Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Slide 1 Safeguarding Policies

Hello and welcome to this recording from Support Cambridgeshire.

This recording considers how to create safeguarding policies and procedures It is a starting point and part of a package of tools and guidance available from Support Cambs.

Alongside this recording this transcript includes the links referred to throughout.

 

Slide 2 – Session Overview

This recording will cover:

1. Policy or Procedure?
2. What to consider when developing your policy?
3. What to include within your policy and procedures?
4. Plus additional considerations.

 

Slide 3 – What is a Safeguarding Policy

A safeguarding policy:

• Outlines the aims of the policy without specifying how it will be delivered and also includes a commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from harm, abuse, and exploitation.
• Creates a framework and lays out the principles for safeguarding within your organisation.

 

Slide 4 – What is a Safeguarding Procedure?

A safeguarding procedure is more detailed that the policy and includes a detailed step by step guide that outlines the actions your organisation will take to protect individuals from harm, abuse or neglect.  You may choose to combine your policy and procedure documents.

The details and length of your procedures should be relevant to your organisation needs and can include flowcharts, diagrams, and reporting forms to help make the steps easier to follow if that works best for your organisation.

 

Slide 5 – Why have separate policies for Children and Adult at Risk?

It is recommended that you have separate policies and procedures because:

• This issues the 2 groups face are different.
• The definitions and terms used differ.
• Procedures for reporting abuse and handling cases are not the same.
• Different legislation covers each group.

The most importance difference between safeguarding adults and children is the adults right to self-determine. An adult may choose not to act at all to protect themselves and it is only in extreme circumstances that the law will intervene.

If you are a smaller group and choose only to have one document, this should clearly differentiate between children and adults where needed.

For further guidance regarding separate policies please refer to this link

Why Have Different Policies and Procedures for Safeguarding Children and Adults – ACT

 

Slide 6 – What to consider when writing your policy?   

Each organisation is different and there isn’t one size fits all policy. Although templates can provide a quick starting point you will need to consider:

•  Does the policy reflect how you operate?
• Is it in keeping with the size and needs of your organisation.

• Think about the language:
  • use must and not may
  • be reader friendly, clear and easy to understand
  • if you use links, they need to be checked regularly

 

Slide 7 – What should you include in your safeguarding child safeguarding policy?

On the following slides I’ll talk you through each of these key policy elements relating to child safeguarding:

• Your aims and commitments regarding safeguarding.
• Refer to current legislation.
• Outline the scope of the policy.
• Give the legal definition of a child or young person.
• The definition of child abuse or neglect.
• State who is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and how can they be contacted

 

Slide 8 – Child Safeguarding policy: Aims and commitments

When writing your child safeguarding policy a stated aim might be to protect all children and young persons who come into contact with your organisation from harm, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation and the policy could state a commitment to support all committee members, staff and volunteers so that they have an understanding of their role and responsibilities regarding safeguarding. Your policy is an opportunity to reflect your organisations values and culture.

Example wording is shown on the slide (see below)

Aim

• Protect all children and young persons who come into contact with our organisation from harm, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Commitment

• Support all committee members, staff and volunteers in understanding their role and responsibilities regarding safeguarding

 

Slide 9 – Reference to Current Legislation

You should also include the relevant legislation to demonstrate your awareness of the need for legal compliance.  The legislation provides further guidance and clarifies your responsibilities.

In England, child safeguarding legislation is covered by three main acts:

• Children Act 1989.
• Children Act 2004.
• Children and Social Work Act 2017.

Working together to safeguard children is the key statutory guidance for anyone working with children in England.

For more detailed information regarding legislation for safeguarding children please refer to the links below

Child protection system for England | NSPCC Learning

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board

 

Slide  10– the Scope of the Policy

The scope of the safeguarding policy outlines who it applies to, typically staff, volunteers, and trustees, but consider who else may interact with the children, such as caretakers or contractors.

We recommend also including the paragraph shown on the slide that states that ‘Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone’, it is a reminder to us all that taking no action is not an option!

Text shown on slide

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone within

(name of organisation) that includes, committee members,

 staff, volunteers and service users. (name of organisation)

 recognises that every organisation has a crucial role to play in

the support, identification and reporting of adults who may be at

risk of harm. Doing nothing is never an option.

 

Slide 11 – Definition of a Child or Young Person

In England, a child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if a child has reached 16 years of age and is:

• Living independently.
• In further education.
• A member of the armed forces.
• In hospital.
• In custody in the secure estate.

It is important to remember that even when they are away from home living as an adult, they are still legally children and should be given the same protection and entitlements as any other child and any safeguarding concerns will need to be managed via the safeguarding procedures.

 

Slide 12 – Definition of Abuse or Neglect

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 includes definitions of the four broad categories of abuse:

• Physical Abuse.
• Emotional Abuse.
• Sexual Abuse.
• Neglect.

Supporting your staff and volunteers to be able to recognise the signs of child abuse or neglect is a priority.

How much detail you choose to include within your policy for both the definition of abuse and neglect and potential indicators again will be relevant to the size and service your organisation provides.

The template we have available on request provides a brief statement within the policy but with further information being provided within an appendix which you may wish to consider as an option.

Please refer to   Recognition of Abuse and Neglect | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board or the  NSPCC link within the transcript as both are  excellent resources. Understanding child abuse: types, signs, and support | NSPCC

 

Slide 13– Designated Safeguarding Lead

• Name and contact of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputy.
• Name of safeguarding trustee.

Charity trustees have a collective responsibility for safeguarding which includes appointing a Designated Safeguarding lead (and ideally a deputy) and a named trustee to oversee safeguarding.

