Safeguarding | SKRUM.ORG

This policy applies to all staff, the board of trustees, volunteers and sessional workers, students and anyone working on behalf of SKRUM.

The purpose of this policy:

to protect children and young people who receive SKRUM’s services. This includes the children of adults who use our services;
to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection;
SKRUM 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. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of UK law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

Children Act 1989
United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
Data Protection Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Children Act 2004
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Children and Families Act 2014
Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years – Statutory guidance for organizations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014
Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding and services to children, young people, parents and carers; HM Government 2015
Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government 2015

Role of the designated safeguarding officer
Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person
Managing allegations against staff and volunteers
Recording and information sharing according to the relevant Data Protection legislation
Code of conduct for Trustees, staff and volunteers in Swaziland and the UK
Complaints
Health and safety

The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection for 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.

Valuing them, listening to and respecting them and by:

Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for children and young people and a Deputy Safeguarding Officer
Adopting child protection and safeguarding 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, training and quality assurances measures
Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
Recording and storing information professionally and securely, and sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via leaflets, posters, one-to- one discussions
Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young peoples, families and carers appropriately
Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing 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

Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Name: Tristan Muller-Forster
Email: Tristan.forster@skrum.org

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) Name: Nigel Larcombe-Williams
Email: nigel@skrum.org