Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

AHRA abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of all, including children, young people and vulnerable adults. We are committed to following safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements.

  • We recognise the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take.
  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation has an equal right to 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 believe that children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind and that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
  1. THE AIMS OF THIS POLICY

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who receive AHRA services from harm.

• to safeguarding all who receive AHRA services from harm.

• to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

2. WHO IS THIS POLICY FOR

This policy is applicable to staff, volunteers and visitors working with children or vulnerable adults. AHRA is committed to practice which protects children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm.

Staff within AHRA accept and recognise our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which cause children, young people and vulnerable adults harm.

3. KEY DEFINITIONS

Child: In Northern Ireland, The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 defines a ‘child’ as a person under the age of 18.

Vulnerable Adult: A vulnerable adult, or adult at risk of harm, is a person aged 18 or over, whose exposure to harm through abuse, exploitation or neglect may be increased by their personal characteristics or life circumstances.

Definitions of abuse

Physical abuse

Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose.

Examples of physical abuse are:

  • hitting, slapping, shaking or throwing
  • burning or scalding
  • drowning, suffocating or choking
  • pushing or kicking
  • inappropriate restraint or false imprisonment
  • using physical force to discipline
  • misusing medication
  • fabricating or inducing an illness or ill health

Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in children can include:

  • unexplained recurrent injuries, marks or burns
  • covering injuries with clothing even in hot weather
  • fear of physical contact and shrinking back if touched

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is when a child is enticed or forced to take part in sexual activities. This kind of abuse does not always involve a high level of violence and the child may or may not be aware of what is happening.

The abuse may be committed by adult men and women, or by other children. 

Examples of sexual abuse are:

  • causing or inciting a child to watch or engage in sexual activities
  • encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways
  • involving a child in looking at sexual images or videos
  • involving a child in the production of sexual images or videos
  • grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet)

Signs and symptoms of sexual abuse in children can include:

  • extreme reactions such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses or anorexia
  • personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging
  • being isolated or withdrawn
  • medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals or venereal diseases

Child sexual exploitation

Child sexual exploitation involves situations, contexts or relationships in which a person under 18 is given something, such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts or money in return for performing sexual activities or having sexual activities performed on them. It can also involve violence, coercion and intimidation, with threats of physical harm or humiliation.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse happens in many different ways.  It can affect how a young person or child feels about themselves, or how they fit in with friends, at school, or where they live.

Examples of emotional abuse are:

  • being made to feel inadequate, worthless or unloved
  • being unfairly blamed
  • being bullied, including over the internet (cyber-bullying)
  • being made to feel frightened or in danger
  • witnessing the abuse of others such as domestic abuse

Signs and symptoms of emotional abuse in children can include:

  • reduced physical, mental and emotional development
  • continual self-depreciation, eg ‘I’m stupid’, ‘I’m ugly’, ‘I’m worthless’
  • inappropriate response to pain, eg ‘I deserve this’
  • neurotic behaviour, eg rocking, hair twisting or self-mutilation

Neglect

Neglect is when a child or young person’s basic needs are persistently not being met by their parent or guardian.

These basic needs include:

  • adequate food, clothing and shelter
  • protection from physical and emotional harm or danger
  • adequate supervision (including not being left at home alone)
  • access to appropriate medical care including dental treatment

Signs and symptoms of neglect in children can include:

  • constant hunger or tiredness
  • poor personal hygiene
  • poor condition and cleanliness of clothing
  • untreated medical problems
  • no social relationships

4. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

This policy has been drawn up with reference to all safeguarding legislation, policy and guidance, including that relevant to protect children in Northern Ireland. The legislative framework for Northern Ireland’s child protection system is set out in The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

5. POLICY STATEMENT

AHRA is committed to practice, (and the promotion of this practice), which protects children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm. Staff within AHRA accept and recognise our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which cause children, young people and vulnerable adults harm. AHRA endeavours to safeguard children, young people, and vulnerable adults by:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them.
  • following safeguarding best practice.
  • implementing effective procedures for reporting children, young people and vulnerable adult protection concerns within AHRA.
  • the appointment of a nominated child protection lead for children and young people.
  • following procedures for recruitment and selection of paid and unpaid staff.
  • providing effective management for all staff through supervision, support, and training.
  • recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise.
  • ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistle blowing measures in place.
  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
  • building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Risk assessments

Risk assessments are completed for activities across our youth programme, including summer scheme activities and outings, youth club activities and events, and outside trips. These are available upon request.

6. DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING OFFICER

Any concerns regarding the wellbeing of a child, young person or vulnerable adult service user are reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. The role of the Designated Safeguarding Officer is to receive and consider all children, young person and vulnerable adults’ protection concerns and, where appropriate, make further referrals to police, social services and/or other safeguarding bodies. 

AHRA Designated Safeguarding Officer

Name: Affra Jennings

Phone number: 077425 09011

Email:dso@ahra.org.uk

7. REPORTING PROCEDURES

If you have a concern about the welfare of a child / young person or an adult at

risk or the behaviour of an adult in relation to a child or an adult at risk

YOU MUST:

Record your concern in writing; (using the Safeguarding Incident form) or

Report your concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer.

If the child or adult at risk is in imminent danger of harm you should refer to the police or social services without delay.

On receiving the report of a concern, the Designated Safeguarding Officer must:

1. Review the concern, along with any other relevant information and decide, often in liaison with others, what actions should be taken.

2. Refer in telephone to police, Social Services gateway team or out of hours contact the Regional Emergency Social Work Service, and then follow up in writing within 24 hours.

3. Record in writing all actions taken, the reasons for these and by whom the actions were taken.

Parental Complaints

How to make a complaint about Annadale Community Centre in relation to a child or young people.

Provide us with as much detail as you can to help us investigate your complaint:

  • say what the problem is
  • say what you want to happen
  • provide information on any relevant communication with us on the subject, including, for example, any reference numbers on letters or emails, and the times and dates of any conversations

Complaints may be made in-person or via email to the chairperson at:

Chairperson@ahra.org.uk

Or in writing to:

Annadale Community Centre
49 Delhi Parade
BT7 3AU

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