This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the advisory board, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working or volunteering on behalf of The Land Collective CIC.
This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children and young people in the United Kingdom.
OUR ORGANISATION BELIEVES
OUR ORGANISATION RECOGNISES
WE WILL SAFEGUARD CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE BY
The Land Collective’s safeguarding policy and procedures are based upon principles within UK, international legislation and government guidance. Below is an overview of relevant legislation and guidance. We all have a legal and moral obligation and responsibility to contribute to making The Land Collective a safe and friendly place to be. Our policies and procedures take into account the following:
The Land Collective CIC acknowledges that good practice is essential when working with young people. To provide children, young people and vulnerable adults with the best possible experience and opportunities all of our staff must operate within an accepted ethical framework. Below is a list showing what is meant by good practice and poor practice, so that workers and volunteers can identify whether poor practice and possible abuse may be taking place.
All people at The Land Collective CIC should adhere to the following actions:
These actions are regarded as poor practice.
It is not always easy to recognise where abuse has occurred, however, all working and volunteering within The Land Collective CIC have a duty to be watchful and respond appropriately to suspicions of poor practice, abuse or bullying. This does not mean that it is our worker’s or volunteer’s responsibility to make a decision as to whether the situation is poor practice, but it does mean that it is our worker’s or volunteer’s duty to report absolutely any concerns.
Abuse has many forms, but essentially it is a term that describes the way in which a child, young person or vulnerable adult can be harmed by individuals or groups. This does not necessarily exclude those that the individual may know well.
Abuse tends to be categorised into four main forms; physical, emotional, sexual or neglect that leads to injury or harm. It is most common within a relationship of trust or responsibility, where an abuse of power or breach of trust occurs. Abuse in all of its forms can affect any child, young person or vulnerable adult. It is so critical that any abuse is prevented as the effects can be so destructive that if not prevented they may follow the individual into later life.
Defined as when individuals deliberately inflict injuries on a person, or knowingly do not prevent such injuries. It includes harm caused by hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, biting, scalding, suffocating, drowning or using excessive force. Giving a child, young person or vulnerable adult alcohol or inappropriate drugs would also constitute abuse, along with the failure to supervise their access to these substances.
No abuse of any kind will be tolerated.
Emotional abuse can be described as repetitive emotional ill-treatment of a person, which is likely to cause harsh and permanent unfavourable effects on their emotional development. Examples can be telling a child, young person or vulnerable adult that they are a waste of time, making them feel insignificant and unwelcome or calling them names and bullying them.
Activities can easily fall foul of creating such effects as described above via overzealous e.g. criticising a child, young person or vulnerable adult and expecting too much of them. As a result, it may cause anxiety which in turn can result in the loss of self-confidence.
This can occur when a person, uses another person to meet their own sexual needs or gratification. This includes any sexual contact, showing a child, young person or vulnerable adult pornography or talking to them in a sexually overt manner. This can also occur if there is any inappropriate physical contact with a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
Neglect occurs when adults fail to meet a child, young person or vulnerable adult’s physical or mental needs, which then in turn results in serious harm to their growth or health. An example of neglect would be failing to provide a person’s basic needs such as food, water, shelter, protection, medical care, etc. This could also be exposing a child, young person or vulnerable adult to unbearable heat or cold.
The definitions above are a guide. The Land Collective CIC will deal with the above issues in depth within its induction training.
As mentioned previously it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. Most people are not experts in such detection however it is important to remember that it is not the responsibility of those working in The Land Collective CIC to decide that abuse is occurring. It is their responsibility to act on any concerns. Some of the signs that abuse is occurring, which should be looked out for, may include one or more of the following:
There are many ways in which we may become aware of the possible occurrence of abuse, mainly through some of the ways listed above, or even witnessing it occur. In some cases, it may be reported to us or we may be directly informed by the person affected.
It is important to remember that no matter how you have been made aware, it is not the responsibility of any of The Land Collective CIC’ workers or volunteers to make the decision as to whether a child, young person or vulnerable adult is actually being abused, it is simply your responsibility to act on any concerns by contacting the appropriate authorities so that the correct and necessary action can be taken to protect them.
If you believe a disclosure is about to be made, or a child, young person or vulnerable adult is in the process of disclosing, you must tell them that you will have to talk to other people. Never tell them that you will keep it a secret. Tell the child, young person or vulnerable adult that you must talk to other people who can help. Be open and honest. Tell them who you will have to speak to and why.
If a child, young person or vulnerable adult directly informs you then you must respond in a caring calm manner. Support them and listen carefully to show that you are taking them seriously, avoid questioning them, to avoid it being argued that they have been led during questioning.
The main priority is the safety of the individual. If any medical attention is needed you must call an ambulance immediately. Ensure that the child, young person or vulnerable adult knows that you will need to tell other people to stop the abuse from continuing.
Make certain that you record all information straight away and report the incident as soon as possible to The Land Collective CIC’s Founder. The information recorded should be very thorough and should be made at the time of the concern, detailing all the facts and not including your own opinions. The record should include the following:
The Land Collective CIC expects its members to talk about any concerns they may have about the welfare of a child, young person or vulnerable adult immediately with the Founder. If this person is not available then you should seek advice from one of the other Advisory Board members.
NB: If there is any doubt, you must report the incident, as it may be just one of a series of other incidents which together cause concern.
Every effort should be made to make sure that confidentiality is maintained for everyone that is concerned with any allegations. Information should be handled on a need-to-know basis only.
All information should be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people, in line with data protection laws.
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
All concerns to be sent in strict confidence to:
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