www.gurnardpc.co.uk
GURNARD PARISH COUNCIL
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
REVIEWED 14 DECEMBER 2022
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SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Page
STATEMENTS
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Introduction
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Definition
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Procedure
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Responding to concerns
4
Responding to disclosures
4
Allegations involving members of staff or volunteers
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APPENDICES
1
Types of abuse
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2
Code of behaviour
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3
Procedures following an allegation/suspicion of child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult
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4
Procedures following an allegation against a staff member/volunteer
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5
Concern Form
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6
Referral Form
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7
Other Agencies involved
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SAFEGUARDING POLICY
STATEMENTS
All children or vulnerable people who take part in any Gurnard Parish Council initiatives have the right to be assured of their own safety and protection. This is the responsibility of every adult and agency coordinating such activities.
Gurnard Parish Council can provide opportunities for enjoyment and achievement as well as developing valuable qualities such as self-esteem, leadership and teamwork. These positive benefits can only take place if activities are managed by people who place the welfare of all young and vulnerable people first, and adopt practices that support, protect and empower young people.
INTRODUCTION
Gurnard Parish Council takes seriously its responsibility to promote the welfare and safeguard all the children and young and vulnerable people entrusted to its care. Gurnard Parish Council undertakes to provide a safe environment and any suspicion of abuse is responded to appropriately and in confidence.
Gurnard Parish Council works to the principles embodied within the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015. These guidelines are designed to protect all children and vulnerable people coming into contact with Gurnard Parish Council and persons employed by them or volunteers through any of its initiatives.
DEFINITION
Safeguarding involves excluding known offenders, preventing abuse in our care and recognising and responding to the signs of abuse. The law defines someone as a child until they are 18 years old and children of all ages can be abused. Concerns may also relate to poor practice or bullying. Any individual with concerns should discuss them immediately with the Chairman or designated person. Abuse can take many forms, but they are usually divided into four categories (see Appendix 1):
Physical Abuse
Neglect
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
PROCEDURE
The Parish Council aims to:
a. Ensure that sufficient staff/volunteers who have access to children and vulnerable people will undergo a DBS check by the Disclosure and Baring Service and that the Parish Council complies with any recommendations or obligations imposed by the Independent Safeguarding Authority;
b. Make sure that all staff/volunteers understand and have access to Gurnard Parish Council’s Safeguarding Policy and that all staff/volunteers understand the principles and procedures including the different roles and responsibilities;
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c. Follow procedures in cases where concerns become apparent and where referrals are being made to Hampshire Council’s Children’s Services or to Isle of Wight Council’s Adult Services in the case of a vulnerable adult;
d. Have consistent ways of: –
– recording and monitoring concerns involving agencies
– gathering information
– keeping staff/volunteers informed
e. Keep a central file which is easy to use, up-to-date, known to exist and accessible to those with a ‘need to know’ but secure from others;
f. Ensure that all staff/volunteers follow a code of behaviour designed to protect children, vulnerable adults and other staff/volunteers;
g. Ensure that sufficient staff/volunteers have the opportunity to undertake up-to-date awareness training to identify signs and symptoms of abuse and are able to deal with any concerns or disclosures.
RESPONDING TO CONCERNS
Concerns for a child or vulnerable adult may come to the attention of a member of staff/volunteer in various ways through observation of behaviour, injuries or through disclosure. Any member of staff/volunteer who has a concern for a child or vulnerable adult should discuss this with the Chairman or designated person as soon as is practically possible. (As per Procedures in Appendix 3)
The Chairman or designated person will decide whether the child should be referred to Children’s Services or Adult Services. They may well wish to consult with Children’s/Adult Services for advice in order to take that decision.
If the person is referred to Social Services, the Chairman or designated person will keep the member of staff up-to-date with the progress of the referral. If referral is not made the member of staff/volunteer will complete a concern form, which will be stored on a central file held by the Clerk to Gurnard Parish Council.
Concerns will usually be discussed with parents of the child concerned by the member of staff/volunteer with the concern (after the member of staff/volunteer has spoken with the Chairman or designated person). The exception to this is when it is inappropriate to do so for reasons of possible increased risk to the child, staff member of volunteer, or because doing so might undermine a resulting investigation.
RESPONDING TO DISCLOSURES
If a child or vulnerable adult makes a disclosure of abuse to a member of staff/volunteer they should:
Allow the child or vulnerable adult to make the disclosure at their own pace in their own way.
Avoid interrupting except to clarify what the child or vulnerable adult is saying.
Not ask leading questions or probe for information that the child or vulnerable adult does not volunteer.
Reassure the child or vulnerable adult that they have been heard and explain what you will do next and to whom you will talk.
NEVER promise to keep it a secret.
