Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and protection of young people with additional needs from harm, abuse, and exploitation. This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and individuals working within the organization. This policy is reviewed annually in September in light of the revised edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education, (KCSIE), and the PREVENT guidance.
Principles
• Every young person has the right to feel safe and protected.
• All individuals have a responsibility to safeguard young people and report concerns.
• The needs and views of young people are at the forefront of all safeguarding activities.
• Safeguarding is a shared responsibility within the community.
Definitions
• Additional Needs: Refers to any physical, learning, sensory, behavioural, or emotional needs that require additional support.
• Abuse: Any form of physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Roles and Responsibilities
• Safeguarding Lead (Grant Carruthers): Oversees the implementation of the policy and handles safeguarding concerns.
• Staff and Volunteers: Must understand and adhere to the safeguarding policy and report concerns immediately.
• Parents and Guardians: Encouraged to share relevant information about their child's needs to facilitate better safeguarding.
Safe Recruitment
• Conduct thorough background checks and interviews for all staff and volunteers.
• Ensure that all employees and volunteers undergo safeguarding training.
Training and Awareness
• Provide regular safeguarding training to all staff and volunteers.
• Educate young people about their rights and how to stay safe.
Reporting and Responding to Concerns
• Establish a clear reporting procedure for safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that all concerns are reported to the Safeguarding Lead without delay.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle concerns sensitively.
Risk Assessment and Management
• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential safeguarding risks.
• Develop and implement strategies to mitigate identified risks.
Support for Young People
• Provide tailored support to young people with additional needs.
• Ensure accessible communication methods and materials are available.
Record Keeping
• Maintain accurate and secure records of safeguarding concerns and actions taken.
• Ensure that records are only accessible to authorized personnel.
Policy Review
• Conduct an annual review of the safeguarding policy.
• Update the policy as necessary to reflect changes in legislation and best practices.
Contact Information
• Provide contact details for the Safeguarding Lead.
Confidentiality
• Safeguarding information is confidential and should only be shared with relevant authorities on a need-to-know basis.
PREVENT
Local Authorities have a duty, as a specified authority under section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, to identify vulnerable children and young people and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty. more information can be found here
How to raise concerns
If staff have any concerns about a learner’s welfare, they should speak to the DSL immediately. All staff should refer to their setting’s safeguarding procedures.
What to do if you have concerns:
1. Contact the Police:
If a child is in immediate danger or there is an urgent safeguarding concern, call 999 for the police. For non-emergencies, you can call 101.
2. Contact the organisations safeguarding lead, (Grant Carruthers)
3. Contact Local Child Protection Services:
Get in touch with your local authority's child protection services (Children's Services) for guidance and support.
4. Contact the NSPCC Helpline:
For advice and reassurance, call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
How to talk to a child
Never agree to keep a secret from a child, as you have a legal duty to report safeguarding concerns.
Tell the child they did nothing wrong and that you take what they say seriously.
Inform the child that you will need to speak to others who are responsible for protecting children.
Key Information
Make a written record of the incident, including the date, time, and location, and what was said.
He will then inform the commissioning authority.
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