Child Safeguarding Policy

The following are the Child Safeguarding Principles we have adopted to ensure, as far as practicable, that a child, while participating in activities is safe from harm:

• Maintain a child safeguarding policy that raises awareness about the possibility of child abuse occurring and outlines the steps to be taken if it is suspected.
• Provide child protection training for leaders and helpers, which clarifies the responsibilities of individuals, and clearly shows the procedures to be followed if child abuse is suspected;
• Adopt safe practices to minimise the possibility of harm or accidents happening to children and to protect staff from the necessity to take risks and leave themselves open to accusations of abuse or neglect;
• Recognise that valuing children means valuing staff as well and that insistence on safe practices—eliminating the necessity for staff to take risks and providing them with support—will make for a healthier and safer organisation;
• Maintain a policy of openness with parents that involves consulting them about matters that concerns their children, and encourages them to get involved with the organisation wherever possible;
• Adopt and consistently applies clearly defined methods of recruiting staff and volunteers;
• Do not permit anyone against whom a plausible complaint of abuse has been made (unless the complaint proves to be without foundation) to participate in its activities with young people;
• Maintain procedures for responding to accidents and complaints;
• Recognise that the welfare of children must be paramount, regardless of all other considerations;
• Acknowledge the rights of children to be protected, treated with respect, listened to and have their own views taken into consideration;
• Acknowledge that a child’s age, sex and background affect the way they experience and understand what is happening to them;
• Recognise that early intervention with children who are vulnerable or at risk may prevent serious harm from happening to them at a later stage;
• Co-operate with child care and protection agencies and professionals by sharing information when necessary and working together towards the best possible outcome for the children concerned and makes links with other relevant organisations in order to promote child protection and welfare policies and practices.

Designated Liason Persons:

Safeguarding Documents