Extended Project Qualification - safeguarding requirements 

Safeguarding considerations

• Check the topic - We encourage students to choose their own EPQ topics, but we know that this can lead to sensitive or potentially harmful subjects being chosen. It’s important that you proactively engage with students about their topic choices and motivations. You must make sure that they have chosen an appropriate topic from a safeguarding perspective, and steer them away from any topics that could be harmful to them.
  
  
• Know your safeguarding responsibilities -Schools and colleges must make sure they are aware of their safeguarding duties when supervising coursework. You can find all you need to know in the JCQ regulations (see page 45). Not following this is considered centre staff malpractice.
  
  
• Inappropriate topics - Students might want to choose topics related to personal experiences (for example, eating disorders, mental health, exploitation, sexual violence any trauma/abuse related themes). These topics are likely to cause harm or distress, both during the research process and completing the project and must not be approved as a topic. Students with a personal history of anorexia must not be given permission to research or focus on eating disorders for their EPQ. These concerns must be addressed in a therapeutic environment and should not be graded as an academic piece of work. Similarly, topics related to cancer or similar sensitive issues should be handled with caution.
  
  
• Age appropriate – Please make sure the topic and any proposed primary research are suitable for the student’s age and maturity. You can refer to guidelines like the British Board of Film Classification for age-appropriate content, particularly when considering media-based research.
  
  
• Consult with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - You should rigorously assess any potential risks before approving a topic. Checking with your DSL before approving a student's EPQ title will help to spot any risks early and you can plan to mitigate those risks.
  
  
• Complete a risk assessment - Any primary research involving vulnerable individuals or sensitive topics requires careful consideration of safeguarding risks. Safety plans must be put in place before students proceed.
  
  
• Document all safeguarding measures taken - Even with appropriate risk assessments and safety measures in place, if a student discloses sensitive information during their EPQ, the supervisor must clearly document all safeguarding measures taken. Before the EPQ is sent for marking, the supervisor should explicitly state what actions have been taken to ensure the student’s safety and well-being, and make sure these are communicated to the relevant safeguarding team. It’s essential to have a plan for how to respond to disclosures safely, ensuring support is available for the student.