Safeguarding Commitment

At North Star Training, safeguarding is central to everything we do. We are committed to supporting organisations in strengthening their safeguarding culture by helping adults recognise early indicators of risk and respond appropriately. Our work aligns with statutory guidance and local safeguarding arrangements to ensure the safety and welfare of children and young people.

North Star Training operates in line with the following statutory guidance:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) — statutory guidance for schools and colleges 
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated 2023)
• The Children Act (1989 & 2004)
• Local safeguarding partnership procedures

Our training supports adults working with or caring for children and young people to develop professional curiosity, strengthen early identification and follow clear safeguarding reporting pathways. We support your organisation’s existing safeguarding procedures and do not replace them.

Where a disclosure of harm or concern is made during a session or related activity:

1. Listen and Reassure

• Listen calmly to the young person’s words without interruption
• Reassure them sensitively that you are taking what they say seriously

2. Do Not Promise Confidentiality

• Explain that you may need to share information with someone who can help keep them safe
• Do not make promises you cannot keep

3. Record Factual Information Only

• Write what was said, seen or heard, using the young person’s own words where possible
• Do not record assumptions, opinions, or judgments

4. Report Immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Pass information to the organisation’s DSL on the same day
• Follow the organisation’s safeguarding reporting procedures

5. Follow Up

• Support the DSL with additional information if necessary
• Attend to any internal reporting and recording requirements

North Star Training does not investigate concerns, assign blame or make decisions about next steps — these remain with the commissioning organisation’s safeguarding lead.

For delivery of youth-focused workshops, a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or named safeguarding lead must be present or immediately accessible throughout the session.

The role of the organisation’s DSL includes:

• Ownership of internal safeguarding procedures
• Responsibility for recording, reporting and escalation within the organisation
• Liaising with local children’s services and statutory agencies
• Providing context to external trainers about local safeguarding risk factors
  

North Star Training works within the organisation’s safeguarding framework and reports safeguarding concerns promptly to the DSL.

If no appropriate DSL or safeguarding lead is present, North Star Training will not deliver youth-focused content.

North Star Training encourages adults to develop professional curiosity — noticing patterns that may indicate risk, asking appropriate, open questions, and responding without judgment.

Professional curiosity includes:

• Being open to signs that something may be wrong 
• Listening carefully and objectively
• Checking out concerns with the DSL early
• Recording and escalating based on factual information
• Avoiding assumptions or overreactions
   

This approach supports early help and prevention and aligns with best practice in safeguarding adults and children.

This page and the training provided by North Star Training reflect current UK statutory safeguarding guidance, including:

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) — statutory guidance for schools, colleges and providers 
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, updated 2023) — multi-agency collaboration
• Relevant local safeguarding arrangements
   

Where appropriate, training will reference local context, procedures and terminology. North Star Training does not conduct child protection investigations — this is the role of statutory agencies and the organisation’s DSL.

If you would like further information, support with scheduling or have queries about integrating this training with your safeguarding procedures:

📞 Contact your DSL for scheduling