Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding and Young People Policy.

 

Canvey Island Youth Project (CYP) also known as Yellow Door believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse or harm of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

According to the Children Act 1989, any individual under the age of 18 (eighteen) years,
without exception, has the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity,
disability, age, sexuality or beliefs. This right to protection extends to vulnerable adults.
Vulnerable adults are defined as a person aged 18 years or over who is in receipt of or
may be in need of community care services by reason of ‘mental or other disability, age
or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect
themselves against significant harm or exploitation’. Within the context of this policy, the
definition may be extended to those over the age of 18 years who may be at risk of harm
or may cause harm to others (regardless of their engagement with community care
services or any other criteria referred to above).

We recognise that:

• the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
• all children/young people regardless of age, disability, gender, racial
  heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity have the right to
  equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers
  and other agencies is essential in promoting children/young people’s

The purpose of the policy:

• To provide protection for the children and young people, who receive
  Canvey Island Youth Project services, including the children of clients.
• To provide staff with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the
  event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or
  be at risk of, harm.

This policy applies to all staff of Canvey Island Youth Project – Yellow door. The word “staff’ includes volunteers, paid workers, and committee members and anyone acting on authoritative behalf of the charity (e.g. users from other organisations who use the charity’s premises).

We will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by:

• Valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• Adopting safeguarding guidelines through procedures and a code of
  conduct for staff
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely ensuring all necessary checks are
  made
• Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with clients,
  staff
• Sharing information about concerns with child protection and vulnerable
  adult agencies and involving clients, parents and children appropriately. To comply with the data protection regulations (GDPR).
• Providing effective management for staff through supervision, support and
  training (to include safeguarding and child protection training)

 

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Purpose and aim of procedure

The aim of this procedure is to provide staff with guidance on procedures/processes they must
follow in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing or be
at risk of harm. These procedures are in accordance with current safeguarding
legislation and guidance (National and Local) published by ESCB on their website. All
staff with responsibility for safeguarding work to the current SET (Southend, Essex,
Thurrock) Child Protection Procedures.

 

Types of Abuse

Abuse can take many forms, such as physical, psychological, emotional, financial, sexual or institutional abuse, including neglect and exploitation. Please see Appendix 1 for definitions.

 

The designated person

The designated person for child protection issues is Alex Hawkins, the Manager.  Should
the Manager be absent then Sue Benson, Chair, should be contacted. Contact numbers
for both Alex and Sue can be found in the office filing cabinet.

The designated person is fully trained in dealing with child protection and
safeguarding matters and understands:

• How to identify the signs and symptoms of abuse and when to make a referral.
• The local SET procedures and the designated person role within them.
• The role and responsibilities of the investigating agencies and how to liaise with
• The requirements of record keeping.

They will also follow the laid down procedures.

• Report allegations and suspicions to appropriate external agencies.
• Notify the Chair as soon as practical, and in any event within 24 hours of
  allegations against staff and incidents that may require management committee
• Keep a record of allegations reported to them.
• Act as a pivot for information and advice, relating to abuse or potential abuse for

those under 18 and vulnerable adults.

 

Recruitment and Selection of Staff and volunteers

All staff joining the charity must undergo the same induction process regardless of
which position they are to work in and their level of qualification. This includes the initial application form, interview, references, DBS check and induction training and 6 months’
probation period. Periodic enhanced DBS checks will take place every 3 years thereafter. In the event of a member of staff starting work before a DBS has been
returned they will be supervised at all times and a DBS (awaited) risk assessment completed.

In the event that a positive disclosure of any nature is received for a perspective member
of staff then a risk assessment will be undertaken to determine whether or not the offer
of employment should be withdrawn or to mitigate risk in the event of the recruitment
continuing. As standard practice any safeguarding convictions either live or spent will
result in the automatic withdrawal of an offer of employment and the matter will be
referred to the appropriate authorities.

 

All staff are under obligation as part of their continuing employment to notify the charity
of any action that may result in caution or prosecution at the time of incident which will
leads to a positive disclosure. In the event that the charity receives a positive disclosure for an individual who has not volunteered this information then the individual will be
subject to formal disciplinary procedures.

In the event that a positive disclosure of any nature is received for any existing member
of staff then a risk assessment will be undertaken to determine whether or not the
sanction poses any risk for young people or staff. As standard practice any safeguarding
convictions either live or spent discovered through the DBS recheck process will result in
the automatic termination of employment and the matter will be referred to the
appropriate authorities.

 

Training Staff

All staff should have training on safeguarding during their induction and thereafter they
should have ongoing training periodically. Designated leads will receive training as
recommended by ESCB and required ‘refreshers’.

 

Code of Behaviour

• All staff are representing the Youth Project when they are working with clients and should

therefore act in full accordance with the ethos and philosophy of the Project.

