Safeguarding Policy

Our Commitment

We recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people and adults. We acknowledge that children, young people and adults can be the victims of physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse, and neglect.

We have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance. We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.

Our full safeguarding policy is available upon request.

Prevention

Defining child abuse or abuse against an adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm or failing to prevent harm. Children and adults in need of protection may be abused within a family, an institution or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child or adult.

Safeguarding training

We are committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all workers, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. All our workers will receive induction training and undertake recognised safeguarding training on a regular basis.

The Leadership will also ensure that children and adults with care and support needs are provided with information on where to get help and advice in relation to abuse, discrimination, bullying or any other matter where they have a concern.

Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct

We are committed to supporting all workers and ensuring they receive support and supervision. All workers have been issued with a code of conduct towards children, young people and adults with care and support needs.

Under no circumstances should a volunteer or worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Follow procedures as below:

  1. Document a concern

  2. Report to Safe Guarding Coordinator (to contact our safeguarding coordinator please you the form to your left. This goes directly to our coordinator and only to our coordinator)

Responding to
allegations of abuse

If the suspicions implicate both the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Lead Recruiter then the report should be made in the first instance to:

thirtyone:eight

PO Box 133,
Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ. Tel: 0303 003 1111.

*Alternatively contact Social Services or the police.

Who to contact

Local Agencies

For children,

Gloucestershire Social Services - Children & Families
 01452 426565 (9am to 5pm)
childrenshelpdesk@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Out of office: 01452 614194


https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/children-young- people-and-families/contact-children-and-families-services/

For adult social services,

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays).

https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adults-and-older- people/adult-social-care-information-advice-and-support/

For out of office times,

You can contact the Emergency Duty Team

You can contact between 4:45pm and 8:45am Monday to Thursday, or

from 4:45pm Friday afternoon to 8:45am Monday morning (including Bank holidays):

01452 614194 - only for social care emergencies out of hours
edt@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS)

01452 726 570
 support@gdass.org.uk

Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm)

Or, 24-hour National
 Domestic Violence Helpline
 0808 2000 247