Child Safeguarding Policy - Template, Sample Form Pro · UK-law
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SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY
Version: ________ | Date of adoption: ________ | Date of next review: ________
1. WHO WE ARE
1.1 ________ ("we", "us", "our" or "the Organisation") is a company incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006. Our company registration number is ________ and our registered office is:
________
1.2 Where applicable, our charity registration number (if a registered charity) is ________.
2. APPLICATION OF THIS POLICY
2.1 We have adopted this safeguarding children policy and we expect every adult working with us or helping us to comply with it. This policy applies to all employees, workers, agency staff, managers, trustees, directors, volunteers, students, contractors and anyone else acting on our behalf (each a "Relevant Person").
2.2 This policy is non-contractual and does not form part of any employee's or worker's contract of employment or engagement. We may amend, supplement or withdraw it at any time.
3. PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY
3.1 This policy is intended to protect children who receive any service from us, including those who are the children of adults who may receive services from us. Under this policy, the term "child" or "children" means any person who is under eighteen (18) years of age, consistent with section 105 of the Children Act 1989.
3.2 We believe that no child or young person should experience abuse or harm and we are committed to the protection of children and young people. This policy provides guidance and overarching principles to those who represent us as volunteers or staff, to guide our approach to child protection and safeguarding.
3.3 This policy should be read together with our Data Protection and Privacy Policy, our Whistleblowing Policy, our Disciplinary Procedure and any related codes of conduct.
4. LEGAL FRAMEWORK
4.1 This policy has been drawn up having regard to the legislation and statutory guidance applicable in England and Wales, including (but not limited to):
(a) the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004;
(b) the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012;
(c) the Children and Social Work Act 2017;
(d) the Sexual Offences Act 2003;
(e) the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 (as amended by the Serious Crime Act 2015);
(f) the Modern Slavery Act 2015;
(g) the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended);
(h) the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR);
(i) the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; and
(j) the statutory guidance "Working Together to Safeguard Children" and (where relevant) "Keeping Children Safe in Education".
5. THE RISKS TO CHILDREN
5.1 Children can be vulnerable to different forms of abuse and harm. Abuse and harm can cover a wide range of circumstances and behaviours. Examples of risks to children include:
(a) physical or emotional abuse;
(b) neglect;
(c) sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation;
(d) female genital mutilation (FGM);
(e) grooming and exploitation, including criminal exploitation (such as county lines);
(f) trafficking and modern slavery;
(g) exposure to or infliction of domestic abuse;
(h) bullying or cyberbullying;
(i) exposure to other inappropriate content or behaviour, such as violence, radicalisation or criminal behaviour;
(j) self-harm; and
(k) physical harm when engaging in activities without adequate supervision.
5.2 The causal factors of any such harm and/or abuse can be wide-ranging. Children can be placed at risk by family members or by members of the community, as well as by their peers.
6. SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES
6.1 Safeguarding children from harm and abuse is an important responsibility. We are committed to ensuring that any child who comes into contact with our services is properly safeguarded. The welfare of the child is paramount.
6.2 Every Relevant Person holds responsibility for:
(a) remaining alert and aware of possible safeguarding risks to children;
(b) guarding children against harmful environments with appropriate actions (for example, adequate supervision or ensuring safe environments);
(c) taking positive steps to maintain the safety and wellbeing of children engaging with us;
(d) reporting concerns expeditiously and appropriately, in line with the child protection procedures set out in this policy;
(e) understanding the duty to report specific concerns (and understanding how this interplays with confidentiality);
(f) challenging any inappropriate or harmful behaviour of any other adult and reporting this accordingly;
(g) acting appropriately in the presence of children;
(h) not taking any inappropriate risks; and
(i) not smoking, drinking alcohol or taking any form of illicit substances in the presence of children.
7. DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
7.1 Any question, report or concern about the welfare of children should be shared with our Designated Safeguarding Officer:
Name: ________
Email: ________
Telephone: ________
7.2 In the absence of the Designated Safeguarding Officer, concerns should be raised with the Deputy Safeguarding Officer:
Name: ________
Email: ________
Telephone: ________
7.3 The relevant Local Authority Children's Services department and the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) for our area are:
________
8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DATA PROTECTION
8.1 All personal data we process relating to children shall be processed and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, the UK GDPR and our Data Protection and Privacy Policy.
9. RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN
9.1 Where a child is at immediate risk of serious harm, any adult present should call 999. Thereafter, the Designated Safeguarding Officer should be contacted as soon as reasonably practicable.
9.2 Where there is a safeguarding concern but no immediate risk of serious harm, the adult who has heard or witnessed the concern should consult with the Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as practicable and by no later than the end of that same day.
9.3 Where any child makes a disclosure relating to harm or abuse, the adult receiving it should:
(a) listen calmly and carefully, to show that the child's views are taken seriously;
(b) provide an appropriate and honest level of reassurance;
(c) avoid interrogating the child or asking probing, intrusive and/or leading questions;
(d) avoid making false promises regarding secrets and confidentiality with the child, because any concern of abuse or harm must be shared with the Designated Safeguarding Officer and may result in a safeguarding referral;
(e) make a confidential written record of the discussion either during it or immediately afterwards, including the key details of the disclosure together with any relevant times, dates, places and people concerned (audio and video recordings of children making disclosures should be avoided); and
(f) refer all relevant information to the Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as practicable afterwards, and by no later than the end of the day.
9.4 Upon receipt of any safeguarding concern, the Designated Safeguarding Officer shall consult with any other relevant persons and make any appropriate referrals to the relevant authorities, including the applicable Local Authority Children's Services department and/or the police.
10. REPORTING CONCERNS ABOUT OTHER ADULTS
10.1 If there is a concern that another adult is or may be:
(a) harming a child either physically or emotionally;
(b) exposing a child to behaviour which may cause physical or emotional harm; or
(c) engaging in criminal activity concerning a child,
this must be raised in the first instance with the Designated Safeguarding Officer (or, where this is not appropriate, a different senior member of the Organisation) so that the next appropriate steps may be agreed and actioned. We recognise that there could be circumstances where a person may need to report a matter that has taken place in a setting outside of the person's engagement with us.
10.2 Appropriate steps following a safeguarding referral in respect of an individual connected to us may include any one or more of the following:
(a) further initial enquiries;
(b) escalation to the applicable Local Authority Children's Services department for assessment and/or the police for investigation;
(c) instigation of any appropriate disciplinary or formal investigation process and, where necessary, suspension of the individual concerned (suspension being a neutral act and not a disciplinary sanction); and
(d) a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service or any other relevant regulatory body.
10.4 Any person against whom allegations are made shall be treated fairly. All enquiries, investigations and decisions shall be just and fair, with the safety of any child concerned at the heart of the process.
10.5 Any person who makes an allegation in good faith shall be listened to, taken seriously and treated fairly and justly throughout the process of enquiries, investigations and decision-making, and shall be protected from detriment in accordance with our Whistleblowing Policy and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
11. SAFER RECRUITMENT, DBS CHECKS AND REPORTING
11.1 We operate safer recruitment practices. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks at the appropriate level under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Police Act 1997 shall be undertaken wherever required for any position of paid or unpaid work for us, in particular for any role involving regulated activity with children.
11.2 Where we deem it necessary and appropriate to remove (or where we would have removed but for the person leaving) an individual from a role in regulated activity because they have harmed, or pose a risk of harm to, a child, we shall comply with our legal duty to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service under section 35 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
11.3 We shall not knowingly engage in regulated activity any person who is barred from working with children.
12. SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN \ AND PLANNING
12.1 Although the Designated Safeguarding Officer holds ultimate responsibility for overseeing the safety of children, all Relevant Persons must also play an active role in ensuring the safety of children at all times.
12.2 Where a certain type of event, activity or trip is taking place, we may issue an additional code of conduct, policy or specific requirements relevant to that occasion. Any such additional documentation will be made available to all those concerned (staff members, parents, guardians and others) in advance, and should be read carefully and adhered to.
12.3 Appropriate background checks shall be undertaken in relation to any adult engaged by us wherever we are legally required to do so (see Clause 11).
13. VENUES
13.1 We have carried out a health and safety risk assessment in relation to our premises, with reference to their safety and suitability for children. Where any events, activities or trips take place at other locations, we shall carry out a further risk assessment.
13.2 The location for any events, activities and trips held by us shall always be properly risk-assessed with reference to the suitability and safety of children. Fire and safety procedures and precautions shall be made clear to all those involved.
