Safeguarding / Child Protection Policy

Legislation on Child Protection

E.g. The Children (NI) Order 1995, taking into consideration the five main principles of the Order, the first being ‘the welfare of the child is paramount’.

This policy takes into consideration Co-Operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland (Aug 2017)

Statement of Intent

We are committed to creating a safe environment for children which is free from harm and where any suspicion of suspected risk or significant harm to children is dealt with promptly and appropriately.

We will comply with Western Health and Social Services Guidelines on safeguarding and will appoint Designated Child Protection Officers to deal with Safe Guarding issues within our setting.

Everyone at Rainbow Child and Family Centre who comes into contact with children and their families has a Duty to Safeguard and Promote the well-being of all Children.

Within this policy, the term safeguarding is intended to be used in its widest sense, encompassing the full range of promotion, prevention and protection activity. Effective safeguarding activity will:

• Promote the welfare for the child and young person;
• Prevent harm occurring through early identification of risk and appropriate, timely intervention; and
• Protect children and young people from harm when this is required.

Types of Abuse

Although the harm from the abuse might take a long time to be recognisable in the child or young person, professionals may be in a position to observe its indicators earlier, for example, in the way that a parent interacts with their child. Effective and ongoing information sharing is key between professionals.

Harm from abuse is not always straightforward to identify and a child or young person may experience more than one type of harm or significant harm. Harm can be caused by:

• Physical abuse;
• Sexual abuse;
• Emotional abuse;
• Neglect; and

Sexual Abuse occurs when others use and exploit children sexually for their own gratification or gain or the gratification of others. Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape, or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside clothing. It may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in the production of sexual images, forcing children to look at sexual images or watch sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via e-technology). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Emotional Abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child. It is also sometimes called psychological abuse and it can have severe and persistent adverse effects on a child’s emotional development. Emotional abuse may involve deliberately telling a child that they are worthless, or unloved and inadequate. It may include not giving a child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them, or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. Emotional abuse may involve bullying – including online bullying through social networks, online games or mobile phones – by a child’s peers.

Neglect is the failure to provide for a child’s basic needs, whether it be adequate food, clothing, hygiene, supervision or shelter that is likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s health or development. Children who are neglected often also suffer from other types of abuse.

Exploitation is the intentional ill-treatment, manipulation or abuse of power and control over a child or young person; to take selfish or unfair advantage of a child or young person or situation, for personal gain. It may manifest itself in many forms such as child labour, slavery, servitude, engagement in criminal activity, begging, benefit or other financial fraud or child trafficking. It extends to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of children for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation can be sexual in nature

Procedures

In accordance with Trust Guidelines, Our Duty to Care and “Getting it Right”, we will endeavour to safeguard children by:

Excluding known abusers

To achieve this we will ensure:

• Pre-employment Interviews
• Police checks / vetting is carried out in line with the WHSSCT (Including AccessNI vetting)
• New staff are employed in line with employment Rights (NI) Order 1966
• At least two written references are taken up for all adults prior to employment or voluntary work.
• All appointments will be subject to satisfactory vetting procedures by WHSSCT.
• All appointments will be subject to a probationary period, which should be reviewed within six months of taking up the post.
• All new staff/students/volunteers will complete a full induction
• All students/volunteers will be supervised at all times and do not carry out toileting/intimate care

Preventing abuse by means of good practice

To achieve this we will ensure:

• That a staff code of conduct as recommended in ‘Our Duty to care and Getting it Right’ is drawn up.
• That staff and volunteers receive clear instructions on tasks and limits that apply to them as new-comers during the induction process.
• All staff/volunteers attend training and regular update of training on the Trust’s procedures, the setting’s Safeguarding /child protection policy and staff code of practice to include:

• • How to recognise signs of abuse.
  • What action to take.
  • How to protect children and self.

• Appropriate adult/child ratios will always be maintained and adults will not be left alone at any time with individual children or small groups.
• The layout of the room will permit constant supervision of all children.
• Appropriate activities to develop children’s self-esteem with regard to self protection are provided.
• Children may bring a change of clothes with them if parents wish them to change out of their uniform however staff  are not permitted to assist or change a child over 5 years of age, unless in special circumstances, or if the child has a disability.
• If a child needs assistance  with personal care  written permission from the parent/guardian must be obtained beforehand
• Staff mobile phones not permitted within the setting.
• Laptop with photographs or information will never leave the building.

Responding and reporting

We will do this by:

• Using appropriate strategies to support children who may make a disclosure of abuse.
• Any member of staff suspecting abuse of a child will respond and report to the designated child protection officer (DCPO) on duty and a confidential written and dated record will be written up on the recording allegations or suspicions of abuse form.
• Where a concern exists or advice is needed about the likelihood of a child being abused then the DCPO must inform the Gateway Team immediately. Early Years will be notified of process followed. Phone number 028 71320950
• Initial contact may be made by phone; this should be followed up by confirming the details in writing on our recording allegations or suspicions of abuse form. .
• The DCPO will seek advice from the Social Services on what discussions should take place with the parents, as parents may not be informed by DCPO that a referral has been made. Written and dated record of this discussion should be made and kept in a secure place.
• The DCPO will inform the Manager on any action they have taken. The child should not be named to maintain confidentiality.

Responding appropriately to suspicions of abuse

We will do this by:

• By observing children on an ongoing basis and noting any significant changes in behavior that may give cause for concern.
• Recognizing signs and supporting children who make a disclosure of abuse.
• The DCPO will keep a record of any signs or symptoms observed. Staff are aware to write a detailed and factual account of what has been seen or heard. This must be dated and signed and a note kept of any action taken. This account must be kept by the DCPO or Leader in a secure place
• By recording any allegations or  concerns  on a  recording allegations or suspicions of abuse form
• Informing

Sharing/storing Information

Rainbowcfc is aware of the sensitively of the subject and information and will treat it with respect at all times

We will do this by:

• By keeping appropriate records in accordance with confidentiality guidelines and the Data Protection Act and Public Interest Disclosure Order.
• Sharing any concerns only with those agencies/staff that need to know.
• Information may need to be passed on without parental consent
• Involving parents and children appropriately as recommended by ‘Getting it Right’
• Keeping records until the child’s 21^st birthday due to possibility of legal action.
• Ensuring records are never removed from the building.
• A follow- up in written using our recording allegations or suspicions of abuse form will follow any phone calls made to the gateway team within 24 HOURS.

This Policy has been adapted by the Rainbow child and Family Centre committee at a meeting on:

Procedures for reporting abuse

If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of anyone connected Rainbow Child and Family Centre Please contact:

OUT OF HOURS

Regional Emergency Social Work Service

After 6pm

02895049999

Recording allegations or suspicions of abuse

In any case where an allegation is made, or someone in Rainbowcfc has concerns, a record will be made and in accordance with good practice the below form will be used to ensure all information need will be asked and recorded.