Safeguarding policy

Introduction

Orchard Saturday Club fully recognises its responsibilities to child protection and the safeguarding of the children and staff within our setting. This policy has been written in line with current government guidelines provided in the Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2015 document. Orchard Saturday Club also follows the guidance provided by the PREVENT strategy.

Our policy applies to all staff, volunteers, visitors and committee members in contact with our setting.

Designated safeguarding lead: Luana Winston

Deputy safeguarding lead: Beth Pearce

Designated Lead Committee member: Susan Pitcher

There are six main elements to our policy. 

  • Ensuring we practice safe recruitment by monitoring the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
  • Raising awareness of child protection and safe guarding issues within the staff team, children and families.
  • Supporting children in developing the skills needed to keep themselves safe.
  • Implementing the necessary procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
  • Supporting children and young people who have been abused, in accordance with their child protection plan.
  • Establishing and maintaining a safe environment in which children can learn, play and develop.

All our children have a one-to-one support worker, so our staff are well placed and equipped to observe any possible outward signs of abuse. Management will lead the staff in: 

  • creating an environment in which the children and young people feel secure;
  • giving children the opportunity to talk and to be listened to
  • developing trusting relationships with children
  • developing children’s skills in recognising and staying safe from abuse and potentially abusive situations.
  • ensuring that all staff and designated committee members complete essential safeguarding  training.

We will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and will take account of guidance issued by OFSTED by:

  • having a named senior person and deputy, assigned to both older and younger groups, responsible for the safeguarding and protection of children. Both will have received the appropriate training and support for this role, and must attend regular updates every two years.
  • having a named committee member, with an appropriate safeguarding qualification, to oversee the management of safeguarding and child protection.
  • ensuring that every member of staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) and committee know the name and role of the designated safeguarding lead.
  • ensuring every member of staff receives training in safe guarding awareness at least every three years.
  • ensuring that all staff and volunteers understand their safeguarding responsibilities and that they must refer any concerns to the designated senior person.
  • enabling parents and guardians to understand the responsibility placed on the management of Orchard Saturday Club, by setting out its obligations in initial documents.
  • notifying care managers of any unexplained absences during the working week following the missed session.
  • working with relevant agencies and co-operating as required with their enquiries regarding child protection matters and safe guarding issues, including attendance at case conferences.
  • keeping written records of concerns about children, even when there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
  • keeping all records securely; separate from the main client file, and in locked locations.
  • having and following procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
  • always following safe recruitment practices.
  • working with other services attended by our children and young people on matters concerning safeguarding and child protection.

We understand the procedures set out by the local safeguarding board and the role of the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) in maintaining the safety of all children.  MASH will be contacted in the event that an incident was deemed an emergency and contact with support services is deemed necessary immediately.

We can access MASH by email on mashsecure@devon.gcsx.gov.uk or by telephone on 03451551071.

In the first instance ongoing and general concerns and information are sent to the care managers, to be added to the child’s records and acted upon as appropriate. We can contact the joint agency team on 01803 763500 or via email to individual care managers or social workers.

In the event of a complaint or allegation being made against a member of staff, we will contact the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) on 01392 384964 or use the online referral form at Ladosecure-mailbox@devon.gcsx.gov.uk.

Children or young people that are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth, Orchard Saturday Club can provide a stable, secure and predicable element in the lives of children who are at risk. We will do this by:

  • providing a positive, supportive and secure environment where children and young people feel valued;
  • having a comprehensive behaviour policy aimed at supporting vulnerable children and young people. Management will ensure that children know that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred;
  • maintaining a multi-agency approach to supporting children and young people by liaising with social services, child and adult mental health service, education welfare services and NHS;
  • maintaining consistent contact with the named social worker when a child or young person has a Child Protection Plan or a Child in Need Plan.

Other policies and guidance documents that support this policy are:

  • Behaviour Management Policy
  • Intimate Care Policy
  • Whistle blowing
  • Safe Recruitment policy
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Moving and Handling Guidance
  • Induction policy
  • A Medication Policy
  • Job descriptions
  • Confidentiality Policy
  • Allegations against staff procedure
  • Health and Safety
  • Telecommunications and e-safety guidance
  • Complains policy and procedures
  • PREVENT duty
  • FGM statement.

Reviewed and updated by Clare Goodyear and Luana Winston July 2017

Approved by Committee July 2017

Review July 2018 or as required.