Policies

Documents

Please click on the boxes below to view and download our policies.

Keeping Children Safe

Please download Keeping Children Safe Government policy which comes into force on the 1st September 2023, read it carefully and keep for future reference. Please find the guidance for schools here.

What is the status of this guidance for Keeping Children Safe?

This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education (the department) issued under Section 175 of the Education Act 2002, the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014, and the Non-Maintained Special Schools (England) Regulations 2015. Schools and colleges in England must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. For the purposes of this guidance children includes everyone under the age of 18.

What school and college staff should look out for:

Any child may benefit from early help, but all school and college staff should be
particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a child who:
is disabled and has specific additional needs;
has special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory Education, Health and Care Plan);
is a young carer;
is showing signs of being drawn in to anti-social or criminal behaviour, including
gang involvement and association with organised crime groups;
is frequently missing/goes missing from care or from home;
is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation;
is at risk of being radicalised or exploited;
is in a family circumstance presenting challenges for the child, such as drug and
alcohol misuse, adult mental health issues and domestic abuse;
is misusing drugs or alcohol themselves;
has returned home to their family from care; and
is a privately fostered child.

Together keeping children safe

Child Protection Policy

Here is our guide to our Child Protection Policy. OEG and its brands aim to positively promote the well-being of children. In addition, we ensure that our candidates are fully aware of the procedures for Child Protection.

OEG’s policies and procedures adhere to the law as defined in the Children Act 1989. This is based on the guidance given by the Department of Health and the Department for Education. Also the Employment and the Home Office Document “Working Together Under the Children Act 1989”.

OEG wish to inform all candidates of the position outlined in the 1996 Education Act (Section 548) that any form of physical contact with a child in the form of corporal punishment is prohibited.

Please feel free to download our Policy here.

To visit our Policy document library, please click here.

The DfE updated policy ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’, 2022 is statutory guidance. It is applicable to all schools and colleges. It covers safeguarding information for all staff and the management of safeguarding. In addition, it covers safer recruitment, allegation about staff and child on child safeguarding issues. These include harassment and sexual violence. If you wish to read the DfE guidance in full then please click here.

The Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations

Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations guidance. Operam Education Group adhere to all policies and guidance pertaining to safeguarding issues and compliance. We have a Policy section on our website which can be accessed via the main menu. You can see our list of policies and can view them in detail by downloading them.

This is statutory guidance from the Department for Education on the application of:

• The Childcare (Disqualification) and Childcare (Early Years Provision Free of Charge) (Extended Entitlement) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (“the 2018 Regulations”).

• Obligations under the Childcare Act 2006 in schools.

Schools and local authorities must have regard to it when carrying out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under:

• Section 175, of the Education Act 2002;

• Paragraph 7(b) of Schedule 1 to the Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014; and

• Paragraph 3 of the Schedule to the Education (Non-Maintained Special Schools) (England) Regulations 2011.

To download the Government guidance visit the government website by clicking here

You may want to understand more about related guidance and about responsibilities. You may wish view more information about the Childcare Act 2006.

If you want to understand other statutory guidance, you can click on the following links:

Recruitment & Vetting Processes

Recruitment and vetting processes are very important to us. We guarantee that all staff we supply have been cleared for work according to DfE guidance. In addition to our recruitment and vetting procedures, we carry out a face to face interview with all our supply staff. Also, we ensure they have signed up to ‘my pledge’ to maintain our established standards.

You can read the DfE guidance for maintained schools and academies in England here. It is applies to school leaders, school staff and governing bodies. In addition it also applies local authorities academy trusts.

It will help with managing staffing and employment issues, and making decisions. It replaces the statutory guidance from 2009, ‘Guidance on managing staff in schools’.

To read more about Teacher Status Checks on the government’s website, click here.

First for Education take all their policies and procedures very seriously. We see policies as frameworks that clearly outline all our business’s methods and practices. We feel it helps us promote consistency, transparency and compliance. It helps us adhere to laws and legislation. Ultimately, it ensures safe practices for all, especially for the safeguarding and protection of children. If you wish to know more about our procedures, please visit our policy documentation section here.

Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

We assess applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order. This involves using criminal record checks. Consequently, the checks are processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Importantly, First for Education complies fully with the code of practice. First for Education treat all applicants for positions fairly during the recruitment process.

We do not discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.

