Allegations & Misconduct

1. Introduction

UCM Education follows strict standards in order to ensure that all candidates that we supply to our clients are of the highest professional and personal calibre. As part of our standards, we follow Safer Recruitment guidance before placing candidates into any workplace but especially those where children or and adults at risk may be present. We also take seriously any concerns raised regarding our staff and our candidates.

This policy gives details of what action we will take when such concerns are raised with us and should be read alongside our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Complaints Policy, Safer Recruitment Policy and Whistleblowing Policy.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to anyone employed by UCM Education, including our directors, staff, anyone on work placement, volunteers or registered with us as a candidate.

The legislation and statutory guidance used to draft this policy covers England; where candidates are located elsewhere in the UK, additional guidance may need to be considered. The main statutory guidance for organisations working in the education sector is Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021. For all other sectors, it is Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.

Any member of staff or candidate who wishes to raise a concern regarding their conditions at work (or similar) should do so through the company Grievance procedure.

Any organisation or service wishing to complain about our services, or the suitability/capacity of any candidate placed with them should do so under the Complaints procedure.

3. Low-Level Concerns: Concerns that do not meet the allegations threshold

UCM Education recognises the importance of ensuring that all concerns, including those which do not meet the harms threshold (see section 3.1 below), are shared responsibly, with the right person and recorded and dealt with appropriately. This is to facilitate a culture of openness, trust and transparency where the clear values and expected behaviours set out in our staff code of conduct are constantly maintained, monitored and reinforced by all staff.

A low-level concern is any concern, no matter how small, and even if no more than a ‘nagging doubt’, that an adult working in or on behalf of a school or college may have acted in a way that:
• is inconsistent with the staff code of conduct, including inappropriate conduct outside of work
• does not meet the allegations threshold or is otherwise not considered serious enough to consider a referral to the LADO.

3.1 Responding to Low-Level Concerns

Where a concern has been raised, the Director of UCM Education will gain as much evidence as possible in order to help categorise the type of behaviour and determine what further action may need to be taken. This will be done by speaking to both:
• the person who raised the concern, unless it has been raised anonymously
• the individual involved and any witnesses

3.2 Recording Low-Level Concerns

All low-level concerns will be recorded in writing and include the following:
• details of the concern
• the context in which the concern arose
• any action taken
• the name of the individual sharing their concerns (unless the induvial has asked to remain anonymous)

All records will be kept confidentially in accordance with UCM Education's data retention policy and will also be reviewed so that potential patterns of concerning, problematic or inappropriate behaviour can be identified.

4. Harms Threshold: Criteria for raising concerns that meet the harms threshold under this policy

A concern may be raised against an adult which suggests that they may be a risk to a child. This is referred to as the ‘harms threshold’ and includes people who may have:
• behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
• behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm to children
• behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
Where concerns are raised about someone who works with children, UCM Education will assess any potential risk to other children who may have contact with the person against whom the allegation has been made. This includes the person’s own children and family members.

5. Investigation Lead

When deciding who should take the lead in investigating allegations regarding a candidate on placement in an education setting, UCM Education will have regard to Sections 356, 357, 358 and 359 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021 (KCSIE 2021):

356. In some circumstances schools and colleges will have to consider an allegation against an individual not directly employed by them, where its disciplinary procedures do not fully apply because agencies will have their own policies and procedures; for example, supply teachers or contracted staff provided by an employment agency or business.

357. Whilst schools and colleges are not the employer of supply teachers, they should ensure allegations are dealt with properly. In no circumstances should a school or college decide to cease to use a supply teacher due to safeguarding concerns, without finding out the facts and liaising with the local authority designated officer (LADO) to determine a suitable outcome. Governing bodies and proprietors should discuss with the agency whether it is appropriate to suspend the supply teacher, or redeploy them to another part of the school, whilst they carry out their investigation.

