Legal Notice

Safeguarding Policy and Procedures 

Safeguarding Policy Statement 

Teth Youth and Adult Services is fully committed to promoting children's rights,  notably their right to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation and to be  involved in any decisions that directly affect them. Teth Youth and Adult Services has a duty of care to implement effective policies and procedures for safeguarding  the welfare of children and young people. In order to achieve this, we will ensure  our staff and volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised.  Furthermore, we will endeavour to keep up to date with national developments  relating to the care and protection of children and young people. 

Teth Youth and Adult Services will: 

1. Ensure that all workers understand their legal and moral obligations to protect children  and young people from harm, abuse and exploitation 

2. Develop best practice in relation to the recruitment of all workers (paid staff and  volunteers)  

3. Provide opportunities for all newly appointed workers (paid and unpaid) through the  provision of induction training, which gives an overview of the organisation's purpose,  values, structure and services 

4. Ensure that all workers understand their responsibility to work to the standards and  procedures detailed in the organisation’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding procedures  

5. Ensure that all workers understand their obligations to report care or protection  concerns about a child/young person, or a worker’s conduct towards a child/young  person, to the organisation's designated person for child protection 

6. Ensure that all procedures relating to the conduct of workers are implemented in a  consistent and equitable manner 

7. Ensure that the designated safeguarding officer understands his/her responsibility to  refer any concerns to the statutory agencies (i.e. police and/or social work) 

8. Ensure that the organisation meets all its responsibilities in adhering to the  requirements of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Act 2007 

9. Provide opportunities for all workers (paid and unpaid) to develop their skills and  knowledge particularly in relation to the care and protection of children, young people and disabled people 

10.Ensure that children and young people are enabled to express their ideas and views on  a wide range of issues and will have access to the organisation's complaints  procedures 

11.Endeavour to keep up to date with national developments relating to the care and  protection of children and young people 

SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES 

Section 1 - Introduction 

•Teth Youth and Adult Services is committed to providing a safe environment for young  people. This Safeguarding Policy reflects this commitment and aims to ensure that all  concerns about the care and protection of children and young people are effectively  managed 

•The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for developing and reviewing the organisation's  Child Protection Policy statement and other care and protection policies and guidelines.  However, all workers (paid or unpaid) for Teth Youth and Adult Services are required to  implement the child protection procedures 

•Section 5 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 states that "it shall be the responsibility of a  person who is 16 or over and who has care and control of a child under 16, to do what is  reasonable to safeguard the child's health, development and welfare". This places on  Teth Youth and Adult Services a Duty of Care for the children and young people we work  with. Teth Youth and Adult Services also recognizes that all children and young people  have the right to freedom from abuse as outlined in the UN Convention of Rights of the  Child. Teth Youth and Adult Services will constantly strive to provide a safe environment,  free from any forms of abuse, for all the young people in its care. Teth Youth and Adult  Services’ understanding of abuse can be found in Appendix 2  

•Teth Youth and Adult Services has a commitment to children's rights, notably their right  to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation and to be involved in any decisions  which directly affect them 

Section 2 - Recruitment 

Teth Youth and Adult Services recognises that appropriate recruitment and selection  procedures are a vital part in developing and maintaining a safe environment for children  and young people. The following procedures are in place to ensure that only suitable  applicants are accepted as volunteers or staff of Teth Youth and Adult Services: 

•All applicants (staff and volunteers) will be asked to complete an application form  •All applicants (staff and volunteers) will be asked to complete a self declaration form 

•All successful applicants (paid and unpaid positions) will be asked to provide suitable  references  

•All suitable applicants (paid and unpaid positions) will be asked to attend an interview 

•A self declaration form will be used so that interviewed applicants can declare and  discuss any convictions (and their context) with the organisation 

•Any applicant found to be fully listed on the Children's List will not be appointed to a  regulated work (paid or unpaid) position. 

Section 3 - Training 

All newly appointed staff and volunteers at Teth Youth and Adult Services will receive  training, support, information and guidance to ensure they understand their role and  responsibilities with regard to Safeguarding. This will include: 

•Details of the structure of the organisation will be provided, including the details of overall  responsibility for child protection within the organisation 

•Details of the organisations aims and objectives will be provided 

•An assessment of staffs (paid and unpaid) training and development requirements will be  completed 

•The roles and responsibilities of staff and volunteers within the organisation will be  clarified 

•Clear details of the expectations, roles and responsibilities of all newly appointed staff  and volunteers will be provided 

•All staff and volunteers must agree and sign up to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policy  and procedures 

•Training, information and a copy of the organisation’s Code of Conduct will be provided  

•The contact details and roles and responsibilities of the organisation’s Safeguarding Officer will be provided 

Section 4 - Responding to suspicion or allegation of abuse 

Members of staff (paid and unpaid) have a duty to report any suspicions, allegations or  disclosures to Trudy-Ann Campbell. However, the first concern must be the reassurance of  the child or young person and their protection from any potential risk. During the reporting  process the young person should be protected from further contact with the individual  involved in the allegation. 

