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Safeguarding Policy

SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND PROCEDURE For Holbrook Helpers

This policy sets out the best practice for our Group to respond to safeguarding concerns.

‘Safeguarding’ is about protecting a child or adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’.

Definitions:

 A child is classified as anyone under the age of 18 years of age.

An ‘Adult at risk of abuse’ refers to someone over 18 years old who, according to the Care Act 2015:

  • Has care and support needs
  • Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
  • As a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect him or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

This policy and procedure applies to all staff, volunteers and service users

As a Group/organisation we will:

  • Have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. We cannot and will not ignore abuse.
  • Tell volunteers and staff how to recognise possible abuse and how to report their concerns
  • Actively work to prevent abuse from occurring within the group and respond appropriately if abuse or neglect has occurred.
  • Report all concerns of abuse, including any concerns relating to staff and volunteers, to the relevant internal and external people quickly and appropriately.
  • Have a designated lead for safeguarding
  • Have appropriate recruitment of our staff and volunteers, including knowing when to obtain a DBS check.
  • Ensure that appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures are adopted, used and monitored.
  • Ensure that systems are in place for concerns to be raised.
  • Ensure that staff/volunteers are not placed in situations which could make them particularly vulnerable.
  • Ensure that people who use our group are not placed in situations which could make them vulnerable.

As Staff and Volunteers we will

  • understand the safeguarding responsibilities which are part of our role
  • always act, and be seen to act, in the child’s and/or adult’s best interests
  • avoid any conduct which would lead any reasonable person to question our motivation and intentions
  • take responsibility for our own actions and behaviour

 

Revision history

This policy and related guidance will be monitored by the Holbrook Helpers Committee and the Safeguarding Lead on a regular basis for compliance and will be reviewed at least annually.

Date approved/amended

Signed

23rd September 2020

 Kate Saulter

Keeping safe and sound: Code of Practice for Holbrook Helpers

It is the policy of this Good Neighbour Scheme to safeguard the welfare of all people that we support, protecting them from neglect and other forms of abuse. All Scheme members have a duty to report concerns or suspicions and a right to do so in confidence and free from harassment.

Code of behaviour - Our Good Neighbour Scheme will:

  • treat everyone with dignity and respect
  • treat all people fairly
  • remember that we have been placed in a position of trust
  • report all safeguarding allegations, suspicions and concerns immediately
  • remember that someone may misinterpret our actions
  • act within appropriate Scheme boundaries and policies
  • create an honest culture, where people can challenge inappropriate attitudes or behaviours
  • make people aware of our safeguarding policy and procedure

What to do if a person tells you they are being abused. You must:

  1. Check that they are safe from immediate harm, if they are not safe call 999 and ask for the police and/or ambulance
  2. Listen. Allow them to speak without interruption, and accept what they say 
  3. Be understanding and do not give your opinion 
  4. Tell them you must pass the information on to your Safeguarding Lead
  5. Tell your Scheme’s Safeguarding Lead immediately 
  6. Write careful notes of what was said using the actual words
  7.  Include; who was at risk and who was involved,  were there children in the family? What had happened? When did the event(s) happen? Where did it happen? Why are you concerned? The time and date 
  8. Sign and pass your notes to your Safeguarding Lead

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child or adult or there is a concern, complaint or allegation about an adult or yourself, inside or outside GNS, you must:

  1. Tell your Safeguarding Lead immediately 
  2. Write careful notes of what you witnessed, heard or were told.  Include; Who was at risk and who was involved, Were there children in the family? What had happened? When did the event(s) happen? Where did it happen? Why are you concerned?  Include the time and date and full names of those involved 
  3. Sign and pass your notes securely to your Safeguarding Lead asap (with 24 hours)

It is your duty to report ALL safeguarding concerns as a matter of urgency following the correct process.

If a person is at immediate risk of significant harm call 999 and request Police and/or ambulance.

Holbrook Helpers Safeguarding Leads' contact details

Safeguarding Lead:

Name: Reverend Jenny Seggar

Phone: 07733 195866

Email: rector2rivers@outlook.com

Reserve Safeguarding Lead;

Name; Clare Fisk

Phone; 07856 721383

Email: clare.fisk@suffolk.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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