Get Support

SAFEGARDING & PROTECTION POLICY – FOR CHILDREN at RISK

Purpose and Commitment

The welfare of the child at risk is paramount. Happy Faces Children’s Charity, hereafter referred to as the Charity, is committed to ensuring that children and young people, for which the Charity has responsibility for, are kept safe and free from harm. The Charity’s volunteers, committee members and Trustees will implement this policy with the aim of safeguarding and protecting the wellbeing of children and young people who become involved or affected by the Charity’s undertakings.

The Charity believes that abuse or neglect, in any form, is unacceptable. The Charity recognise that Safeguarding and the Protection of children is everyone’s responsibility. The Charity works for the benefit of children and young people below the age of 18 and recognises the need to consider carefully how Safeguarding or Child Protection concerns may become apparent.

All Safeguarding or Child Protection concerns will be taken seriously, responded to appropriately and in line with this policy. The Charity recognise its obligation and responsibilities to comply with current Safeguarding and Child Protection legislation. The Charity will update this policy as required in light of learning from experience or changes in law, guidance or best practices. This policy and procedure will be made available to all associated with the Charity and its undertakings.

Scope

This policy applies to everyone working for the Charity. This includes Trustees, Chairperson, Officers and Volunteers. Hereafter all will be referred to as ‘Volunteers’ within this policy. This policy should be read, understood and complied with by all Volunteers. It will be made available to all Volunteers via the Charity’s webpage.

Equality and Diversity

The safety and welfare of children and young people associated with the Charity is paramount and all have a right to equal protection from harm or abuse, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, marital status, gender reassignment, age, beliefs or any other difference.

Relationship to Other Policies and Procedures

This policy relates to and works alongside UK legislation and other Charity policies designed to safeguard the Charity and its Volunteers. This policy should be read in conjunction with other relevant policies which are designed to safeguard and protect children and young people associated with, or benefiting from services or activities provided or managed by the Charity.

Identifying Abuse & Neglect of Children

Definition of a Child at Risk

The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 defines a child at risk as a child who is a person below the age of 18 years who is:

  • Experiencing or is at risk of abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm.
  • In need of care and support.

How Safeguarding or Child Protection Concerns May Arise

The Charity is in contact with children in a very limited way. When delivering gifts or services to children within the family home, at school or college or at a location where presentations are made. Other less frequent environments are associated with outings or shows. Each such activity will require a clear understanding of who is responsible for the safeguarding or protection of any children involved. Safeguarding or Protection concerns may arise in various ways, it is therefore important to be observant.

  • A child tells you they are or have been abused.
  • Someone else tells you that a child is being or has been abused.
  • A child tells you that their mum is subject to serious forms of domestic abuse.
  • A child tells you that another person makes them feel uncomfortable.
  • You observe an act which you consider abusive or harmful to a child.
  • You notice a child has bruising or looks extremely “unkept”.

Principles of Safeguarding & Protection

The principles relating to Safeguarding & Child Protection are:

  • All Volunteers who come in to contact with children are to be alert to their needs.
  • The wishes, needs and well-being of all children must be considered as paramount.
  • Ensure all children are treated as individuals, with respect and dignity.
  • Ensure the children are supervised or managed in an appropriate fashion.
  • Establish and maintain an ethos where children feel safe, welcome and comfortable.
  • Ensure all who have close contact to children are DBS checked.
  • Work in an open environment and encourage parents, chaperones or teachers to take responsibility.
  • Ensure children know who to inform if they have a concern.
  • Report concerns to the appropriate person.