As a worker or volunteer your role in safeguarding is not to investigate or decide if abuse  has taken place. Your role is to observe, record and report. The following steps (over  page) should be followed in response to suspicion or allegation of abuse:

Are you concerned about the safety of a child or young person?

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For example if: 

• A child/young person has alleged that they are being abused  

• Your see or suspect abuse 

• The organisation has received a third party report that a child/young person is being  abused/neglected 

• There are signs and indicators which could point to abuse/neglect

🡻 

ACT IMMEDIATELY 

Discuss your concerns with Trudy-Ann Campbell as soon as possible. If the allegation is about either of  these people, contact Agnes Wright. These steps should be taken as soon as possible. 

Discussions should focus on:  

Nature of concerns; Risks to the child or young person; Action and next steps to be taken

🡻 

In following the procedures below please bear in mind: 

DO NOT INVESTIGATE - Staff and volunteers should not attempt to investigate the situation any  further or interview the child or young person regarding the situation.  

CONFIDENTIALITY - Details of suspicion, allegations or disclosures should only be passed on to  Trudy-Ann Campbell. If responding to an allegation from a young person you must not promise to keep  the information they disclose confidential. 

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RECORD INFORMATION 

Detailed written records should be made of all events and what the young person or other individuals  have said (where this applies). A form is supplied in Appendix 1 to help structure this. It can also be  used to inform Social Work/Police of the events that have occurred. Above and beyond the facts,  any opinions or personal interpretations of the facts presented can be recorded but it should be clear  they are opinions, rather than facts. Records should be signed and stored in a secure place

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SEEK ADVICE and REFER TO APPROPRIATE AGENCY 

Trudy-Ann Campbell should contact the Social Work Department and/or the Police and ask to speak to  the Duty Officer about a safeguarding issue. If the report is received during an evening then the Social  Work department Emergency Duty team and/or the Police should be contacted. Any further action  should only be taken in line with the advice given by the Social Work Department. This includes  whether the parent or carer of the young person should be informed of the safeguarding concerns. 

Where an allegation is made against a Teth Youth and Adult Services worker (paid or  unpaid), the above process still applies.  

Section 5 - Responding when a child or young person discloses abuse 

It is likely that a child or young person who has been abused will have given a lot of  thought as to whether they should disclose the abuse. It is highly likely that they will be  nervous and afraid that they might be rejected, blamed or not believed. It is important that  staff and volunteers follow the steps outlined below: 

Stay calm 

Remain calm and natural. You have been approached because you are trusted, not  because you are an expert counsellor. Do not promise to keep the information secret; you  may have to inform an appropriate person. You must take any disclosure seriously and  reassure the young person that you believe them. 

Listen and take the allegation seriously 

Listen to what the child or young person is saying. Give them the time and opportunity to  tell you as much as they are able and willing to. Do not pressurise them and allow them to  disclose information at their own pace. You should not investigate, ask leading questions  

or ask specific or explicit questions. You should only clarify what they are willing to tell you  in their own words. Try to do this in an appropriate place, such as a room where other  people can see in through an open door or window. Whilst it's important to respect the  young person's privacy it should not be at the expense of other child protection measures.  

Reassure 

Reassure them that you believe what they are saying and that you know it is not their fault.  You should also give them some indication of what you will do next with the information  that they have given you. 

Confidentiality 

Reiterate that you cannot promise to keep the information secret. You must take any  disclosure seriously. Details of the disclosure should only be passed on to Trudy-Ann  Campbell, who should refer the case to the appropriate authorities 

Wherever possible you should try not to discuss any concerns that you have about a child  or young person in a way that may lead others to suspect that they are being abused.

Record 

If you are able to, make brief notes during the initial disclosure, explaining to the young  person why you are doing it. If it's not possible to do so at the time, record the details as  soon as possible after the disclosure with as many facts as possible (dates, times, actual  words used). 

Look after yourself 

Being trusted with a disclosure of abuse directly from a young person can be emotionally  draining, worrying and very stressful. Whilst it's essential that confidentially is maintained  at all times, it's important that you consider your own emotional feelings and discuss any  anxieties you have with Trudy-Ann Campbell. If appropriate, Trudy-Ann Campbell will  

arrange additional support for you. 

Section 6 - 

Protection of Workers who report care and protection concerns 

Deciding to report a colleague or volunteer you suspect of abusing or otherwise harming a  child can be stressful and difficult and you may be worried about the person concerned  taking action against you. The law does give you protection if you raise concerns or report  a colleague as long as the report was not malicious or vexatious. 

Section 7 - Data Protection and management of confidential information 

Teth Youth and Adult Services is committed to the safe and secure management of  confidential information. All personnel information, including volunteer information, is kept  locked and can only be accessed by those that require it to carry out their role. Only  relevant information is kept and this is regularly reviewed and outdated information  destroyed appropriately. 