358. Agencies should be fully involved and co-operate in any enquiries from the LADO, police and/or children’s social services. The school or college will usually take the lead because agencies do not have direct access to children or other school staff, so they will not be able to collect the facts when an allegation is made, nor do they have all the relevant information required by the LADO as part of the referral process. Supply teachers, whilst not employed by the school or college, are under the supervision, direction and control of the governing body or proprietor when working in the school or college. They should be advised to contact their trade union representative if they have one, or a colleague for support. The allegations management meeting which is often arranged by the LADO should address issues such as information sharing, to ensure that any previous concerns or allegations known to the agency are taken into account by the school during the investigation.

359. When using a supply agency, schools and colleges should inform the agency of its process for managing allegations but also take account of the agency’s policies and their duty to refer to the DBS as personnel suppliers. This should include inviting the agency’s human resource manager or equivalent to meetings and keeping them up-to-date with information about its policies.

If an allegation is raised and an educational establishment takes the lead in investigating the allegation, UCM Education will use its best endeavours to assist with that investigation, including attending meetings and sharing relevant information. We do however reserve the right to conduct our own investigation where we are not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation; where we either believe that a candidate has been unfairly treated; that the guidance in KCSIE 2021 has not been followed; or where we continue to have concerns about the suitability of the candidate to work with children/adults at risk.

Regardless of who takes the lead in the investigation, UCM Education recognises the importance of also providing the relevant support to the candidate concerned, and of reviewing any systems or processes at UCM Education which may require improvement.

6. Allegation Procedure for UCM Lead

There may be times that UCM Education will be required to take the lead in investigating an allegation, for example if a concern is received from some place other than an educational establishment, is a historical allegation, where the candidate does not fall into the above provision in KCSIE 2020, or where the candidate is placed in a setting other than an educational one (e.g. a social work setting).

There may be up to three strands in considering a concern or an allegation:
• A police investigation of a criminal offence
• Enquiries and assessment by Children’s Social Care to ascertain whether a child or young person is in need of protection or is in need of services
• Consideration by an employer of disciplinary action in respect of the individual

6.1 UCM Education Responsibilities and Multi-Agency Partnerships

UCM policies and processes ensure that all candidates and other staff understand that it is their responsibility to protect children and adults who are considered vulnerable due to care or support needs arising from abuse or neglect. UCM's code of conduct gives guidance on what behaviour is expected from candidates when on placement in order to fulfil that responsibility.

All agencies have a joint responsibility to ensure that they work together to protect children and adults from harm. If UCM Education gives a local authority information that suggests an adult may be a risk to children or other adults, the local authority would be expected to give careful consideration as to what information should be shared with the UCM to enable a comprehensive risk assessment to be conducted.

Allegations against people who work with children and adults who may be at risk must not be dealt with in isolation. Any corresponding action necessary to address the welfare of other children or adults with care and support needs should be taken without delay, and in a coordinated manner, to prevent the need for further safeguarding in future.

Any allegation which arises in relation to historical abuse by a candidate or other member of staff should be responded to in the same way as a current concern. In such cases, it is imperative to ascertain whether the person concerned is still working with adults and/or children and, if so, to inform their current employer/organisation.

The standard of proof for prosecution is ‘beyond reasonable doubt’. The standard of proof for internal disciplinary procedures and for discretionary barring consideration by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is usually the civil standard of ‘on the balance of probabilities.' This means that when criminal procedures are concluded without action being taken, this does not automatically mean that regulatory or disciplinary procedures should cease, or not be considered. In any event, there is always a legal duty to make a safeguarding referral to DBS if a person is dismissed or removed from their role due to harm to a child or an adult with care and support needs.

If someone is removed from their role providing regulated activity following a safeguarding incident, UCM Education has a legal duty to refer them to the DBS. This also applies where a person leaves their role to avoid a disciplinary hearing following a safeguarding incident and UCM believes they would have dismissed the person based on the information they had.

The Local Safeguarding Partner arrangements/Local Safeguarding Adults Board procedures should specify the timescales, actions and procedures for responding to any allegations or concerns raised.

6.2 Actions Following an Allegation

Any allegation against people who work with children and/or adults with care and support needs should be reported immediately to the Director of UCM Education.

