Guidance

DAO safeguarding policy

Updated 17 November 2022

Scope

The Defence Awarding Organisation (DAO) provides an accreditation service by which individuals can gain formal recognition of their achievements. By gaining a qualification through a rigorous quality assurance process, employers will have confidence that their employees have reached an agreed level of skills and knowledge. This involves the development, delivery and awarding of qualifications iaw the General Conditions of Recognition issued by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). This included setting assessments and quality assuring the assessment process to ensure that assessments are fair, valid and carried out in line with the defined processes.

DAO is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, honesty and integrity for the benefit of its approved centres, learners and the public at large. Hence, the DAO treats any aspects of wrongdoing that underpins the validity of an assessment in support of a DAO qualification very seriously. It is expected that DAO staff, or representatives, will work and uphold DAO procedures and policy.

Purpose

Ofqual strategic plan is underpinned by 3 core principles:

• children and learners first

• independence

• accountability and transparency

DAO take into consideration and always have the interests of children, young people and vunerable adults. Ensuring we as providers, regulate and inspect every procedures for keeping children, young and vulnerable adults safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

DAO encourages learners/centres, others, to raise any concerns should they feel or identify a mis-conduct in the way an individual is treated or approached. In the event of an allegation the individual should first highlight it through the Chain of Command. If they feel it has not been addressed appropriately the individual(s) should follow this Safeguarding policy.

This policy covers DAO’s commitment to protect learners, centres and the validity of the qualifications it awards and offer guidance on what to do, especially children and vulnerable adults. An individual may wish to report on a variety of areas in relation to safeguarding, bullying, inclusion, criminal behaviour, etc.

Public Interest Disclosure Act

DAO has a commitment and open approach to Safeguarding in line with the under the Care Act 2014 as:

a. Protecting the rights of adults to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect

b. people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect

c. people and organisations making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, taking fully into account their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action

d. recognising that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances and therefore potential risks to their safety or well-being

Responsibility of Centres

As an organisation we should always have the interests and needs of children, young people and vulnerable adults as a priority. This includes ensuring that all providers are regulated and have effective procedures in place for keeping children and vulnerable adults safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation.

• safeguarding children is defined in working together to safeguard children

• safeguarding vulnerable adults is defined in the Care and support statutory guidance

Everyone working within, or on behalf of, DAO has a responsibility to familiarise themselves with the HM Government Statutory safeguarding policy and the procedures.

Reporting an Allegation

Any allegations of misconduct towards children and/or vulnerable adults by those working for must be reported immediately to the Centre Head, who in turn will inform key personnel within the Unit (CO, Welfare Officer).

The Centre Head is to also inform The DAO who will record and manage all details appropriately and with the sensitive nature required.

The DAO under Ofqual guidance are to immediately report any allegations (B3.1) and will:

• respect a reportees rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act

• understand the difficult position that a reportee is in

• explain the importance of supporting evidence and the sort of evidence that might help in a particular case

The DAO will make every effort to assist someone who reports an event under this policy, and will protect their identity, if they wish, unless legally obliged to release it. This may be in the course of a police investigation, for example.

Individuals reporting such an event are to complete the DAO report (Annex A) and provide as much details are possible. This will then be held in accordance with GDPR and used to initiate any investigation, ensuring the identity (if given) is secured appropriately and not jeopardise the individuals involved at any stage of the event.

Who to contact?

Ensure you complete the attached Safeguarding Form (Annex A) and post to DAO, for attention of the Safeguarding Lead or alternatively contact DAO by email/telephone.

The form must not contain any details of the allegation as only the leads should see it. Suggest that they send the form by post, or they call DAO. Important it goes through the generic mailbox for the record but no one else should see the detail.

Email to: DEFAC-DAO@mod.gov.uk

Or post to:

SO2 DAO Compliance Manager
Defence Awarding Organisation
Defence Academy of the United Kingdom
Room TF08 Trenchard
Shrivenham
Swindon
SN6 8LA

If you have any queries or concerns please telephone: 01793 314188.

Review of the Policy

The policy will be reviewed annually and it will be revised as necessary in response to customer feedback, changes in legislation and guidance from Ofqual.