If you need any advice or wish to report any safeguarding concerns ring the Worcestershire County Council Family Front Door on 01905 822 666, SocialCare@worcestershire.gov.uk from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm or visit their website.

For assistance out of office hours (5:00pm to 8:00 am weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays) please contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 01905 768020.

If you have reason to believe that a child or young person is at immediate risk from harm, contact the Police on 999.

Introduction

This policy has been developed in accordance with the principles of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children’s Board and West Midlands Safeguarding Children’s Procedures.

This Policy will apply to all Maggs services. Overall responsibility for this policy lies with the Chair of Trustees. The Chief Executive will be responsible for the implementation of this policy and will receive specific training in relation to safeguarding children and young people. All staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and be able to recognise potential abuse issues and how to respond to any concerns. If staff fail to take steps to prevent significant harm occurring to children and young people, then the disciplinary procedure will apply.

SAFEGUARDING POLICY STATEMENT

All children have the right to be protected from significant harm. All children and their families have the right to dignity and privacy (The Care Certificate no date). Children also have the right not to be separated from their parents unless there is a risk of harm. If the child has been the subject of abuse or neglect, they have the right to specialist support to redevelop feelings of self-respect.

Maggs is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children and young people by taking all reasonable steps to protect them from abuse or neglect. This applies to all the children and young people, with whom we work, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, nationality, or country of origin. Workers, including volunteers and trustees, will always, show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of the children and young people. We will ensure that staff and volunteers know how to recognise and respond to concerns that a child or young person may be abused or neglected. The Chief Executive will act as Champion for Safeguarding. They will report to the committee on any safeguarding and/or child protection issues and/or any allegation which have arisen.

Safeguarding Leads

The Safeguarding Leads for Maggs are

• Lauren Ebeling – Staff

• Jane Kemp – Chair of Trustee

In the first instance Lauren Ebeling will be contacted in the event of a disclosure, as soon as possible. Lauren Ebeling will be on hand to provide advice and support to staff. Should Lauren Ebeling not be available, or Lauren Ebeling requires advice or is suspected of being an abuser then Jane Kemp will be contacted.

Lauren Ebeling may be contacted outside of working hours in relation to safeguarding issues in an emergency.

Safeguarding children and Young People

Maggs will work to create a safe environment where children and young people (aged 16-17) are fully respected and protected from abuse or potential harm. During the delivery of services, it is likely that staff may be the first to identify any presenting issues relating to child protection. Acknowledging this is fundamental to early identification and this
procedure must be always followed.

Any worker/ volunteer having any concerns with the welfare of a child must report these concerns in the first instance to the appropriate line Manager.

The Chief Executive/ Operation Managers will ensure that the appropriate measures are initiated.

By a child and young person, Maggs means anyone up to the age of 18, or 25 if the young person has a learning disability. The fact that a child has become 16 and living independently does not change their status or entitlement to protection. All staff and volunteers who are in contact with children will have access to child protection training. Attendance is mandatory for all staff.

All post appointments and retentions will depend on successful clearance of an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) police check. Until the DBS is obtained Maggs will request to see the most recent DBS and will conduct an individual risk assessment on you. If you are permitted to work until your DBS has come through, you will not be permitted to work unsupervised and Maggs reserves the right to terminate your employment on receipt of your DBS check.

Maggs as part of its obligations will not permit anyone under the age of 18 into Worcester day centre, unless in emergency situations. If access is granted into Maggs, then any person under the age of 18 will be referred to Children’s Social Care Services, at the Access Centre. All children will be taken into an office and the Children’s Social Care Services will be contacted. Staff must always remain with the child. The child will not be permitted to access the main centre.

Any person we work with bringing their children into the centre will be asked to leave and reminded that Maggs Day Centre is not an appropriate setting for a child. Exceptions will be made for any person presenting themselves as experiencing homelessness with their children; again, they will only be permitted to access an office.

Any person aged from 16 until their 18th birthday will be taken into an office and not permitted to enter the main centre. Staff will respond to any emergency needs and referred to Children’s Social Services and the Access Centre.

In Maggs’ Clothing Project and Malvern Day Centre no person under the age of 16 will be able to access the service.

However, if any concerns are raised, the person we work with will be reported to the police and Children’s Social Care Service immediately, without informing the person we work with.

A log of all records and outcomes must be always kept showing the appropriate action has been taken in reporting to the appropriate authorities (including the Service Commissioner and Contact Manager).

Definitions of child abuse

What is abuse and neglect?

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. They could be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger for example, via the internet. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children.

For a list and definition of the main types of abuse please refer to the NSPCC website.

Actions to be taken if you suspect a child has been abused or neglected.

All information received must be recorded.

If staff suspect that a child may be, have been or is being abused/ neglected they must report their concerns immediately.

In the first instance, it should be reported to the line Manager or Chief Executive who will proceed through the appropriate channels and report it to the Children’s Social Care Duty Officer. If, however, there is immediate risk of harm, the police must be contacted immediately. When reporting to the duty officer state your name, the name of the child, what are your concerns and any further information. You are required to carry out any instructions that The Duty Officer gives you.

