Safeguarding and child protection

Policy statement

The East Neuk Centre Trust recognises that the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount and that all, regardless of ability or culture, have equal rights to protection. The East Neuk Centre Trust has a duty of care and will do everything it can to provide a safe, caring and secure environment whilst individuals are engaged in its activities.

The East Neuk Centre Trust seeks to ensure that its policies and procedures comply with statutory duties and reflect available guidance on good practice in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Safeguarding arrangements will be proportionate to the risks involved and in accordance with Scottish Government national guidance for child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of the East Neuk Centre Trust, including board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, seasonal staff, agency staff and students.

Failure to comply with this policy and related procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal or exclusion from the organisation.

Child protection operational contacts

The responsibility for managing the safeguarding of children can be both demanding and challenging and therefore must be appointed at managerial level to personnel who are available and operational.

Designated Child Protection Officer

Lisa Coles (Trustee)
East Neuk Centre
Ladywalk
ANSTRUTHER
KY10 3EX

01333 311977
info@eastneukcentre.org.uk

The role of the Designated Child Protection Officer is to oversee that the safeguarding children policy is fully implemented and in accordance with Scottish Government national guidance for child protection.

These details will be made available to all staff and volunteers through training and in staff and volunteer handbooks. This includes ensuring that all staff receive child protection training as appropriate.

Definitions

Position of trust

A position of trust, for the purposes of this policy, is one where a member of staff or a volunteer is in a position of power or influence over children, young people and vulnerable adults by virtue of the work undertaken or the nature of the activity.

• Child: The Children Act 1989 defines a child as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.
• Adult at risk: An adult who needs care and support, is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect and, as a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
• Child and adult abuse: Children and adults may be vulnerable to neglect, abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their daily lives. There are four main categories of abuse: sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse that fall within these categories, including:

• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child criminal exploitation
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child trafficking
• Domestic abuse
• Female genital mutilation
• Grooming
• Historical abuse
• Online abuse

Safeguarding children

Safeguarding children is defined as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
• Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
• Taking action to enable children to have the best outcomes

In safeguarding children, the East Neuk Centre Trust is committed to the principles outlined in the Fife Inter Agency Child Protection Guidance 2016 (PDF).

Note: This PDF guidance document is published by a third party and is not fully accessible. We are aware that it may not be compatible with some assistive technologies.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Scotland. A summary of key legislation is available from NSPCC Learning.

The East Neuk Centre Trust will have arrangements in place that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Training and awareness

The East Neuk Centre Trust will ensure that an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its trustees, employees, volunteers and any relevant persons linked to the organisation who require it, for example contractors.

Employees and volunteers who work with children are required, as a minimum, to complete awareness training that enables them to:

• understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children
• recognise a child who may be in need of safeguarding and take appropriate action
• understand how to report a safeguarding alert
• understand dignity and respect when working with children
• have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy

Employees and volunteers may also encounter concerns about the safety and wellbeing of an adult at risk of abuse.

Confidentiality and information sharing

The East Neuk Centre Trust expects all employees, volunteers and trustees to maintain confidentiality. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

However, information should be shared with the local authority if a child, young person or vulnerable adult is deemed to be at risk of harm, or with the police if they are in immediate danger or if a crime has been committed.

Recording and record keeping

A written record must be kept of any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern, the actions taken, decisions made and the reasons for those decisions.

All records must be signed and dated, kept securely and stored confidentially in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Safe recruitment and selection

The East Neuk Centre Trust is committed to safe employment and recruitment practices that reduce the risk of harm to children from people who are unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them.

The East Neuk Centre Trust has policies and procedures covering the recruitment of trustees, employees and volunteers, and the required codes of conduct.

Social media

All employees and volunteers should be aware of the East Neuk Centre Trust social media policy and procedures and the code of conduct for behaviour towards children, young people and vulnerable adults supported by the organisation.

Use of mobile phones and other digital technology

All employees, trustees and volunteers should be aware of the East Neuk Centre Trust policy and procedures regarding the use of mobile phones and digital technology.

It is unlawful to photograph children, young people and vulnerable adults without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibility, guardian status or identified support role.

Whistleblowing

It is important that people within the East Neuk Centre Trust have the confidence to come forward and speak or act if they are unhappy with anything.

Whistleblowing occurs when a person raises a concern about dangerous or illegal activity, or any wrongdoing within the organisation. This includes concerns about another employee or volunteer.

The East Neuk Centre Trust has a responsibility to protect whistleblowers.