Title:Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

Title: The Shine Project Policy and procedure on Safeguarding

Applies To:  Trustees, Management, staff and volunteers

Written by: Liz Davies

Authorised By: The Board of Trustees

Issue Date: Sept 2016

Last Review Date: February 2023

Review Date: February 2024

1. Introduction

The Trustees and Management Committee of The Shine Project are firmly committed to the welfare of all young people with whom their staff and volunteers work and protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. 

The Shine Project will aim to ensure that all young people meet in a safe environment with people they can trust. It will also ensure that all risks which young people encounter are carefully assessed, and the necessary steps taken to minimise and manage them.

All employees and volunteers of The Shine Project will be provided with a copy of this policy and will be requested to indicate their commitment to it by completing and signing the record of commitment and associated list of policies and procedures in their volunteer induction pack, which will be kept in the locked filing cabinet in The Shine Project office.

2. Recruitment

All staff and volunteers should complete an application form supplying the following information:

·       Personal details                                

·       Names of 2 independent referees

·       Previous experience

·       Self-disclosure of criminal convictions

·       Competencies and areas of interest               

·       Signature and date

All shine coordinators and those volunteers specifically supporting Shine courses (ie meeting young people face to face) should complete a Disclosure Form (DBS) at enhanced level, these clearances will be renewed every 3 years.

Shine Staff and sessional workers will not be able to run courses until their Disclosure form is cleared and references have been received.  All new volunteers supporting Shine courses will be closely supervised until references have been received and DBS checks completed.

In accordance with guidance from the Disclosure and Barring Service a record will be kept of the disclosure number, completion date and whether or not the check is satisfactory.  A copy of the certificate will be kept on file to offer to schools when attending.

For further safer recruitment practises please refer to The Shine Project’s Recruitment Policy and Procedure.

3. Code of Conduct

The Trustees and Management Committee adheres to the following guidelines as to how young people and adults interact with each other.

·       Abusive behaviour and language, violence, aggression, bullying or discrimination will not be tolerated. Leaders will respond quickly and effectively to any such reports which if necessary, will result in the offender(s) being suspended from the course

·        Leaders will refrain from consuming alcohol prior to assuming responsibility for young people and any young person under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances will not be allowed to attend The Shine Course.

·        Recommended numbers of young people on a Shine course are 12.  The maximum number that can be considered for any one course is 15.

·        The appropriate ratios of leaders to young people will be applied at minimum for all Shine courses.

o   1:15 where the element of risk is similar to that encountered in everyday life

o   1:10 for events held separately from the organisation hosting The Shine Project

o   1:6 for children under 10 years, or groups with special needs

·        At the end of each wellbeing course session – young people will be free to leave into the care of the organisation that is hosting the Shine Project. 

·        At the end of the course there is an end of course celebration meal/activity.  The Shine Project will ensure that consent forms for the meal/activity are received from each young person’s parent or guardian.  Young people will be collected by their parent / guardian unless other information is provided on the signed consent form.

4. Training Provision

The contents of this policy (and other policies) will be included in the induction process for all Trustees, members of the Management Committee, employees and volunteers. All these parties will also be given the opportunity to attend Safeguarding (Child Protection) training courses offered at regular intervals by the PAN Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership, online via NSPCC Learning or internal training provided by the Charity’s Designated Safeguarding Officer.

It is the responsibility of The Trustees and Management Committee to ensure that the Designated Safeguarding Lead completes Level 3 Chid protection training and then attends update training every 2 years. Trustees and all other employees and contracted Shine Coordinators should complete Safeguarding (Child protection) every 3 years.  Volunteers will  receive internal safeguarding training every 3 years.  These sessions which will help them understand their responsibilities and provide information on identification and appropriate response to child protection issues.

5. Dealing with Allegations

The following procedures will apply in the identification or suspicion of abuse towards a young person.

Abuse

There are many types of abuse to which young people can be subjected :-

Physical abuse

The act of deliberately physically hurting a person causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts.

Neglect

The on-going failure to meet a child’s most basic needs and is the most common form of abuse a child may be left hungry or dirty, without adequate clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care. A child may be put in danger or not protected from physical or emotional harm. They may not get the love, care and attention they need from their parents.

Sexual abuse

A child is sexually abused when they are forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. This doesn't have to be physical contact and it can happen online. Sometimes the child won't understand that what's happening to them is abuse. They may not even understand that it's wrong.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is the on-going emotional maltreatment or emotional neglect of a child. It’s sometimes called psychological abuse and can seriously damage a child’s emotional health and development. Emotional abuse can involve deliberately trying to scare or humiliate a child or isolating or ignoring them.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is when one adult in a family or relationship threatens, bullies or hurts another member of the family e.g. physically, psychologically, emotionally, sexually or financially.

Domestic abuse affects children and young people. We know that they are more aware of what’s happening than parents often think. How they respond depends on their age, personality and support network, but they recover best when they are helped to understand and to process what is happening or has happened to them. Children living with domestic abuse need to be identified, protected and supported

Peer Abuse

There is no clear boundary between incidents that should be regarded as abusive and incidents that are more properly dealt with as bullying, sexual experimentation etc. This is a matter of professional judgement.

