F2D ITC SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Our organisation is committed to the highest standards in protecting and safeguarding the children entrusted to our care.
ALL OF OUR STAFF HAVE ENHANCED DBS CERTIFICATES
Our organisation will support all children by:
Promoting a caring , safe and positive environment
Encouraging self-esteem and self-assertiveness
Effectively tackling bullying and harassment
We recognise that some children may be the victims of neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Staff working with children are well placed to identify such abuse.
At F2D-ITC in order to protect children, we aim to:
Create an atmosphere where all our children feel secure, valued and listened to
Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse
Respond quickly, appropriately and effectively to cases of suspected abuse
Introduction
F2D ITC C.I.C uses the facilities and premises of schools & Academies managed by their respective management committees . F2D ITC C.I.C has adopted these safeguarding children and adults at risk policies and expects every adult working or helping at F2D ITC C.I.C to support it and comply with it. So, this policy shall apply to all staff, volunteers, or anyone working on behalf of F2D ITC C.I.C.
Purpose of the Policy
This policy is intended to protect children and adults who receive any service from F2D ITC C.I.C, including those who are the children of adults who may receive services from us. A child is defined as a person under the age of 18.
As an organisation we believe that no child or adult at risk should experience abuse or harm and we at F2D ITC C.I.C are committed to the protection of children and adults at risk. This policy is intended to provide guidance and overarching principles to those who represent us as staff or volunteers, to guide our approach to child and adult at risk protection and safeguarding.
Children and adults at risk of abuse is any action by another person, adult or child that causes significant harm to a child or adult at risk. There are four main types of abuse:
1.Physical Abuse
This includes being hit, kicked, shaken or punched, or given harmful drugs or alcohol.
2.Emotional Abuse
This includes being called names all the time, being threatened or being shouted at or made to feel small.
3.Sexual Abuse
This includes being touched in a way you don't like by an adult or child, being forced to have sex, being made to look at sexual pictures or videos, being sexually exploited.
4.Neglect
Is when a child or adult at risk is not looked after properly, including having no place to stay, or not enough food to eat, or clothes to keep them warm. It also includes if the child or adult at risk is not given medical care when they need it, including medication.
Recognising Risk
It is not possible to identify all risks to children and adults at risk within the school environment, however, below is a list of issues which F2D ITC C.I.C is concerned to identify and eradicate.
Bullying
Bullying can be physical, emotional or verbal. It can take place anywhere and may involve a child bullying another child or an adult displaying bullying behaviours. Bullying can cause considerable stress to children and adults at risk, in some cases affecting their health and development.
Favouritism
It is tempting to lavish praise and attention on children or adults at risk who appear to be developing quickly and showing talent. It is wrong however to do this in a way that undermines other children and adults at risk in the group or makes anyone feel inferior. It is important to give proportionate attention to all children and adults at risk under the control and supervision of an adult.
Placing Unrealistic Expectations of Success on a Child or Adults at risk
Each child or adult at risk has their natural ability which can be developed by training and coaching. However, any adult with responsibility in this area should be aware of their limitations and be realistic about the goals that a child should be set.
Children and Adults with Disabilities
Studies suggest children with disabilities are at increased risk of abuse. Various factors contribute to this, such as; stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves or adequately communicate that abuse has occurred.
Drugs and Doping
Exposure of a child and adults at risk to drug taking or doping is a serious abuse and a significant safeguarding issue. By ‘exposure’ we do not mean to limit the problem to use, administration or trafficking in drugs but to include any situation where, through neglect by an adult, a child or adult at risk comes into contact with any drug taking or doping practice, or is subjected to influence or pressure to participate in drug taking or doping, or sees or experiences ‘recreational’ drug use. This risk to children and adults at risk is insidious and vigilance is required to identify children and adults at risk.
Video and Film
The filming/photography of children and adults at risk must be controlled and only carried out for a proper purpose and with the correct authority. Such activity should never be carried out within changing rooms, even under permission.
Where photographic material is used for our social media platforms and websites, consent must be first obtained by the guardian of that child.
Video recording is acknowledged as a legitimate coaching aid. However, if it is to be used, you should ensure that written guardian consent has been obtained. Such films must be stored securely and handed to the guardian or destroyed once their use is no longer justified.
The over-riding principle is that any behaviour that threatens the welfare of a child or adult at risk is prohibited and requires reporting and possible action. The participation in our workshops should be enjoyable and safe. Any behaviour that affects these goals amounts to a safeguarding issue.
Whistle Blowing
Any concerns for the welfare of any child or adult at risk arising from the abuse or harassment by a mentor, volunteer or child should be reported immediately. The welfare of the person must always be of paramount importance and, you should ensure someone takes immediate steps to remove the child or adult at risk from a position of harm or potential harm.
If as a member of staff, a mentor or other volunteer, you become aware that a member of staff, a mentor or other volunteer has or may abuse a child or adult at risk, you MUST inform an appropriate person, in confidence if necessary.
All information received and discussed will be treated in confidence and only shared with those individuals within F2D ITC C.I.C who will be able to manage and resolve the situation. In urgent and serious case, you MUST contact the police, the social care services or the NSPCC. All these agencies are experienced in such matters and you can be confident that the concerns will be addressed in a professional way.
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Confidentiality should be paramount when dealing with safeguarding matters. Every effort will be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis.
The management of confidential information is an important element of the work of F2D ITC C.I.C. Such information should be handled in a professional, sensitive and respectful way.
Disclosure of information should be on a ‘need to know’ basis and delivered in a sensitive and careful way.
No guarantees of confidentiality can be made as the welfare of the child supersedes all other considerations.
Anonymous complaints while notoriously difficult to deal should not be ignored. Regardless of whether such complaints refer to a member of F2D ITC C.I.C (either victim or accused) the matter must be reported to a responsible adult. This type of allegation should be addressed immediately and confidentially and dealt with appropriately if abuse or poor practice is discovered.
Statement of Intent
F2D ITC CIC acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard the welfare of young children and adults. The policy aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability, gender, race, religion, belief, or sexual orientation all people that come into our care and take part in our activities have a positive experience in a safe environment and will not suffer from abuse while taking part in or outside any of the activities.
It will be achieved by:
• Prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children, adults and staff who work directly with us or on our behalf
• Having safe recruitment procedures for paid and non-paid team members to help identify those who might pose a risk to children or adults
• Making sure that all staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and to be vigilant to signs of abuse and refer to concerns to an appropriate adult within the organisation using correct procedures
• Making sure third-party organisations who work with us adhere to policies and procedures and are committed to protecting children and adults from harm
• Making sure that the right actions are taken if incidents or concerns of abuse occur and supporting the individuals who raise the concern
• Ensuring that confidential records and concerns that have been raised are maintained and securely stored
• Making sure that all participants and parents are informed of the policy procedures
Making sure that all our staff are Enhanced DBS certified
The organisations lead officer will take all concerns of abuse very seriously. All members that work directly or in directly that work with us will have access to our policies and procedures so they can be referred to the relevant authority.
The safeguarding policy will be promoted to all members of our organisation and failure to comply with the policy and procedure could result in dismissal.
Date: October 2020
SOME USEFUL CONTACT INFORMATION
The following list a few websites and contact telephone numbers which may be useful:
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
NSPCC Helpline 0121 227 7577
146 Hagley Road
Birmingham
B169NX
Childline
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO
Advice can be obtained by telephoning the NSPCC helpline on 0800 800 5000