Safeguarding Policy

SAFEGUARDING POLICY CONTENTS: 

1. 1. Introduction

2. 2. Definitions

3. 3. Aim & Scope

4. 4. Terms of Reference and Legal Framework

5. 5. Recognising Abuse

6. 6. What to do if you suspect abuse

7. 7. Confidentiality of Information

8. 8. The role of the Board

9. 9. Additional Policies

10. 10. Monitoring & Reviewing the Policy 

1. 1. INTRODUCTION 

Warrington Youth Zone is a North West charity determined to make sure all young people have the opportunity to shine and the chance to discover their passion and their purpose. Within our state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound Youth Zone we aim to transform the lives of Young People across Warrington, through opportunities and challenges, to inspire young people to lead healthier, happier, more positive lives; raising their aspirations to become caring and responsible citizens with more to offer themselves, their families, the community, and employers. Our incredible spaces, filled with energy, inspiration and highly skilled youth workers who truly believe in young people. In all this, the safeguarding and welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount. This policy is applicable to all Warrington Youth Zone employees, volunteers and trustees and must be read, understood and implemented.

Safe working culture 

Warrington Youth Zone aims to be a safe and welcoming place for all young people, adults at risk, staff and volunteers. A safe working culture is one where everyone is committed to ensuring that practice is undertaken in the best and most appropriate way to ensure children, young people and adults at risk are safe. Staff, trustees and volunteers (referred to as ‘staff &/or others’ going forward) are supported, and know how to respond to concerns, regarding the behaviour or practice of others. Key procedures include: 

• Policies and procedures being used, regularly reviewed/updated and named staff/roles being accountable for their use. 
• Setting acceptable standards of behaviour for staff, volunteers, trustees, partner organisations and young people

An open culture with no secrets.

• Safeguarding as an agenda item on all appraisal sessions. 
• Have open discussions to talk about safeguarding measures and establish if they are effective. 
• Encourage professional challenge. 
• Provide opportunities for all staff & others to share any worries and concerns in relation to safeguarding. 
• Transparent, clear procedures that are actively promoted by the Senior Leadership Team and Trustee Board to encourage all staff & others to raise and escalate their concerns within their organisations through whistle blowing procedures. 
• Support for staff & others when they raise concerns. 
• Robust recording systems that are timely and accurate. 
• Detect and identify inappropriate behaviour or abuse within the workplace at the earliest opportunity and respond appropriately. 
• Strong inductions and the effective use of probationary periods. Having a consistent induction process will make sure everyone at Warrington Youth Zone fully understands and knows how to follow the safeguarding policies and procedures. 
• Ongoing safeguarding training. Ensure everyone is kept up to date with any changes that are made to the safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures. 
• Performance reviews to take account of any concerns regarding professional behaviours and conduct. 
• A commitment from all who work at Warrington Youth Zone to safeguard and protect children, young people and adults at risk and to maintain an ongoing culture of vigilance.

Relationships and Professional Boundaries 

All staff & others must ensure the boundaries of a professional caring relationship are always clearly understood. It is never appropriate for staff or others to socialise with young people they are working with; if staff or others sees someone in their own time, they must be careful to retain a professional boundary. This includes socialising over social media, for example it is not appropriate to accept a young person as a ‘friend’ on platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram. 

We do however recognise that, for example, through family connections, there may be extenuating circumstances where staff or others know the young person in a social capacity. In these circumstances you would need to make it clear to the young person that whilst you are in work mode, they would have to interact with you as a professional in the same manner as other young people. You must also advise your line manager or other appropriate person of circumstances where you are working with young people that you know in a social capacity. Clarification on any element of the Safeguarding Policy can be provided by line managers and/or the organisation Designated Safeguarding Lead, if required.

2. 2. DEFINITIONS 

• Child: “A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday. ‘Children’ therefore means ‘children and young people’ throughout.” (Working Together To Safeguard Children 2018 and 2023) 
• Adult at Risk: “An adult at risk is a person who is 18 years or older and is… unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.” (Care Act 2014) 
• Safeguarding: “Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and adults at risk and protect them from harm” (NSPCC). 

