Employer's Safeguarding & Prevent Guide

Purpose of this Guide 

This guide outlines the key responsibilities apprenticeship employers must follow to help keep apprentices safe. Safeguarding is a shared duty between the employer and the training provider. Employers play a crucial role because apprentices often spend the majority of their time in the workplace. 


1. What Is Safeguarding? 

Safeguarding means protecting apprentices from all forms of harm, including: 

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse 
  • Neglect 
  • Bullying or harassment (including online) 
  • Discrimination 
  • Radicalisation or extremist influences 
  • Unsafe or exploitative working conditions 

Employers must create a safe environment where apprentices feel respected, supported, and able to raise concerns. 

 

2. Your Core Safeguarding Responsibilities as an Employer 

2.1 Provide a Safe Working Environment 

Employers must: 

  • Ensure the workplace complies with health and safety legislation. 
  • Provide appropriate supervision and ensure no apprentice is placed in a position of unacceptable risk. 
  • Make reasonable adjustments for apprentices with disabilities or additional needs. 

2.2 Appoint a Workplace Contact for Safeguarding 

Every apprentice should have: 

  • A clear point of contact for welfare or safety concerns. 
  • Someone who understands what to do if a concern is raised. 

This person should maintain regular dialogue with the training provider. 

2.3 Promote a Culture of Respect and Inclusion 

Employers must: 

  • Prevent bullying, discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. 
  • Model inclusive behaviour. 
  • Make sure apprentices know how to report concerns internally and externally. 

2.4 Know How to Respond to Concerns 

If an apprentice raises a concern or you witness worrying behaviour, you must: 

  1. Listen carefully and avoid making assumptions. 
  2. Reassure the apprentice that they’ve done the right thing. 
  3. Record what was said or observed factually. 
  4. Report it immediately to the training provider’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). 
  5. Act quickly if there is immediate risk—call emergency services if needed. 

Do not investigate or challenge alleged perpetrators yourself. 

 

3. Your Responsibilities Under the Prevent Duty 

Prevent is part of the Government’s counterterrorism strategy. It requires employers and providers to safeguard apprentices from radicalisation and extremist influence. 

3.1 What Employers Must Do 

Employers should: 

  • Maintain awareness of what radicalisation may look like. 
  • Recognise that apprentices may be vulnerable to extremist narratives, online or in the community. 
  • Report any concerns to the training provider immediately. 
  • Ensure IT systems and workplace environments do not allow access to extremist materials. 

3.2 Signs of Potential Radicalisation 

Examples include: 

  • Sudden changes in behaviour, language, or peer groups. 
  • Expressing extremist views or intolerance towards others. 
  • Secrecy around online activity or accessing extremist content. 
  • Obsession with particular political, social, or ideological causes. 

(A single sign does not confirm radicalisation; concerns should always be referred for assessment.) 

3.3 Employer Channels for Raising Prevent Concerns 

If you believe an apprentice may be at risk of radicalisation: 

  • Contact the training provider’s DSL immediately. 
  • If urgent or there is immediate danger, call 999. 
  • You may also seek advice from your local Prevent team or local authority safeguarding team. 

 

4. Working in Partnership With Rewards Training  

A strong safeguarding partnership includes: 

  • Regular communication about apprentice welfare or attendance concerns. 
  • Supporting review visits and progress discussions. 
  • Informing the provider immediately of any workplace incidents, disciplinary actions, or concerns. 
  • Allowing the provider’s safeguarding staff access to speak with the apprentice when needed. 

 

5. Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment 

Employers should: 

  • Embed clear policies on harassment, equality and diversity, and acceptable behaviour. 
  • Encourage apprentices to speak up early if something is wrong. 
  • Monitor changes in behaviour, attendance, conduct, or wellbeing. 
  • Ensure workload is reasonable and the apprentice is not exploited or mistreated. 

 

6. Safeguarding Training for Employers 

Employers should ensure supervisors and workplace mentors complete: 

  • Basic safeguarding awareness training. 
  • Prevent Duty awareness training. 
  • Health and safety and first-aid training where relevant. 

Training should be refreshed regularly. 

 

7. Contact Information You Must Keep Available 

Employers should keep: 

  • The training provider’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) contact details. 
  • Local safeguarding procedures or escalation routes. 
  • Emergency services number (999) and nonemergency police number (101). 
  • Local Prevent team contact details (or use GOV.UK website to find local channels). 

 

8. Summary of Employer Responsibilities 

You must: 

  • Provide a safe, inclusive work environment. 
  • Report immediately any concerns about an apprentice’s welfare. 
  • Support Prevent Duty requirements. 
  • Cooperate with the training provider’s safeguarding processes. 
  • Treat apprentice wellbeing as a priority. 

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. Working together ensures apprentices can thrive and complete their programme safely. 


Reference  

Rewards Training Policies Our Policies | Rewards Training 

  • Safeguarding Policy 
  • PREVENT Policy & Strategy 
  • Equality & Diversity Policy 


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