow risk assessments;
follow safer recruitment requirements;
use appropriate communication channels; and
never ignore or minimise a safeguarding concern.
No individual is expected to investigate safeguarding allegations themselves.
36. Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors retains overall responsibility for ensuring that the Academy has effective safeguarding arrangements.
The Board will:
approve the safeguarding policy;
ensure appropriate safeguarding leadership;
ensure adequate resources for safeguarding;
monitor safeguarding risks;
ensure appropriate training;
review safeguarding incidents and lessons learned;
ensure appropriate recruitment and DBS arrangements;
ensure safeguarding is considered when new activities are introduced;
challenge safeguarding practice where necessary; and
ensure the policy is reviewed at least annually.
Safeguarding will be treated as a governance responsibility and not solely as an operational responsibility delegated to the DSL.
37. Serious Safeguarding Incidents
Where a serious safeguarding incident occurs, the Academy will:
take immediate steps to protect anyone at risk;
contact emergency services where necessary;
notify the appropriate safeguarding authority;
preserve relevant records and evidence;
cooperate with statutory investigations;
provide appropriate support to affected participants and staff;
consider whether external reporting obligations apply;
review the circumstances;
identify lessons learned; and
update safeguarding arrangements where necessary.
The Academy will not attempt to manage serious safeguarding matters solely as an internal organisational issue.
38. Learning From Incidents and Near Misses
The Academy will use safeguarding incidents, concerns, complaints and near misses to improve its practice.
This may include reviewing:
staffing;
supervision;
venue arrangements;
communication;
risk assessments;
recruitment;
training;
professional boundaries;
online arrangements; and
partnership arrangements.
Learning will be shared appropriately while protecting confidentiality.
39. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed:
at least annually;
following a serious safeguarding incident;
following a significant safeguarding concern or near miss where appropriate;
when legislation changes;
when statutory guidance changes;
when the Academy begins delivering a substantially different type of activity; or
when safeguarding risks change.
The Board of Directors will approve material changes to this policy.
Current version: 2.0
Effective from: 27 September 2026
Next scheduled review: 27 September 2027
40. Related Policies and Procedures
This policy should be read alongside the Academy's other policies and procedures, including where applicable:
Safer Recruitment and DBS Policy;
Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries Policy;
Risk Assessment and Incident Reporting Procedure;
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;
Complaints Policy;
Whistleblowing Policy;
Data Protection and Privacy Policy;
Photography, Filming and Media Consent Procedure;
Online Safety and Digital Communications Procedure;
Lone Working Procedure;
First Aid and Emergency Procedure; and
Volunteer Policy.
41. Legislative and Guidance Framework
ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. will have regard to relevant legislation and statutory guidance applicable to its activities, including:
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026;
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, where applicable to the Academy's work with education settings;
Children Act 1989;
Children Act 2004;
Care Act 2014;
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006;
Data Protection Act 2018;
UK GDPR;
Equality Act 2010;
relevant Disclosure and Barring Service legislation and guidance;
relevant local safeguarding children partnership procedures;
relevant local authority adult safeguarding procedures; and
other legislation and statutory guidance applicable to the Academy's activities.
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 is the current statutory safeguarding guidance for England and specifically includes voluntary, charity, social enterprise, faith-based and private-sector organisations working with children. GOV.UK
42. Statement of Commitment
ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. is committed to creating environments where people feel safe, respected, heard and able to participate.
We recognise that safeguarding is not simply a response to incidents. It is an ongoing responsibility that includes prevention, safer recruitment, appropriate training, professional boundaries, risk management, accessible reporting routes and effective partnership working.
Everyone working on behalf of ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C. has a responsibility to contribute to a culture in which safeguarding concerns are taken seriously, acted upon promptly and never ignored.
The Academy will prioritise the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk while respecting the rights, dignity and individuality of every participant.
Organisation: ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C.
Policy: Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Version: 2.0
Approved by: Board of Directors
Date approved: 27 September 2026
Effective date: 27 September 2026
Next review date: 27 September 2027
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Andra-Maria Ciupitu
DSL email: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Andra-Maria Ciupitu
Deputy DSL contact: andraceeacademy@gmail.com
By following this policy, ANDRA CEE ACADEMY C.I.C ensures a robust and comprehensive approach to safeguarding, reflecting our commitment to the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care.