Introduction
Our organisation is passionately committed to the mission of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children involved in our operations. We understand the magnitude of our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. To illustrate our unshakeable commitment and to shed light on the extensive procedures we have put in place to safeguard the welfare of children, we have developed this policy. We strive to make our premises and activities not just secure, but also conducive and safe for all children, ensuring they are environments that foster growth, development, and the joy of childhood. This policy provides a comprehensive framework for child protection, detailing the measures and procedures in place to maintain a safe environment. It represents our dedication towards creating a nurturing atmosphere for children to grow and flourish, free of any fears. This policy is a manifestation of our organisational ethos that every child has the right to a secure, healthy, and positive environment that enables them to reach their full potential. This policy is the cornerstone of our pledge to protect children from harm and to ensure their safety at all times. This policy is an affirmation of our commitment to creating a culture of safety and respect, where children are protected and their rights are upheld.
Policy Statement
The heart of our organisation is built around an unyielding commitment to nurturing an environment where the wellbeing of children is the primary concern. We acknowledge and assert that every child, without exception, possesses an irrefutable right to protection. We stand firmly against all forms of child abuse, be it physical, emotional, or sexual, and are dedicated to taking every possible measure to prevent such occurrences. We believe that each child should have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment free from fear and harm. We are committed to promoting the participation of all children in decision-making processes that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard, respected and valued. We strive to give children the right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them and to have their views given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity. Our organisation is committed to implementing, maintaining, and constantly improving strategies to promote the wellbeing of children and to protect them from harm.
Recruitment and Selection Procedure
Our organisation has implemented a meticulous and rigorous recruitment and selection procedure, designed to ensure the utmost safety of the children under our care. Our commitment to child safety begins right at the point of recruitment. Every candidate undergoes an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as part of our comprehensive background checks. This is to ensure we are entrusting the safety of our children to reliable individuals. Furthermore, we obtain references dated within the last three years to further confirm their credibility. No individual is offered employment if they fail to meet our stringent recruitment guidelines. All candidates undergo formal interviews, and the selection process is both rigorous and transparent, leaving no room for compromise on the safety of our children. We also ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of and committed to our child safeguarding policy before they start their roles. Our recruitment and selection procedures are regularly reviewed and enhanced to ensure they remain effective in selecting the appropriate individuals to work with children.
Code of Conduct
Our organisation has a comprehensive code of conduct that all staff and volunteers are required to adhere to at all times. This code is designed to guide the behaviour of our team, maintain professionalism, and ensure that all interactions are appropriate and respectful. The code includes provisions for maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding any behaviours that might be misunderstood or misconstrued by others, particularly children. It is our firm belief that a clear, comprehensive, and consistently applied code of conduct paves the way for establishing a safe, respectful environment for all. Failure to adhere to this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
Dealing with Allegations
We take all allegations of abuse with the utmost seriousness and are committed to acting swiftly and decisively. Any allegations of abuse, whether against staff, volunteers, or third parties, will be thoroughly and impartially investigated. We maintain a zero-tolerance stance towards abuse and false allegations, both of which are treated with the highest level of seriousness. Our team is trained to handle such allegations with sensitivity and confidentiality, ensuring the safety and welfare of the child involved is never compromised. We provide full support to any child or adult who raises concerns about the behaviour of others within our organisation. Our organisation maintains a culture of openness where individuals are encouraged to voice concerns without fear of reprisal. It is our responsibility to ensure that all allegations and concerns are taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken.
Disciplinary Procedures
Our organisation has a robust disciplinary procedure in place for any staff member or volunteer found to have violated our child protection policies. These disciplinary actions are not taken lightly and the severity of the disciplinary action will match the gravity of the violation. This can lead up to and include dismissal. We are committed to transparency and fairness in our disciplinary procedures and will involve external agencies such as local authority designated officers, local child protection agencies, and the police as appropriate. We will cooperate fully with any investigations they conduct. Our commitment to child safety transcends our organisation and we are committed to working collaboratively with the appropriate external agencies to ensure justice is served.
Training
Our organisation is heavily invested in the continuous training and supervision of our staff and volunteers. Regular training sessions are held to ensure they are well aware of their responsibilities, the signs of abuse, and the procedures for reporting any concerns. We also promote an open culture where staff and volunteers feel confident about raising any concerns about child safety. Our commitment to training reflects our belief that awareness and understanding are crucial components in maintaining a safe environment for children. We also provide training on the code of conduct to ensure all staff and volunteers understand and adhere to it. Our staff members and volunteers are also equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond effectively to child protection concerns.
Sharing and Implementation of the Policy
To ensure the effectiveness of our child safeguarding policy, it is crucial that it is widely disseminated and thoroughly implemented. We share this policy with all individuals involved in our organisation, including staff, volunteers, parents, and children, to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities. The policy is made easily accessible, and copies are available at our premises, on our website, and in induction packs provided to new staff and volunteers. Staff and volunteers receive detailed training on the policy, ensuring they understand the procedures for dealing with any concerns or allegations of abuse. We also make sure that everyone in our organisation knows how to report concerns, to whom, and what steps will be taken afterwards. We actively encourage their input and suggestions for enhancing our policy and procedures, reflecting our commitment to continuous improvement and shared responsibility in child safeguarding.
Parental Involvement
We recognise the vital role parents and carers play in children’s lives and the importance of maintaining open and constructive communication with them. We value and respect parents’ views and their right to contribute to decisions about their children’s welfare. We are committed to working in partnership with parents, keeping them informed about our policies and procedures and ensuring they have access to support and advice whenever necessary. Parents and carers are encouraged to read our child safeguarding policy and to contribute their insights and suggestions for its improvement. We maintain regular communication with them about their children’s experience in our organisation and any concerns we may have. We also provide them with information on how to keep their children safe outside of our organisation, including online safety and the prevention of bullying.
Child Involvement
We are dedicated to fostering an environment where children feel valued, respected and listened to. We firmly believe that children have a right to be involved in decisions that affect them and to express their views freely. We encourage children to share their ideas and concerns, and we make efforts to involve them in the development and review of our child safeguarding policy. We are committed to teaching children about their rights and responsibilities and the steps they can take to keep themselves and others safe. We encourage children to express any concerns or worries they have, reassuring them that they will be taken seriously and that it is okay to talk about any issues they may be facing.
Review
Our Child Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect operational experience, changes in legislation, and best practices. This process ensures that our policy remains effective, relevant, and compliant with the latest child protection legislation and guidelines. We consider this review process to be a crucial part of maintaining the effectiveness and relevance of our safeguarding policy. We are committed to a process of continuous improvement, always seeking ways to better protect the children under our care. We undertake to share this policy with all individuals involved with our organisation, ensuring they are aware of their responsibilities, and are committed to making our organisation a safe and nurturing environment for all children. This policy serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to child safety, and we hope it inspires the same commitment in everyone involved in our organisation.
Conclusion
This policy serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to child safety, and we hope it inspires the same commitment in everyone involved in our organisation. Our mission is to ensure that every child feels safe, respected, and valued and has the opportunity to thrive within our care. Protecting children from harm is not just our responsibility; it is a pledge that we are honoured to uphold. With continuous review and improvement of our policy and procedures, we strive to maintain the highest standards of child safeguarding and to set an example for others in our field.
Useful Contacts
DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) Jason Wynn – 07865 203024
Police – 999 (for emergancies) 101 (none emergancies)
Redcar Lado (Local Authority Designated Officer) – 01642 130700 or email RedcarLADO@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