If one child or young person causes harm to another, this should not necessarily be dealt with as abuse: bullying, fighting and harassment between children are not generally seen as child protection issues. However, it may be appropriate to regard a young person’s behaviour as abusive if:

• There is a large difference in power (for example age, size, ability, development) between the young people concerned; or

• The perpetrator has repeatedly tried to harm one or more other children; or

• There are concerns about the intention of the alleged perpetrator.

If the evidence suggests that there was an intention to cause severe harm to the victim, this should be regarded as abusive whether or not severe harm was actually caused.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation is a form of child abuse. It occurs where anyone under the age of 18 is persuaded, coerced or forced into sexual activity in exchange for, amongst other things, money, drugs/alcohol, gifts, affection or status.

Results of Abuse

If any of these occur, young people often display problems in the following areas: -

·       Behaviour                                        

·       Drugs and alcohol

·       Education                                         

·       Physical evidence e.g. bruising

·       Mental health                                                

·       Relationships

A young person may disclose that he is being abused; he may show signs of abuse; or he may speak about third party abuse.

If abuse is suspected:

Observations, conversations or concerns will be recorded using The Shine Project’s record of disclosure form, signed and dated.

·        The matter must not be investigated or discussed with anyone other than the Shine Coordinator in charge or the Hosting Organisation Safeguarding officer.

·        The Safeguarding Officer will assess the information and, within 48 hours, contact the appropriate local statutory services, if necessary.

If abuse is reported/alleged:

·        The young person will be listened to and encouraged to speak without interruption, comment or judgment.  

·        It will be explained that in terms of the Shine Project’s Confidentiality Policy, information may need to be shared in certain circumstances.

·        The matter must not be investigated or discussed with anyone other than the Shine Coordinator, DSL and Hosting Organisation Safeguarding Officer.

·        A written account of the report or allegation will be made, signed and dated and the information passed to the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Hosting Organisation Safeguarding Officer.

·        The Safeguarding Officer will assess the information and, within 48 hours, contact the relevant statutory services, if necessary.

·        If the matter is regarded as critical it should be referred immediately and directly to the BCP (Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole) Children’s Services First Response Hub.  Up to date contact email and telephone numbers can be found here in the contact section of this document.

6. Protecting Leaders

The Trustees and Management Committee recognise the importance of protecting its leaders from possible allegations of abuse and recommends the following guidelines:

Leaders should not:

·        Be alone with young people

·        Lock and unlock premises without another adult present

·        Transport young people in a car or minibus without another adult being present

·        Take young people to their homes

·        Make inappropriate contact with young people i.e. develop relationships outside the wellbeing course setting

·        Leave young people unattended

·        Leave young people in the presence of adults who are not suitably trained

·        Leave young people in the presence of adults not known to leaders

·        Leave young people in the presence of adults who have not had relevant DBS checks

·        Show favouritism to young people on a wellbeing course

7. Allegations about Leaders

If any allegation is made or suspicions emerge regarding any adults working for The Shine Project (this includes employees, volunteers or contractors) these should be reported to the Safeguarding Officer and Shine Coordinator.  If an allegation concerns either of these officers, the report should be made to the Chair of Trustees.

If further action is required, the following procedure will apply during which all information relating to the allegation will remain confidential:

·        A detailed factual record of the allegation and action taken will be made

·        Information will be passed to the Chair of Trustees.

·        Consideration will be given to the suspension of the person involved taking account of the risks to other young people and the leader concerned

·        If the allegation involves a Shine Participant, contact will be made with the young person’s parents to advise them of the process

·        Relevant external bodies will be advised

8. Photography

Since young people may be photographed while participating in a wellbeing course and associated activities, written permission from parents/guardians will be obtained which will also allow photographic material to be used in the public domain.

9. Contact Details within The Shine Project

Shine Co-ordinators:

·       Melanie Tilsed mel@shineproject.org.uk

·       Liz Davies liz@shineproject.org.uk

Shine Safeguarding Officer:

·       Anne Clarkson (Operations Manager) anne@shineproject.org.uk

Chair of Trustees:

·       Ragnheidur Hardardottir ragna@shineproject.org.uk

10. Current processes and contacts in BCP and Dorset

If the child lives in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole contact the Children’s First Response Hub:

There is now one phone number and one email address for all new contacts and referrals into BCP Children’s Services – the Children’s Services First Response Hub provides the public and professionals with advice, information and support for children who are vulnerable and at risk and is made up of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Early Help Team.

•        Contact the BCP First Response Hub to request support, or to report a concern about a child or young person.

•        There is also a revised inter-agency referral form,  to improve the speed and ease of referrals

•        Practitioners can also call 01202 735046 from 8.30am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.45pm on Friday

•        Or e-mail direct on: childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

•        To inform your contact or referral, please refer to the following local documents: Pan-Dorset Continuum of Need 2019

•        Family members or members of the public do not need to complete a referral form and should make contact via the phone number/email address above.

•        Out of Hours – The BCP Children’s Social Care Out of Hour’s service is the emergency response service for any child who is in crisis, needs urgent help or is at serious risk of significant harm. Hours of operation are 5pm to 9am from Monday to Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday and all bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

•        Out of Hours Service on 01202 738256

•        Email:  ChildrensOOHS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

Dorset Contact:

In Dorset, The Children’s Advise and Duty Service (CHaD )incorporates the Early Help Hub and MASH for the Dorset Council area.

Professional’s Telephone Number: 01305 228558

Families and Members of the Public Number: 01305 228866

In an emergency, or if you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, call the police on 999