• All children and young people must be treated with respect.
• Staff should provide an example of good conduct.
• Staff should appropriately challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations/suspicion of abuse to the Manager.
• Staff should keep a reasonable distance between themselves and the client,
  respecting their space.
• Staff must not have inappropriate physical, verbal or emotional contact with children or young people.
• Boundary issues should be made clear, and reaffirmed periodically should it be
• Staff should work in pairs if transporting young people or children in their cars.
• Staff should communicate to the manager if they feel uncomfortable in the
  presence of a client, e.g. a client who makes remarks of a sexual nature to
  a member of staff.
• Staff and volunteers should not share images, information or ‘be-friend’ young people on any form of social media.
• Professional boundaries should be maintained at all times both in and outside the premises.

What to do when abuse is suspected or disclosed which is liable to put
young person or other children a risk.

Staff should record details of suspected abuse, harm or disclosure on the safeguarding incident /concern report form.

• A disclosure should include a full and careful record made by the person to whom
  the client has made the disclosure. During the disclosure the worker receiving the information should not ask any leading or specific questions and should allow the young person to share the information they wish to. This should be completed as soon as possible
  following the conversation, latest within 2 weeks and include the following;

 

• The date and time of the discussion
• The name of the person to whom the disclosure was made and the names of any
  others present during the disclosure
• Information about the client, including their name, date of birth, address and
  school/college
• Details of the conversation using, as far as possible, the language used by the
  person to whom the disclosure was made, any other person’s present and the
• Dates referred to by the discloser

 

• Records of suspected abuse should include;

• • What was observed including dates and details
  • What the child/young person/parent has said in response to any suspicions or concerns.
  • Any action that has been taken so far.
  • the clients full name, date of birth, address, details (if known) of any other family members.

 

• Staff should inform the designated person of their concerns or disclosure.
• All case notes and records should be kept in the office filing cupboard which should be
• The designated person will make phone contact with the relevant agency where
  there is a risk of immediate significant harm and also complete the Inter Agency
  Referral Form (Children and Young People) within 24 hours of the disclosure.
• The designated person will also inform the chair of trustees

 

All information which is passed to the manager will be assessed and actioned in
accordance current SET (Southend, Essex, Thurrock) Child Protection Procedures.

When staff raise concern the outcome will be one of three below:

 

• Professional judgment of manager deems no referral to external agencies
  necessary
• Referral made if concerns escalate
• Manager makes referral to children’s social care or police

 

If a referral is made to police or children’s social care (LADO) within 1 working day, there
should be one of four responses:

• Child is in need of immediate protection and appropriate emergency action plan is made by social worker, police or NSPCC
• Relevant enquiries are made and if a child is deemed as significant risk of harm a child protection plan is formed by social services
• If a child is in need of support a support plan will be arranged by social services
• If no further action is required, then the CYP will offer internal support and
  continual assessment of the situation

 

At all stages 1-4 after referral staff should keep young person’s circumstances
under review and re-refer if appropriate.

 

Staff involvement

 

Allegations against staff will follow similar procedures as outlined above. Allegations will
be reported to the appropriate external agency, including the Children’s Safeguarding
Service and in such cases, action will be in accordance with the CYP’s policies and may
lead to disciplinary action and dismissal. In all cases of allegation, the member of staff
will be suspended as a neutral act, whilst investigation is ongoing. Trustees should be informed in case of (alleged) staff misconduct.

 

Reviewed June 2016

Reviewed August 2017

Reviewed July 2018

Reviewed July 2019.

Reviewed and amended September 2019.

Reviewed September 2020

Reviewed May 2021.

Reviewed May 2022

Reviewed and amended May 2023

Review and amended by Trustees July 2023.

Reviewed July 2024

 

Appendix 1

 

Definitions of Abuse

 

1. Physical Abuse

The deliberate infliction of pain, injury, or suffering. This includes hitting, shaking, burning, poisoning, suffocation, or any action causing physical harm. It may also involve fabricated or induced illness.

2. Emotional Abuse

Persistent maltreatment that impacts emotional development. This includes verbal abuse, threats, humiliation, bullying, rejection, and excessive criticism. It can also involve preventing a child from forming friendships or experiencing love and support.

3. Sexual Abuse

Forcing or enticing a child or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities, including physical contact, non-contact activities such as grooming, exposure to inappropriate material, or coercion into sharing explicit images.

4. Neglect

A failure to meet basic physical, emotional, or medical needs, including inadequate food, shelter, clothing, hygiene, supervision, or medical care, leading to serious harm or developmental issues.

5. Financial or Material Abuse (for vulnerable adults)

Misuse of financial resources, theft, fraud, exploitation, or coercion in relation to money, property, or benefits.

6. Domestic Abuse

Any form of controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviour between intimate partners or family members. This includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse. Children witnessing domestic abuse are also considered victims.

7. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

A form of sexual abuse where a child is manipulated, coerced, or deceived into engaging in sexual activity in exchange for money, gifts, affection, or status.

8. Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Forcing, coercing, or manipulating a child into criminal activities, such as drug trafficking (county lines), theft, or violence, often with threats of violence or debt bondage.

9. Discriminatory Abuse

Harassment, slurs, or unfair treatment based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected characteristics.

10. Modern Slavery

Forcing or coercing individuals into exploitation, including forced labour, domestic servitude, or human trafficking.

11. Online Abuse

The use of digital technology to exploit, groom, bully, or harass an individual. This includes cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online sexual exploitation, and identity fraud.