Our Policies

  • Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy – Summit Education

    Policy Statement

    Summit Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people. My service is designed to create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where students can develop emotionally, physically, and socially through nature-based mentoring activities.

    Aims of this Policy

    - To protect children and young people from harm
    - To ensure I respond appropriately to any safeguarding concerns
    - To maintain clear communication with referrers and school DSLs

    Key Responsibilities

    - Follow local safeguarding protocols (BCP Council)
    - Immediately report concerns to the student’s school DSL or referrer
    - Record all disclosures factually and confidentially
    - Maintain an up-to-date Enhanced DBS certificate and safeguarding training

    Types of Abuse to Be Aware Of

    - Physical, emotional, sexual abuse
    - Neglect, exploitation
    - Peer-on-peer abuse, including bullying or harassment
    - Risks related to online activity, extremism, or criminal exploitation

    Reporting Procedure

    1. If a young person discloses something concerning, I will:
    - Stay calm and listen without judgement
    - Explain I may have to share the information with their school
    - Record the concern factually, using the young person's own words
    - Contact the school DSL immediately (same day)

    2. If I believe a young person is at immediate risk of harm:
    - I will contact 999 or the BCP Children's Services: 01202 735046

    Policy Review

    This policy is reviewed annually or after any safeguarding incident.

  • Policy Statement

    Summit Education is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its provision. Every young person has the right to feel safe, valued, and respected regardless of their background, identity, or individual needs.

    Aims

    - To provide a mentoring environment free from discrimination and prejudice
    - To promote inclusive practice tailored to individual needs
    - To challenge stereotypes and encourage respect and understanding among young people

    Legal Framework

    This policy aligns with the Equality Act 2010 and covers all protected characteristics including:
    - Age
    - Disability
    - Gender reassignment
    - Marriage and civil partnership
    - Pregnancy and maternity
    - Race
    - Religion or belief
    - Sex
    - Sexual orientation

    Our Commitments

    - Treat all young people with dignity and respect
    - Recognise and respond to the diverse needs of those referred
    - Avoid discriminatory language or assumptions
    - Foster an inclusive culture that values individuality

    In Practice

    - Tailor mentoring approaches to reflect cultural, religious, or access needs
    - Ensure communication is inclusive and accessible
    - Raise awareness of inclusion and celebrate diversity through outdoor activities and discussions

    Responding to Discrimination

    - Any incident of discrimination, bullying, or prejudice will be taken seriously
    - Concerns will be addressed in line with safeguarding and reporting procedures
    - Support will be provided to those affected

    Monitoring and Review

    - This policy is reviewed annually to ensure relevance and impact
    - Feedback from referrers, families, and young people is welcomed and used to inform practice

  • Policy Statement

    Summit Education is committed to handling personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. This policy outlines how personal data is collected, stored, used, and protected.

    Lawful Basis for Data Collection

    - Personal data is collected only for legitimate interests, including safeguarding, communication with referrers, and progress monitoring.
    - Data is collected with consent from the referring school, parent/carer, or local authority.

    Types of Data Collected

    - Basic identification details (name, age, school)
    - Contact information (where necessary)
    - Session notes and progress reports
    - Safeguarding or behavioural concern logs

    How Data Is Stored

    - Data is stored digitally on a password-protected device or encrypted cloud service.
    - Physical documents are kept in a locked file (if used).
    - Only I have access to this information.

    Data Sharing

    - Data is only shared with authorised individuals on a need-to-know basis.
    - No data is shared for marketing or commercial use.
    - Safeguarding concerns are shared immediately, per the Safeguarding Policy.

    Retention of Data

    - Personal data is retained for one academic year post-provision unless required longer for legal reasons.

    Rights of the Data Subject

    - Individuals have the right to access, correct, or delete their data.
    - Requests are responded to within 30 days.

    Data Breach Procedure

    - In case of a data breach, the ICO and affected individuals are notified within 72 hours if required.

    Policy Review

    This policy is reviewed annually or after relevant changes in legislation or practice.