14. FIRST AID
14.1 Any accident or injury concerning a child should:
(a) be dealt with in accordance with usual first aid procedures; and
(b) be brought to the attention of the nearest first aider and thereafter be formally reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer and recorded in our accident log.
15. CONSENT FORMS
15.1 We will always obtain written consent from a parent or guardian where appropriate.
15.2 Consent forms will include emergency contact details and will set out any specific safety needs or requirements for children.
15.3 All consent forms will be kept secure and stored in accordance with our Data Protection and Privacy Policy.
16. SUPERVISION
16.1 Parents, guardians or responsible adults must attend all events and activities with their children unless otherwise agreed in writing with us. They should ensure that children are properly supervised at all times.
16.2 Where we agree to supervise children on behalf of a parent, guardian or responsible adult, we shall ensure that an appropriate number of suitably vetted adults are present to supervise the children at all times.
16.3 We shall always seek to maintain appropriate adult-to-child ratios. These ratios shall be assessed and determined according to the nature of the activity, the age of the children involved and any specific needs or risks identified.
(a) Adults must ensure that children are never left unsupervised during any event, activity or trip arranged by us.
(b) Wherever possible, adults should avoid being alone with a child. Where one-to-one contact is unavoidable, it should take place in an open environment that is visible and accessible to others, and should be kept to the minimum necessary.
(c) Adults should maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children at all times, and should avoid any conduct which could be misinterpreted or which may place either the adult or the child at risk.
(d) Adults should be vigilant in supervising children near any potential hazards, and should ensure that children remain within designated and safe areas throughout any event, activity or trip.
(e) Any concern relating to the supervision or safety of a child should be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as reasonably practicable, in accordance with this policy.
17. MANAGING RISKS POSED BY OTHER CHILDREN
17.1 All adults engaged by us must recognise that children can face harm from their peers (peer-on-peer or child-on-child abuse). This commonly takes the form of bullying, which may be defined as behaviour which is:
(a) repeated; and
(b) intended to hurt somebody either physically or emotionally.
17.2 Bullying can be motivated by prejudices based on certain characteristics, for example sex, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation, and may include:
(a) physical harm perpetrated against another child;
(b) name-calling and threats; and
(c) cyberbullying (threats and abusive comments made via technology).
17.3 Any instance of bullying, or concern relating to possible bullying, between children at any event or activity arranged by us will be treated seriously.
17.4 We will conduct a proportionate investigation into the relevant facts before any conclusions or recommendations are made.
17.5 All steps in relation to the prevention or management of bullying should be taken in consultation with the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
18. PHOTOGRAPHY AND IMAGES
18.1 Our photographs. On some occasions we may take photographs featuring children. We recognise that photography of children carries risks, including:
(a) the potential for images to be re-used, shared or adapted in a damaging or inappropriate manner; and
(b) the general risk of sharing images and the impact this could have on a child's public image as they grow older.
18.2 In view of these risks, and consistent with the UK GDPR, we will:
(a) always obtain written permission from a child (where age-appropriate) and their parent or guardian before taking and sharing any image of them;
(b) always ensure that a child and their parent or guardian are properly informed how an image will be used and shared;
(c) always ensure that a child's identity is protected as far as possible within any published material;
(d) ask that parents, guardians, children and any other connected person who may wish to share any of our published images featuring other children refrain from doing so unless they have the permission of those other children and their parent or guardian; and
(e) always store photographs in accordance with our Data Protection and Privacy Policy.
18.3 Members of the public. We recognise that members of the public may take photographs when attending our premises, events or activities. We ask that any parents, guardians and other members of the public take the following into account:
(a) images of other children should not be shared on social media without the permission of any children featured (where ascertainable) and of their parent or guardian; and
(b) images shared on social media should be shared cautiously, with appropriate privacy and security settings in place.
19. TRAINING AND AWARENESS
19.1 We will ensure that all Relevant Persons receive safeguarding induction and appropriate ongoing training proportionate to their role, and that they have access to and understanding of this policy.
19.2 The Designated Safeguarding Officer will receive enhanced training appropriate to that role and will keep their knowledge up to date.
20. REVIEW OF THIS POLICY
20.1 This policy will be reviewed regularly, and in any event at least annually, and may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
20.2 This policy was approved and adopted on behalf of the Organisation as set out below.
Approved by: ________
Position: ________
Signature: ________
Date: ________
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