HENFIELD AREA RESPONSE TEAM (HART)– Safeguarding Policy
Authors: Nigel Higson
Date of creation: 1 November 2021
Area of Governance: Board of Trustees
Date for Renewal: November 2022
Approved by: Board of Trustees
Confidentiality: Public
NAMED SAFEGUARDING TRUSTEE: DAVID FLETCHER ([email protected])
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to protect our trustees, volunteers and participants (including children and at risk adults) from any harm that may be caused due to their coming into contact with HART. This includes harm arising from:
The policy lays out the commitments made by HART, and informs trustees and associated personnel of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.
This policy does not cover:
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting peoples' health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
In relation to HART, we understand it to mean protecting people, including children and at risk adults, from harm that arises from coming into contact with our staff or activities.
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained in UK legislation and guidelines from the Charity Commission for England. They take the following into consideration:
Scope
The following people are expected to comply with this policy:
Activity participants and members of the public are not within the scope of the policy.
Policy Statement
HART believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. HART will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by volunteers or associated personnel.
HART commits to addressing safeguarding throughout its work, through the three pillars of prevention, reporting and response.
It is the responsibility of all representatives of HART to raise any concerns you have or any concerns which are reported to you according to this policy.
This policy may be subject to change at the discretion of Trustees and Committee of HART.
Prevention
HART’s responsibilities
HART will:
Volunteer and Participant responsibilities
HART volunteers and associated personnel must not:
Additionally, HART volunteers and associated personnel are obliged to:
Enabling reports
HART will establish safe, appropriate and accessible means of reporting safeguarding concerns for volunteers and participants we work with.
Anyone reporting concerns or complaints through formal whistleblowing channels (or if they request it) will be protected by HART's Whistleblowing Policy.
HART will also accept complaints from people other than Volunteers, such as activity participants and members of the public. Participants and members of the public can report concerns to the Safeguarding Trustee.
How to report a safeguarding concern – Volunteers
Volunteers who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should report it immediately to the Safeguarding Trustee. If the Volunteer does not feel comfortable reporting to the Safeguarding Trustee (for example, if they feel that the report will not be taken seriously, or if that person is implicated in the concern) they may report to any other appropriate trustee.
How to report a safeguarding concern – people other than Volunteers (programme participants, etc)
Activity participants and members of the public who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should contact the Safeguarding Trustee in the first instance.
Response
HART will follow up safeguarding reports and concerns according to the processes set out in the Safeguarding Reporting Procedures, and legal and statutory obligations within the timelines set out therein. HART will make any relevant authorities aware of any allegations made.
HART will apply appropriate disciplinary measures to Volunteers found in breach of policy. Where Volunteers or associated personnel have caused harm to a person, regardless of whether or not a formal internal response is initiated (such as an internal investigation), HART will offer appropriate support to that person.
Confidentiality
Volunteers and associated personnel will maintain confidentiality at all stages of the process when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Information relating to the concern and subsequent case management will be shared strictly on a need to know basis, and will be kept secure at all times.
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This document will be reviewed and updated where required every 12 months.
Last reviewed: April 12 2022
Authors: Nigel Higson
Date of creation: 1 November 2021
Area of Governance: Board of Trustees
Date for Renewal: November 2022
Approved by: Board of Trustees
Confidentiality: Public
NAMED SAFEGUARDING TRUSTEE: DAVID FLETCHER ([email protected])
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to protect our trustees, volunteers and participants (including children and at risk adults) from any harm that may be caused due to their coming into contact with HART. This includes harm arising from:
- The conduct of trustees, staff or personnel associated with HART
- The design and implementation of HART’s activities
The policy lays out the commitments made by HART, and informs trustees and associated personnel of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.
This policy does not cover:
- Sexual harassment in the workplace – this is dealt with under HART’s Human Resources Policies and Procedures
- Safeguarding concerns in the wider community not perpetrated by HART or associated personnel
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting peoples' health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
In relation to HART, we understand it to mean protecting people, including children and at risk adults, from harm that arises from coming into contact with our staff or activities.
