Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Children & Adults 
Policy and Guidance

1. Policy aims and purpose 

This policy applies to all staff,  volunteers, agency staff, consultants, work experience individuals or anyone representing LearnGrowLove.
The purpose of this policy:
  • To raise awareness on how to protect children, young people and adults[a] who receive and use services from LearnGrowLove;
  • To provide volunteers and paid consultants with overarching principles that guides our approach to safeguarding and child protection.
LearnGrowLove believes that a child, young person and adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare and well-being of all children, young people and adults to keep them safe from abuse and neglect.
[a] www.wolverhamptonsafeguarding.org.uk/safeguarding-adults/i-work-with-adults-with-care-and-support-needs

2. Statement

LearnGrowLove acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and local safeguarding requirements.

The policy recognises that the welfare, wellbeing and safety are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio- economic background, all children, young people and adults:
  • have a positive and enjoyable experience with LearnGrowLove in a safe centred environment; and
  • are protected from abuse whilst participating in any activity provided by LearnGrowLove.
LearnGrowLove acknowledges that some children and adults, including those who are disabled can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare. As part of our safeguarding policyLearnGrowLove will:
  • promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults;
  • ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning/training opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children, young people and adults;
  • ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern;
  • ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored;
  • ensure all members of staff and volunteers who work directly with children and adults will be required to be checked via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), plus provide two references;
  • ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
The policy will be widely promoted and is mandatory for everyone involved inLearnGrowLove to be aware of. Failure to comply with the policy and local procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in exclusion from the organisation.

3.Procedure if abuse is disclosed or suspected

LearnGrowLove  will use the procedures of  Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together . LearnGrowLove  staff and volunteers will:
  • raise their concerns with the safeguarding lead in the first instance, where possible;
  • if the safeguarding lead is not available staff and volunteers will seek advice from the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for children and adults - making any referral in writing as required[b]

LearnGrowLove  Safeguarding Lead will:
  • keep a record of all staff and volunteers checks and a record of any safeguarding training attended;
  • risk assess any safeguarding concerns by staff and volunteers and seek advice from MASH where necessary;
  • make a record of everything observed, said and done to protect the child or adult at risk;
  • make any referrals as advised to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for children and adults using the required paperwork as before.
LearnGrowLove  maintains an attitude of “it could happen here” where safeguarding is concerned. We will adopt a ‘child-centred’ approach to safeguarding and child protection and we will act in the ‘best interests’ of a child or adult at risk. 
We ensure that everyone is aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.  

4. Confidentiality and Information sharing

LearnGrowLove  adopts the principles outlined in the DfE Information Sharing Guidance (July 2018). We recognise that all matters relating to child protection are confidential. All at LearnGrowLove must be aware that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other statutory agencies in order to safeguard children.

All staff must be aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets which might compromise the child’s safety or wellbeing. If a child wishes to confide in a member of staff/volunteer and requests that the information is kept secret, the member of staff/volunteer will tell the child, in an appropriate manner to the individual needs of the child, that they cannot promise confidentiality and may need to pass the information on to help keep the child or other children safe. 

All information and data is stored securely and any information or data is shared on a need to know basis.

5. Allegations against a staff member or volunteer

If an allegation is made against any person undertaking a role on behalf of LearnGrowLove,  the following procedure will come into force.
  • The person receiving the complaint will contact one of the Carol Davies;
  • The person involved in the allegation should be informed as soon as possible unless there is good cause not to do so e.g. it may prejudice a criminal investigation;
  • Discussion with the Local Area Designated Officer and Police (if appropriate) [c];
The course of action at this point will depend on the nature and seriousness of the allegation. 

6. Guidance for all staff and volunteers

LearnGrowLove is committed to fulfilling its statutory responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare in accordance with the following legislation and guidance

7. Related Policies

Our policy relates to safeguarding and sits within a suite of other safeguarding policies. Our policy applies to all staff and volunteers and is in line with our Wolverhampton Safeguarding Together  procedures.
Other policies that may be referred to within this policy include:
  • Code of Conduct
  • Safer Recruitment
  • Management of Allegations
  • Whistleblowing
  • Privacy policy 

8. Monitoring 

The policy will be reviewed every year, or in the following circumstances: 
  • changes in legislation and/or government guidance; 
  • as required by the Local Safeguarding Children and Adults Boards; 
  • as a result of any other significant change 
Policy Review Date : 26.09.2023

9. Contact Details

Safeguarding Officer for LearnGrowLove
Carol Davies
asklgl@yahoo.com
07850182822

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