Designated Leads for Safeguarding: 

Warrington Youth Zone’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Tom Jowett, Head of Youth Work & Safeguarding (07747023694 / tom.jowett@wyz.org.uk). Paula Worthington is the Trustee Lead responsible for Safeguarding on the Warrington Youth Zone Board (pworthington@warrington.gov.uk). Any employee, trustee or volunteer who is concerned about a young person or adult at risk should inform their line manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately. 

The Designated Lead has a responsibility to: 

• Liaise with either or both the delivery partners or Youth Zone which the young person/adult at risk is connected to, the Children and Family Services/Adult Services, Police or other agencies in the geographical area where the young person lives; 
• Act as the contact person within Warrington Youth Zone, providing advice and support, and ensuring that all staff (including temporary/freelance staff and volunteers) are aware of their role; 
• Co-ordinate action within Warrington Youth Zone on safeguarding issues; 
• Discuss individual cases with staff on a “need to know basis” to protect the young person/adult at risk’s right to confidentiality; 
• Represent Warrington Youth Zone at safeguarding meetings and be a member of a ‘Core Group’ or strategy meeting if required; 
• Ensure staff are familiar with this policy and any related procedures

3. 3. AIM & SCOPE 

The aim of this policy is to ensure that the Trustee Board, all employees (permanent, temporary and freelance), volunteers, and partner agencies working on behalf of Warrington Youth Zone are aware of their legal and personal responsibilities to ensure the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and that everyone knows what to do should they have a concern. Warrington Youth Zone is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk by implementing: 

• Safeguarding procedures 
• Safer Recruitment and Vetting of Staff, Volunteer and Trustees policies 
• A Code of Conduct 
• Training 
• Support for staff, volunteers and trustees 
• Safeguarding expectations for external agencies and partners delivering on behalf of Warrington Youth Zone. 

Warrington Youth Zone recognises that we all have a legal responsibility to take all reasonable actions to ensure that the risk of harm to the welfare of children and adults at risk is minimised, and a duty of care is always exercised towards them.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

This is defined for the purposes of this policy as: 

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

In this policy an adult at risk is defined as a member of Warrington Youth Zone aged 18 and over who, for any reason, has additional needs and may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. 

Adults at risk who are members of the Youth Zone may have an EHC (Education, Health and Care) Plan. This is a legal document that outlines the special educational, health and social care needs of children and adults at risk, up to the age of 25, who require additional support and identifies the type of support needed to meet those needs. 

Staff and volunteers supporting adults at risk should be aware of any specific support required to meet an individuals’ additional needs. Safeguarding adults at risk involves reducing or preventing the risk of significant harm from neglect or abuse, while also supporting people to maintain control of their own lives.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk 

This is defined for the purposes of this policy as: 

• Ensuring they can live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. 
• Empowering them by encouraging them to make their own decisions and provide informed consent. 
• Minimising the risk of abuse or neglect and preventing it from occurring. 
• Promoting their wellbeing and take their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs into account. 

This policy outlines how to recognise the signs and indicators of possible abuse to ensure that staff, volunteers and trustees recognise the significance of what they are observing, and the procedures that they need to follow if they have a concern. 

This policy is supplemented by a ‘Safeguarding Toolkit’ which provides further details for employees, trustees and volunteers who work directly with children and adults at risk.

4. 4. TERMS OF REFERENCE AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK 

The Children Act 1989 and 2004 make it clear that people who work with children have the responsibility to keep them safe. This is supported by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (to which the UK is a signatory) which sets out the rights of children to be free from abuse. The document ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (2018 and 2023) sets out the arrangements for how all organisations must work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

“Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children, child protection should take priority over all other work” (Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018 and 2023). Working together to safeguard children – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Adult protection is part of safeguarding and was first placed in a legal framework within the Care Act 2014. This does not only refer to adults who lack capacity. Adults with full capacity can still be considered at risk if they are unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from significant harm. 

The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the system should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/23/contents/enacted 

5. 5. RECOGNISING ABUSE CHILDREN: 

Abuse is “a form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse. Children may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children” (Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2018 and 2023). In relation to child protection there are four types of abuse defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children as follows: 

• Physical abuse 
• Emotional abuse 
• Neglect 
• Sexual abuse

Adults at Risk: 

Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances. (Care Act 2014). In relation to adult protection there are 10 types of abuse defined in the Care and Support statutory guidance as follows: 

• Physical Abuse 
• Domestic violence or abuse 
• Sexual abuse 
• Psychological or emotional 
• Financial or material 
• Modern Slavery 
• Discriminatory 
• Organisational and/or institutional abuse 
• Neglect or act of omission 
• Self-neglect

Training requirements 

All Warrington Youth Zone staff, volunteers and trustees will be required at induction and prior to working with young people and at least every three years thereafter to complete our in house safeguarding and boundaries course, as well as signing to say this policy has been read, understood and will be implemented. 

