Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding adults at risk and child protection policy
As a community, we consider the safeguarding of children and adults at risk to be a key part of our charity. As such, we will always respond to any concerns in compliance with UK statute and guidance. This short policy document should be read in the context of these guidelines.
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At WRP, we commit ourselves to preventing abuse, and to nurturing, protecting and safeguarding children and adults at risk; this commitment includes respect and care for our staff and volunteers.
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A safeguarding concern is any situation where a volunteer or other person has reason to believe that:
• a child may be being abused emotionally, physically, sexually, spiritually or neglected,
• an adult at risk may be being abused emotionally, physically, sexually, financially, spiritually or neglected.
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For relevant definitions, please refer to the full policy, which may be obtained by contacting us.
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In the event of witnessing behaviour which causes you concern (including the behaviour of an adult towards a child or adult at risk), or if a child or adult at risk informs you of something which causes you concern, the following steps should be taken:
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1. If the concern is of immediate risk to a child or adult at risk you should immediately:
Call the Safeguarding Officer Liz Fillingham, who can be contacted on 07722 339053, or if unavailable the Chairman of the charity. If neither are available call your Team Lead. If the risk is immediate and no one is available, you will need to call the Police (eg if a young child is at home alone and you are unable to gain entry)
2. If the risk is not immediate, you should contact your Team Lead immediately after the event to discuss and agree next steps (eg whether a discussion is needed with the Safeguarding Officer).
The verbal report must be followed by a written report.
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PLEASE USE THIS FORM TO REPORT A CONCERN/INCIDENT:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RJbM1--LXrRpweJFQZ8R2K93Ipt34yk3/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs
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The Safeguarding Officer will keep a record of the discussion, in line with Data Protection legislation.
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Please be aware of any additional vulnerabilities eg. disability (including learning disability), young people at risk of sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, mental health problems, homelessness, substance and alcohol misuse, risk of radicalisation. Both adults and children may be at risk of trafficking, modern day slavery, forced marriage and FGM.
Children or adults at risk may ask you not to tell anybody about what they disclose to you. Do not promise to keep it a secret. Explain that you will only tell the people who need to know in order to keep them and others safe.
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The policy of WRP is to request DBS clearance for adults leading workers directly with children and adults at risk, and for those in positions of trust.
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In using mobile phones, email or social media to communicate with children and young people or vulnerable adults, please be aware of the guidelines laid out in the WRP Data Protection Policy.
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For any specific issues, speak to the Safeguarding Officer.
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Approved by WRP trustees.
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Signed: (Chairman)
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Date: 02/08/2024
This document will be revised annually (revised August 2024, next due July 2025)
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