Strong culture of safeguarding earns Progress to Excellence Ltd a top award

A STRONG culture that keeps the safety and wellbeing of young people and vulnerable adults at the forefront of its operations has earned Progress to Excellence Ltd a major accolade.

The company has become one of the first in the region to receive the prestigious Leaders in Safeguarding quality mark which recognises high standards in safeguarding.

The award follows detailed assessment of the business’ safeguarding arrangements for its 2,700-plus learners nationwide and close examination of its recruitment, training, policies and procedures as well as observation of its day-to-day practice and routines.

Damian Burdin, Chief Executive at Progress to Excellence Ltd, said: “As an organisation that works among young people and vulnerable adults throughout the country so they can achieve their training and career goals, we put top priority on having strict safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

“Nothing is more vital than to be able to live and work free from harm, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnicity, and for our learners, employers and our own workforce to feel safe and protected.

“The Leaders in Safeguarding quality mark shows our commitment to safety and wellbeing and we are proud not only to have earned it but also to be able to display on all our documentation that our safeguarding practices are robust and of the very highest standard.

”The Leaders in Safeguarding award was achieved after a full audit of safeguarding arrangements at Progress to Excellence Ltd followed by further scrutiny and validation by a panel comprising experts from health, education, social care and statutory inspection sectors.

Gaining the standard calls for clear lines of accountability for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults; committed governance arrangements and quality assurance processes; full compliance with all relevant statutory requirements and guidance along with clear and effective safeguarding policies, procedures and systems.

The assessment also included examination of the company’s recruitment practices; supervision and support; high quality staff training and continuing professional development; accessible and effective “whistleblowing” arrangements as well as full and effective implementation of the Prevent duty, drawn up by the government to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

Congratulating Progress to Excellence Ltd on achieving the award, Dr Dan Grant, Director of Safeguarding at Leaders in Safeguarding, said: “The company can be confident that its safeguarding arrangements have been thoroughly examined by the Leaders in Safeguarding Scrutiny and Validation Panel and now comply with our exacting standards.

“You can rightfully be very pleased with yourselves – well done.”