Policies

Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy 

1. General Policy 

Ouseburn CC is fully committed to the belief that all children and vulnerable adults have a fundamental right to be protected from harm and fully recognises its responsibility for child and adult protection. The safety and protection of all vulnerable people that Ouseburn CC supports is paramount and has priority over all other interests. 

 There are five main elements to the policy: 

1. ensuring that Ouseburn CC practises safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with young people and vulnerable adults. 

2. raising awareness of child protection and vulnerable adult issues amongst paid staff, contracted partners, and volunteers 

3. developing and implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases or suspected cases, of child or adult abuse 

4. supporting the child or adult who has been abused. 

5. establishing a safe environment in which children and adults can socialise and develop new skills. 

2. Definitions 

 The following definitions apply throughout the Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures: 

 Child or Children 

 The Children Act 1989 defines a child as a person under eighteen for most purposes. 

 Vulnerable Adult or Adults 

 The Protection of Vulnerable Adults Scheme (PoVA 2004) defined a vulnerable adult as a person aged 18 or over who has a condition of the following type: 

• A substantial learning or physical disability. 

• A physical or mental illness or mental disorder, chronic or otherwise, including addiction to alcohol or drugs. 

• A significant reduction in physical or mental capacity. 

  

Young Person 

 The term young person will include those aged between 5 and 24 years.  For the purposes of this policy, a young person aged under 18 years is regarded as a child and a vulnerable adult includes all people aged 18 and over subject to the criteria of the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Scheme. 

 Forms of abuse 

 The Children Act 1989 defines four types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.  These categories of abuse apply and will be relevant to vulnerable adults as well as to children who Ouseburn CC has contact with as part of its activities and social care role with people of all ages. 

 Physical Abuse 

 Physical abuse may take many forms e.g., hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning, or suffocating. 

 It may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health to a child or vulnerable adult.  This unusual and potentially dangerous form of abuse is now described as fabricated or induced illness. 

 Emotional Abuse 

 Emotional abuse is persistent emotional ill treatment causing severe and persistent effects on the child or vulnerable adult’s emotional development and may involve:  

• conveying the message that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. 

• imposing developmentally inappropriate expectations 

causing the child or vulnerable adult to feel frightened or in danger – e.g., witnessing domestic violence. 

• exploitation or corruption of children, young people, or vulnerable adults 

  

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in most types of ill treatment, although emotional abuse may occur alone. 

  Sexual Abuse 

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. 

 It may also include non-contact activities such as looking at, or being involved in, the production of pornographic materials, watching sexual activities or encouraging children or vulnerable adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. 

 Neglect 

 Neglect involves the persistent failure to meet basic physical and/or psychological needs, which is likely to result in serious impairment of the neglected person’s health and development.  It may involve failure to provide adequate food, shelter or clothing, failure to protect from physical harm or danger or failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.  It may also include neglect of basic emotional needs. 

 Staff should also be aware of other factors which influence these forms of abuse such as racial, homophobic, or transphobic abuse. 

 Status of Policy 

This policy forms part of the Terms and Conditions of Employment and applies to all employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers.  Its purpose is to protect the personal safety of all children, young people and vulnerable adults using the facilities, resources and activities provided by Ouseburn CC actively promoting awareness, good practice, and sound procedures. 

3. Procedures 

 3.1 Personnel/Recruitment 

All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers involved in regulated or intensive contact with children, young people and vulnerable people are required to provide references that Ouseburn CC deems appropriate, which are always verified. 

All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers who are involved in regular or intensive contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults are required to have enhanced or standard criminal record checks. 

No new employees, contracted partners, trustees, or volunteers should start employment/work with children or vulnerable adults until references have been verified and relevant checks received.  If this is not possible then new employees, trustees and volunteers must not have contact with vulnerable people until references and checks are completed satisfactorily. Details of the checks to be carried out are set out in Part 5. 

All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers will receive, and will be required to read and sign, the Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy.  All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers will receive regular support in their work with children and vulnerable adults. 

  

 3.2 Responsibilities  

All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers working on behalf of Ouseburn CC have a responsibility for the welfare of the children and vulnerable adults that they work with. 

All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers have a duty to ensure that any suspected incident, allegation, or other manifestation relating to child and vulnerable adult protection is reported using the reporting procedures detailed in this policy. 

 Ouseburn CC has a Designated Safeguarding Officer and a nominated deputy. The Chair of Ouseburn CC, for whom the Vice chairperson will act as deputy in his or her absence, must also be informed of issues which arise under this policy. The Designated Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Officer are responsible for child protection and the implementation of this policy.  It is the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Officer to take appropriate action following any expression of concern and make referrals to the appropriate agency. 