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Record the conversation as soon as possible.
Tell the Chairman or the designated person
The Chairman or designated person will consult with Children’s or Adult Services for advice about referral as soon as is possible.
If the advice is that the child is to be referred to Children’s or Adult Services, the Chairman or designated person will ensure that a referral form is completed with the member of staff/volunteer. The Chairman or designated person will keep the member of staff/volunteer up to date on the progress of this referral.
If the advice is that no referral is to be made the member of staff/volunteer will complete a concern form, which will be stored in the central file held by the Clerk to Gurnard Parish Council.
The exception to the referral procedure is when the situation is urgent or grave (such as when a child or vulnerable adult has disclosed abuse). The referral can be made by telephone to the Children’s or Adult Services duty officer and the referral form completed afterwards.
ALLEGATIONS INVOLVING MEMBERS OF STAFF/VOLUNTEERS
Any concerns that involve allegations against a member of staff or a volunteer should be referred immediately to the Chairman or designated person. The Chairman or designated person will contact Children’s/Adult Services to discuss and agree further action to be taken about the child or vulnerable adult and any necessary investigation into the allegation. No investigation into the allegation should take place before this consultation has been made.
The Parish Council’s complaints procedure or the Model Code of Conduct, which ever is appropriate, will be followed in respect of the member of staff/volunteer. Any proven allegation of misconduct may result in the dismissal of the member of staff or appropriate alternative disciplinary action.
Adopted and approved by Gurnard Parish Council 13th July 2010
Reviewed and Amended by Gurnard Parish Council 11th December 2014
Reviewed by Gurnard Parish Council 10 January 2018
Reviewed by Gurnard Parish Council 9 January 2019
Reviewed by Gurnard Parish Council 8 January 2020
Reviewed by Gurnard Parish Council 8 December 2021
Reviewed by Gurnard Parish Council 14 December 2022
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APPENDIX 1
TYPES OF ABUSE
Physical abuse
Where adults or other young people physically hurt or injure a child or vulnerable adult by hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, biting, scalding, suffocating, drowning or otherwise causing physical harm. 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 (for example. fictitious illness by proxy or Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy.
Neglect
Where adults fail to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s or vulnerable adult’s health or development (for example, failure to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failure to protect a child or vulnerable adult from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment). It may also include refusal to give children or vulnerable adults love, affection and attention. Neglect in sport could include a teacher or coach not ensuring that children or vulnerable adults were safe, exposing them to undue cold, heat or to unnecessary risk of injury.
Sexual abuse
Involving a child, adolescent or vulnerable adult in sexual activities that she/he does not understand, cannot give consent to and which are not acceptable in our society. Where girls and boys are abused by adults and sometimes by other children and young people, to meet their own sexual needs. This could include full sexual intercourse, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse and fondling. Showing children or vulnerable adults pornographic material (books, videos, pictures) is also a form of sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
The persistent emotional ill-treatment so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child or vulnerable adult’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children or vulnerable adults that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children or vulnerable adults. It may involve causing children or vulnerable adults to feel frightened or in danger by being constantly shouted at, threatened or taunted which may make the child or vulnerable adult very nervous and withdrawn. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child or vulnerable adult.
Indications that a child or vulnerable adult may be being abused include:
Unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries.
An injury for which the explanation seems inconsistent.
The child or vulnerable adult describes what appears to be an abusive act involving him/her.
Someone else (a child or adult) expresses concern about the welfare of another child or vulnerable adult.
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Unexplained changes in behaviour (for example, becoming very quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper).
Inappropriate sexual awareness.
Engaging in sexually explicit behaviour.
Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected.
Difficulty in making friends.
Is prevented from socialising with other children.
Variations in eating patterns, including overeating or loss of appetite.
Unexplained weight loss for no apparent reason.
Increasingly dirty or unkempt appearance
This is not an exhaustive list and the presence of one or more of the indicators are not proof that abuse is actually taking place. It is not the responsibility of those working for or connected with Gurnard Parish Council to decide that child abuse is occurring but it is their responsibility to report any concerns.
Bullying
Bullying is defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. It is important to recognise that in some cases the abuser or bully may be another young person.
Bullying can be:
Physical – Hitting, kicking and theft
Verbal – Name-calling, constant teasing, sarcasm, racist or homophobic taunts, threats, graffiti and gestures
Emotional – Tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating and ignoring
Sexual – Unwanted physical contact or abusive comments
There are a number of signs that may indicate that a young person or vulnerable adult is being bullied:
Behavioural changes such as reduced concentration and/or becoming withdrawn, clingy, depressed, tearful, emotionally up and down, reluctance to go to school, training or sports club;
A drop-off in performance in education, work, training or standard of play;
Physical signs such as stomach ache, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, bed-wetting, scratching and bruising, damaged clothes and bingeing for example on food, cigarettes or alcohol;
A shortage of money or frequent loss of possessions.