When an allegation has been made against a candidate or other member of staff, the Director will gather sufficient information to establish whether there is enough credible information to proceed further (fact finding). They will not immediately investigate the matter by interviewing the accused person, the child or potential witnesses. If they are unclear about this, they will consult with the LADO in the area in which the organisation is located. The Director will also:
• Obtain written details of the allegation, signed and dated by the person receiving the complaint or allegation and any other relevant person at the point the allegation has been made.
• Countersign and date the written details.
• Record discussions about the child/adult and/or candidate/member of staff, any decisions made, and the reasons for those decisions.
• Decide whether any immediate action needs to be taken to safeguard any child or whether an urgent referral needs to be made to either Children’s Social Care and/or the police.
• Ensure the accused adult is not informed of the allegations before consideration has been given to the implications this may have on any subsequent investigation.
• Consult the local procedures in the area in which the organisation is based and seek advice from the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). The LADO is responsible for dealing with allegations against people who work with children. When speaking to the LADO, UCM Education will make a clear distinction between an allegation, a concern about the quality of care or a complaint. Contact with the LADO will normally be made within one working day of the allegation being brought to the attention of the Director.
• At an agreed appropriate time, the Director will make the person concerned aware of their rights under employment legislation and internal UCM Education processes.
Whilst any allegation is being investigated and until the outcome is decided, candidates or other staff against whom there is an allegation, should always be treated fairly and respectfully, helped to understand the concerns expressed and processes involved, and supported through the process.

It is the responsibility of the local authority to ensure that there are appropriate arrangements in place to effectively liaise with the police and other agencies, to monitor the progress of cases and ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistently and with a thorough and fair process.

6.2.1 Notifications

Any concerns should be shared with the Director] of UCM Education. A plan of action will be agreed, including who needs to be notified and by whom, and whether any action needs to be taken to preserve evidence or prevent further harm.

The Director will inform the LADO for the area of the allegation.

Where it is suspected that a criminal offence may have been committed, the Director will also inform the police.

If the person against whom the allegation has been made has contact with other children (for example, children in their own family), a referral will also be made to Children’s Social Care.

6.2.2 Enquiries

The Director will refer to the Safeguarding Children Partnership or Local Safeguarding Adult Board procedures for the relevant area which will specify:
• action to be taken pending the outcome of the police investigations
• action to be taken following a decision to prosecute an individual
• action to be taken following a decision not to prosecute
• action to be taken pending a trial
• responses to both acquittal and conviction

Where the LADO, in conjunction with the police, as appropriate, decides that the information gathered requires further discussion, UCM Education would expect the LADO to lead the discussion and to consider the following factors. These may be considered as part of a strategy discussion or meeting, depending on the circumstances of the case and what decisions are made if any Section 47 (Child Protection) enquiry is instigated.

The LADO strategy discussion would be expected to:
• Consider the three possible strands set out earlier in this policy
• Review any previous concerns or allegations about conduct of the accused person
• Decide whether there should be a Section 47 Enquiry and/or police investigation and consider the implications of those actions
• Consider whether any parallel disciplinary process should take place
• Consider whether a complex abuse investigation is applicable
• Scope and plan enquiries
• Allocate tasks
• Set timescales
• Decide what information can be shared, with whom and when
• Ensure that arrangements are made to protect the child/ren involved and any other child/ren affected, including taking emergency action where needed
• Consider what support should be provided to all children who may have been affected directly and indirectly
• Consider what support should be provided to the person against whom the complaint or allegation has been made and others who might have been affected
• Ensure that investigations are sufficiently independent
• Make arrangements to inform the child's parents, and consider how to provide them with support and information during enquiries
• Identify a lead contact manager within each agency
• Agree protocols for reviewing investigations and monitoring progress by the LADO, noting the target timescales
• Agree dates for future LADO strategy meetings
• Consider obtaining consent from the individuals concerned by the Police and the Children’s Services Trust to share the statements and evidence they obtain with UCM Education and/or the regulatory body for disciplinary purposes

6.2.3 Possible Risk to Others

The possible risk of harm to other adults or children should be assessed and managed, including those adults or children who may be at risk in the accused’s home, work or community life.

