Adopted by the Trustees of Street Reach on 24 November 2015
Safeguarding
1Introduction
1.1This policy incorporates child protection and refers to children, young people and vulnerable adults. It applies to all paid staff, trustees, volunteers, students and anyone working on behalf of Street Reach.
1.2Street Reach believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. It has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. It is committed to practice in a way that protects them.
1.3The Street Reach Child Protection Officer is, ex officio, the Project Manager. In his/her absence the deputy Project Manager will fulfil the role.
2Policy
2.1This policy is intended to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults from physical, sexual and emotional harm while participating in activities with Street Reach. The procedures described should also protect supervising or supporting adults. Any supervising or supporting adult has a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure that children, young people and adults taking part do so in a safe environment.
2.2Street Reach aims to:
- adhere to all relevant safeguarding legislation and child protection policies.
- protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who receive Street Reach’s services.
- provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
2.3Street Reach recognises that:
- the welfare of the child, young person and vulnerable adult is paramount.
- all children and young people, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender protective characteristic, pregnancy and maternity, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
- working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
2.4Street Reach will seek to safeguard children and young people by:
- respecting everyone as an individual.
- respecting everyone’s rights to personal privacy.
- being available as a listening ear and, if necessary, refer for more appropriate help.
- providing a good example of acceptable behaviour.
- being sensitive to other people’s likes and dislikes.
- trying to ensure that its actions cannot be misunderstood or cause offence and are acceptable within the relationship of trust.
- showing understanding when dealing with sensitive issues.
- making sure there is always more than one adult present during activities.
- adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
- developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures.
- providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
- recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
- sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers.
- sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents/carers and children appropriately.
- remembering that all Street Reach staff, volunteers and trustees are accountable for those in our care and to their parents and carers.
2.5All trustees, staff and volunteers who come into contact with children or young people as part of their duties with Street Reach must have completed an appropriate and in-date DBS check. This check must be renewed every 3 years.
3Staff Training
3.1Street Reach ensures that all staff and volunteers attend Child Protection and Basic Safeguarding Awareness Training as part of their Induction Process. All staff will repeat the appropriate training every three years.
3.2Additional training and support for staff members is provided through team meetings where the team are supervised by the Project Manager and Project Leader and actions agreed in order to help to keep young people safe.
4Guidance for Staff
4.1Street Reach Staff and Volunteers should never:
- permit abusive behaviour, e.g. ridiculing, bullying or taunting.
- have inappropriate physical or verbal contact with others.
- jump to conclusions or make assumptions about others without checking facts.
- encourage inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour such as ‘crushes’.
- show favouritism to anyone.
- make suggestive remarks or actions, even in jest.
- deliberately place themselves or others in a compromising position.
- believe ‘it could never happen to me’.
4.2If it is suspected that a child is being abused physically, sexually or emotionally, or neglected:
- keep calm. Do not be shocked. Try to act normally.
- do not investigate – do not question.
- do not challenge parents or carers, or notify them in their absence.
- never agree to keep a secret. The Child Protection Officer must be informed.
- listen carefully to what a child says about abuse by someone else,accept what is said and offer immediate support, understanding and reassurance. Explain that an appropriate third party must be informed.
- advise the Child Protection Officer of the incident and agree what action, if any, should be taken.
- the Child Protection Officer should take the necessary subsequent action..
- record all details in writing as soon as possible, sign and date. Confidential information is to be kept locked away in the office.
5Suspected abuse by a member of staff or volunteer
5.1This is a sensitive issue, but at all times the protection of the child, young person or vulnerable adult must be paramount. If a colleague suspects another of abuse, it must be reported immediately to the Child Protection Officer. The Child Protection Officer should immediately ensure:-
- that the person who raised the concern makes a written record of what he/she has witnessed/seen and/or told as soon as possible. It is important that this report is factually accurate. This report must then be signed and dated by the originator and the Child Protection Officer and retained in a safe and secure place.
- that the person suspected of abuse is at all times accompanied when in contact with any child or young person.
- that the Hampshire County Council Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is asked for advice and that this is followed. If they, or subsequently the Police, advise it is appropriate to inform the person that an allegation has been made against them, the person should be told this and suspended from further work with children and young people until advised otherwise by the authorities. The member of staff will be advised to contact their professional organisation or Trade Union for support during the process. Staff should note that the matter will be pursued even if a resignation takes place.
- advice is sought from Children’s Social Care at Hampshire County Council regarding any information disclosed confidentially to other colleagues
5.2If the Child Protection Officer is the subject of the complaint, the procedure at para 5.1 will be addressed by the Chair of Trustees.
For all emergency situations call 999
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Children’s Social Care (8.30am – 5:00pm) HantsDirect 0845 603 5620
Children’s Social Care (out of hours) 0845 600 4555
Local Authority Designated Officer 01962 876364
Hampshire Police 0845 045 45 45
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline0808 800 5000
Child-Line 0800 1111
SAFEGUARDING Page 1 of 4