 3.2.1 Designated Safeguarding Officer 

The Designated Safeguarding Officer will attend training as appropriate and make referrals to external agencies.  Other aspects of their role include: 

• obtaining information from staff, volunteers, children, parents, or carers who have concerns relating to the protection of children or vulnerable adults and to record this information. 

• assessing information quickly and carefully and asking for further information where appropriate 

• consulting with statutory child and vulnerable protection agencies e.g., Childrens Social Care / Adult Social Care and police, to clarify doubts or worries. 

• making referrals to Social Services, or the police, without delay. 

    

All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers will be made aware of the named Designated Safeguarding Officer and how to contact them. The Designated Safeguarding Officer has contact telephone numbers for the local Area Safeguarding Board and other statutory agencies. 

 3.3 Reporting Procedures:  What to do if you suspect someone is being abused. 

 All staff, volunteers and others working in direct or indirect contact with vulnerable people as part of the organisation’s activities; or as part of the environment where the activities take place, must be alert to the signs of abuse.  Anyone who suspects that abuse is taking place in this environment or to whom a child or vulnerable adult discloses issues relating to safeguarding should contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately. 

  

Any suspicion or allegation must be reported as soon as possible on the day of the occurrence to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.  Disclosure or evidence for concern may occur in several ways including a comment made by a child or adult, physical evidence such as bruising, a change in behaviour, or inappropriate behaviour or knowledge. 

 It is the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Officer to liaise with other relevant agencies where necessary and seek clarification from the Safeguarding and Protection Unit of the local Constabulary, if there is any concern about the validity of any allegation. 

 Any suspicion or allegation of abuse must be recorded by the observer/s on the appropriate incident reporting form. This form must be kept strictly confidential and stored securely following the Data Protection Procedures.  All employees and volunteers are instructed to report the disclosure or discovery of abuse or alleged abuse directly to the chairperson of Ouseburn CC who will inform the Designated Safeguarding Officer. 

 All trustees will report such incidents directly to the Designated Safeguarding Officers. 

All stages of the reporting procedure must be documented, marked CONFIDENTIAL and stored securely following the procedures laid out in the Data Protection Policy. 

  3.4 Allegations against employees, contracted partners, trustees, or volunteers 

 When any form of complaint is made against an employee, contracted partner, trustee, or volunteer, it must be taken seriously, and the complaint should initially be dealt with by a member of staff or trustee who is on site at the time the complaint is made.  The staff member/trustee must report the complaint to the Safeguarding Officer or his/her nominated deputy immediately, giving details of the circumstances. 

The Safeguarding Officer or his/her nominated deputy will attend the site of the allegation to gain an initial account of what has occurred from all relevant parties, including the person against whom the allegation has been made.  If this is not possible, contact will be made by telephone. 

The Safeguarding Officer or his/her nominated deputy will have the right to suspend from duty and/or the premises, any person who is a party to the allegation until a full investigation has been made. 

This action does not imply in any way that the person suspended is responsible for, or is to blame for, any action leading up to the complaint.  The purpose of any such suspension is to enable a full and proper investigation to be carried out in a totally professional manner. 

 It is the responsibility of the Safeguarding Officer or his/her nominated deputy to make the decision as to whether to inform Social Services, NHS Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) and/or the Safeguarding Unit of the local Constabulary, depending on the nature of the allegation. 

 Ouseburn CC will co-operate fully with the Police, Social Care the NHS, and all other parties involved. 

The Safeguarding Officer or his/her nominated deputy will ensure that the Chair of Ouseburn CC, or in his/her absence the Secretary Vice- chairman or Treasurer, is fully briefed.  An agreed statement will be prepared for the purpose of accurate communication with external sources and for the protection of the legal position of all parties involved. 

 The Safeguarding Officer or his/her nominated deputy will make a full written report of the incident and the actions taken.  This report will be stored securely following the procedures detailed in the Data Protection Policy. 

 3.4.1        Resignation 

 If, during an investigation relating to safeguarding, an employee, contracted party, volunteer, or trustee tenders his or her resignation, or ceases to provide their services, Ouseburn CC is not prevented from following up an allegation in accordance with these procedures.  Every effort will be made to reach a conclusion in cases relating to the welfare of children or vulnerable adults, including those where the person concerned refuses to co-operate with the process.      

4. Confidentiality 

 All employees, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers must work under the principle that confidentiality is extremely important and plays a large part in much of the work carried out with children and young people.  However, under no circumstances will any individual involved with the work of Ouseburn, keep confidential any information that raises concerns about the safety and welfare of a child or vulnerable person.  This statement relating to confidentiality is made known to all who access any provision of Ouseburn CC. 

Seven golden rules for information sharing: 

1. Remember that the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information 
   But provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriately. 

2. Be open and honest 
   Be open and honest with the person (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could be shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so. 

