Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Policy ensures the safety and well-being of the children and young people we support. The full Safeguarding Policy is available on the homepage of our website at www.cherisheduk.org. This ensures easy access for anyone—staff, volunteers, parents, or guardians—without the need for a formal request. The policy is also available upon request from our office.
The policy is provided to all staff, including temporary staff and volunteers, during their induction alongside our Staff Code of Conduct.
This policy will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and Directors annually to ensure it remains robust and reflective of the latest safeguarding standards and practices.
Most recent review by Directors: 7th March 2024 Reviewed by: R Hardy- Chairman This policy is due for review by the Directors: 7th March 2025 |
Key Safeguarding contacts
Role | Name | Contact Details |
CEO | Hannah Simnett | Tel: 0121 389 8244
Email:hannah@www.cherisheduk.org |
Chairperson | Russell Hardy | Tel: 0121 389 8244
Email: admin@www.cherisheduk.org |
Designated Safeguarding Lead | Hannah Simnett | Tel: see above
Email: see above |
Deputy Safeguarding Lead | Sam Morton | Tel: 0121 389 8244
Email:sam@www.cherisheduk.org |
Designated Trustee in charge of Safeguarding | Kim Madill | Tel: 0121 389 8244
Email: admin@www.cherisheduk.org |
Integration of Safeguarding Procedures
Our safeguarding policy outlines the comprehensive principles and frameworks that guide our commitment to protecting children and young people. To ensure that our staff and volunteers can respond effectively and promptly to any safeguarding concerns, we have also developed a detailed flowchart that illustrates the procedural steps to be taken.
Quick Reference Guide: Safeguarding Procedures Flowchart- see below.
For immediate guidance on responding to safeguarding concerns, please refer to the “Flowchart Procedures for Responding to Safeguarding Concerns.” This flowchart provides a step-by-step visual representation of the actions required when a safeguarding issue is reported. It is designed to be a quick reference tool to support you in making timely and appropriate decisions.
You can find the flowchart attached to this policy document, and it is also available as a standalone resource. The flowchart covers:
- Reporting a concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Determining whether a referral is needed.
- Making a referral to children’s social care or contacting the police if necessary
- Following up on the actions taken by social care
We encourage all staff and volunteers to familiarise themselves with both this policy and the procedural flowchart. Together, these resources ensure that we maintain a consistent and effective approach to safeguarding across all our activities.
For any questions or further clarification on our safeguarding procedures, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
1. Aims and Purpose of this Policy
The main objective of this policy is to ensure that You’re Cherished provides a positive environment for children and young people to mature into confident young adults. We acknowledge a child’s and young person’s rights and our responsibilities as carers.
This policy aims to identify and outline the issues and principles concerned with safeguarding children and young people and child abuse so that employees and volunteers can carry out their roles properly and confidently.
The policy applies to anyone working on behalf of You’re Cherished, including the CEO, the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, and students.
2. Supporting Documents
Our safeguarding policy is underpinned by a framework of related policies, procedures, and guidance documents that collectively ensure a comprehensive approach to safeguarding. These documents are integral to our commitment to protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults and to supporting our staff, volunteers, and trustees in upholding our safeguarding standards.
Key Supporting Documents Include:
- Whistleblowing Policy: Encourages and guides individuals to report any safeguarding concerns without fear of reprisal.
- Data Protection Policy (GDPR): This policy ensures the confidentiality and security of personal information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation requirements.
- Safer Recruitment Policy: This policy details our approach to vetting and hiring practices, emphasising the importance of safeguarding in the recruitment process.
- Complaints and Grievance Policy: This policy outlines the procedure for raising and resolving complaints, ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
Additional Supporting Documents:
- Code of Conduct: Sets clear expectations for behaviour and interactions, promoting a safe environment for all.
- Training and Development Policy: Ensures that all personnel receive appropriate safeguarding training and ongoing professional development.
- Risk Management Policy: This policy identifies potential risks and outlines strategies to mitigate them, ensuring the safety and well-being of those we serve.
Legislation and Guidance:
- Children Act 1989 and 2004: Provides the legal framework for the protection of children in the UK.
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006: Sets out the requirements for the vetting and barring of individuals working with children and vulnerable adults.