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained in UK legislation and guidelines from the Charity Commission for England. They take the following into consideration:
- The Care Act 2014
- The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
- The Equality Act 2010
- The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- The Data Protection Act 2018
Scope
The following people are expected to comply with this policy:
- Trustees of HART
- Associated personnel whilst engaged with work or visits related to HART, including but not limited to the following: volunteers, contractors
Activity participants and members of the public are not within the scope of the policy.
Policy Statement
HART believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. HART will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by volunteers or associated personnel.
HART commits to addressing safeguarding throughout its work, through the three pillars of prevention, reporting and response.
It is the responsibility of all representatives of HART to raise any concerns you have or any concerns which are reported to you according to this policy.
This policy may be subject to change at the discretion of Trustees and Committee of HART.
Prevention
HART’s responsibilities
HART will:
- Make this policy available to all volunteers, provide appropriate means for volunteers to become familiar with, and know their responsibilities within this policy
- Design and undertake all its programmes and activities in a way that protects people from any risk of harm that may arise from their coming into contact with HART. This includes the way in which information about individuals on our programmes is gathered and communicated
- Implement stringent safeguarding procedures when recruiting, managing and deploying volunteers and associated personnel
- Adopt safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for volunteers
- Develop and implement an effective e-safety policy and related procedures
- Make training available on safeguarding for volunteers
- Follow up on reports of safeguarding concerns promptly and according to the agreed procedures as set out in the Safeguarding Reporting Procedures
- Appoint a lead trustee with responsibility for safeguarding
- Review this policy annually and have it approved by the HART board of Trustees
- Record and store information professionally and securely, and share information about safeguarding and good practice with volunteers via regular meetings or by other means of communication
- Use its safeguarding procedures to share concerns with agencies who need to know
- Use its procedures to manage any allegations against volunteers appropriately
- Create and maintain an anti-bullying environment and include appropriate policy and procedure to help it deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
- Establish effective complaints and whistleblowing measures
- Provide a safe physical environment for volunteers and programme participants by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
Volunteer and Participant responsibilities
HART volunteers and associated personnel must not:
- Sexually abuse or exploit anyone
- Subject anyone to physical, emotional or psychological abuse, or neglect
- Exchange money, employment, goods or services for sexual activity.
Additionally, HART volunteers and associated personnel are obliged to:
- Contribute to creating and maintaining an environment that prevents safeguarding violations and promotes the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy
- Value, listen to and respect all people whom they come into contact with
- Report any concerns or suspicions regarding safeguarding violations by a HART volunteer or associated personnel to the appropriate Trustee
Enabling reports
HART will establish safe, appropriate and accessible means of reporting safeguarding concerns for volunteers and participants we work with.
Anyone reporting concerns or complaints through formal whistleblowing channels (or if they request it) will be protected by HART's Whistleblowing Policy.
HART will also accept complaints from people other than Volunteers, such as activity participants and members of the public. Participants and members of the public can report concerns to the Safeguarding Trustee.
How to report a safeguarding concern – Volunteers
Volunteers who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should report it immediately to the Safeguarding Trustee. If the Volunteer does not feel comfortable reporting to the Safeguarding Trustee (for example, if they feel that the report will not be taken seriously, or if that person is implicated in the concern) they may report to any other appropriate trustee.
How to report a safeguarding concern – people other than Volunteers (programme participants, etc)
Activity participants and members of the public who have a complaint or concern relating to safeguarding should contact the Safeguarding Trustee in the first instance.
Response
HART will follow up safeguarding reports and concerns according to the processes set out in the Safeguarding Reporting Procedures, and legal and statutory obligations within the timelines set out therein. HART will make any relevant authorities aware of any allegations made.
HART will apply appropriate disciplinary measures to Volunteers found in breach of policy. Where Volunteers or associated personnel have caused harm to a person, regardless of whether or not a formal internal response is initiated (such as an internal investigation), HART will offer appropriate support to that person.
Confidentiality
Volunteers and associated personnel will maintain confidentiality at all stages of the process when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Information relating to the concern and subsequent case management will be shared strictly on a need to know basis, and will be kept secure at all times.
__________________________________________
This document will be reviewed and updated where required every 12 months.
Last reviewed: April 12 2022