Policy last updated 11th October 2022.
The purpose and scope of this policy statement
- to protect children and young people who receive Just Good Science Ltd’s services (including Mission Astro Course) from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
- to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Just Good Science Ltd, including senior managers, paid staff, volunteers, contractors, sessional workers, agency staff and students.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection. While the tutoring offered by the Just Good Science Ltd is based on UK provision, the course Mission Astro is offered to those 13 and over on a worldwide market over the internet. Just Good Science Ltd uses guidance and advice from Keeping Children Safe International Charity for best practices worldwide.
Supporting documents
This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:
- Code of conducts for staff and students
- Online safety policy
We believe that:
- children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
- we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
We recognise that:
- the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
- working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
- 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
- some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
- extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
- valuing, listening to and respecting them
- appointing a nominated child protection lead for children
- adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
- developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
- providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
- recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
- sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via one-to-one discussions
- making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
- using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
- using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
- ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
- ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
- building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
How to report a concern about a Just Good Science Ltd manager/staff member/tutor/contractor:
- If the concern is about Dr Sarah Crick, please contact the NSPCC helpline below and they shall advise you how to proceed.
- If the concern is about another member of the Just Good Science Ltd team, please contact Dr Sarah Crick (details below). Feel free to also contact the NSPCC Helpline for additional support and information should you require it.
Contact details
Nominated child protection lead: Dr Sarah Crick
Phone/email: [email protected]
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