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APPENDIX 2
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
This code of behaviour is designed to give staff/volunteers guidance about how they should behave when working with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Do treat everyone with respect
Do provide an example you wish others to follow.
Do plan activities, which involve more than one person being present, or at least are within sight of hearing others.
Do respect a person’s right to personal privacy.
Do provide access for people to talk about any concerns they may have.
Do encourage people and adults to feel comfortable and caring enough to point out attitudes or behaviour they do not like.
Do avoid situations that compromise your relationship with young people or vulnerable adults and are unacceptable within a relationship of trust (eg a sexual relationship between a member of staff/volunteer and a youth member over the age of consent)
Do remember that someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned.
Do recognise that caution is required even in sensitive moments of counselling, such as when dealing with bullying.
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APPENDIX 3
PROCEDURES FOLLOWING AN ALLEGATION OF CHILD ABUSE
Staff/volunteer has concerns about a child, refers concern to the Chairman or designated person.
Staff/volunteers can discuss with the designated person to clarify concerns
Chairman or designated person determines appropriate course of action
Referral :
Complete an incident report form, providing dates, times, facts, observations (verbatim if possible)
Contact parents/carer for approval for referral, if wise to do so.
(a signature is required on referral form)
The Chairman or designated person will send this form to Children’s Services
No referral :
Complete concern form
Discuss concerns with parents/carer
Exception to referral process:
If the situation is urgent/grave (eg a disclosure of abuse), the referral can be made by telephone to Children’s Services on 0300 300 0117 (Hants Direct) and the referral form completed afterwards.
Ensure that:
All paperwork has been completed in full and is stored on the central file held by the Clerk to Gurnard Parish Council
All information remains confidential
Can consult with Children’s Services for advice on 0300 300 0117 (Hants Direct)
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IN THE CASE OF A VULNERBLE ADULT, THE REFERRAL MUST BE MADE TO ADULT SERVICES:
01983 814980 (OFFICE HOURS), 01983 821105 (EMERGENCY OUT OF HOURS)
OR email abusereporting@iow.gov.uk and follow the advice as above.
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APPENDIX 4
PROCEDURES FOLLOWING AN ALLEGATION AGAINST A STAFF MEMBER OR VOLUNTEER
Write down notes:
Date and nature of alleged incident
Name of member of staff
Child’s or Vulnerable Adult’s name and address
Parent’s/Carer’s name and address
Contact the Chairman or designated person
The Chairman or designated person:
Will establish the nature of the allegation
Will contact Children’s Services on 0300 300 0117 for advice concerning both the child and the member of staff/volunteer, or in the case of a vulnerable adult, Adult services on 01983 814980, or 01983 821105
No investigation into the allegation should take place prior to consultation with Children’s Services/Adult Services
The Parish Council’s complaints procedure or guidelines in the Model Code of Conduct will be followed.
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APPENDIX 5
CONCERN FORM ABOUT THE CHILD/ VULNERABLE ADULT
Child/Vulnerable Adults name
Date of birth
Child/Vulnerable Adult’s address
Parent’s/
Carer’s names
Address
ABOUT THE INCIDENT
Date
Time
Location
Your observations
(Continue on separate
sheet if necessary)
Write exactly what the
child said and what
you said (Continue on
separate sheet if
necessary)
Signed …………………………………… Dated ……………………. ABOUT YOU
Your name
Position
Address
Tel
Mobile
Email
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APPENDIX 6
REFERRAL FORM
ABOUT THE CHILD/VULNERABLE ADULT
Child/Vulnerable Adult’s name
Date of birth
Child/Vulnerable Adult’s address
Parent’s/
Carer’s names
Address
ABOUT THE INCIDENT
Date
Time
Location
Your observations
(Continue on separate
sheet if necessary)
Write exactly what the
child said and what
you said (Continue on
separate sheet if
necessary)
ABOUT THE ALLEGED/SUSPECTED ABUSER
ABOUT YOU
Your name
Position
Department
Address
Tel
Mobile
Email
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APPENDIX 7
OTHER AGENCIES INVOLVED
Police
Name of contact Time of contact
What was their advice?
Children/Adult’s Services
Name of contact Time of contact
What was their advice?
External Organisations
Name of contact Time of contact
What was their advice?
APPROVAL FOR REFERRAL (If appropriate)
Parents/Carer
Name Time of contact
Parent’s signature approving referral
…………………………………………… Time ………. Dated …………….
…………………………………………… Time ……….. Dated ……………
Signature…………………………………………..
Dated ……………………
SEND TO CHILDREN’S SERVICES
