Safeguarding Policy
Reviewed May 2023
Our Vision
The vision of Signposts Services is thriving communities through individual growth.
In fulfilling this vision, we:
Welcome children and adults at risk into the life of our community
Run activities and offer community outreach and provision for children and adults at risk
Our safeguarding responsibilities:
Signposts Services recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability.
We commit ourselves to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all associated with our projects. In pursuit of this, we commit ourselves to this policy and to the development of sound procedures to ensure we implement our policy well.
All employees and volunteers for Signposts Services should be aware of the principles set out below and all who are tasked with working with children, young people and vulnerable adults should have the relevant DBS, have undergone safeguarding training and have access to and full knowledge of the Safeguarding Manual.
Definitions:
For the purposes of this policy an ‘adult at risk’ or vulnerable adult is not simply an ‘adult with care and support needs’ but also :-
“a person aged 18 or over whose ability to protect himself or herself from violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation is significantly impaired through physical or mental disability or illness, old age, emotional fragility or distress, or otherwise; and for that purpose, the reference to being impaired is to being temporarily or indefinitely impaired.”
The definition of a child is taken from the Children's Act 1989 and 2004 respectively and is anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday (Working Together to Safeguard Children. London: Department for Education (DfE) “regardless of whether they live with their family or are over 16 and live independently, in further education, is a member of the armed forces, is in hospital or in custody in the secure estate for children and young people”
We are committed to
Prevention and reporting of abuse - It is the duty of everyone to help prevent the abuse of children and adults at risk, and the duty of everyone to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and adults at risk. Any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected will be reported in accordance with our procedures. Signposts Services will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with our projects.
Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers - Signposts Services will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and adults at risk, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safekeeping of children and adults at risk.
Respecting children and adults at risk - Signposts Services will adopt a code of behaviour for all who are appointed to work with children and adults at risk so that all children and adults are shown the respect and personal dignity that is due to them.
Safer working practices - Signposts Services is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for children and adults at risk and will adopt ways of working with them that promote their safety and well-being. We are committed to supporting all those involved in the life of Signposts Services affected by abuse.
A safer community - Signposts Services is committed to the prevention of bullying. It will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any individuals who may pose a risk to children, young people and adults at risk in the community of Signposts Services are managed appropriately.
We are committed to following all statutory guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults at risk and in implementing the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005 and all other relevant legislation including the Equality Act 2010.
We will ensure that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding and in working in partnership with Thirtyone:eight; Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board (SSCB); and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board (SSASPB)
We recognise:
Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child. Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.
Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Signposts Services has appointed the following individuals:
Safeguarding Lead
Ali Summers ali.summers@risingbrook.org 01785 214750
Designated Safeguarding Person for Children and Young People
Ruth Stephenson ruth.stephenson@risingbrook.org 01785 214750
Designated Safeguarding Person for Adults at Risk
Liz Dipple liz.dipple@risingbrook.org 01785 214750
Safeguarding Trustee
John Marshall john.marshall@signposts-services.org.uk
Safeguarding Team Members
Tim Herriott
Dave Nicholas
Hannah Fletcher
British Sign Language Access Safeguarding Designated Person
Susan Myatt susan.myatt@risingbrook.org
EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
Due Diligence Checking (DDC)
www.ddc.uk.net
01162 603055
ThirtyOne:Eight (formerly CCPAS)
thirtyoneeight.org
0303 003 1111
Staffordshire Police
Call 101 and ask for MASH
(Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub)
Outside of MASH hours, report to the Area Communications Room
In an emergency, always call 999
Staffordshire County Council’s First Response Team
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/reportconcern
Children: 0800 1313 126
Adults at Risk: 0345 604 2719
Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Emergency out of hours: 0345 604 2886