Policy

Safeguarding policy

CBK PROJECTS SAFEGUARDING POLICY 

The purpose and scope of this policy statement


OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING

We believe that all children and adults who use our services have a right to be safe and should be protected from all forms of abuse and neglect. Although reporting concerns can be uncomfortable, at CBK Projects, we recognise that it is better to help children, young people and their families early, before issues escalate and become more damaging. Because safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, we are committed to recognising and reporting all concerns relating to child safety, wellbeing and in particular are vigilant to spot signs of abuse and maltreatment. 

As such, we promise to: 

  • Be observant and alert to signs of abuse

  • Be curious and question explanations given by parents / children / staff

  • Be compassionate, honest and clear

  • To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of CBK Projects, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection

WE BELIEVE THAT: 

  • children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

  • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

WE RECOGNISE THAT:

  • the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take 

  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse 

  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

  • extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse

WE WILL SEEK TO KEEP CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE SAFE BY:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them 

  • adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers 

  • developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently

  • recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made 

  • recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/fororganisations]

  • sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via email, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions 

  • making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern 

  • using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately 

  • using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately 

  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

  • ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place 

  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance • building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable