Safeguarding Policy.
1. Policy Statement
The Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all individuals who engage with our services, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We believe that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and aim to create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment. This policy outlines our approach to safeguarding, the procedures we have in place, and the responsibilities of all staff and volunteers.
2. Scope
This safeguarding policy applies to all employees, volunteers, partners, contractors, and anyone involved in delivering services on behalf of Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company. It is applicable across all our activities, including workshops, events, online services, and outreach work.
3. Aims and Objectives
The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to:
• Protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from abuse, harm, and exploitation.
• Provide clear guidance on recognizing and responding to safeguarding concerns.
• Foster a culture of openness and accountability, where safeguarding is prioritized in all aspects of our work.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers are trained, aware, and equipped to deal with safeguarding issues.
4. Definitions
4.1. Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, ensuring they are safe from harm, neglect, abuse, or exploitation.
4.2. Children and Young People
For the purpose of this policy, a child or young person refers to anyone under the age of 18.
4.3. Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is defined as someone aged 18 or over who may be at greater risk of abuse due to factors such as mental or physical disabilities, age, or illness, and may require support to protect themselves from harm.
4.4. Types of Abuse
Abuse can take various forms, including:
• Physical abuse: Inflicting physical harm or injury.
• Emotional abuse: Causing emotional distress, fear, or anxiety through threats, bullying, or coercion.
• Sexual abuse: Engaging someone in sexual activities without their consent.
• Neglect: Failing to meet someone’s basic needs.
• Financial abuse: Exploiting or stealing someone’s money or possessions.
5. Legal Framework
Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company's safeguarding practices are underpinned by key legislation, including:
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• The Care Act 2014
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018
6. Roles and Responsibilities
6.1. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
The DSL is responsible for leading on safeguarding matters, ensuring compliance with safeguarding policies and procedures, and acting as the main point of contact for concerns.
Their responsibilities include:
• Overseeing the management of safeguarding incidents and reports.
• Ensuring policies and procedures are up to date and align with legal requirements.
• Organising and delivering safeguarding training to staff and volunteers.
• Liaising with external safeguarding bodies, such as social services or law enforcement.
6.2. Staff and Volunteers
All staff and volunteers at Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company are responsible for:
• Familiarizing themselves with the safeguarding policy and adhering to it.
• Reporting safeguarding concerns to the DSL immediately.
• Participating in safeguarding training to remain vigilant and informed.
• Protecting the confidentiality of safeguarding cases and handling information appropriately.
7. Recruitment and Training
7.1. Safer Recruitment
To ensure the safety of those we work with, Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company adheres to a robust recruitment process, which includes:
• Verifying the identity of candidates.
• Conducting Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks on all staff and volunteers who work with vulnerable groups.
• Seeking references and assessing the candidate’s suitability for their role.
7.2. Training
All employees and volunteers must complete mandatory safeguarding training upon joining the organisation. Refresher training will be provided regularly to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest safeguarding protocols and legislative changes.
8. Recognising and Reporting Abuse
8.1. Signs of Abuse
Staff and volunteers should remain alert to the signs of abuse, which may include:
• Unexplained injuries or frequent hospital visits.
• Sudden changes in behavior, mood, or personality.
• Signs of neglect, such as poor hygiene or inappropriate clothing.
• Reluctance to be around certain people or locations.
• Financial distress without explanation.
8.2. Reporting Procedures
Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DSL immediately. The following steps will be followed:
1. Immediate Action: Ensure the individual at risk is safe from immediate harm.
2. Report the Incident: Staff or volunteers must document the concern using the designated safeguarding reporting form and submit it to the DSL.
3. Confidentiality: The concern must be handled sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.
4. External Referral: Where necessary, the DSL will refer the concern to external authorities, such as social services or the police, within 24 hours.
9. Responding to Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers
If a safeguarding allegation is made against a member of staff or a volunteer:
• The DSL must be informed immediately.
• The individual concerned may be suspended while an investigation is conducted.
• The Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company will carry out an internal investigation, following disciplinary procedures and involving external agencies if necessary.
• The safety of the individual at risk will always be the primary consideration.
10. Confidentiality and Record Keeping
All safeguarding records will be:
• Stored securely and accessible only to authorised personnel.
• Retained for as long as necessary, in accordance with data protection regulations.
• Treated as confidential and not disclosed to anyone unless necessary for safeguarding purposes.
11. Whistleblowing
Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company encourages all staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to report concerns regarding unsafe practices or failures to follow safeguarding procedures. Whistleblowing will be taken seriously, and individuals raising concerns will be protected from retaliation.
12. Monitoring and Review
This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or when significant changes to safeguarding legislation occur. Regular feedback from staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries will be considered to improve safeguarding practices.
13. Contact Information
For any safeguarding concerns, please contact:
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Nikki Sophia
0786179999
Alice Küchemann
07879562181
14. Approval
This safeguarding policy has been reviewed and approved by the senior management of Weatherstones Wood Community Interest Company.
