Safeguarding Policy

How should the policy be used?

This policy must be followed by all staff and volunteers, including senior managers and trustees. It also applies to anyone working on behalf of our organisation.

No one should ignore allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect.

Why do we have a policy?

We have a policy to:

  • Protect adults, children and young people who access our services. 
  • Details what we will do to keep adults, children and young people safe and how we will deal with any concerns we have regarding someones safety
  • Provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to children’s safeguarding and child protection

We aim to keep children and young people safe and prevent them from harm. We are committed to:

  • Ensuring all staff and volunteers have an understanding and awareness of children’s safeguarding
  • Ensuring all staff and volunteers know how to raise safeguarding concerns and feel confident doing so

Our legal duty

It is a requirement of Karate in the Community CIC that we act within the relevant laws and regulations to safeguard people who come into contact with our service from harm and abuse.

Protecting people and safeguarding responsibilities are a governance priority for our organisation. It is a fundamental part of how we operate as a CIC for the public benefit. Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone at our organisation.

The Children Act 2004 places a statutory duty on agencies to co-operate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

We follow the NSPCC Safeguarding and Child Protection Standards.

The NSPCC's safeguarding principles are based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, relevant legislation, and the NSPCC's values. The principles are: 

Protection
All children have the right to be protected from harm and abuse. 

Prevention
Work to stop abuse before it happens by raising awareness, training staff, and making information accessible. 

Empowerment
Support people so they can make their own decisions and give informed consent. 

Proportionality
Take each person into account when dealing with abuse, and respond in a proportionate and least intrusive way. 

Partnership
Work with local communities and other organisations to prevent and detect abuse. 

Accountability
Make sure everyone plays their part in safeguarding children by being transparent and accountable. 

We will take these duties into account in our work with children who come into contact with our service and support local authorities to fulfil their statutory duties where possible.

What do we mean by safeguarding?

‘Safeguarding’ typically relates to children (defined as individuals under 18) and adults at risk (also known as vulnerable adults), for which specific legislation and regulatory requirements apply. 

The NSPCC and World Health Organisation identify several situations of increased risk of harm:

  • If a child has a disability or issues around physical or mental health
  • Being raised by a single parent or by very young parents without the support of an extended family
  • Household overcrowding
  • A lack of income to meet the family’s needs
  • The presence of other violent relationships in the home

Confidentiality and safeguarding

Where a member of staff or volunteer has a suspicion that someone is being abused or has information disclosed to them alleging abuse, they should follow the steps in the safeguarding procedure.

Screening of staff and volunteers

We ensure that all staff and volunteers who work in roles which are legally entitled to get a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check are screened. We will also ask for appropriate references as part of our screening process and reserve the right to await the results of DBS checks and references before allowing a person to start in that role. If a role is not entitled to a standard or enhanced check, our chief officer may choose to ask some staff or volunteers to undergo a basic check.

If a DBS check reveals an unspent conviction for a sexual offence against a child or vulnerable adult, the individual is not suitable for that role and will not be taken on. Any other convictions will be considered on an individual basis.

Appropriate safeguarding training is available to all staff and volunteers. This may be in the form of:

  • Policy awareness sessions 
  • Briefing sessions by a local authority or other relevant authority
  • Attendance at training arranged through partner agencies

If a staff member or volunteer is removed from their role

If a staff member or volunteer is moved or dismissed from their role because of safeguarding concerns arising from their actions or inactions, we have a responsibility as a regulated activity provider to inform the Disclosure and Barring Service. We will follow the guidance set out by the Disclosure and Barring Service in these situations.

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