Safeguarding
Our commitment to safeguarding
We ensure that everyone at Futures For All understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to young people.
We have a dedicated safeguarding team who is responsible for making sure all policies and procedures are up to date and in line with legislation. The safeguarding team also supports staff and programmes across the organisation – which means that educators, employers, and speakers are supported for the safeguarding of students during work experience and inspirational talks.
Contact information for support
Our safeguarding team is led by the Designated Safeguarding Officer Naomi Abou El Aala, Associate Director, Programmes and Delivery, who is our team’s first point of contact for safeguarding and child protection concerns and needs.
If you think someone is in immediate danger, don’t delay: call the police on 999.
Should you have any safeguarding concerns, please contact a member of our Safeguarding team on 0300 365 5888, selecting option 6.
If you have any further questions, please email: safeguarding@futuresforall.org, or contact us via our online form:
Safeguarding Policy Statement
Futures For All acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance, and complies with best practice and Charity Commission requirements.
The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of young people are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio–economic background, all children:
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Have a positive and enjoyable experience of a school talk organised by Futures For All in a safe and child–centred environment.
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Are protected from abuse whilst participating in activities organised by Futures For All, primarily assembly-style talks and work experience.
Futures For All acknowledges that some children, including disabled young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse. We accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy, Futures For All will:
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Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of young people.
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Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to young people.
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Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
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Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
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Prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals.
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Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
Futures For All has a dedicated safeguarding team that is responsible for making sure all policies and procedures are up to date and in line with legislation.
The safeguarding team also supports staff and programmes across the organisation – which means that educators, employers, and speakers are supported for the safeguarding of students during work experience and inspirational talks.
Should you have any safeguarding concerns please contact a member of our Safeguarding team on 0300 365 5888, selecting option 6.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Futures For All. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.
Monitoring
The policy will be reviewed by the charity and the Trustees annually, or in the following circumstances:
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Changes in legislation or government guidance.
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As required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, LADO, or the Charity Commission.
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As a result of any other significant change or event.
Quick answers
What companies offer work experience and in what industries?
We work with 100s of employers, including the BBC, National Trust, Spotify, Bentley Motors, Boots, the NHS and many other high-profile companies. We offer work experience from a wide range of career types which means we are able to offer placements in Creative & Media Arts, Tech, Science & Engineering, Environment & Infrastructure, Sports, Travel & Hospitality, Business, Finance & Retail, and Law, Care & Community, as well as many more specific industries.
When browsing the list of available opportunities on our website, you can filter your search by career cluster and industry. We update these opportunities every week throughout the year, so if you can't find a placement to match your exact requirements, keep checking to make sure you don't miss out on any new work experience placements!
Does work experience interfere with exams?
Exams are a crucial part of school life, and we understand that students in key exam years are already extremely busy with revision and exam timetables. We work closely with our employers to ensure that we offer a wide selection of placements for all key year groups throughout the year, so that students sitting final exams are still able to participate at other points throughout the academic year.
What are the benefits of remote work experience?
Remote Work Experience removes the geographical and cost barriers that may prevent young people from participating in work experience. It allows young people from anywhere in the UK to access a broad range of opportunities with employers from industries that may not be well-represented in their local area and it provides young people with the chance to take part in multiple opportunities to really explore their options.
All online work experience placements offered by Futures For All offer are employer-led and are hosted in a secure online setting so that young people can safely attend live presentations, participate in interactive and collaborative real-time tasks and activities, and ‘meet’ working professionals from the employer’s organisation. All multi-day remote work experience placements offered by Futures For All meet Gatsby Benchmarks 5 and 6, and our shorter sessions meet Gatsby Benchmark 5.
How do we safeguard our virtual broadcasts
Futures For All is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all users, whether that is in a classroom, workplace environment, or in a remote setting. Access the full Safeguarding Policy Statement here.
Why is work experience important?
Work experience provides a way for young people to build their skills, expand their networks, and explore the world of careers while still in education. Our research shows that doing work experience while in education increases a young person's future annual earnings and improves their employability.
Who is work experience for?
At Futures For All, we offer work experience placements for young people aged 14-19, not just school leavers or a particular year group. In order to give students and schools and colleges maximum flexibility, we also run placements throughout the year.
Year 10 and Year 12 are great times to consider doing work experience to help the young person make more informed decisions about what comes next in their life plan and to help build their confidence as they start to explore future careers. Work experience is a valuable addition to a young person's CV or personal statement and can be especially helpful as supporting evidence for a university application, a job application, or an apprenticeship application.
We are mindful that there is a lot of pressure on students in the build-up to their exams, however, we offer convenient options for work experience that can fit with even the busiest study schedules. Students can apply and take part in work experience at any point in the academic year provided that their school/college supports their participation.
We also support schools with introductory, bite-sized 3-5-hour Insight Days that take place in class time and include guided activities, and short, virtual 1-hour career talks.