Safeguarding Policy
Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Quality Awards and Vocational Accreditation (QAVA) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all learners, staff, tutors, assessors, centre representatives, and any individuals who engage with our qualifications and services. We recognise our responsibility to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

QAVA adopts safeguarding principles and best practices consistent with recognised UK awarding organisations, including OTHM and ATHE, and complies with all relevant UK legislation and guidance.

Scope of This Policy

This safeguarding policy applies to:

  • All QAVA staff, consultants, and external associates
  • Approved centres and their staff
  • Learners registered on QAVA qualifications
  • Assessors, internal verifiers, and quality assurance personnel
  • Any third parties acting on behalf of QAVA

All approved centres are required to implement their own safeguarding policies aligned with QAVA requirements.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

QAVA’s safeguarding approach is informed by, but not limited to:

  • Children Act 1989 & 2004
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
  • Prevent Duty (Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015)
  • Equality Act 2010
  • UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

Definition of Safeguarding

Safeguarding refers to:

  • Protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of health or development
  • Ensuring safe and effective care
  • Taking action to enable individuals to achieve the best possible outcomes

Responsibilities
QAVA Responsibilities

QAVA will:

  • Promote a culture of safeguarding awareness and responsibility
  • Ensure safeguarding requirements are embedded within centre approval and monitoring processes
  • Provide guidance and support to approved centres
  • Take appropriate action where safeguarding concerns are identified
  • Maintain confidentiality while ensuring concerns are reported appropriately

Centre Responsibilities

Approved centres must:

  • Appoint a designated safeguarding lead (DSL)
  • Maintain a clear safeguarding policy and procedures
  • Ensure staff receive appropriate safeguarding training
  • Report safeguarding concerns to QAVA promptly
  • Cooperate fully with investigations and monitoring

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Any safeguarding concern involving a learner, staff member, or centre must be reported immediately.

Concerns may include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
  • Neglect or exploitation
  • Bullying, harassment, or discrimination
  • Radicalisation or extremist behaviour
  • Online safety risks

Reports will be handled sensitively, confidentially, and in accordance with legal obligations.

Prevent and Radicalisation

QAVA supports the UK Government’s Prevent Duty and is committed to preventing learners from being drawn into terrorism or extremist ideologies. Approved centres must have appropriate procedures in place to identify and report concerns related to radicalisation.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

All safeguarding records and reports are managed in line with UK GDPR and Data Protection legislation. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis with relevant authorities or organisations where legally required.

Review and Monitoring

This safeguarding policy is reviewed regularly to ensure continued compliance with legislation, awarding body standards, and best practice. QAVA reserves the right to audit safeguarding arrangements at approved centres.

Contact for Safeguarding Matters

All safeguarding concerns or enquiries should be directed to:

Quality Awards and Vocational Accreditation (QAVA)
📍 150 Ashburton Avenue, Ilford, London, United Kingdom, IG3 9EL
📞 +44 020 4615 2574
📧 info@qava.org.uk
🌐 https://qava.org.uk/

QAVA expects all stakeholders to share responsibility for safeguarding and to act in the best interests of learners at all times.