Your concerns might be regarding the child who displays one or more of the symptoms below:

• The child is hurt or injured (obvious unexplained marks or bruising)

• There is evidence of sexual abuse or exploitation

• There is evidence that the child is being trafficked

• There is evidence of misuse of prescribed or illegal substances, including alcohol

• There is evidence of diagnosed or undiagnosed emotional or mental ill-health

• The child does not appear to be growing properly or appears constantly hungry

• The child is not being looked after properly e.g. constantly hungry or noticeably unkempt appearance

• The child appears constantly in distress and constantly upset or nervous

• The child appear to be punished and constantly afraid of possible reprisals

• The child may be displaying symptoms associated with sexual abuse (this could be soreness, itchiness or pain around the genital regions)

• Behaving in an age inappropriate manner

Always act immediately to ensure the safety of the child and other children, the first point of contact is the Children’s Social Care Services: 01905 822 666.

Anything that is told to you by the child or potential perpetrator must be recorded verbatim. Any actions should be logged to ensure that the appropriate action has been taken. However, there are certain guidelines to be taken when gaining information:

• Do not try to put it into adult language

• Do not question the child further

• Do not undress the child to look for signs of abuse

• Do not make promises to the child, e.g., that you will not tell anyone else

• Do not try to conduct your own investigation this will hinder Children’s Social Care Services protocols and is not part of your role

This is the correct procedure for everyone to follow. Please speak to the named person directly.

Messages should not be left or passed on to a third party

If the person listed is not contactable, please contact the next person on the list below

• Your line Manager

• The Chief Executive

• Children’s Social Care Duty Officer 01905 822 666

• Police

If you do need to contact Children’s Social Care Services:

Telephone: 01905 822 666

Out of hours: 01905 768020 (after 8pm and weekends)

Ask to speak to a duty officer and advise them that there is a suspected case of child abuse/harm.

Record the name of the person you speak to.

The duty officer will ask you:

• Who you are?

• Who the child is?

• Why you are worried/ what are your concerns?

• Further background information about the child and their family

• If the Duty Officer thinks that they need to investigate, they will ask you for more details.

• If you think that the child needs medical attention inform the Duty Officer

• If they feel frightened inform the Duty Officer.

• If you think that the child may need urgent medical attention, immediately make arrangements, then notify Children’s Social Care Services that you are taking the child to a named doctor or hospital.

• If the parents arrive to take the child home, you must allow them to do so and inform the Duty Officer.

• The Duty Officer may ask you to carry out certain instructions. Listen very carefully, if possible, make concise notes.

• After speaking to you, the Duty officer may speak to the line Manager or Chief Executive, and they will decide what course of action to take.

• If Children’s Social Care Services decide to investigate, they will contact the Police; from this point on the police and Children’s Social Care Services will work together. If Children’s Social Care Services do not investigate, please contact them again if you still have concerns.

If a member of Staff/volunteer is suspected of abusing a child

If an allegation of abuse is made against anyone acting on behalf of Maggs Day Centre, it is important to remember that the purpose of any investigation is to protect the child from harm/ abuse. If an allegation is made against any staff, volunteer or trustee then they must be suspended immediately pending investigation. The allegation must be reported to the Duty Officer.

Although this is distressing for everyone, an investigation must be carried out in the interests of the child and therefore staff/volunteers must be helpful and always co-operate.

Maggs acknowledges that false allegations can occasionally be made, however all claims must be reported to the access centre to be investigated.

If a member of staff or volunteer suspects another staff member/ volunteer is abusing a child, they must report their concerns immediately to the Chief Executive or in the event of their absence a line Manager. If it relates to a Chief Executive contact the Chair of Trustees and follow the directions on how to report above.

As a matter of precaution, it will be necessary to suspend the member of staff immediately, subject to an investigation. The relevant agencies will be informed e.g., Children’s Social Care Services or the Local Authorities designated officer.

It is important that you do not question the child in the presence of the staff member/ volunteer who is under suspicion. Questioning is not part of your role.

Where possible always record word for word everything the child says. Do not question the staff member/ volunteer as this may hamper any investigation.

At all times, remember:

• Confidentiality

• Conversations held between the child and adults must never be kept a secret

• Never promise a child that you will not tell anyone. Simply explain in order to help you have to tell someone else.

• Listen to what the child says and believe them

• Always remain calm never react with shock or disbelief

• Keep up to date records on the safeguarding children and young people incident form, of your concerns using dates, start and finish times of all conversations.

All copies of reports and records must remain confidential and will be stored confidentially.

Further precautions

Recruitment

Maggs will ensure that sound recruitment practices are in place to ensure that anyone considered to be a risk to vulnerable adults does not enter the service as per recruitment and selection Policy.

Review

This policy will be reviewed at least every 3 years or when there are any significant changes in legislation or procedural guidelines.

Policy date: August 23     Review date: August 26

Signed: Mel Kirk     Date: August 23