Safeguarding
Policies & Procedures
INTRODUCTION
WACA aims to makes a positive contribution to a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe.
WACA comes into contact with children and vulnerable adults through the following activities:
Thrive Young People’s Project
Watford African Caribbean Supplementary school
Fifty plus Activities Club
Sickle Cell & Thalassemia Support Group
Social and cultural activities
The types of contact with children and vulnerable adults will be largely of a regulated nature meaning that contact is likely to be at most once or twice per week. Our carers and befriending work will at times be intensive for short periods.
This policy seeks to ensure that WACA undertakes its responsibilities with regard to protection of children and vulnerable adults and will respond to concerns appropriately. The policy establishes a framework to support paid and unpaid staff in their practices and clarifies the organisation’s expectations.
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CONFIRMATION OF READING
I confirm that I have been made fully aware of, and understand the contents of, the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for WACA.
Please confirm acceptance to hello@waca.org.uk.
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LEGISLATION
The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are:
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Working together to safeguard Children 2010
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The Children Act 1989
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The Adoption and Children Act 2002:
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The Children and Families Act 2014
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Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
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The Care Act 2014
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Data Protection Act 2018
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Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
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Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
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Mental Health Act 1983
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NHS and Community Care Act 1990
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Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
DEFINITIONS
Safeguarding is about embedding practices throughout the organisation to ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults wherever possible. In contrast, child and adult protection is about responding to circumstances that arise.
Abuse is a selfish act of oppression and injustice, exploitation and manipulation of power by those in a position of authority. This can be caused by those inflicting harm or those who fail to act to prevent harm. Abuse is not restricted to any socio-economic group, gender or culture.
It can take a number of forms, including the following:
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Physical abuse
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Sexual abuse
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Emotional abuse
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Bullying
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Neglect
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Financial (or material) abuse
Definition of a child
A child is under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations convention on the Rights of a Child).
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited.
This may include a person who:
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Is elderly and frail
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Has a mental illness including dementia
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Has a physical or sensory disability
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Has a learning disability
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Has a severe physical illness
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Is a substance misuser
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Is homeless
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RESPONSIBILITIES
All staff (paid or unpaid) have responsibility to follow the guidance laid out in this policy and related policies, and to pass on any welfare concerns using the required procedures.
We expect all staff (paid or unpaid) to promote good practice by being an excellent role model, contribute to discussions about safeguarding and to positively involve people in developing safe practices.
Additional specific responsibilities
Directors/Trustees have responsibility to ensure that this policy is in place, implemented, monitored and reviewed on a regular basis. Directors/ Trustees also have a responsibility to ensure action in every case of reported abuse.
The Designated lead officer for the staff is TBC. This person’s responsibilities are: Monitoring and reporting on performance)
Each member of staff and Director/Trustee is responsible for adhering to this policy and reporting any infringement of the policy.
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IMPLEMENTATION STAGES
The scope of this Safeguarding Policy is broad ranging and in practice, it will be implemented via a range of policies and procedures within the organisation. These include:
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Equal opportunity Policy
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Whistle blowing policy
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Grievance & Disciplinary procedures
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Healthy & Safety policy
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Data Protection Policy
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Staff induction and training
Safe recruitment
WACA ensures safe recruitment through the following processes:
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Roles are advertised
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Selection is through a panel
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References are taken up
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DBS checks are made for all relevant staff (paid or unpaid)
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Any offer of appointment is subject to DBS check result.
Disclosure Barring Service Gap Management
The organisation commits resources to providing Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check on staff (paid or unpaid) whose roles involve contact with children and /or vulnerable adults through the DBS process.
In order to avoid DBS gaps, the organisation will ensure that any staff appointed are not left in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults until the DBS check has been completed.
In addition to checks on recruitment for roles involving contact with children/ vulnerable adults, for established staff the following processes is in place – follow up checks are scheduled to take place every three years.
Service delivery contracting and sub-contracting
All subcontracted staff expected to have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults are required to show that they have been DBS checked. Safeguarding arrangements for agencies will be checked consistently.
COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING AND SUPPORT FOR STAFF
WACA commits resources for induction, training of staff (paid and unpaid), effective communications and support mechanisms in relation to Safeguarding.
