CHILD PROTECTION STATEMENT FOR Skills Tuition Centre

CHILD PROTECTION REPRESENTATIVES: Skills Tuition Centre

Any organisation providing services or activities for children and young people under the age of 18 must have a Child Protection Statement. This is a statement of intent that demonstrates a commitment to safeguard children involved in this project from harm.

Skills Tuition Centre has a legal and moral duty to create and maintain the safest possible environment for children and young people to enjoy sports, arts and other recreational, social and leisure pursuits provided by our organisation. We have a Child Protection Statement and reporting procedure in place, as well as a designated Child Protection representative.

OBJECTIVES

1. To ensure that all staff and volunteers working with children and young people are carefully selected, understand and accept responsibility for the safety of children and young people in their care.
2. To raise awareness of protection issues amongst community voluntary groups, clubs and organisations that offer recreational activities.
3. To ensure that the child’s welfare is of paramount importance, regardless of age, gender, ability or race, when planning, organising, advising on and delivering activities.
4. To respond swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse, and to ensure confidential information is restricted to the appropriate external agencies.
5. To monitor and review the effectiveness of this policy on a regular basis.
6. To regularly review the provision, activities / services of Skills Tuition Centre and develop and implement other relevant policies and procedures that ensure the safeguarding of children and young people in our care.

A child protection statement makes it clear to all what is required in relation to the protection of children and young people.

The Child Protection Representative must ensure that all staff have read and understood this policy.

Child Protection Policy for Skills Tuition Centre

This document is the Child Protection Policy for Skills Tuition Centre, which will be followed by all members of the organisation and followed and promoted by those in the position of leadership within the organisation.

1. Aim of Policy

The aim of this policy is to ensure the safety of children and young people by making sure that the actions of any adult in the context of the work carried out by the organisation are transparent and safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people.

2. Responsibilities

All individuals within the organisation have a responsibility to be aware of this policy and to be clear about procedures for reporting any suspicions that they might have concerning child protection.

Individuals within the organisation need to be alert to the potential abuse of children both within their families and also from other sources including abuse by members of that organisation. There is an expected responsibility for all members of the organisation to respond to any suspected or actual abuse of a child in accordance with these procedures. 

If any parent or young person/child has any concerns about the conduct of any member of the organisation, this should be raised in the first instance with the organisations designated child protection representative.

3. Principles upon which the Child Protection Policy is based.

• The welfare of a child or young person will always be paramount.
• The welfare of families will be promoted.
• The rights, wishes and feelings of children, young people and their families will be respected and listened to.
• Those people in positions of responsibility within the organisation will work in accordance with the interests of children and young people and follow the policy outlined below.
• Those people in positions of responsibility within the organisation will ensure that the same opportunities are available to everyone and that all differences between individuals will be treated with respect.

4. What is abuse?

The primary categories of child abuse:

4.1 Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.  Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms, of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after.  This situation is commonly described using terms such as, fabricated illness by proxy or Munchausen Syndrome by proxy. 

4.2 Female genital mutilation (FGM)

Is illegal in the UK. It’s also illegal to take a British national or permanent resident abroad for FGM or to help someone trying to do this.

The maximum sentence for carrying out FGM or helping it to take place is 14 years in prison.

FGM is any procedure that’s designed to alter or injure a girl’s (or woman’s) genital organs for non-medical reasons.

It’s sometimes known as ‘female circumcision’ or ‘female genital cutting’. It’s mostly carried out on young girls. FGM procedures can cause severe bleeding, infections, problems with giving birth later in life- including the death of a baby.

4.3 Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.  It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person.  It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children.  It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.  Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child though it may occur alone.

4.4 Bullying

• Hurting another person, or group, on purpose, more than once
• Bullying can involve using violence, hurtful words or ganging up to make another person feel helpless
• It can happen face-to-face or through the internet

It is advised that all activity groups and organisations who provide services for children have an anti-bullying policy, which is available to all staff, children and their parents

4.5 Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.  The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts.  This may include non-penetrative acts.  They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

4.6 Child Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18yrs involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive ‘something’ (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities.