We can only ask an individual to provide details of convictions and cautions that we are legally entitled to know about. This can be a DBS certificate at either standard or enhanced level. (Also, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended, and where appropriate Police Act Regulations as amended).

First for Education can only ask an individual about convictions and cautions that are not protected. We are committed to the fair treatment of its staff. We are also committed to the fair treatment of potential staff or users of its services. This is regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, responsibilities for dependants, age, physical/mental disability or offending background.

First for Education has a written policy on the recruitment of ex-offenders. This is made available to all DBS applicants at the start of the recruitment process.

DBS Policy

Here we explain about our Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Policy. The safety of children and young people is paramount to OEG and its brands. We are committed to implementing the appropriate procedures and arrangements to comply with the DBS Code of Practice. We also adhere to the National Care Standards guidance. This also includes the correct handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of Certificates.

The DBS (formerly the CRB Agency) was set up by the Home Office to improve access to the criminal record checks for employment. Its purpose is to help organisations make safer recruitment decisions. It applies to any staff who will have access to children under 18 years of age, vulnerable adults or other positions of trust that fall within the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The CRB and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) both became part of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in December 2012.

Please click on the following link to download OEG’s DBS Policy.

To read more about the Government’s DBS update service, click here

Who Needs A DBS Check?

Who Needs a DBS check? Barred list checks can only be carried out on those who are engaging in regulated activity. The definition of ‘regulated activity’ includes where individuals:

Are responsible, on a regular basis, for teaching, training, instructing, caring for or supervising children; or
Carry out paid, or unsupervised unpaid, work regularly where that work provides an opportunity for contact with children; or
Engage in intimate or personal care or overnight activity, even if this happens only once.

This concise summary lists who needs a DBS check and recommendations for an enhanced check.

Download DBS Who Needs One

Source: Keeping Children Safe in Education, GOV.UK – DfE

Record Retention Policy

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Training Policy

The purpose of this Training Policy is to control the activities associated with the training of First for Education staff to more adequately be able to perform the duties required of them.

This procedure establishes the responsibilities and describes the activities associated with the recording of the qualifications and experience of staff and the instigation of any specific training requirements for staff to enable them to more adequately perform the duties required of them and/or expand their expertise to the benefit of First for Education and its customers.

Please feel free to download our Training Policy.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption Policy

About our Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy. Firstly, one of the company’s core principles is to uphold responsible and fair business practice. Secondly, we want you to know that we are committed to promoting and maintaining the highest level of ethical standards. Furthermore, our high standards apply in relation to all of our business activities. Our reputation for maintaining lawful business practices is of paramount importance to us.

Additionally, you should know that this Policy is designed to preserve these values. Importantly, you should also be aware that we have a zero-tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption. We are committed to acting fairly and with integrity in all of its business dealings. Consequently, this applies to relationships and implementing and enforcing effective systems to counter bribery.

You will see that this policy sets out the steps all of us must take to prevent bribery and corruption in our business. We wish to reassure you that our policy complies with relevant legislation.

You can download the policy here

If you want to view the government’s guidance policy on Anti-bribery, please click here.

You can view our many other policies and guidance papers in our policy document library. Here you will find all our relevant policies whether you are an employee or supply teaching staff. You can view the library by clicking here

Allegations and Misconduct Policy

Importantly, our Allegations Policy gives details of what action we will take when concerns are raised with us. Above all, any concerns raised with us will be viewed alongside other appropriate policies. Consequently, these will include our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Complaints Policy, Safer Recruitment policy and Whistleblowing policy. Furthermore, this policy applies to anyone employed by us including our Directors, staff, and anyone registered with us as a candidate.

Our policies ensure that candidates and staff understand that it is their responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults. Our code of conduct gives you guidance on what behaviour is expected when on placement to fulfil that responsibility. All agencies have a joint responsibility to ensure that they work together to protect children and adults from harm.

Concerns

Firstly, a concern may be raised against an adult which suggests that they may be a risk to a child. This includes people who may behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child. Secondly, it includes if someone has possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child. In addition, it includes if someone has behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm. It can include if a person is seen as having behaved or may have behaved in a way that suggests they are unsuitable to work with children.

You can download our Allegations and Misconduct policy here.

To read more from the government website on allegations made against teaching staff, click here.

If you want to read any other of our policies, please visit our policy documentation section by clicking here.

