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Safeguarding Policy

 

The Calm Instructor Group
Safeguarding Officer: Steven King

Effective Date:13/09/2025

Last Updated: 13/09/2025

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📍 8 Argyll Court, 130 Birchanger Road, London SE25 5DF
📧 TheCalmInstructorGroup@gmail.com | 📞 07730 506 824

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Who We Are

We are The Calm Instructor Group, a professional training and coaching provider committed to supporting driving instructors, learners, and drivers through a calm, coaching-led, and mentally healthy approach to learning.

This Safeguarding Policy applies to everyone who works with or supports The Calm Instructor Group, including all staff, volunteers, trainers, students, and anyone acting on our behalf.

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Purpose of This Policy

This policy protects adults and children who receive any form of service from us, including learners, instructors, and the children of those we support.

  • Adults: anyone aged 18 or over

  • Children: anyone under the age of 18

We believe that no one should suffer harm or abuse, and we are committed to safeguarding all individuals who come into contact with our organisation.

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Risks to Adults and Children

Adults and children may be at risk from various forms of harm and abuse, including:

  • Physical or emotional abuse

  • Neglect

  • Sexual abuse

  • Female genital mutilation (FGM)

  • Grooming and exploitation

  • Trafficking and modern slavery

  • Domestic abuse

  • Bullying or cyberbullying

  • Exposure to inappropriate or criminal behaviour

  • Self-harm

  • Unsafe supervision during activities

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Safeguarding Principles

All members of The Calm Instructor Group community are responsible for upholding the safety and wellbeing of the people we work with.

Every person covered by this policy must:

  • Be vigilant and alert to signs of harm

  • Take steps to create safe and inclusive environments

  • Report concerns promptly and appropriately

  • Understand the duty to report concerns, even when confidentiality is involved

  • Challenge and report inappropriate or harmful behaviour

  • Avoid risk-taking or unsafe conduct

  • Never smoke, drink, or use illicit substances in the presence of children

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Safeguarding Officer Contact

Steven King is our designated Safeguarding Officer. All concerns or questions should be directed to him:

📧 TheCalmInstructorGroup@gmail.com
📞 07730 506 824

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Confidentiality and Data Protection

Any safeguarding information shared with us will be handled in accordance with our data protection policy. Personal information will be stored securely and used only for safeguarding purposes.

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Responding to Concerns

If someone is at immediate risk of harm, dial 999. Then inform the Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible.

If there's no immediate danger, report concerns to the Safeguarding Officer by the end of the same day.

If a disclosure is made:

  • Stay calm and listen carefully

  • Avoid asking leading or intrusive questions

  • Don’t promise confidentiality

  • Reassure the individual appropriately

  • Keep written records (no recordings) including time, date, and key details

  • Report everything to the Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible

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Concerns About Adults in Our Organisation

Report any concern that a member of staff, trainer, or volunteer:

  • Has harmed a child or adult

  • May be engaging in harmful or criminal activity

  • Has created an unsafe environment

Report to the Safeguarding Officer, or a senior manager if needed. Actions may include:

  • Internal investigation

  • Referral to the local authority or police

  • Suspension or removal from role

  • Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

Anyone accused will be treated fairly throughout the process, and all safeguarding steps will prioritise the safety of the child or adult involved.

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DBS Checks

We carry out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for staff and volunteers wherever legally required. If we remove someone from a regulated activity, a referral to the DBS will be made.

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Safeguarding Responsibilities

Although Steven King is the designated officer, everyone shares responsibility for safeguarding. For specific events or trips, additional policies or codes of conduct may apply. These will be communicated in advance and must be followed.

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Venues and Risk Assessments

We conduct regular risk assessments at our premises and for all off-site events to ensure they are safe and suitable. Fire safety and accident procedures are clearly communicated. All accidents must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer.

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Consent and Supervision

We require written consent from parents/guardians for any children attending our activities. This includes emergency contact details and any specific safety needs.

Children will always be properly supervised during events, in line with relevant legal requirements.

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Preventing Bullying and Peer-to-Peer Harm

Bullying or harmful peer behaviour is never tolerated. We define bullying as behaviour that is:

  • Repeated

  • Intended to cause physical or emotional harm

All bullying concerns will be investigated fairly and in consultation with the Safeguarding Officer.

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Photography Policy

We do not take photographs of children during our sessions or events. If members of the public do, they are asked to:

  • Avoid sharing images of other children on social media without consent

  • Use privacy settings if sharing photos online

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Legal Framework

This policy is based on the latest UK legislation and safeguarding guidance. It will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains up to date and effective.

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