Child sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/or economic or other resources.

4.7 Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.  It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.  It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

5. Code of Conduct

• Make sure all the following have read and understand the Child Protection Policy and Procedure to report child protection cases appropriately: staff and volunteers working for Skills Tuition Centre.
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers who work with or have responsibility for, children and young people have an ‘Enhanced DBS’ (Disclosure and Barring service) check.
• To exercise a “Duty of Care”. If staff or volunteers have concerns about the possible abuse of a child or young person, or where a disclosure has been made, this must be reported as a Duty of Care
• To ensure staff and volunteers who work with or have responsibility for children and young people are supervised during a designated probationary period with ongoing regular supervision opportunities.
• Staff and volunteers must ensure that the safety of children and young people in their care is maintained at all times.
• Ensure activities with children and young people involve more than one adult being present or at least within sight or hearing of others.
• Be aware of the possible implications of physical contact with young people (dancing/games).
• Seek the permission of parent/ guardian before using photographs/ images of children and young people.
• Remember someone might misinterpret your actions and your comments no matter how well intentioned.
• Treat everyone with respect. Don’t promise confidentiality when it cannot be upheld.
• Encourage young people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes and behaviour they do not like.
• Create an environment where young people are encouraged to talk about themselves, their lives and any concerns they may have – listen to them.
• Recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling, such as when dealing with bullying, bereavement or abuse.
• Provide an example you wish others to follow.
• Respect rights to personal privacy.
• Ensure that there is separate sleeping accommodation for leaders and male and female young people on residentials and ensure all reasonable precautions are taken to protect young people from ‘outsiders’.

DO NOT

• Permit abusive youth peer activities (e.g. initiation ceremonies, ridiculing, bullying and racial taunts).
• Jump to conclusions.
• Allow yourself to be drawn into any inappropriate attention seeking behaviour by young people such as tantrums or crushes. Think about your own behaviour.
• Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.
• Show favouritism to any individual.
• Make suggestive remarks or gestures.
• Rely on your good name to protect you.
• Believe ‘it couldn’t ever happen to me’ (both dealing with abuse or being accused of).
• Take children to your home or on a car journey, however short.
• Add children or young people to any social networking sites that you belong to.
• DO NOT APPROACH A SUSPECTED ABUSER YOURSELF.

6. What to do if children talk to you about, or you suspect, abuse

If you are worried or concerned about anyone under 18, who you think is being abused or neglected. Or that a child and their family need help and support, then please pick up the phone and ring Family Connect.

Family Connect Team       01952 385385                      Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

Emergency Duty Team     01952 676500                      Monday to Sunday After 5pm

Reports can also be made online via www.telfordsafeguardingboard.org.uk by clicking on the icon “Are you concerned for a Child”

If you believe a criminal offence has been committed you can contact West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101

In an emergency always dial 999

1. The person making the report should inform the designated representatives who will keep a record of the incident for information on file to which designated representatives only have access.

1. If an allegation is made to a volunteer or staff member or there is a suspicion of abuse then the volunteer/staff member should inform the child protection representative as soon as possible. Do tell any staff or workers they will be given support and afforded protection.

DO

1. Treat any allegations extremely seriously and act at all times towards the child as if you believe what they are saying.
2. Listen carefully to the child.
3. Tell the child they are right to tell you.
4. Reassure them that they are not to blame.
5. Be honest about your own position, who you have to tell and why.
6. Tell the child what you are doing and when, and keep them up to date with what is happening.
7. Take further action – you may be the only person in a position to prevent further abuse – contact Family Connect and tell your Child Protection Representative immediately.
8. Write down everything factually, that was said and done.

DO NOT

1. Make promises you cannot keep.
2. Directly question the child – it is not your job to carry out an investigation. This will be up to the Police and Social Services, which have experience of this.
3. Cast doubts on what the child has told you, don’t interrupt or change the subject.
4. Say anything that makes the child feel responsible for the abuse.
5. Do nothing – make sure you contact Family Connect for further advice

Remember, you always have a duty to make sure concerns are reported, so that appropriate action can be taken.