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023: Statutory guidance outlining the responsibilities of organisations to work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- The Children and Social Work Act 2017: Introduces changes to improve support for looked-after children and care leavers and strengthens the child protection system.
- Equality Act 2010: Ensures non-discriminatory practices within the charity, particularly concerning recruitment and service provision.
Each document, including our legislative references, is accessible to all members of our organisation and is reviewed regularly to reflect current legislation, best practices, and feedback from our community. Together, these documents and legal references form the backbone of our safeguarding strategy, reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe and nurturing environment.
3. We Believe That:
Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind; rather, they should always feel ‘Safe, seen, soothed, and secure’ and keep with our beliefs, vision, and values of Cherished.
We are committed to using inclusive language and promoting cultural sensitivity throughout our organisation. This includes:
- Respecting and accommodating diverse cultural practices, languages, and experiences.
- Ensuring that our policies and procedures reflect the needs of all children and young people, regardless of their background.
- Providing training for staff and volunteers on cultural competency and inclusivity.
By fostering an inclusive and culturally sensitive environment, we aim to create a safe and respectful space for all individuals we serve.
4. What is ‘Safeguarding’?
Safeguarding encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at preventing harm and ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals, especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults. It extends beyond traditional child protection by incorporating preventative measures to create a safe environment.
According to the Charity Commission, safeguarding involves:
- Proactive Measures: All organisations working with vulnerable groups must take reasonable steps to minimise risks of harm. This includes creating and maintaining safe spaces, both physical and virtual1.
- Responsive Actions: When concerns about an individual’s welfare arise, it is imperative that all agencies collaborate effectively to address them. This includes sharing information and resources and working within agreed-upon1.
For You’re Cherished, safeguarding is a core responsibility. Our commitment to safeguarding means:
- Duty of Care: We have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety and welfare of the children and young people we interact with.
- Designated Safeguarding Leaders: Our organisation has appointed leaders to oversee safeguarding efforts, ensuring that best practices are followed and that any concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.
- Building Trust: A safeguarding framework enhances the confidence of our members, volunteers, parents/carers, and the wider community, affirming that You’re Cherished is a secure and responsible organisation.
- Continuous Improvement: We stay informed of the latest developments and guidance from the Charity Commission to ensure our safeguarding practices are up-to-date and effective1.
Safeguarding is not just about compliance; it is about creating a culture of safety, respect, and care that permeates every aspect of our work. It is everyone’s responsibility within You’re Cherished to uphold these principles and contribute to a safeguarding culture that protects and empowers all individuals.
5. We Recognise:
The paramountcy of children’s welfare in all our activities. We acknowledge the importance of working in partnership and the need to provide extra safeguarding measures for certain children due to their experiences or needs.
- The Primacy of Welfare: The welfare of children is paramount in all our work and interactions.
- Partnership Working: Collaborating with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
- Equality of Protection: All children, irrespective of their characteristics, have an equal right to protection from harm or abuse.
- Vulnerability and Resilience: Some children are additionally vulnerable due to the impact of previous experiences or needs, necessitating extra safeguarding measures.
Understanding Trauma-Informed Practice:
We adopt a trauma-informed approach, as defined by the government, which includes recognising the signs of trauma and integrating this knowledge into our practices. Informed by the government’s working definition, we understand that trauma-informed practice is an approach that:
- Realises the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery.
- Recognises the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the charity.
- Responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.
- Seeks to actively prevent re-traumatisation by being aware of the potential for certain practices and interactions to cause distress.
NSPCC Learning Resources:
We draw upon NSPCC Learning resources to enhance our understanding of how trauma affects child brain development and to inform our practices. These resources provide insights into:
- The Science of Child Brain Development: Understanding how positive and negative experiences can impact brain growth and development.
- Trauma and Its Effects: We must recognise how adverse experiences can affect children in later life and how we can support their recovery and resilience.
- Trauma-Informed Care Training: Ensuring our staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support children who have experienced trauma.
By embedding these principles into our safeguarding policy, we commit to creating a supportive environment that acknowledges the experiences of those we serve and promotes their well-being and recovery.
6. What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse in the UK is defined by a combination of Department of Health guidelines and legal definitions from the Children Act 1989, as well as subsequent amendments and related legislation.