Where necessary, action should be taken, using the Safeguarding Children Partnership and Safeguarding Adults Board procedures, as appropriate, to protect children and adults from abuse or neglect.

6.2.4 Sharing Information

Unless it puts the child in danger, risks harm to others, or raises the possibility of evidence being destroyed, the individual concerned will ordinarily be informed that the information regarding the allegation against them will be shared, and with whom. Each case will be assessed individually, as there may be rare cases in which informing the person about details of the allegations may increase the risks to the child. Decisions on sharing information must be justifiable and proportionate, based on the potential or actual harm to children at risk, and the rationale for decision making should always be recorded. This decision will always be made in consultation with the LADO.

The person with the allegation against them will be offered a right to reply, and wherever possible, given the opportunity to consent to the information being shared.

The Director should be advised as to what information (whether full or partial) can be shared, and when, with the child and their parents (where applicable). The LADO and the police would be expected to discuss this with the Director and decide what information they can share with the candidate or member of staff to whom the allegation relates, including being kept updated about any investigation which is undertaken, and any disciplinary or related actions. Ofsted/CQC should be informed of any allegation or concern made against a person who works with children or adults with care and support needs. They may also be invited to take part in a related strategy meeting or discussion.

When an allegation is made against a candidate or member of staff, it can be a challenging and emotive situation for all those involved, but also for colleagues and family of the accused person. Every effort will be made to maintain confidentiality in relation to the child, their parents and the candidate or member of staff. All candidates and members of staff will be reminded that the allegation must not be discussed outside of formal meetings with approved personnel, and no comment regarding it should be made on social media. It should be made clear that breach of this would result in disciplinary action being taken against the person concerned.

6.2.5 Media Strategy

Until a person is charged, the police would not normally be expected to provide the media with any identifying information, for example a public appeal to trace a suspect. In such cases, reasons for the publicity should be recorded with prior consultation of involved partner agencies.

Any media interest whilst an allegation is being investigated or considered will be handled very carefully, and a media strategy agreed by a multi-agency strategy meeting, including UCM Education, where appropriate.

Any member of UCM Education staff who are approached by members of the media should make no comment and refer them to the Director.

6.2.6 Support for the Alleged Victim

The person who is the main point of liaison with the child and their parents, or adult and their family, will keep them up-to-date, as far as possible, with the progress of the investigation whilst not breaching confidentiality in relation to the accused person.

Other professionals providing care and support to the victim and their parents or family should remain impartial throughout the process. Whilst they should provide support specific to their role, they should refrain from offering opinion on the case and, in particular, not be seen to favour either side. This duty applies to all those involved.

6.2.7 Support for the Accused

As soon as possible after an allegation has been received by the Director, the candidate or member of staff will be advised to contact their union or professional association, if they have one. The Director will explore how they can be supported if an investigation takes place. This may be via a named person in the organisation or via external agencies.

Following the outcome of the investigation, if the candidate or member of staff returns to work after a period of suspension, the Director will consider what help and support might be appropriate. This may include a phased return to work or deciding on what information to give to other colleagues.

6.2.8 Suspension

Suspension should not be automatic when an allegation is received. It should be considered when:
• there is concern that a child or vulnerable adult is suffering or is likely to suffer abuse or neglect
• the allegation has resulted in an investigation by the police
• the allegation is so serious there may be grounds for dismissal

Although those involved in the investigation can discuss views on suspension, only the Director has the power to suspend an employee or candidate. The service cannot be required to suspend an employee by the local authority or the police. Suspension may be considered when there is no other way to prevent the person concerned having contact with children or adults with care and support needs while the investigation is ongoing.