It is important for staff and volunteers to avoid making assumptions and discussing concerns indiscriminately. 

Confidentiality, and respect for the child involved, is of the utmost importance.

7. Keeping a record

Information required

In the event of suspected child abuse or disclosure from a child be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available).  Unavailability of some information should not stop you making a referral.

• Name of child.
• Parent’s/ carer’s details.
• The child’s address.
• Relevant phone numbers.
• What is said to have happened, or what was seen.
• When it occurred.
• Who else was present?
• What was said by those involved?
• Whether there was any actual evidence, e.g. bruises, bleeding or changed behaviour.
• Who has been told about it?
• Who was concerned?
• Was the child able to say what happened?

8. Recruitment and Training

Skills Tuition Centre will ensure that all staff and volunteers whose roles include working with children and young people adults are carefully selected, are Enhanced DBS checked (please refer to Appendix A for further details about DBS checks), trained and supervised.

Ensure that all staff and volunteers who work with or have responsibility for, children and young people undertake the ‘Raising Awareness in Safeguarding’ training course provided by the Telford & Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board.

Further training and information thereafter should be advised via the Telford and Wrekin Adult Safeguarding Board

All staff and volunteers will have a supervised probationary period of three months with regular supervision thereafter.

9. Monitoring

Skills Tuition Centre will review the effectiveness of this child protection policy on an annual basis (or more regularly if we identify any non-compliance or problem concerning child protection issues). We will take remedial action if we discover non-compliance under this policy or barriers to its implementation.

10. Local Contacts

Contact the Family Connect Team on 01952 385385

*If you have a concern that requires advice before action is taken out of ‘normal working hours’ then contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01952 676500 or contact West Mercia Police on  0300 3333 000

This policy was adopted by Skills Tuition Centre

Vulnerable Adults Protection Statement for Skills Tuition Centre.

Vulnerable adult protection representatives: Skills Tuition Centre.

“Skills Tuition Centre” is committed to ensuring the protection of vulnerable adults through the development and implementation of effective policies and best practice.

Staff and volunteers, recognise and accept the responsibility to develop and raise awareness of the issues involved in working with vulnerable adults.”

Objectives

1. To provide an environment in which vulnerable adults feel safe and valued
2. To exercise a Duty of Care and ensure that all staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults are carefully selected, understand and accept responsibility for the safety of vulnerable adults in our care.
3. To enable staff, volunteers, user group members and customers to feel confident in reporting any issues on vulnerable adult protection.
4. To work with, share information with and inform staff, volunteers and colleagues on all issues of vulnerable adult protection and its implementation.
5. To review and update this policy and practice on a regular basis.
6. To regularly review the provision, activities / services of Skills Tuition Centre and develop and implement other relevant policies and procedures that ensure the safeguarding of adults in our care.

A vulnerable adult protection statement makes it clear to all what is required in relation to the protection of vulnerable adults.

The Vulnerable Adult Protection Representative must ensure that all staff and volunteers have read and understood this policy.

Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy for Skills Tuition Centre.

Aim of Policy

The aim of this policy is to ensure the safety of vulnerable adults by outlining clear procedures and ensuring that all staff and volunteers are clear about their responsibilities.

Responsibilities

All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to be aware of this policy and to report any suspicions that they might have concerning adult abuse.

Definition

The broad definition of a vulnerable adult is a person:

‘Who is eighteen years of age or over, and who may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness, and who is or may be unable to take care of him/herself, or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm or exploitation.’

(‘Who Decides’:1997, Lord Chancellor’s department)

 This may include a person who:

• Is elderly and frail
• Has a mental illness including dementia
• Has a physical or sensory disability
• Has a learning disability
• Has a severe physical illness
• Is a substance misuser
• Is homeless

What is abuse?