 

Slide 14 – What we recommend including in your safeguarding adults at risk policy?

We’ll now go on to look at an Adult at Risk safeguarding policy and procedures

The following slides will consider these key elements:

• Your aims and commitments regarding safeguarding.
• Reference to current legislation.
• Scope of the policy.
• Definition of an adult at risk.
• Definition of abuse or neglect.
• Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Although the points covered are the same to those in the safeguarding children’s policy, there are some significant differences which is why separate policies are recommended.

 

Slide 15 Adult at risk policy: Aims and Commitments

Just as with child safeguarding the policy should state aims or outcomes and commitment to achieving these.  An example for an adult safeguarding policy is shown on the slide (see below):

Aim:
To create a safe and supportive environment where all adults, particularly adults at risk, are protected from harm, abuse, and exploitation.

Commitment:
We will ensure all staff and volunteers attend safeguarding training annually, we will implement robust reporting procedures for suspected abuse and conduct background checks on all those working within our organisation. “

 

Slide 16 – Reference to Current Legislation (Adults)

Key legislation your policy must reference include The Care Act 2014.   The six key principles are shown on the slide (see below) and underpin how organisations should manage adult safeguarding, how you support adults who need care, and ensures that everyone you work with is treated with respect and empowered to make choices about their care.

The 6 key principles should inform your policy and practices for safeguarding adults. If you work with adults at risk it is an essential read prior to developing or reviewing your adult policy.

Text from slide

The Care Act 2014 – Six Key principles:

Empowerment – People are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.

Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.

Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.

Partnership – Services offer local solutions through working closely with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting, and reporting neglect and abuse.

Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

Here is the relevant link to the guidance in this transcript. Safeguarding Adults at Risk Key Legislation and Government Initiatives

 

Slide 17 – Reference to current legislation

Other key pieces of legislation your policy should reference are:

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA)

The MCA is the legislation that provides the legal framework for making decisions on behalf of adults who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP):

The MCA outlines how to assess capacity, make decisions in the best interests of those who lack capacity, and the legal obligations of those acting on behalf of others.

Making Safeguarding Personal MSP is ensuring that safeguarding work is done with the person concerned and not to the person concerned. This again needs to be reflected within your procedure.

For more detail please refer to. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board (safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk)

 

Slide 18 Scope of the adult at risk policy

The scope of the safeguarding policy outlines who it applies to, typically staff, volunteers, and trustees, but consider who else may interact with the person at risk of abuse.

 

Slide 19– Definition of an Adult at Risk

An adult at risk of abuse

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs).
• Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.
• As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

 

Slide 20 – Adult Definition of Abuse

The Care Act guidance lists the following types of abuse:

• Physical abuse.
• Domestic violence.
• Sexual abuse.
• Psychological abuse.
• Financial or material abuse.
• Modern slavery.
• Discriminatory abuse.
• Organisational abuse.
• Neglect and acts of omission.
• Self-neglect.

Recognising abuse is the first step toward following safeguarding procedures, ensuring appropriate action is taken to protect individuals. Understanding potential indicators—like changes in behaviour, unexplained injuries, or withdrawal can help to stop abuse. The details you include within your policy regarding abuse and signs or indicators is down to each organisation but again can reinforce your safeguarding commitment.

 

Slide 21- Designated safeguarding lead

As with the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Adult Safeguarding policy should give the name and contact details of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and their deputy  and the name of the trustee who takes a particular interest in safeguarding and ensures it is considered in all relevant trustee decisions.

 

Slide 22 – What to include within your safeguarding procedures?

This slide provides some guidance to help you address the key points of a safeguarding procedure, whether it’s for children or adults.

• How to recognise the signs of abuse and neglect.
• How to respond appropriately.
• How, when and what to record.
• How, when and where to report.
• Managing an allegation against a staff member or volunteer.
• Information sharing.
• Reviewing safeguarding practises.
• Annual review of policy.

While the overarching points are similar, the way you manage processes for children and adults will differ. This difference should be reflected in the specific wording and approach outlined in your child and adult safeguarding procedure.

 

Slide 23 – Additional considerations

We’ve now completed our review of what you should include in your adult or child safeguarding policy and procedures.  But there are additional points that need to be considered and you should check whether the following are covered within other policies and if not, consider if they are relevant for your organisation

• On-line safety and use of social media
• Whistleblowing
• Events and outings
• Record keeping and retention
• Safer recruitment
• Prevent
• Missing child
• Uncollected child
• Mobile phones and cameras
• Anti bullying

If you need help addressing any of these please contact us.

 

Slide 24– Next Steps

• You might now want to take some time to read the useful links provided with the transcript, review your current practises and see what works well or could be improved.
• Ensure your policy is easy to read for anyone who needs to understand it, and you might want to consider testing a draught policy with a small group to identify any unclear sections.
• You also need to think about how your policies and procedures are communicated and whether people need training to ensure they understand and can follow them clearly.

 

Slide 25 – Thank You

If you would like more individual support, further guidance, a policy review or draft templates please contact us Info@supportcambrigdeshire.org.uk​

Remember we are here to help!

 

Guidance links

For a copy of our safeguarding templates please contact us at info@supportcambridgeshire.org.uk 

Slide 5

Why Have Different Policies and Procedures for Safeguarding Children and Adults – ACT

Slide9

Child protection system for England | NSPCC Learning

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board

Slide 12

Recognition of Abuse and Neglect | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board

Understanding child abuse: types, signs, and support | NSPCC

Slide 16

Safeguarding Adults at Risk Key Legislation and Government Initiatives

Slide 17

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policy | Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Safeguarding Partnership Board (safeguardingcambspeterborough.org.uk)