Roles & Responsibilities

Responsibility of the Charity

The Charity must comply with Safeguarding and Child Protection legislation and all other related or relevant legislation. The Charity must establish who is responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of a child whenever children are present or taking part of an activity organised or managed by the Charity. To that end the Charity has appointed the Vice Chairperson Mr Rick Bedson as the Safeguarding Lead. His contact details are:

Mobile: 07530 552590
Email: rickbedson@gmail.com

Responsibility of the Trustees

The Chairperson must ensure there is a culture where Safeguarding and Child Protection is prompted, that policies are in place and complied with and that any concerns reported are responded to in an appropriate manner. The Chairperson, Trustees and others are committed to supporting the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Responsibilities of the DSL

The DSL is responsible for:

  • Promoting a safeguarding culture and keeping up to date with safeguarding matters.
  • Implementing all aspects of the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy on behalf of the Charity.
  • Establishing who is responsible for Safeguarding any child involved or present at any Charity activity.
  • Remaining focused on Safeguarding any child involved or present at any Charity undertaking.
  • Reporting any Safeguarding or Child Protection concerns identified to the appropriate authority.
  • Investigate any allegation made against the Charity or a Volunteer.
  • Seek any assistance or advice required when investigating allegations.
  • Monitor the progress of any Safeguarding allegation made against the Charity or volunteer.
  • Being conversant with current Safeguarding & Protection legislation and recognised best practice.
  • Providing awareness training as required.
  • Brief Trustees, Committee or volunteers on matters relating to Safeguarding or Child Protection.

Responding to a Safeguarding or Child Protection Concern

The lists below will help manage the situation when a child first talks about their abuse or neglect.

Do…

  • Make time and space to listen carefully and understand what is being said.
  • Actively listen without interruption and allow the person to say what they recall.
  • Through your language and body language, show you take the matter seriously and are calm.
  • Respond naturally, with compassion and empathy.
  • Reassure the child they are right to tell you/someone.
  • Once the child has finished talking continue to reassure.
  • Keep the child safe and contact the DSL.
  • Record details of the incident/report as soon as practically possible.

Don’t…

  • Interrupt the child.
  • Ask leading questions (these are questions that presume an answer).
  • Show any strong reactions or feelings such as shock, denial.
  • Ask questions.

It is important to:

  • Secure and preserve anything you believe might be evidence.
  • Keep an open mind about what you see and hear.
  • Take the matter seriously.
  • Remember everybody has a duty to report Safeguarding or Child Protection concerns.

Witnessing a Safeguarding or Child Protection Concern

If you witness what you believe to be abuse, neglect or intimidation of a child:

  • Intervene to protect the child if warranted or call for assistance to do so.
  • Keep the child safe.
  • If intervention is not warranted but concern exists, it must be reported.
  • Contact the DSL as soon as possible or the person responsible for the child’s safety.
  • Record details of the incident as soon as practically possible.

Reporting

There is a statutory requirement to report instances of, or suspicion of Safeguarding or Child Protection concerns.

  • The DSL will decide on the suitable authority.
  • Suitable authorities could be the school, social services or the police depending on the circumstances.

If the DSL reports Safeguarding or Child Protection to the school, the DSL will remain in contact with the school until the report is concluded in a satisfactory manner. If the matter is not concluded in a satisfactory manner DSL will report the incident to social service or police.

  • The DSL will report the incident to the Trustees as soon as practically possible.

Recording

Recording is a key task in safeguarding and it includes recording concerns, allegations, decisions, actions and reasoning. Records may be used in future legal proceedings and be accessed by other parties as well as the individual concerned. Record keeping and storage must be in accordance with the Data Protection Policy.

Allegations Against Volunteers

If the behaviour of Volunteers gives rise to a Safeguarding or Child Protection concern:

  • The volunteer is to be asked to move to a safe area.
  • The DSL is to be contacted.
  • The DSL will investigate the incident and seek advice and assistance as required.
  • The DSL will report the incident to the appropriate authority.
  • The DSL will report the incident to the Trustees.
  • The DSL will record details of the incident and investigation as soon as practically possible.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

All Volunteers will be subject to standard DBS Checks.

If a Volunteer loses their DBS clearance or is unable to be granted DBS clearance their work on behalf of the Charity will be restricted. Those restrictions will be decided and agreed by the Charity and the DSL. The Charity has a duty to refer any Volunteer who has been the subject of a proven allegation of conduct in breach of Safeguarding or Child Protection legislation to the DBS service.

Training

The DSL will ensure all volunteers are made aware of principles of Safeguarding and Child Protection, as well as this policy.