In addition to completing our safeguarding and boundaries all staff and volunteers require an Enhanced DBS check to be completed and signed off by the Safeguarding Lead prior to starting working with young people. 

Alongside the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead anyone holding any information or portfolio for Safeguarding, will in addition to the in-house training, complete Designated Safeguarding Lead training. 

There are certain roles that require further Safeguarding Training to be undertaken in addition to the in house training. The table below highlights all Warrington Youth Zone employee roles that require additional safeguarding training. Those not on the list will only be required to complete the in-house training.  Any new roles or changes in existing roles will be assessed for Safeguarding training requirements by the Designated Safeguarding Lead. The roles below marked with an asterisk require the postholder to read, understand and implement the Safeguarding Toolkit in addition to the Safeguarding Policy.

6. 6. WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE

A child or adult at risk may choose to disclose concerning information to any employee, trustee or volunteer, or may be observed carrying out concerning behaviour that raises concerns around possible abuse. It is not the duty of employees, trustees or volunteers to investigate the issue themselves; however it is their responsibility to gather as much information as possible. Where you suspect a child or adult at risk is being abused or there is potential for harm, you should discuss your concerns with the Youth Zone’s designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or deputies, your line manager as soon as possible, who will decide what action should be taken. 

If there is significant concern the safeguarding lead or deputies will contact Children’s Services/Adult Services and/ or the Police. They will need your support in making the referral to ensure the details are recorded correctly. If you are not sure or have any concerns, speak to your line manager or the Youth Zone’s safeguarding lead. Remember this is what they are there for, to deal with any concerns and offer advice and support. 

The supplementary ‘Safeguarding Toolkit’, to be used in conjunction with this policy, includes a Flowchart to follow if you suspect abuse and/or harm has occurred to a child and/or adult at risk.

7. 7. CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION 

Our children, adults at risk and their parents/carers have the right to expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to deal sensitively and sympathetically with their situation. It is important that information is only available to those who need to know it. Parents/carers and, where appropriate, the child/adult at risk should be told that their right to confidentiality may be breached if information comes to light suggesting possible harm to other people. Safeguarding issues relating to individual cases must not be subject to open discussion in the office or elsewhere. Should any information or correspondence related to specific safeguarding issues need to be sent via email or any other electronic means, the Youth Zone Designated safeguarding lead must be contacted prior to transmission. As a minimum, any attached documents must be password protected for confidentiality of sensitive information. 

Employees, trustees and volunteers should also remember to not promise children or adults at risk to keep ‘secrets’.

8. 8. THE ROLE OF THE BOARD 

Safeguarding is a key governance priority for the Youth Zone Board. The Trustee responsible for safeguarding must be notified by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (or other member of staff who is acting in this capacity) of any safeguarding issues involving Warrington Youth Zone staff or volunteers. 

A safeguarding report will be received at each Board Meeting to include the following: 

• any changes in the safeguarding policy or procedures; 
• an update on safeguarding training delivered; 
• a summary of the number of Level 3 & Level 4 safeguarding incidents (as per Network Agreement thresholds and withholding any sensitive data) and the level to which they were escalated (See OnSide Network Incident Report Form) 

9. 9. ADDITIONAL POLICIES 

For further information on policies closely aligned to the Safeguarding Policy, please see the following: 

• Dignity at Work Policy (including Code of Conduct) Dignity at Work Policy Nov 2024.docx
• Lone Working with Young People Lone Working Policy November 2024.docx
• Recruitment & Selection Policy Recruitment & Selection Policy 2024.docx
• Social Media Policy Social Media Policy 2024.docx
• Whistleblowing Policy Whistleblowing Policy 2024.docx

10. 10. MONITORING & REVIEWING

The safeguarding policy will be regularly monitored, and reviewed on an annual basis, by the Safeguarding Manager and Trustee responsible for safeguarding. The policy will also be reviewed in response to any changes in legislation or to the Youth Zone working practices.