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. It can take a number of forms:

• Physical abuse e.g. hitting, pushing, shaking, inappropriate restraint, force-feeding, forcible administration of medication, neglect or abandonment
• Sexual abuse e.g. involvement in any sexual activity against his/her will, exposure to pornography, voyeurism and exhibitionism
• Emotional/psychological abuse e.g. intimidation or humiliation
• Financial or material abuse e.g. theft, misuse, exploitation or exerting improper pressure to sign over money from pensions or savings, exploitation of a person’s assets e.g. unauthorised use of a car; etc.
• Neglect or acts of omission e.g. being left in wet or soiled clothing, or malnutrition
• Discriminatory abuse e.g. racial, sexual or religious harassment

• Organisational or institutionalg. failure to provide a choice of meals or failure to ensure privacy or dignity, not offering choice or promoting independence etc.
• Domestic violence can include any indicators of abuse relating to physical, psychological, sexual, financial and emotional. It includes any incident or pattern or incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or who have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality
• Modern slaveryg. Human trafficking, Forced labour, Domestic servitude, Sexual exploitation, such as escort work, prostitution and pornography, and debt bondage
• Self-neglect g. lack of self-care where it threatens personal health and safety, neglecting to care for a person’s health, hygiene or surroundings etc.

Further details on the types and signs of abuse can be found on the Telford and Wrekin Adult Safeguarding Board website

Rights of Vulnerable Adults

Vulnerable adults have the right to:

• be made aware of this policy

• have alleged incidents recognised and taken seriously
• receive fair and respectful treatment throughout
• be involved in any process as appropriate
• receive information about the outcome.

Code of Conduct

• Make sure all the following have read and understand the Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy and Procedure to report vulnerable adult protection cases appropriately: staff and volunteers working for Skills Tuition Centre.
• Ensure that all staff and volunteers who work with or have responsibility for, vulnerable adults are checked by the Data Barring Service (DBS) with an enhanced DBS check.
• To ensure staff and volunteers who work with or have responsibility for vulnerable adults are supervised during a designated probationary period with ongoing regular supervision opportunities.
• Staff and volunteers treat vulnerable adults with respect and sensitivity at all times.
• Staff and volunteers must ensure that the safety and dignity of those vulnerable adults in their care is maintained at all times.
• It is the duty of staff and volunteers to ensure that vulnerable adults in their care are aware that there are designated staff and volunteers to help them with any worries and/or difficulties.
• To exercise a “Duty of Care”. If staff or volunteers have concerns about the possible abuse of a vulnerable adult, or where a disclosure has been made, this must be reported as a Duty of Care

Reporting

1. If you suspect that a vulnerable person is being abused or neglected, please report this via:

• Family Connect on 01952 385385 (Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm)
• Emergency Duty Team on 01952 676500 (Monday to Sunday after 5pm)
• West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101

If it is a serious matter or an emergency, always ring 999.

1. The person making the report should inform the designated representatives who will keep a record of the incident for information on file to which designated representatives only have access.

1. If a staff or volunteer member has been told about the allegation of abuse in confidence, they should attempt to gain the consent of the person to make a referral to another agency. However, the gaining of the consent is not essential in order for information to be passed on. Consideration needs to be given to:

• The scale of the abuse
• The risk of harm to others
• The capacity of the victim to understand the issues of abuse and consent

1. If there is any doubt about whether or not to report an issue to the relevant authorities then it should be reported.
2. In emergency situations (e.g. where there is the risk or occurrence or severe physical injury), where immediate action is needed to safeguard the health or safety of the individual or anyone else who may be at risk, the emergency services must be contacted.

It is important for staff and volunteers to avoid making assumptions and discussing concerns indiscriminately.

Confidentiality, and respect for the vulnerable adult(s) involved, is of the utmost importance.

Skills Tuition Centre will review the effectiveness of this vulnerable adult policy on an annual basis (or more regularly if we identify any non-compliance or problem concerning adult protection issues). We will take remedial action if we discover non-compliance under this policy or barriers to its implementation.   

Local Contacts

Contact the Family Connect and Adult Safeguarding Team – 01952 385385

 *If you have a concern that requires advice before action is taken out of ‘normal working hours’ then contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01952 676500

Please note that the process for dealing with vulnerable adults is different to that of a child and you may not get an immediate response-but you will be contacted

Police 0300 3333 000

This policy was adopted by Skills Tuition Centre.