The policy sets out Polycom Development Project’s commitment to protecting learners and staff from sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation. It adopts a zero-tolerance approach, emphasizes confidentiality, non-discrimination, professional conduct, and the best interests of learners.
It provides standards for appropriate staff–learner interaction, including appropriate physical contact, communication, social media use, and avoiding situations that may put learners or staff at risk.
The policy also explains how to identify, report, handle, and investigate suspected cases. Reports should be documented and referred to the designated safeguarding officer, while disclosures should be handled carefully, respectfully, and without blaming or interrogating the learner.
It assigns safeguarding responsibilities to the Board, Head Teacher, safeguarding officer/class teachers, staff, learners, and parents/guardians, and requires staff training, safer recruitment and vetting, reporting systems, and regular policy review.
Finally, the policy identifies verbal, non-verbal, and physical forms of sexual harassment, including sexual comments, requests for sexual favours, sexually explicit messages, inappropriate gestures, unwanted touching, grabbing, hugging, or kissing.