Introduction

QE2 Activity Centre is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its users and is committed to a policy of non-discrimination on the grounds of age, race, gender, religion or ability.

Centre staff and volunteers should show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others and conduct themselves appropriately. Discriminatory behaviour and remarks are unacceptable.

Activities offer people opportunities to develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. All visitors will be respected and their individuality and potential recognised, valued and nurtured.

Code of practice

  • Read and adhere to the Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy
  • Personal relationships between members of staff and current or recent students or service users is prohibited. This includes relationships through social networking sites.
  • Personal information given (eg on consent forms) will not be passed on to others without permission.  Staff will not discuss individual children or adults, other than for reasons of session planning and group management.
  • Avoid situations where you are alone with one child or vulnerable adult
  • If any form of physical support is required ask the student’s permission, explain what you are doing and why to the child or vulnerable adult and their carer.  If it is necessary to do things of a personal nature make sure you have another adult accompanying you.  Get the consent of the child or vulnerable adult and their carer
  • Don’t allow inappropriate games, talking or touching
  • Ensure that claims of abuse by a child or vulnerable adult are taken seriously and dealt with appropriately
  • Ensure that the nature and intensity of activities is appropriate for the child or vulnerable adult

Designated Responsibilities

Whilst every member of staff and volunteer has an individual responsibility to safeguard children and adults at risk, the organisation has designated the following individuals with specific responsibilities;

Designated Safeguarding Officer:  Marie Poore

Procedure in the event of suspicion of abuse

In the event of suspicion of abuse by others or a complaint against a staff member or volunteer with relation to safeguarding and adult and child protection staff (paid or unpaid) should:

Procedure for Day Services

Communicate your concerns to your immediate manager

Procedure for concerns with Visiting Groups

Communicate your concern to your immediate manager and senior visiting staff member

Notify Designated Safeguarding Officer

Create specific, confidential record
Name
Address,  
Age of child or adult
Timed and dated observations describing objectively the situation as known
Where possible exact words spoken by the child or adult, without comment or interpretation
Dated, name and signature of recorder

Seek medical attention for the vulnerable person if needed  

Remove threat

Discuss with vulnerable person or with parents or guardians of child or adult
Obtain permission to make referral if safe and appropriate.

Inform        
parents/carers
Social Services
Care provider
as appropriate

Complete the Local Authority Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Incident Report Form if required and submit to the local authority within 24 hours of making a contact

Ensure that feedback from the Local Authority is received and their response recorded

Notify senior person at visiting school/centre

Ensure that feedback is received and their response recorded

Types of abuse

It is generally acknowledged that there are five main types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect and financial.

Physical abuse

includes hitting, shaking, squeezing, burning, biting.  During activities this might result if the activity is inappropriate for the capacity of the child or vulnerable adult.

Sexual abuse

where young people or vulnerable adults are used by others to meet their own sexual needs.  It could range from sexually suggestive comments to full intercourse.

Emotional abuse

occurs when a child or vulnerable adult is not given love, help and encouragement and is constantly derided or ridiculed (eg racial or sexual remarks)

Neglect

failing to meet a child’s or vulnerable adult’s basic needs such as food, warmth, adequate clothing, medical attention or constantly leaving them alone.  It could also mean failing to ensure they are safe or exposing them to harm or injury.

Financial

Financial abuse can range from failure to access benefits, through inadvertent mismanagement and opportunistic exploitation to deliberate and targeted abuse. 

Monitoring and Responsibilities

QE2 Activity Centre is responsible for monitoring the following safeguarding aspects:

  • Safe recruitment practices (please see safer recruiting policy)
  • DBS checks undertaken and copy kept on site
  • Those working on a temporary or volunteer basis will not be lone working unless DBS check has been received
  • References applied for new staff
  • Records made and kept of supervision sessions
  • Training – register/ record of staff training on child/ vulnerable adult protection
  • Monitoring whether concerns are being reported and actioned
  • Checking that policies are up to date and relevant
  • Reviewing the current reporting procedure in place

Contacts

  • Hampshire Safeguarding Board Manager: 01962 876231
  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): 01962 876364
  • Hampshire Adult Services: 0300 555 1386
  • Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre: 0800 555 11, www.ceop.police.uk
  • NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

Legislative Context

The following legislation collectively influences our safeguarding policy;

The Children Act 1989 (and its amendments)

The Children Act 2004

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2010

Data Protection Act 1998

Care 2014

Principle National Guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children, Department of Education 2013 provides the principle guidance.

Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Local Accountability

QE2 Centre works within the guidelines and procedural requirements of the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Local Area Safeguarding Children Boards (known as 4LSCB) and the Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board.

Global Perspective

QE2 Centre supports the practical application of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in all relevant aspects of our work.