This policy sets out how National LifeSkills Academy protects the safety and wellbeing of adult learners. It applies to everyone who works for or with NLSA and has contact with learners, and to all NLSA courses and services. Children and young people under 18 are covered by the Child and Young Person Safeguarding Policy.

Our commitment

Every learner has the right to learn free from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. NLSA follows the six safeguarding principles of the Care Act 2014: empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership and accountability.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is Dr Laurence H. Brown, Director, who holds Designated Safeguarding Lead training at Level 3 and an enhanced DBS check. Concerns should be raised with director@nlsa.uk.

Everyone's responsibility

Everyone working for or with NLSA must:

• recognise the signs of harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation;
• report any concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead the same day;
• co-operate fully with any enquiry; and
• keep safeguarding information confidential.

If a learner tells you about harm

Listen, do not promise to keep it secret, and write down what was said in the learner's own words. Pass it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead the same day. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead decides what to do next, involving the learner wherever possible. This may include referral to the local authority adult social care team, the police, or the learner's employer or school, where appropriate. NLSA does not investigate allegations itself. Concerns about radicalisation are referred through the local Prevent arrangements.

Keeping learners safe online

• NLSA courses do not carry comments, messaging or forums, so learners cannot be contacted by other users through them.
• Courses that deal with difficult subjects, such as the death of a child, medical emergencies or bullying, say so before the relevant section. Learners are signposted to support (see the Learner Support Policy).
• Personal data is protected under the Data Protection Policy.

Safe working

• Everyone working with learners receives safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
• Staff and associates work to a code of conduct covering appropriate contact, language and behaviour.
• Allegations against anyone working for NLSA are taken seriously and referred to the appropriate authority.

Records and confidentiality

Safeguarding records are kept securely and separately from other records. Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis, or where the law requires it to protect someone from harm.

Review

This policy is reviewed annually, and immediately after any safeguarding incident.

National LifeSkills Academy Ltd  |  Safeguarding Learners Policy  |  v2.0 September 2026