SAFEGUARDING FOR EMPLOYERS

As an employer, you must:

• Provide a safe working environment
• Ensure learners are appropriately supervised at all times
• Nominate a named workplace mentor
• Prevent bullying, harassment, discrimination or unsafe behaviour
• Support the learner’s wellbeing and mental health
• Allow time for learning and engagement with training
• Report any safeguarding concerns to DNA immediately
• Have a clear Safeguarding Policy and nominated DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)

These responsibilities form part of your agreement with DNA.

Learners should:

• Be treated with respect and professionalism
• Work in a safe and supportive environment
• Have clear supervision and guidance
• Feel confident to raise concerns

You must ensure that:

• Safeguarding policies are in place within your practice/workplace
• You have a nominated DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
• Staff understand appropriate professional boundaries
• Concerns are taken seriously and escalated
• No learner is placed in an unsafe or unsupported situation

You should be alert to signs such as:

• Changes in behaviour or mood
• Withdrawal or disengagement
• Signs of distress or anxiety
• Inappropriate relationships or behaviour
• Bullying or conflict in the workplace
• Concerns raised by colleagues or patients

If something does not feel right — report it.

Mental health concerns can be safeguarding concerns

If a learner is:

• struggling emotionally
• showing signs of distress
• experiencing significant stress

You must report this to DNA so appropriate support can be put in place.

As training is delivered remotely, you must:

• Allow learners to study online in a suitable environment
• Support engagement with training
• Respect boundaries between work and learning time
• Avoid inappropriate communication outside approved channels

Prevent Duty (Extremism and Radicalisation)

Employers must support the Prevent Duty by:

• Being aware of signs of radicalisation or extremist influence
• Reporting concerns to DNA immediately
• Supporting a safe and respectful workplace culture

DNA will:

• Support you in managing safeguarding concerns
• Provide guidance where needed
• Work with you to protect learners
• Escalate concerns where necessary

In serious cases, DNA may:

• Involve external agencies, including GDC
• Require changes in the workplace
• Remove a learner from an unsafe environment

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

If in doubt — report the concern.

• Safeguarding & Prevent Duty Policy
• Safeguarding at a Glance Guide
• Safeguarding for Learners page (direct your learners to this page for more information)

Other useful contacts

• Emergency: Call the Police on 999
• Police non-emergency: 101
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Report child abuse: gov.uk/report-child-abuse
• Adult safeguarding: gov.uk/report-abuse-of-adult
• DfE Prevent support: report-extremism.education.gov.uk
• Back to the Safeguarding page