Categories of Child Abuse:
- Physical Abuse: Inflicting physical harm upon a child.
- Neglect: Failing to provide for a child’s basic needs, which can be physical, educational, or emotional.
- Sexual Abuse: Involvement of a child in sexual activities, including both contact and non-contact abuse.
- Emotional Abuse: Causing harm to a child’s emotional health and development through various forms of maltreatment.
Evolution of the Term:
The term ‘child abuse’ was officially adopted in Britain following a 1980 government circular (DHSS 1980). Since then, the understanding and categorisation of abuse have evolved, leading to the current recognition of the four main categories.
Scope of Child Abuse:
- Child abuse affects children and young people up to the age of 18, regardless of their background, culture, or faith.
- It can occur in any setting and is perpetrated by adults known to the child, including those within their immediate community.
- Peer-on-peer abuse is also recognised, where the abuser is another child or young person.
Recent Legislative Updates:
- The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has expanded the understanding of abuse to include the impact of domestic abuse on children1.
- Online Safety has been addressed in recent guidance, acknowledging the risks of cyberbullying, online grooming, and the sharing of explicit images2.
Our Commitment:
We are committed to safeguarding children from all forms of abuse. Our policies are informed by the latest research and statutory guidance, ensuring our practices align with current legal definitions and standards. We provide regular training for staff and volunteers to recognise and respond to abuse effectively3.
7. Signs of Abuse:
There are three main indicators that a child or young person may be being abused and none of these should be taken lightly. They include:
- Physical indicators (such as marks or illness)
- Verbal indicators
- Behavioural indicators.
A child or young person may exhibit one or a combination of these.
8. Prevention of Abuse & Re-Traumatisation
Cherished as a whole, it is committed to the prevention and safeguarding of children and young people against abuse. We can do much to minimise the risk of incidents by:
- Implementing and sustaining good practice in every area of our work
- Supporting those in roles of responsibility within the project, including all paid and unpaid volunteers
- Knowing, observing, and listening to people
- Listening to young people/children who disclose past abuse.
- Appoint a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee member for safeguarding.
- Providing effective management, supervision, and training for staff and volunteers.
- Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
- Resisting re-traumatisation by striving to avoid triggers to previous trauma, recognising these triggers may be potentially traumatic in themselves.
- Discussing safeguarding as a key agenda item in board meetings.
- Allocating a budget for safeguarding, including recruitment checks and training.
Digital Safeguarding
With the increasing use of digital platforms, we recognise the importance of safeguarding children and young people in online environments. Our protocols for digital safeguarding include:
- Monitoring online interactions and social media activity related to our programmes.
- Implementing secure communication channels for online interactions.
- Using appropriate privacy settings and controls on digital platforms.
- Obtaining parental consent for digital communications and the sharing of images or videos.
- Training staff and volunteers on the risks and best practices for online safety.
9. When working with Children and Young People
At You’re Cherished, we understand that exposure to trauma can profoundly impact a child or young person’s brain, body, and behaviour. This impact extends to neurological, biological, psychological, and social development, influencing their worldview and the formation of relationships. We adopt a trauma-informed approach, recognising that many children and young people are likely to have experienced trauma, which may affect their capacity to feel secure and form trusting relationships with our service staff and volunteers.
Our Approach:
- Safety: We prioritise the physical and emotional safety of children, young people, and our staff and volunteers.
- Trustworthiness: Our transparent policies and procedures foster trust within our community.
- Choice: We offer meaningful choices and listen to the wishes of children, young people, staff, and volunteers.
- Collaboration: We value the experiences of our community and work alongside them to enhance our services.
- Empowerment: We endeavour to share decision-making power at both the individual and organisational levels.
- Cultural Consideration: We strive to deliver services devoid of cultural stereotypes and biases, providing gender-responsive services and ensuring our policies, procedures, and protocols are responsive to the racial, ethnic, and cultural needs of children and young people, as well as staff and volunteers.
No set of guidelines can cover every eventuality, but here are some obvious precautions we take when working with children and young people:
Precautions in Practice:
- Privacy and Safety: When privacy is necessary, ensure someone is aware of your location, who you are with, and why.
