Safeguarding Policy
Introduction
Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults. This policy outlines practices that we will promote the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults using parish council facilities. The policy will be reviewed by the parish council regularly.
Definitions.
▪ Children and young people: Anyone under the age of 18 years
▪ Vulnerable Adult:
▪ Anyone over 18 who is: Unable to care for themselves, unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation or may be in need of community care services
To whom this policy applies
This policy applies to anyone working for or on behalf of Freiston Parish Council whether in a paid, voluntary or commissioned capacity.
Promoting a safe environment
In order to promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, Freiston Parish Council wishes to promote a safeguarding culture in its premises and activity areas. In order to achieve this, Freiston Parish Council will:
• Provide safe facilities and undertake regular safety assessments.
• Ensure that employees, and councillors are aware of the safeguarding expectations.
• Make available the contact details of the following:
https://lincolnshirescb.proceduresonline.com/chapters/contents.html
• The NSPCC 020 7825 2500
• Customer Service Centre (CSC) on 01522 782155.
• Outside office hours contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01522 782333.
Employees, councillors and volunteers all have a duty to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults but are not responsible for deciding whether abuse is taking place. If they have concerns, these should be passed on to the Customer Service Centre (CSC)
Allegations against staff and volunteers
All staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a child or vulnerable adult. It is always advisable for interviews or work with individual children or parents to be conducted in view of other adults.
All staff should be aware of the settings behaviour/discipline policy.
The Parish should follow the LSCB procedures for managing allegations against staff/volunteers, a copy of which can be found on the LSCB website.
No attempt should be made to investigate or act on any allegation before consultation with the LSCB
Whistleblowing
We recognise that children or vulnerable adults cannot be expected to raise concerns in an environment where staff or volunteers fail to do so.
All staff and volunteers should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues and appropriate advice will be sought from the LSCB
What should be a cause for concern.
Staff and volunteers should be concerned by any behaviour, action or inaction, which significantly harms the physical and/or emotional development of a child or a vulnerable adult. A child or vulnerable adult may be abused by parents, other relatives or carers, professionals and their peers, and abuse can occur in any family OR in any other area of society, regardless of social class: wealth or geographical location.
Abuse falls into four main categories:
1. Physical Abuse
2. Emotional Abuse
3. Sexual Abuse
4. Neglect
All staff and volunteers' need to have an awareness that there are many other forms of abuse ranging from child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) through to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Ideally, staff and volunteers who engage with children or vulnerable adults will have accessed appropriate training through the Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) but further information about types of abuse, signs to look for and what to do if you are conceded are also available on the LSCB website. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lscb
All agencies, whether statutory, voluntary or other are obliged to follow the procedures laid out on the LSCB website.
Useful Safeguarding Contact Details
To report a safeguarding concern, call 01522 782111 - Outside of office hours you can contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 01522 782333