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Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

At Pharos Education, the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of every student are our highest priorities. We are committed to creating and maintaining learning environments where children and young people feel safe, respected, valued, and protected from harm.

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Pharos Education partners with leading international schools, universities, and educational organizations to deliver university-led academic programs and enrichment experiences. In all our activities, we seek to uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection, working collaboratively with our partner institutions and adhering to applicable local laws, school policies, and internationally recognized best practices.

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We recognize that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All Pharos staff, instructors, mentors, contractors, volunteers, and partner personnel who interact with students share a duty to protect children and young people from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, harassment, and any form of harm.

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This policy applies to all Pharos Education personnel and to all educational programs, events, workshops, residential experiences, online activities, and other engagements involving students under the age of 18.

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Pharos Education is committed to:

  • Putting the welfare and best interests of children first in all decisions and activities.

  • Maintaining a culture of vigilance and accountability.

  • Providing safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environments.

  • Protecting children regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic background.

  • Working effectively with schools, universities, parents, guardians, and relevant authorities to safeguard students.

  • Promoting student voice and ensuring students know how to seek help and report concerns.

  • Ensuring all adults working with students understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

  • Responding promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

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Pharos Education aligns its safeguarding practices with internationally recognized standards and, where applicable, relevant local legal requirements.

In particular, our approach is informed by:

  • The UK Children Act 1989 and 2004

  • Working Together to Safeguard Children

  • The UK Department for Education guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025

  • Relevant safeguarding requirements of partner schools, universities, and host institutions

  • Applicable child protection legislation in the countries where programs are delivered

Where local requirements exceed those outlined in this policy, the higher standard shall apply.

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Pharos Education has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for safeguarding oversight, reporting, advice, and coordination.

Designated Safeguarding Lead

Alternative safeguarding contact: programs@bepharos.com

 

The DSL is responsible for:

  • Receiving and managing safeguarding concerns.

  • Maintaining safeguarding records.

  • Coordinating responses with partner schools and institutions.

  • Ensuring appropriate referrals are made when necessary.

  • Supporting staff in safeguarding matters.

  • Overseeing safeguarding training and compliance.

  • Reviewing and updating safeguarding procedures.

Any safeguarding concern involving a child or young person must be reported immediately to the DSL.

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All individuals working on behalf of Pharos Education are expected to:

  • Safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times.

  • Treat all students with dignity and respect.

  • Report any safeguarding concern immediately.

  • Follow all applicable safeguarding procedures.

  • Complete required safeguarding training.

  • Cooperate fully with safeguarding investigations and reviews.

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Pharos leadership is responsible for ensuring:

  • Appropriate safeguarding systems are in place.

  • Adequate resources are dedicated to safeguarding.

  • Staff recruitment and screening procedures are robust.

  • Safeguarding concerns are addressed appropriately and promptly.

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Pharos Education is committed to ensuring that all adults working with students are suitable to do so.

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Before any instructor, mentor, staff member, contractor, or volunteer is permitted to work with students, appropriate screening and background checks will be conducted.

These may include:

  • Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for individuals working in the United Kingdom.

  • International criminal background checks where appropriate.

  • Identity verification.

  • Right-to-work verification where applicable.

  • Reference checks.

  • Verification of professional qualifications and employment history.

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Pharos Education requires that all instructors, mentors, and staff who have direct contact with students undergo appropriate DBS screening in accordance with UK safeguarding requirements and the principles outlined in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025.

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Where personnel are employed by partner schools, universities, or educational providers, Pharos will verify that equivalent safeguarding and vetting procedures have been completed before engagement.

No individual may participate in student-facing activities until required safeguarding clearances have been completed and approved.

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Pharos Education works closely with leading international schools and educational providers around the world.

When delivering programs:

  • Pharos adheres to the safeguarding and child protection policies of partner schools and host institutions.

  • Safeguarding responsibilities are clearly defined between Pharos and partner organizations.

  • Relevant safeguarding information is shared appropriately and lawfully.

  • Students remain protected by both Pharos safeguarding procedures and applicable partner-school protocols.

Where multiple safeguarding frameworks apply, the highest standard of protection will be followed.

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All staff must remain alert to indicators that a child may be experiencing:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect

  • Bullying or cyberbullying

  • Exploitation

  • Harassment

  • Discrimination

  • Grooming or inappropriate relationships

  • Online safety risks

  • Any other circumstance that may place a child at risk

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If a concern arises:

  1. The concern must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

  2. A factual written record should be made as soon as possible.

  3. Staff should not investigate concerns independently.

  4. Confidentiality should be maintained and information shared only with those who need to know.

Where there is an immediate risk of harm, emergency services or appropriate local authorities should be contacted without delay.

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All adults working with students must:

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

  • Avoid one-to-one situations that cannot be observed or monitored where reasonably possible.

  • Communicate with students only through approved channels.

  • Never engage in inappropriate, exploitative, or personal relationships with students.

  • Respect cultural differences while maintaining safeguarding standards.

  • Report any concerns regarding the conduct of another adult.

Any allegation against a member of staff, instructor, mentor, or volunteer will be treated seriously and managed in accordance with applicable safeguarding procedures.

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Many Pharos programs involve online learning, mentoring, and communication.

To safeguard students in digital environments:

  • Approved platforms and communication channels will be used.

  • Professional standards apply equally online and in person.

  • Personal contact information should not be exchanged with students unless expressly authorized.

  • Online sessions should be conducted in accordance with partner-school safeguarding requirements.

  • Any concerns relating to online behavior, cyberbullying, grooming, or digital misconduct must be reported immediately.

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Where Pharos delivers or supports residential programmes, summer schools, university immersion experiences, or student travel activities, additional safeguarding measures apply.

These measures may include:

  • Joint safeguarding planning with participating schools and host institutions.

  • Clear supervision and staffing ratios.

  • Designated safeguarding contacts available throughout the programme.

  • Risk assessments for accommodation, activities, transportation, and excursions.

  • Appropriate rooming and accommodation arrangements.

  • Clear procedures for medical emergencies, welfare concerns, and missing students.

  • Staff briefings on programme-specific safeguarding risks.

  • Reporting protocols agreed in advance between Pharos, partner schools, and host institutions.

For residential programmes, safeguarding responsibilities will be coordinated closely with participating schools to ensure continuous protection and oversight of students throughout the experience.

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Pharos Education operates in diverse and multicultural educational environments.

We are committed to ensuring that:

  • Every student is treated fairly and respectfully.

  • Safeguarding practices are culturally sensitive while maintaining high standards of child protection.

  • Discrimination, harassment, bullying, and exclusion are not tolerated.

  • Students from all backgrounds have equal access to support and protection.

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Pharos Education will ensure that:

  • Relevant personnel receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role.

  • Staff understand reporting procedures and escalation pathways.

  • Safeguarding responsibilities are included in onboarding processes.

  • Safeguarding practices are reviewed regularly and updated when necessary.

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This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation, safeguarding guidance, operational practices, and partner requirements.

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Pharos Education remains committed to maintaining safeguarding practices that meet the expectations of leading international schools, universities, families, and students worldwide.

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Last Updated: June 2026
Policy Owner: Pharos Education
Safeguarding Contact: Marya Akhtar (marya@pharoseducation.com) | programs@bepharos.com

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