- Physical Contact: Minimise physical contact, particularly ‘hugging’, and avoid situations where a child sits on your lap.
- Bathroom Breaks: Facilitate bathroom breaks before sessions and manage any additional needs discreetly.
- Sensitive Information: Record and store sensitive information professionally and securely, in accordance with data protection laws.
- Photographs and Videos: Secure parental permission for any photographs or videos taken and shared.
- Online Safety: Protect children from potential harm online, whether they are using our network and devices or not.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration: Work in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other organisations to promote online safety and overall welfare.
- Information Sharing: Appropriately share information about safeguarding and good practice with beneficiaries, agencies, families, and carers.
- Support and Guidance: Ensure children and their families know where to go if they have a concern.
- Allegations Management: Use our procedures to manage allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately.
- Complaints and Whistleblowing: Maintain effective complaints and whistleblowing measures.
- Health and Safety: We will apply health and safety measures to provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff, and volunteers.
- Safeguarding Culture: Build a safeguarding culture where staff, volunteers, children, young people, and their families treat each other with respect and feel comfortable sharing concerns.
- Regulatory Compliance: Alert the criminal records agency if any staff member is dismissed due to behaviour towards beneficiaries and report serious incidents, including safeguarding incidents, to the charity regulator.
10. What if someone makes an allegation or you suspect someone is being abused?
Allegations:
An allegation is a claim or assertion that abuse has occurred, potentially made by the child or young person themselves or another party. Upon receiving an allegation:
- Immediate Action: Report the allegation without delay to the school’s safeguarding officer if in a school setting or to the parent or guardian if appropriate in an out-of-school context.
- Contact the DSL: Inform Hannah Simnett, Cherished’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), who will provide guidance on the next steps. Contact details: hannah@www.cherisheduk.org
- Escalation: If the DSL’s response is unsatisfactory, concerns can be escalated to Children’s Services at 0121 303 1888 or the Emergency Duty Team at 0121 675 4806.
An allegation is when someone makes a direct statement that abuse has taken place. This may or may not be the child or young person concerned.
Suspicions:
A suspicion arises when indicators suggest that abuse might have occurred, but no direct allegation or disclosure has been made.
Indicators can include:
- Behavioural Changes: Unusual or concerning behaviour or appearance of a child or young person.
- Emotional Indicators: Atypical emotional responses or reactions.
- Physical Signs: Unexplained injuries or signs of neglect.
- Environmental Factors: Awareness of adverse conditions at home, such as domestic violence.
- Worrying Behaviour: Any other behaviour that raises concerns about a child’s welfare.
Record-Keeping and Sharing:
- Documentation: Keep precise records and detailed notes of any concerns regarding a child or young person’s behaviour.
- Information Sharing: Share these records with the individual responsible for the child’s care and the DSL at Cherished.
In accordance with Statutory Guidance:
- Multi-Agency Collaboration: Work together with other agencies as part of a coordinated approach to safeguarding1.
- Child-Centred Approach: Ensure that the child’s welfare is at the heart of all actions taken1.
- Whole-Family Focus: Consider the impact on and needs of the family as a whole1.
11. Response to Allegations or Suspicions of Abuse
In the event of an allegation or suspicion of abuse, it is imperative that no member of staff attempts to conduct their own investigation.
Immediate Steps:
- Inform the DSL: Promptly report the matter to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), following the protocols established in our safeguarding training and annual refresher courses.
- Documentation: Utilise the concern card to accurately record the details and communicate with our DSL, Hannah Simnett, as soon as possible. She will then coordinate with the school or relevant authorities to follow up on the matter.
In the absence of the DSL:
- Deputy Coordinator: Should the DSL be unavailable, or if the suspicions involve the DSL, speak to the Deputy Coordinator, Emma Walls.
Emergency Situations:
- Immediate Risk: If you believe a child is in immediate danger, do not hesitate to contact the police on 999.
Confidentiality:
- Restricted Discussion: Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than the nominated individuals above.
Adherence to Statutory Guidance:
- No Independent Investigations: As per the statutory guidance, staff members must refrain from conducting their own inquiries into allegations or suspicions of abuse1.
- Reporting Protocol: All concerns should be reported directly to the appointed safeguarding leads, ensuring a coordinated and child-centred approach to any potential safeguarding issues1.