Complaints Policy

Here is are Complaints Policy. Operam Education Group (OEG) is committed to providing a high level of service to our customers. If you do not receive satisfaction from us, we need you to tell us about it. This will help us to improve our standards.

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
If you have a complaint, please contact the manager of your local branch by phone in the first instance so that we can try to resolve your complaint informally.

At this stage, if this does not resolve your complaint please then contact; Sharon Bullock, Chief Operating Officer. You can write to her at: Operam Education Group Ltd, Unit 1, Paramount Business Park, Wilson Road, Liverpool, L36 6AW.

STEPS

We will send you a letter acknowledging your complaint and asking you to confirm or explain the details set out. You can expect to receive this acknowledgement within 5 days of us receiving your complaint.
We will record your complaint in our central register.
The investigation into your complaint will then commence
Where applicable the Chief Operating Officer will then invite you to meet her to discuss and hopefully resolve your complaint.
The Chief Operating Officer will then write to you with her investigation outcome and any resolution to resolve the matter. By no later than 20 working days of the acknowledgement of your complaint to her.
If you are still not satisfied, you can contact The Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) of which OEG is a member by email: complaints@apsco.orgIf we must change any of the time scales above, we will let you know and explain why.

Download Complaints Policy

Data Protection Policy

Our Data Protection Policy covers how we process personal data according to data protection legislation. This includes in particular the Data Protection Act 1998 (or its successor) and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (together the ‘Data Protection Laws’). The Data Protection Laws give individuals rights over how their personal data is used. It imposes certain obligations on the organisations that process your data. For example, you have the right to be informed about how your data is being used and can access your personal data. Also, you have the right to have incorrect data updated, have data erased and stop or restrict the processing of your data. At any point you may object to how your data is processed in certain circumstances.

As a recruitment business, we collect and process both personal and sensitive data. We are required to comply data protection laws and with other related legislation. We are also required to keep this data for different periods depending on the nature of the data.

This policy sets out how we comply with relevant legislation. It should be read in conjunction with the Data Protection Procedure.

Click here to download our Data Protection Policy.

To find out more about your rights and guidance, view the government website by clicking here

Privacy Policy

The Company is a recruitment business which provides work-finding services to its clients and work-seekers. The Company must process personal data (including sensitive personal data) so that it can provide these services – in doing so, the Company acts as a data controller.

You may give your personal details to the Company directly, such as on an application or registration form or via our website, or we may collect them from another source such as a jobs board. The Company must have a legal basis for processing your personal data. For the purposes of providing you with work-finding services and/or information relating to roles relevant to you we will only use your personal data in accordance with this privacy statement. At all times we will comply with current data protection laws.

Download Privacy Policy

GDPR Statement

We are happy to share our GDPR statement with our supply teaching staff. Please read the below statement.

1.1. Firstly, OEG and its brands (“we”, “our”, “us”, “the Company”) takes its obligations under GDPR and applicable data privacy law seriously. We process Personal Data of our candidates, clients, employees, workers and other third parties.

1.2. Scope

1.3. We recognise that the correct and lawful treatment of Personal Data will maintain confidence in the organisation. Additionally it will provide for successful business operations. Protecting the confidentiality and integrity of Personal Data is a critical responsibility that we take seriously at all times.

1.4. The DPO is responsible for overseeing our Data Protection Policy and, as applicable, developing Related Policies and Privacy Guidelines. That post is held by Jill Schofield who can be contacted by emailing OEG.

1.5. Personal data protection principles.

We adhere to the principles relating to Processing of Personal Data set out in the GDPR which require Personal Data to be:

Processed lawfully, fairly and in a transparent manner (Lawfulness, Fairness and Transparency).
Collected only for specified, explicit and legitimate purposes (Purpose Limitation).
Adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which it is Processed (Data Minimisation).
Accurate and where necessary kept up to date (Accuracy).
Not kept in a form which permits identification of Data Subjects for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which the data is Processed (Storage Limitation).
Processed in a manner that ensures its security using appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect against unauthorised or unlawful Processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage (Security, Integrity and Confidentiality).
Not transferred to another country without appropriate safeguards being in place (Transfer Limitation).
Made available to Data Subjects and Data Subjects allowed to exercise certain rights in relation to their Personal Data (Data Subject’s Rights and Requests).

Our Policy Documents