Teth Youth and Adult Services is also committed to the rights of children and young  people to confidentiality and this will be respected by all workers. However, where a  worker feels that the information disclosed by a child or young people should be referred  to their line manager for investigation by an appropriate agency, the young person should  be told that confidentially cannot be kept.  

Section 8 - Review of Safeguarding policy and procedures 

This policy and procedures document will be reviewed annually by Trudy-Ann Campbell,  Agnes Wright and all staff and volunteers will be notified of any changes. 

This policy has been approved by: Trudy-Ann Campbell 

On behalf of: Teth Youth and Adult Services Date: 15/03/2024 Signed: T. Campbell

APPENDIX 1 

Child Welfare Report Form 

•A report should be made by the person who has had the initial concerns about a child's  welfare using this pro forma 

•The report should be handed to Trudy-Ann Campbell in a sealed envelope •The recipient should contact the appropriate Social Work Dept/Police 

Name:  

Date:  

Who is putting the child/young person at risk? (eg staff member, family member) 

Name and contact details of child/young person/s you concern relates to: 

Outline your reasons for concern:

Key Points

Brief outline of any action you have already taken to protect the child/young person: 

Signature: 

Designation: 

Date: 

Follow up action taken by : 

Signature: 

Designation: 

Date:

APPENDIX 2 

Teth Youth and Adult Services - Understanding of Abuse Abuse to children or vulnerable young people is described under the following headings: 

Neglect 

The persistent or severe neglect of a child or young person, whether wilful or unintentional,  which results in serious impairment to physical heath and development. For example: 

•exposing a child to extreme weather conditions e.g. heat and cold. 

• failing to seek medical attention for injuries. 

•exposing a child to risk of injury through the use of unsafe equipment. 

•exposing a child to a hazardous environment without a proper risk assessment of the  activity. 

• failing to provide adequate nutrition and water. 

Signs which may raise concerns about physical neglect include: 

• constant hunger  

•poor personal hygiene and/or poor state of clothing 

• constant tiredness 

• frequent lateness or unexplained non-attendance (particularly at school) •untreated medical problems 

• low self-esteem 

•poor peer relationships  

• stealing 

Physical Injury  

Actual or attempted physical injury to a child or young person where there is definite  knowledge or reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not  prevented. For example:  

•Deliberately hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating  or otherwise harming a child. 

Signs which may raise concerns about physical abuse include: 

• refusal to discuss injuries 

•aggression towards others 

• improbable excuses given to explain injuries

• fear of parents being approached for an explanation 

• running away  

•untreated injuries 

•excessive physical punishment 

•avoiding activities due to injuries or possibility of injuries being discovered •unexplained injuries, particularly if recurrent 

Emotional Abuse 

The adverse effect on the behaviour and emotional development of a child or young  person, caused by failure to provide for their basic emotional needs. For example: 

•Persistent failure to show any respect to a child (e.g. continually ignoring a child) •Constantly humiliating a child by telling them they are useless. 

•Continually being aggressive towards a child, making them feel frightened. 

•Acting in a way which is detrimental to the child's self-esteem (e.g name calling, sarcasm,  constant criticism) 

Signs which may raise concerns about emotional abuse include: 

• low self-esteem  

• significant decline in concentration 

• running away 

• indiscriminate friendliness and neediness 

•extremes of passivity or aggression  

• self-harm or mutilation 

Sexual Abuse  

Any child or young person below the age of 18 may be deemed to have been sexually  abused when any person, by design or neglect, exploits the child or young person directly  or indirectly, in any activity intended to lead to the sexual arousal or other forms of  gratification of that person or any other person including organised networks. This includes  forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities whether or not they are aware of  or consent to what is happening. Sexual abuse may involve physical contact, and non contact acts such as forcing children to look at or be involved in the production of  pornographic material, to watch sexual activities or encouraging them to behave in  sexually inappropriate ways. For example: 

•exposure to sexually explicit inappropriate language or jokes. 

• showing a child pornographic material or using a child to produce such material. • inappropriate touching.

The following signs may raise concerns about sexual abuse: 

• lack of trust in adults or over familiarity with adults, fear of a particular adult • social isolation - being withdrawn or introverted, poor peer relationship • sleep disturbance (nightmares, bedwetting, fear of sleeping alone) 

• running away from home 

•drug, alcohol or solvent abuse  

•display of sexual knowledge beyond the child's age 

Other abusive behaviour towards children and young people 

Staff, volunteers and committee members should also be aware of other, perhaps less  obvious, forms of abuse. These may be dismissed by perpetrators as 'just fun' or 'having a  laugh' with young people but can have a serious impact and cannot be allowed or go  unchallenged: 

•Bullying of any form, including name calling or constant criticism  

• 'Picking on' a young person because of their family background, manner of dress or  physical characteristic 

•Racism or sectarianism of any form 

•Favouritism and exclusion - all young people should be equally supported and  encouraged 

•Abusive language or gestures