Record-Keeping Protocols
Accurate and thorough record-keeping is essential in safeguarding. All staff and volunteers must adhere to the following guidelines for documenting and sharing safeguarding concerns:
- Record all concerns, disclosures, and allegations accurately and promptly, including dates, times, and detailed descriptions.
- Use designated forms and secure systems for documenting safeguarding issues.
- Keep all records confidential and only share information with relevant authorities and designated safeguarding leads.
- Ensure that records are clear, concise, and factual, avoiding any subjective language or assumptions.
- Maintain records securely in accordance with data protection laws.
By following these protocols, we ensure a transparent and accountable approach to handling safeguarding concerns.
12. Responding to Disclosures of Abuse
When a child, young person, staff member, or volunteer discloses that they have been abused, the following steps should be taken:
- Active Listening: Listen attentively to what is being shared, ensuring you fully understand without displaying shock or imposing your feelings or opinions.
- Affirmation: Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing by speaking out and affirm that the abuse is not their fault.
- Clarification of Next Steps: Clearly explain the importance of reporting the abuse and outline the support that will be provided to them.
- Risk Management: Assess and manage any immediate risks to the individual’s safety.
- Prompt Reporting: Report the disclosure as soon as possible while the information is clear in your mind. It is crucial to keep precise records and detailed notes of the disclosure, capturing the individual’s exact words if possible. Then, report to the person responsible for the child’s care and to Cherished’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Note on Confidentiality:
- Upholding Confidentiality: The highest degree of confidentiality must be maintained when handling disclosures of abuse. Information should only be accessible to those with designated safeguarding responsibilities.
- Limits of Confidentiality: It is essential to communicate that while confidentiality is important, it cannot be guaranteed. Any information that leads to a suspicion that a child is at risk must, by law, be shared with the safeguarding officer as part of our legal and ethical duty to protect children and young people.
13. Safeguarding Practices at You’re Cherished
To ensure the highest standards of safeguarding within You’re Cherished, we adhere to the following best practice procedures:
- Enhanced DBS Checks: All individuals working with children and young people are required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Regular DBS Updates: DBS checks are refreshed every three years to ensure ongoing suitability.
- Annual Safeguarding Training: Comprehensive safeguarding refresher training is provided annually for all staff and volunteers.
- Child Protection Training: Specific training on child protection and safeguarding is delivered yearly to those who work directly with children and young people.
- Safeguarding Leadership: A Safeguarding Coordinator, supported by a deputy, is appointed to oversee safeguarding practices.
- Inclusivity and Respect: We ensure that every child and young person is listened to and respected, regardless of background.
- Policy Accessibility: The Cherished Safeguarding Policy is readily available to all staff, volunteers, and others upon request.
- Vigilance and Response: We acknowledge the possibility of abuse and are prepared to act on any suspicions.
- Belief in Disclosure: We maintain a culture where children’s disclosures are taken seriously.
- Adherence to Protocols: Correct protocols and procedures are consistently followed.
Version 1.0
September 2015 |
Policy created
Reference NSPCC Safeguarding Policy March 2022 |
Appendix: References
The following guidance, documents, sources, and links have been referenced and used in the development of this safeguarding policy:
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
Provides the legal framework for the protection of children in the UK.
- Children Act 1989
- Children Act 2004
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Sets out the requirements for the vetting and barring of individuals working with children and vulnerable adults.
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
Statutory guidance outlines organisations’ responsibilities to work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
- The Children and Social Work Act 2017
Introduces changes to improve support for looked-after children and care leavers and strengthens the child protection system.
- Children and Social Work Act 2017
- Equality Act 2010
Ensures non-discriminatory practices within the charity, particularly concerning recruitment and service provision.
- Equality Act 2010
- NSPCC Learning Resources
Provides insights into trauma-informed practices and the impact of trauma on child brain development.
- NSPCC Learning
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Ensures the confidentiality and security of personal information.
- GDPR Information
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Expand the understanding of abuse to include the impact of domestic abuse on children.
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Charity Commission Guidance
Provides guidance on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups.
- Charity Commission Safeguarding Guidance
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks
Ensures individuals working with children and young people are suitable and have undergone appropriate vetting.
- DBS Checks