Policies

We are committed to ensuring that we comply with the relevant legislation in relation to collecting, storing and sharing personal information and protecting the confidentiality of our DFN Project SEARCH University of Aberdeen Interns. All partner organisations involved in the programme are working together to develop policy documents that explain how we will meet these commitments.

Our documents are continually being updated and are being shared at this stage so that we are open and transparent about how we manage the information we hold about our Interns. These documents will be updated on this webpage once final agreement has been reached with all our partner organisations.

• Data Sharing Agreement
• Privacy Notice

We are committed to ensuring that Interns are fully supported at all stages of the Project SEARCH programme, recognising that specific and additional support and input from all partner organisations may be required at times when safeguarding concerns are raised. When an Intern experiences an issue which may have safeguarding implications, we will take account of the following

• DFN Project SEARCH Policy and Guidance
• North East Scotland College (recognising that Interns are registered students with North East Scotland College and so this policy and procedure will apply directly)
  • Safeguarding Policy website
  • Policy document
  • Procedure

We will also take account of the following policies, advice and guidelines of other partner organisations:

• University of Aberdeen Safeguarding Policy
• Grampian Interagency Adult Protection Policy
• Skills Development Scotland Briefing Documents:
  • Vulnerable Adults and
  • Children

Safeguarding Process

In the event of a welfare/safeguarding incident, we will make sure that all relevant partners are notified so that each organisation can follow their own safeguarding and reporting procedures. This also means that those involved can receive the support they need.

The onsite team will deal with any welfare/safeguarding incidents in line with the relevant guidelines provided by the North East Scotland College Student Support team and Values Into Action Scotland. A discussion will then take place between the on-site team and the representative from either Aberdeen City Council or Aberdeenshire Council (depending on the Intern's postcode) to agree any additional support that is required and to put in place a longer term plan to support the individual involved. If the incident leads to concerns that a criminal act might have taken place, VIAS will inform the police. For all other welfare/safeguarding incidents, VIAS will liaise with the appropriate agencies to ensure that support is provided.

The following documents will be completed to log and record the incident (in line with contractual requirements):

• VIAS Adult Protection Form
• Referral through the North East Scotland College student support system

Further details about how we support those involved in the event of a welfare/safeguarding incident is available from a member of the on-site team.