6.2.9 Outcomes

The following definitions should be used when determining the outcome of allegation investigations:
• Substantiated - there is sufficient identifiable evidence to prove the allegation.
• False - there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation.
• Malicious - there is clear evidence to prove there has been a deliberate act to deceive and the allegation is entirely false.
• Unsubstantiated - there is insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation. This is not the same as a false allegation, and the term does not imply guilt or innocence.
• Unfounded - to reflect cases where there is no evidence or proper basis to support the allegation made.

If it is established that an allegation has been deliberately invented, the police will be asked to consider if any action may be appropriate. UCM Education will also consider whether there is any appropriate action they can take, including giving advice to other members of staff, risk assessments or changes to working practices.

6.2.10 Disciplinary Process

The Director will decide, in conjunction with the LADO, whether disciplinary action is warranted. UCM Education's disciplinary procedures will be followed in such circumstances. In the case of candidates, UCM will decide whether it is appropriate to use or employ them in the future, and whether a referral to the DBS is warranted. Referrals to other regulatory bodies (such as Social Work England) will also be considered, if appropriate.

Wherever possible and necessary during the disciplinary process, consent should be obtained from the relevant people to share information with required organisations or bodies.

Where there are prosecutions, the police would be expected to inform the Director and the LADO of the outcome immediately to enable them to act as required in relation to the person’s future employment and any necessary DBS referral.

6.2.11 Terminating Employment

Wherever possible, a conclusion to the investigation should be achieved, even if:
• the employee does not cooperate with the investigation
• disciplinary sanctions are not possible because the employee terminates their employment before the process has been completed

In cases where UCM has a duty to refer an employee to the Disclosure and Barring Service because the criteria for referral are met, agreements that enable the employee to resign with no disciplinary action and provision of future references will not be made.

Where the Director dismisses an individual from work with children and/or adults (or where they would have, had the individual not left first) because they pose a risk of harm, a referral to the DBS will be made. It is an offence to fail to make a referral without good reason; therefore, where there is doubt, advice will be sought from the DBS.

6.3 Record Keeping

The Director will keep a clear and comprehensive record of the allegation, decisions reached, and actions taken on the individual's personnel file, a copy of which will be given to them.

The record should include details of how the allegation was followed up and resolved, the decisions reached, and the action taken. It should be kept at least until the person reaches normal retirement age, or for 10 years, if longer.

The record will provide accurate information for any future reference and provide clarification if a future DBS disclosure reveals an allegation that did not result in a prosecution or a conviction. It will prevent unnecessary re-investigation if the allegation should resurface.

Details of allegations that are found to be malicious should be removed from personnel records.

UCM Education will make every effort to ensure that the records they keep respect the confidentiality of the alleged victim and/or the accused adult.

6.4 References

Cases in which an allegation was proven to be false, unsubstantiated or malicious will not be included in employer references. A history of repeated concerns or allegations which have all been found to be false, unfounded, unsubstantiated or malicious, will similarly not be included in any reference.

6.5 Unsubstantiated or False Allegations

Where it is decided there is not enough evidence to substantiate an allegation, the professional involved would be expected to inform the Director in writing.

If it is established that an allegation has been deliberately invented, the police will be asked to consider if any action may be appropriate.

The Director will also consider whether there is any appropriate action they should take, including giving advice to the family with whom the child or vulnerable adult is living, and obtaining additional support and mentoring for any child or vulnerable adult who made a false allegation.

6.6 Referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service

Where allegations are substantiated, and in observance with our legal responsibilities, UCM Education will report candidates to the Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS), where appropriate, and seek advice where there is any uncertainty.

6.7 Learning Lessons

At the conclusion of an investigation, UCM Education will undertake a review of the case with the LADO and any other relevant parties.

This will ascertain whether there are lessons to be learned for the organisation which would result in improvements to procedures or practice in relation to the circumstances which led to the allegation.

The process of investigating the allegation will also be evaluated to decide if there are also recommendations for improvements.

Where changes to policy are recommended, this will be implemented as soon as possible and communicated to all staff.

Consideration will be given by UCM Education regarding how lessons learned can best be communicated to staff – whether this be by internal communication, supervision, staff meetings or training events.