This policy applies to all staff, including subcontracted freelancers working on behalf of 2-3 Degrees.
Policy Statement
2-3 Degrees provides a range of services to children and young people, as the main beneficiaries. In the context of this policy, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 16 and a young person as anyone aged under 30 years (as defined by the European Commission).
The purpose of this policy is:
- to protect children and young people who receive 2-3 Degrees services
- to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding
2-3 Degrees believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe from harm while receiving the services from 2-3 Degrees. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:
- Child Protection Policy
- Safer recruitment policy
- Confidentiality Policy
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Relevant government guidance on safeguarding children
- Prevent Duty and British Values 2015
Related documents Safeguarding procedure & Safeguarding Incident Form
We recognise that:
- the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
- all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
- some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
- working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
- valuing them, listening to and respecting them
- adopting child protection practices through procedures and a code of
- conduct for staff and volunteers
- developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures
- providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training
- recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
- sharing information about child protection and good practice with children,
- parents, staff and volunteers
- sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
Safe practices when recruiting new paid and unpaid workers
2-3 Degrees will ensure that the recruitment and selection procedure will take account of the need to protect children and young people and where appropriate and applicable follow recruitment procedures in line DFE guidance: “Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2018).
A formal application process will be required for all posts, including volunteers and subcontracted workers whose role is to work with the children and young people. During this process we will request information on any past convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings as well as any pending cases. It will also ask applicants if they have ever had any complaints of abuse against them.
There will be interviews before anyone is appointed. All interviews will include key safeguarding questions. An overview of the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses will be recorded.
Two references will be taken up for all successful candidates prior to a formal offer of employment, and where appropriate referees will be asked to comment on the applicant’s suitability to work with children or young people.
Where relevant to the post, whether paid or voluntary, the successful applicant will be asked to agree to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check. Disclosures will be requested prior to the applicant taking up post (staff and subcontractors must undergo a new DBS check every three years to ensure the safety of 2-3Degrees service users).
All staff will have a designated supervisor who will provide appropriate ongoing support and supervision. Continued professional development and performance will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Induction and on-going Training for Staff, Contractors and Volunteers
All new paid workers, contractors and volunteers will have an induction and will work for a trial period of at least 3 months before their appointment is confirmed.
Induction for all new staff, contractors and volunteers will include information and training on all relevant policies, including this policy and the 2-3 Degrees Safeguarding Procedure to ensure they have an understanding of safeguarding. They will be given copies of this policy and on-going training will be provided when necessary.
Supervision and support of all volunteers, contractors and staff will include monitoring of safeguarding practices and reviews of progress.
The organisation will access further training and learning about safeguarding issues and best practice training for when working with young people as deemed relevant and required e.g. to update knowledge.
Running a safe organisation
Up-to-date risk assessments of 2-3 Degrees venues and its activities will be written up and kept electronically. They will be shared with all those responsible for 2-3 Degrees services.
All 2-3 Degrees services will be assessed in advance and precautions will be made to prevent accidents.
- 2-3 Degrees recognises the need for adequate young people to adult ratios to ensure that it’s beneficiaries are safely supervised at all times.
- Regular checks will be made of any equipment, premises, or transport that 2-3 Degrees uses.
- Insurance policies are reviewed on an annual basis and kept up to date with any relevant changes. 2-3 Degrees will ensure that they provide adequate cover for any of its activities.
- Where possible, up to date information on each child or young person’s medical and dietary needs, any allergies or extra support needs will be kept by 2-3 Degrees. All those working with them will be briefed on these beforehand.
- In case an accident occurs during 2-3 Degrees activities, an electronic system for recording incidents or accidents is kept by 2-3 Degrees.
Reporting suspected abuse
All 2-3 Degrees staff, contractors or volunteers are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Safeguarding Lead on site, who will then inform Designated Safeguarding Lead (Azzees).
The Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Azzees Minott
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and child protection (including online safety) and provides advice and support to staff, contractors or volunteers on child welfare and child protection matters,
DSL is the first point of contact for external agencies that are pursuing Child Protection investigations and co-ordinates the school’s representation at CP conferences and Core Group meetings (including the submission of written reports for conferences).
When an individual concern/incident is brought to the notice of the Designated Safeguarding Lead, they will be responsible for deciding upon whether or not this should be reported to other agencies as a safeguarding issue.
Where there is any doubt as to the seriousness of this concern, or disagreement between the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the member of staff reporting the concern, advice will be sought from the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) or the LA’s Strategic Lead Officer for safeguarding in education services.
If a child is in immediate danger or is at risk of harm, a referral will be made toMulti Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (or its equivalent in another LA if the child resides in a different LA) and/or the police immediately.
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
