Safeguarding Policy

Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines the measures taken by Aoden Learning trading
under i-Creatives Ltd (“Aoden Learning”) to safeguard the children (ages
10-18) who participate in our live online sessions and mentorship
service (“User”). It is recognised that children may be referred to as
“young people” or “young adults” but for the purposes of this
safeguarding policy and under UK law applicable to safeguarding they
will be referred to as “children”.

Aoden Learning is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of all
children who participate in its services and use the platform. All
children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race,
religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, have an equal right to
protection from all types of harm or abuse.

We recognise that abuse and neglect can take many forms and ask that
all staff maintain an attitude of “it could happen here”. Abuse is a
form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child
by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Harm can
include ill treatment that is not physical as well as the impact of
witnessing ill treatment of others.

Further definitions of abuse and neglect can be found in Appendix A
of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.

Legal Framework

This policy has been created with the latest legislation and policy
created by the UK Government and related bodies regarding the
safeguarding of children in the UK.

This includes:

• Government Guidance on Remote Education

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

• Information Sharing Guidance 2024

Aoden Learning is committed to:

• Having a named Designated Safeguarding Lead for Aoden Learning
  who is available to answer queries and questions from staff and advise
  on referrals and responses. The DSL will undergo appropriate and
  specific training to provide them with the knowledge and skills required
  to carry out their role. The DSL’s training will be updated formally
  every two years but their knowledge and skills will be updated through a
  variety of methods at regular intervals and at least annually.

• Establishing a secure and confidential reporting system (via
  email) for children to raise any issues or problems. This system will be
  continuously monitored.

• Ensuring that children and their families are aware of the NSPCC
  helpline and other sources of support to seek help and support when they
  have any concerns.

• Prioritising the welfare and dignity of children by valuing,
  respecting, and actively listening to them.

• Adhering to the best practices for child protection and
  safeguarding through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for
  staff and volunteers.

• Developing and implementing a comprehensive online safety policy
  and related procedures.

• Providing effective management, supervision, support, training,
  and quality assurance measures for staff and volunteers too.

• Ensuring that all personnel are confident and competent in
  following our policies, procedures, and behaviour codes.

• Ensuring safer recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers
  by conducting all necessary checks.

• Professionally and securely recording, storing, and using
  information in line with data protection legislation and
  guidance.

• Involving children, parents, families, and caregivers as
  necessary.

• Handling allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
  through our established procedures.

• Establishing an environment that fosters respect and promotes
  zero tolerance for bullying.

• Maintaining a policy and procedure that enables us to address any
  bullying instances that may occur effectively.

• Implementing effective complaints and whistleblowing
  measures.

• Establishing a safeguarding culture that values mutual respect,
  trust, and open communication among staff and volunteers, children,
  young people, and their families.

Steps We Take to Ensure Our Students’ Safety

Online Safety Aoden Learning recognises that abuse
can take place online and also that technology may be used to facilitate
offline abuse. Following a disclosure of online abuse from a student, we
will refer the matter to the DSL who will refer onwards as necessary.
Students are encouraged to report any communication with another student
which makes them feel uncomfortable. We recognise this may amount to
child-on-child abuse, and will take appropriate action in accordance
with the student code of conduct.

Student Code of Conduct All participants in the
online sessions and mentorship service must adhere to our strict Student
Code of Conduct that prohibits behaviour that could put the children or
other participants at risk, such as harassment, bullying, or
discrimination. The Aoden Learning Student Code of Conduct also outlines
the consequences of violating the policy, including the potential for
disciplinary action or expulsion from the program.

Communication Guidelines All communication between
the educator and the children, as well as the mentorship service, are
conducted through official channels provided by Aoden Learning. Private
messaging or exchanging contact information with the children is
strictly prohibited to prevent any potential risks of inappropriate
communication. Additionally, the educators do not engage in any personal
discussions with the children outside the scope of the educational
sessions or mentorship service. Any communication using non-official
channels or of a personal nature will be treated as a disciplinary issue
and may, depending on the nature of the communication, be referred to
the appropriate authority.

Reporting Procedure for Aoden Learning Staff All
instances of inappropriate communication, Student Code of Conduct
violations, and any other safety concerns should be immediately reported
to info@aodenlearning.uk.

In the report, you should include:

• The names of all people involved

• Which medium the incident took place over (Aoden Learning
  platform, Other, etc.)

• Your preferred contact information (your email, mobile phone
  number, home address)

You should also include a summary of your concern (facts, not
opinions) and any action you have already taken.

Your immediate action on receiving a disclosure of abuse or neglect
or a welfare concern for their own safety from a child should be to
reassure them and signpost them to sources of support.

Safer Recruitment Aoden Learning is committed to
ensuring that we develop a safe culture and that all steps are taken to
recruit staff and volunteers who are safe to work on our platform. A
candidate’s identity should be verified by two forms of photographic
identification or birth certificate if two forms are unavailable. Aoden
Learning conducts background checks on all staff members, including the
educator, to ensure they do not have a history of abuse or misconduct,
including an updated enhanced DBS check. The background checks
additionally include criminal record checks, reference checks, and
verification of academic qualifications. One reference will be checked
verbally using a phone number obtained using an internet search for the
company listed on the reference (phone number not provided by
candidate).

Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers Aoden
Learning recognises that it is possible for staff and volunteers to
behave in a way that might cause harm to children and takes any
allegation received seriously. KCSIE 2024 makes a distinction between
high and low level concerns. All allegations should be referred
immediately to the DSL, who will decide if the allegation is low or high
level (whether or not it meets the threshold for harm). If high level,
the DSL will contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to
agree further action to be taken in respect of the child and staff
member. Staff are encouraged to self-report any instance or occasion in
which they may have been perceived by a student to have behaved
inappropriately. All allegations against staff will be treated in the
strictest confidence.

Parental Consent If the user is under the age of 18,
the User must have obtained full consent from his/her parent or legal
guardian, and both Student and Parent warrant they are fully aware of
the Terms upon which the Aoden Learning Course is made available to
him/her as set out in the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and
Student Code of Conduct.

Data Protection Aoden Learning is committed to
protecting the personal information of the children and other
participants involved in the online sessions and mentorship service. We
comply with all relevant data protection laws and regulations and have
strict measures in place to ensure the security and confidentiality of
personal information.

Review and Update This safeguarding policy is
reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it remains relevant and
up-to-date with current safeguarding guidelines and best practices.

Last Updated: September 2026