Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Version 2.0. Effective 31 July 2026. Next review 31 July 2027.

1. Purpose and scope

This policy sets out how Auren Institute protects the people who learn with us, and what to do if someone is at risk of harm.

Auren Institute is registered in Malta at 92, No. 1, St Edward Street, Qormi QRM 2136, Malta, registration P1421, VAT MT20967027. We operate in Malta and the United Kingdom, so this policy addresses the law of both.

2. Who we teach, stated plainly

Auren Institute is an adult education and professional training provider. Our learners are working professionals aged 18 and over. We do not deliver training to children, we do not offer provision to schools, and we do not host under-18s on our premises or in our live sessions.

We say this plainly because the alternative would be to publish a child protection regime we do not operate. A policy naming a Designated Safeguarding Lead who does not exist protects nobody.

If this changes, and we take on any learner under 18 or any provision involving children, this policy is not sufficient. Before that happens we will appoint a named Designated Safeguarding Lead, put criminal records checks in place through the Disclosure and Barring Service in the United Kingdom and police conduct certificates in Malta, and adopt the statutory framework that applies.

3. Safeguarding adults

Adults can be at risk too. Our duty is to recognise it and act, not to investigate or to provide care.

We work to the safeguarding adults framework in the Care Act 2014 in England, and to the equivalent Maltese social welfare provisions, in both cases as a matter of good practice rather than as a body with statutory duties under them.

An adult at risk is someone who has care or support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and cannot protect themselves as a result.

4. What to look out for

• A learner discloses abuse, neglect, coercion or exploitation, whether at home or at work.
• A learner appears to be under the control of another person, including a manager or a family member who insists on speaking for them.
• Signs of financial abuse, for example someone else controlling a learner’s access to funding or payment.
• A learner expresses intent to harm themselves or someone else.
• A learner discloses a matter that suggests a crime has been committed against them.

5. What to do

• Listen. Do not promise confidentiality you cannot keep, and do not question or investigate.
• Record what was said, in the person’s own words where possible, with the date and time, as soon as you can.
• Report the same day to the Managing Director at info@aureninstitute.com.
• If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services first. In Malta and the United Kingdom that is 112 or 999.
• Do not discuss it with anyone else.

6. What we do next

The Managing Director decides on referral. In Malta that may be Appogg through Supportline 179 or the police. In the United Kingdom that may be the local authority adult safeguarding team or the police. Where a learner is employed and the concern arises at work, we consider whether to raise it with their employer, but only with the learner’s consent unless there is a risk of serious harm.

We record every concern and every decision, including decisions not to refer and the reason. These records are held securely, separately from ordinary learner records, and kept for six years.

7. Online safety and conduct

Live sessions are delivered by named trainers. One-to-one contact between a trainer and a learner outside scheduled sessions is conducted through Auren channels, not personal accounts. Recording of live sessions is disclosed in advance. Learners can report conduct concerns about a trainer directly to the Managing Director.

8. Training and vetting

Everyone who teaches or supports learners completes safeguarding awareness training on joining and at least every two years afterwards. We take up references for anyone in a learner-facing role. We do not currently require criminal records checks, because our provision is adults only and the roles are not eligible for enhanced checks. That position is reviewed if our provision changes.

Ownership and review

This policy is owned by the Managing Director of Auren Institute and applies to all directors, employees, contractors, associate trainers and anyone acting for Auren Institute.

It is reviewed annually, and sooner if the law changes, if an incident occurs, or if our operations change materially. The version and effective date are shown at the top of this page.

Questions about this policy, and any report made under it, go to info@aureninstitute.com, marked for the attention of the Managing Director.