Induction
This will include introducing staff to the ethos of the organisation and its policies and procedures. Staff will be informed about the safeguarding policy and its importance to them personally and the organisation generally.
Training
All staff who, through their role, are in contact with children and or vulnerable adults will have access to safeguarding training at an appropriate level. Sources and types of training will include Hertfordshire County Council, W3RT etc.
Communications and discussion of safeguarding issues
Commitment to the following communication methods will ensure effective communication of safeguarding issues and practice:
- Board meetings.
- Team meetings
- One to one meeting
- Website
- Newsletter
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Support
We recognise that involvement in situations where there is risk or actual harm can be stressful for staff concerned. The mechanisms in place to support staff include:
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Debriefing support for paid and unpaid staff so that they can reflect on the issues they have dealt with.
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Seeking further support as appropriate e.g., access to counselling.
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Staff who have initiated protection concerns will be contacted by designated person within 7 days of reporting.
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PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
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Professional boundaries are what define the limits of a relationship between a support worker and a client. They are a set of standards we agree to uphold that allows this necessary and often close relationship to exist while ensuring the correct detachment is kept in place.
WACA expects staff to protect the professional integrity of themselves and the organisation.
The following professional boundaries must be adhered to:
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Confidentiality is an essential aspect of maintaining professional boundaries.
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Use of appropriate language, tone, and body language when communicating with members, colleagues, and other stakeholders
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Maintain professional personal relationships and avoid any action that could compromise objectivity, create conflicts of interest, or breach ethical boundaries.
The following policies also contain guidance on staff (paid or unpaid) conduct:
Equal Opportunities Policy
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If the professional boundaries and/or policies are breached this could result in disciplinary procedures sanction through the Board.
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REPORTING
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The process outlined below details the stages involved in raising and reporting safeguarding concerns at WACA.
Communicate your concerns with your immediate manager
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Seek medical attention for the vulnerable person if needed
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Discuss with parents of child
Or with vulnerable person.
Obtain permission to make referral if safe and appropriate
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if needed seek advice from the HCC Wellbeing Team
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Complete the Local Authority Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Incident Report Form if required and submit to the local authority within 24 hours of making a contact
Ensure that feedback from the Local Authority is received and their response recorded
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ALLEGATIONS MANAGEMENT
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WACA recognises its duty to report concerns or allegations against its staff (paid or unpaid) within the organisation or by a professional from another organisation.
The process for raising and dealing with allegations is as follows:
First step: Any member of staff (paid or unpaid) from (insert name of organisation) is required to report any concerns in the first instance to their line manager/ safeguarding manager/ peer.
Second step- contact local authority for advice. In Hertfordshire this can be done via (for children) the Safeguarding Team on 0300 123 4043 or for adults 0300 123 4042
Third step – follow the advice provided
WACA recognises its legal duty to report any concerns about unsafe practice by any of its paid or unpaid staff to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), according to the ISA referral guidance document http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/PDF/ISA%20Referral%20Guidance%20%20V2009-02.pdf
​MONITORING
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The organisation will monitor the following Safeguarding aspects:
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Safe recruitment practices
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CRB checks undertaken
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References applied for new staff
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Records made and kept of supervision sessions
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Training – register/ record of staff training on child/ vulnerable adult protection
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Monitoring whether concerns are being reported and actioned
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Checking that policies are up to date and relevant
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Reviewing the current reporting procedure in place
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Presence and action of Designated senior manager responsible for Safeguarding is in post
​MANAGING INFORMATION
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Information will be gathered, recorded and stored in accordance with the following policies:
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General Data Protection Regulation
Confidentiality Policy
All staff must be aware that they have a professional duty to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. The public interest in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults may override confidentiality interests. However, information will be shared on a need to know basis only, as judged by the Designated Senior Officer.
All staff must be aware that they cannot promise service users or their families/carers that they will keep secrets.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND COMPLAINTS
Conflicts in respect of safety of vulnerable adults will be taken forward by the Designated Senior Officer with the relevant Office at HCC.
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The complaint policy will also be used.
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COMMUNICATING AND REVIEW THE POLICY
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WACA will make clients aware of the Safeguarding Policy through the following means:
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Website
Regular communication with members
General meetings
This policy will be reviewed by Board of Trustees, every three years and when there are changes in legislation.
Last Updated - September 2023