Safeguarding Children and Young Persons Policy
Purpose and aim
TTA safeguarding policy aims to provide clear direction to staff and others about expected codes of behaviour in dealing with Safeguarding issues. The policy also aims to make explicit the commitment to the development of good practice and sound procedures. The purpose of the policy is, therefore, to ensure that Safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in ways that support the needs of the child’s and young person’s well being.
Introduction
TTA fully recognises the contribution it can make to safeguard and support the children and young people in its care (employment and learning). There are three main elements to the TTA safeguarding policy:
Prevention (positive atmosphere, careful and vigilant working, support to children and young people, providing good adult role models)
Protection (following agreed procedures, ensuring staff are trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to Safeguarding concerns)
Support (to children and young people and staff and to children who may have been abused)
This policy applies to all employees and sub contractors of TTA
Framework
No organisation operates in isolation.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of all adults especially those working with children and young persons. The development of appropriate procedures and the monitoring of good practice are the responsibilities of North Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board.
TTA are committed to respond in accordance with North Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board (Business Support Service Department Silverlink Cobalt Business Park) in all cases where there is a concern about significant harm’
Significant Harm
It is a Local Authority’s duty to investigate (under S47 of the Children Act 1989). Where a Local Authority is informed that a child who is living, or is found in their area is either subject to an Emergency Protection Order, Police protection or they have reasonable cause to suspect suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm they must make such enquiries as necessary to promote or safeguard the child’s welfare. Children’s Services Social Care undertakes this responsibility on behalf of the Authority once a referral has been made.
Harm means ill treatment or the impairment of health or development; development means physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behaviour development.
Health means physical or mental health.
Ill-treatment includes sexual abuse and forms of ill-treatment which are not physical.
Note: Harm now includes the impairment of a child’s health or development as a result of witnessing the ill treatment of another person
(Adoption and Children Act 2002)
Parents, guardians/carers should be aware that TTA will take any reasonable action to safeguard the welfare of its children and young people. In cases where TTA has reason to be concerned that a child/young person may be subject to significant harm, ill-treatment, neglect or other forms of abuse, staff have no alternative but to follow the North Tyneside Safeguarding Children Board Procedures and inform the Children’s Services Social Care or the Police Public Protection Unit of their concern.
Roles and Responsibilities
All adults working with or on behalf of children and young persons have a responsibility to protect those children and young persons. Within TTA the following individuals have these responsibilities: -
Mr D. Hewitt………………….. (Designated Person)
Miss S. Lacey…………………… (Nominated Deputy)
Their role is to co-ordinate all matters relating to safeguarding issues and these will include:
Dealing with reports of abuse against children/young persons
Dealing with complaints against staff
Making referrals, if appropriate, to Children’s Services Social Care Initial Response Team (IRT) or for allegations to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Keeping TTA senior managers fully informed of all Safeguarding issues that may arise
Ensuring all staff receive training in Safeguarding every 3 years
Ensuring that the Designated Person and the Nominated Deputy receive training in Safeguarding every 2 years
Ensuring that all new staff/sub contractors are properly inducted in safeguarding issues within the first month
Details of the Designated Person and the Nominated Deputy will be displayed on TTA notice boards and electronically on the TTA shared drive.
Procedures
The designated person will be informed immediately by an employee, or other persons which includes the parents, child/young person or a member of the public, in the following circumstances
Suspicion that a child is being harmed
There is evidence that a child is being harmed
The Designated Person will keep a full record of concerns raised and make referrals to Children’s Services Social Care/Police if necessary. TTA senior managers will be kept informed at all times.
For referrals please see referral flow chart:
Referrals
Channels of communication should be quick and clear:
Suspected Child at Risk
Action to take
**Any member of staff who is unhappy with the joint decision made with the Designated Person can contact Children’s Services Social Care direct.
If unhappy about the outcome of the referral to Children’s Services Social Care/Police, consider the Professional Resolution Procedure in North Tyneside council guidance.
Safe Working and Learning / Safe Staff
Whistle Blowing
TTA have a Whistle Blowing Policy which provides guidance to staff and sub contractors on how they can raise concerns and receive appropriate feedback on action taken.
Complaints against employees
A Safeguarding complaint involving a member of staff must be reported to the Senior Manager immediately. If the complaint involves the Senior Managers/Designated Person then the next most senior member of staff must be informed. Consultation without delay with the LADO will determine what action follows. A multi agency strategy meeting will be arranged to look at the complaint in its widest context; a senior member of TTA will attend this meeting.
Training and Support
TTA ensures that the Senior Manager, Designated Person and Nominated Deputy receive training relevant to their role. TTA will also ensure that all its employees are kept informed about Safeguarding issues through a programme of staff information.
Professional Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an issue which needs to be understood by all those working with children/young persons, particularly in the context of Safeguarding. TTA recognises that the only purpose of confidentiality in this respect is to benefit the child/young person.
Records and Monitoring
Well-kept records are essential to good Safeguarding practice. TTA is clear about the need to record any concerns held about a child or young person within its care. TTA have regard to its Destruction of Records criteria.
Attendance at Safeguarding Conferences
In the event of TTA being invited to attend Initial Child Protection Conferences or Review Conferences or Core Groups, the Designated Person will represent the organisation and provide information relevant to the meeting.
Supporting Children/Young Persons
TTA recognises that children/young persons who are abused or who witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self-worth and to view the world in a positive way. TTA may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of some of the children/young persons under its care (in its employment and learning). TTA, therefore, recognises that such children/young person’s might exhibit challenging and defiant behaviour TTA will take careful note of the context of such behaviour.
TTA also recognises that some children who have experienced abuse may in turn abuse others. This requires a considered and sensitive approach in order that the child can receive the appropriate help and support.
TTA will endeavour to support all its children and young people through:
The organisations ethos, which promotes a positive and safe, healthy supportive and secure environment and which gives all children and young people and adults a sense of being respected and valued.
A coherent management of behaviour.
Liaison with other professionals and agencies who support children and parents.
A commitment to develop productive, supportive relationships with parents whenever it is in the child’s young person’s interest to do so.
The development and support of a responsive and knowledgeable staff and volunteer group whose role it is to respond appropriately in Safeguarding situations.
This policy is read in conjunction with other related policies in the organisation. These include, for example:
Safer Recruitment and Selection Policy.
TTA will operate safe recruitment practice throughout the whole process.
TTA will ensure that all staff and sub contractors are aware of the need for maintaining appropriate and professional boundaries in their relationships with children and young people and parents as advised by the North Tyneside Council’s Guidance for Safer Working Practice for all employees.
TTA will ensure that staff and sub contractors are aware that sexual relationships with children and young people aged under 18 are unlawful and could result in legal proceedings taken against them under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Abuse of position of trust).
Behaviour Management Policy – consistently adhered to
Anti-Bullying Policy.
Health and Safety Policy.
Medication Policy.
Photographic and Digital Imagery Policy.
The TTA Safeguarding Policy has been informed by the following:
Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
Framework for the Assessment of Children and Families
Working Together to Safeguard Children (DCSF) 2010
Data Protection Act 1998
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Freedom of Information Act 2000
This Policy will be reviewed every annually or where any changes in legislation and/or guidance occur.
Signed:
I.R. Wood
Managing Director
Got a Question or Comment?
Apply Now
Apply Now
Join our Mailing List
