Initial Teacher Training

Safeguarding

Initial Teacher Training Safeguarding Position Statement

The safeguarding of children and young people is a core principle of Initial Teacher Training at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU). Everyone involved in teacher training is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children and vulnerable adults we engage with.

This statement outlines our position in relation to safeguarding arrangements for trainees and schools that we work with. It has been designed in collaboration with school partners and ratified by our Partnership Advisory Group.

It should be read in conjunction with the Initial teacher training: criteria and supporting advice and Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025.

Pre-enrolment

Our admissions processes ensure that our Initial Teacher Trainees have been deemed suitable to train to teach. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Check against the list indicating those prohibited from managing schools
  • Completion of an occupational health check with relevant health related questions which are necessary to ensure that a person is suitable to train to teach

Preparation for school experience

Trainees may undertake one-off visits to schools and educational settings as well as their annual assessed placement where they are in role as the teacher. They are expected to always adhere to safeguarding expectations of that educational establishment, regardless of the length of time they are in a school

.

All trainees receive safeguarding training as part of their Key Professional Skills Module, at least annually.

All Lead Mentors and School Mentors receive training on their safeguarding responsibilities as part of their annual School Placement Briefing.

Prior to starting an assessed school placement, School Mentors should ensure the following documents are available to trainees. Trainees will be required to record they have accessed, read and understood them:

  • Child protection and / or safeguarding policy including information about the designated safeguarding lead (DSL)
  • Acceptable Use policy
  • Behaviour policy including information about rewards and sanctions
  • Staff handbook and / or code of conduct
  • Any other relevant documentation as agreed by the School Mentor

Trainees are provided with a letter which outlines the checks that have been completed and that all trainees have an up-to-date DBS clearance that schools may use to update their Single Central Record.

Any trainees, or ARU staff, who visit a school for any school experience are expected to comply with the safeguarding requirements of that school in line with the school's Visitor Policy which should be shared when they arrive on the premises.

Trainees raising concerns whilst in a school

Should trainees encounter a situation that raises a safeguarding concern, they should discuss this with their School Mentor and follow the school’s Safeguarding Policy.

Where appropriate they should share any concerns with their Personal Development Tutor to ensure additional support is provided to the trainee. Confidentiality regarding the issue must be maintained at all times.

Schools raising concerns about an ARU trainee

Should a School Mentor or other member of staff in the school have a concern about an ARU trainee that constitutes a safeguarding issue they should follow the school’s Safeguarding Policy and inform the School Mentor if they are not already aware.

The following additional steps should then be taken:

  • The School Mentor must contact the Lead Mentor as soon as possible to discuss the concern and next steps.
  • The Lead Mentor should inform the Lead for ITT on their Campus and complete a Record of Concern Form as soon as possible.
  • In discussion with the Lead Mentor, School Mentor, Trainee and Course Director, the Lead for ITT will decide on appropriate next steps which may include beginning a Fitness to Practice process.
  • Following school experience, including placement, the ITT Safeguarding Lead will be responsible for identifying any further training needs for trainees, ARU staff members, Lead Mentors or School Mentors.

Key contacts

ITT Safeguarding Lead: Victoria Cooke ([email protected])

General ITT Contact: [email protected] | 01223 695266

Updated March 2025