COBIS Safeguarding Statement
COBIS believes that children, young people and vulnerable adults should never experience abuse of any kind. We have an unfaltering commitment to promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults to keep them safe. We are committed to reducing risk connected to all safeguarding and child protection matters.
We recognise that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount in the work we do and in the decisions we take, and that all children, young people and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
COBIS Membership
We are committed to promoting and encouraging the highest standards of safeguarding, safer recruitment and child protection in member schools and supporting associates as a requirement of continuing membership. This is also outlined in the Code of Ethical Conduct, to which COBIS members are expected to adhere.
All candidates applying to work in COBIS schools must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers. We require all prospective and member schools to complete regular training in both Safer Recruitment and Child Protection. We expect member schools to review their Safeguarding Policies annually. Student welfare is a core element of the COBIS Accreditation and Compliance standards, for which schools need to provide robust evidence of good practice.
COBIS member schools must demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding their staff as well as safeguarding pupils. Safeguarding and safer recruitment is a whole-school issue. Appropriate training and ongoing CPD must be provided for staff members.
COBIS member schools must hold up to date and secure records: specifically, a Single Central Record of Appointments, constructed in line with COBIS guidelines and reviewed at least annually, and ideally termly, by the Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) and Designated Safeguarding Governor.
COBIS supporting associates are expected to adhere to the COBIS Code of Conduct, which includes a commitment to safer recruitment practices, and transparent organisational safeguarding policies and procedures.
If we are made aware that a member school or supporting associate has not been adhering to these safeguarding, safer recruitment and child protection standards, their membership or subscription will be reviewed in accordance with the COBIS Complaints Procedure.
COBIS’ Organisational Commitment
We demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding, child protection and safer recruitment through the provision of a number of services including:
- Signposting schools to the International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC) for staff who have ever lived or worked in the UK
- Recommending the DBS if a school is based in the UK and the entirety of the recruitment process is based in the UK.
- Performing Prohibition checks
- Providing policy guidance and updates
- Participation on the International Taskforce for Child Protection
- A range of safeguarding and child protection training, both online and face to face
With regards to our own recruitment processes, all candidates for prospective roles within COBIS must be willing to undertake a DBS or ICPC check. As appropriate to the role, a DBS or ICPC will be requested if an applicant is offered a contract of employment. All COBIS staff and board members are required to undertake safeguarding and child protection training.
In addition, before any school visit, all COBIS lead improvement partners (LIP), peer accreditors (PA) and consultants are required to have undergone appropriate child protection screening (ICPC and local police checks if applicable/relevant).
If COBIS is made aware that a staff member, LIP, volunteer or consultant is not adhering to these safeguarding standards, this matter will be reviewed in line with COBIS’ employment, sub-contracting or volunteer policies and may result in dismissal.
COBIS Governance
COBIS’ ongoing strategic governance includes a Safeguarding & DEIJB Committee, composed of COBIS Board members and Directors. The responsibilities of this committee include:
- To keep up to date on best British and international practice in safeguarding and safer recruitment, and to advise the Board and Executive.
2. To monitor and advise on COBIS workstreams connected to safeguarding including pre-employment checks, training, etc.
3. To provide strategic direction on COBIS’ work to encourage best practice and raise the profile of safeguarding and safer recruitment among its member schools; and to ensure that COBIS' standards and expectations in this area are explicit and clear.
4. To provide strategic guidance on cross-association initiatives and partnerships connected to safeguarding
5. To consider reports of safeguarding issues in member schools, or any member schools which may fail to uphold satisfactory standards of safeguarding or safer recruitment; to make recommendations to the Quality Assurance committee if needed.
6. To support the Executive in offering initial advice on safeguarding or safer recruitment to Member schools. (NB It is not the role of the Committee to provide consultancy or to intervene directly in particular cases. These should be left to independent and qualified authority.)
End – updated October 2024