3. Seek advice 
   If you are in any doubt, without disclosing the identity of the person where possible. 

4. Share with consent where appropriate 
   Share with consent where appropriate and, where possible, respect the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still share information without consent if, in your judgement, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest. You will need to base your judgement on the facts of the case. 

5. Consider safety and well-being 
   Base your information sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the person and others who may be affected by their actions. 

6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure 
   Ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those people who need to have it, is accurate and up to date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely. 

7. Keep a record 
   Keep a record of your decision and the reasons for it – whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share, then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose. 

  

5. Recruitment 

 Safe recruitment 

Ouseburn CC undertakes to ensure that its paid staff, contracted partners, and volunteers, are suitable to work in an environment where they will encounter children and vulnerable adults as part of the Organisation’s work.  It also reserves the right to refuse to employ staff or volunteers whom it has a reasonable belief may pose a risk to vulnerable people. 

Ouseburn CC has systems in place to prevent unsuitable people from working with children or vulnerable adults and to promote safe practice. These systems apply to all new staff and contracted partners who are involved in regulated or intensive contact with children and vulnerable adults and require the following checks to be made on appointment: 

• A minimum of two references, satisfactory to Ouseburn CC one of which should be from the most recent employer. 

• Documentary evidence checks of identity, nationality, residency and “right to work” status. 

• Enhanced DBS disclosure 

• Documentary evidence of qualifications 

• Satisfactory completion of the probationary period 

 Trustees and volunteers require the following checks: 

• Enhanced DBS disclosure 

• Satisfactory completion of the probationary period 

6. Vetting and Barring 

 The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 places a duty on Ouseburn CC to undertake an Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure for all staff, contracted partners, trustees, and volunteers supervising or in intensive or frequent contact with children or vulnerable adults. 

 Ouseburn CC carries out Standard Disclosure checks on any person whose role involve some contact with children or vulnerable adults.  

 An Enhanced Disclosure is required for any person who regularly cares for, supervises, trains or is in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults.   For individuals who have lived outside of the UK further checks are carried out, where appropriate, if a DBS check is not felt to be sufficient to establish suitability to work with children, young people, or vulnerable adults. 

  

7.Reporting cases to the Independent Safeguarding Authority 

 Ouseburn CC has a statutory duty to make reports and provide relevant information to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) where there are grounds for believing, following an investigation, that an individual is unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, or may have committed misconduct.  The responsibility for reporting cases to the ISA lies with the Designated Safeguarding Officer. 

 The Independent Safeguarding Authority make barring decisions for Section 142 of the Education Act (formally known as List 99), The Protection of Children Act List (PoCA) and the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List (PoVA). This has now been combined as part of the Vetting and Barring Procedures of the Independent Safeguarding Authority 

  8.Equality of Opportunities 

 As part of the community served by Ouseburn CC all children and vulnerable adults have the right to be safeguarded from harm and exploitation whatever their race, religion, gender, sexuality, age, or disability. This policy relates to the Organisation’s legal obligation to protect children who are suffering forms of abuse as defined in the Children Act 1989 and is therefore in line with Ouseburn CC equality and diversity policies. 

    

 10. Operational Practices Policy 

 10.1         The use of cameras, videos, or camera mobile phones 

From time-to-time Ouseburn CC may wish to take photographs of children and young people participating in activities and events.  At all times written permission from parents / carers will be obtained before photographs are taken. 

 Ouseburn CC reserves the right to prohibit the use of cameras, videos and mobile telephones with picture taking capacity on its land and within any of its properties or at events it promotes. 

  10.2         Outside Organisations 

 Any group, society, organisation, or individual undertaking activities on Ouseburn CC behalf involving children and vulnerable adults must show proof that they have their own robust safeguarding policies. 

Any group, society, organisation or individual working with children and vulnerable adults will be subject to random spot checks periodically by the Safeguarding Officer or his/her deputy to ensure policies and procedures are in place and being implemented.  

11. The Designated Safeguarding Officer 

The Designated Safeguarding Officer within Ouseburn CC is June 

All paid and unpaid staff who are not the Designated Safeguarding Officer, but who are approached with concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, must bring the concerns raised to the attention of the Designated Safeguarding Officer or his/her deputy. 

All paid or unpaid staff to whom a vulnerable person discloses issues that may be related to safeguarding must keep written notes of concerns.  The staff member must also complete an Incident Form immediately after the issues have been noted by them and reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. 

  12. Review and Maintenance of Policy 

 Ouseburn CC shall undertake to review this policy, its implementation and effectiveness annually.  The views of stakeholders shall be sought where necessary and reflected in the review process. 

 Any new legislation or developments in existing legislation will be considered as and when required and the policy will be updated to reflect these developments. 

 All employees and volunteers involved in regulated or intensive contact with children and vulnerable adults will receive training in child and vulnerable adult protection procedures and the training will be reviewed as and when required.