Safeguarding Policy

BLESSTCIC SAFEGUARDING POLICY FOREWORD

The safety and well-being of all children & young people, and young adults are at the heart of everything we do at BLESSTCIC. The Board of Directors and Trustees recognises and values significantly the safety of children & young people, taking full responsibility for ensuring that the organisation works tirelessly to ensure that best practice is implemented across all of the organisation's operational, administrative and development activities without compromise. This policy, together with the accompanying guidance notes and training programme, is an unequivocal statement of intent that demonstrates our commitment to all children & young people, their families, our staff, volunteers, coaches, our funders, supporters and all of the other key stakeholder partners from across the communities within which we work.

The development and communication of this policy is once again a clear step in providing everyone working as part of BLESSTCIC with a clear understanding of what is expected of them when working with children, their families, our partners and supporters, and the wider community. To ensure awareness and understanding of the changes to the policy and its practical application to working practices at all levels, an updated programme of comprehensive training and development for all paid and voluntary members of our team will follow its publication. BLESSTCIC Board of Directors and Trustees will also ensure that we not only continue to charge our team of people with employing all of the good practice guidelines and principles set out within the policy at all times but also look to continue to develop and improve our policies and practices by constantly reviewing and updating our procedures as and when legislation or other reasons require it. We will have a dedicated team accountable to the Directors, Trustees and the Senior Management Team to undertake this work. I thank everyone for their continued commitment to developing this core piece of our work. I now set down the challenge for everyone involved with Make-A-Wish Foundation UK to embrace the principles set out within it and to continue to provide the highest quality, safe, effective, and child-friendly environments within which all young people can benefit from magical wishes.

Chief Executive

Mr Richard Campbell

Introduction:

i. BLESSTLTD is a non-profit community Interest Company registered with Company House in 2018. Company number 11991835

ii. BLESSTCIC’s current office address is: Space Lewis Building Birmingham B4 6AF

iii. BLESSTCIC is run by a group of trustees

iv. One of the members of the Trustees has been nominated as a Safeguarding officer for BLESSTCIC and has

particular responsibility for safeguarding children, and he is our Chairman, Mr Richard Campbell

v. The board has adopted this safeguarding policy and expects every adult working or helping with BLESSTCIC to support it. Consequently, this policy shall apply to all staff, directors, trustees, volunteers and Coaches, young people and anyone working on behalf of BLESSTCIC.

NAME - POSITION

Mr Richard Campbell - Founder & Chairman

Dr Martin Glynn - Co-founder

Miss Nkechinycre Oji - Admin/Sectretary

Miss Caprice Bound - Member of Committee

Miss Malikea Selassie - Director & Trustee

Dr Angela Jeffery - Director

Miss Kerry Rickerby - Director

Mr Marc Senior - Member of the Committee

Purpose of this policy:

The purpose of BLESSTCIC is to safeguard children and young people’s

programmes and offer the children a safe and welcoming environment with fun

activities where the children can grow and learn. Whether through BLESSTCIC activities or other independent groups working in partnership with BLESSTCIC.

I. This policy is intended to protect children and young people who receive any service from BLESSTCIC, including those who are the children of adults who may receive services from us.

II. As an organisation, we believe that no child or young people should experience abuse or harm and are committed to the protection of children and young people and this policy is intended to provide guidance and overarching principles to those who represent us as volunteers or staff to guide our approach to child protection and safeguarding.

Aims

I. To provide activities for children and young people to help them develop from childhood into adulthood and to provide support

for them.

II. To enable the children to express themselves.

III. To assist the children in integrating into the community.

IV. To help children/young people appreciate the diversity of their cultures

The Risk to Children:

Nearly every child grows up in a safe and happy environment, and it is essential not to exaggerate or overestimate the danger. Nevertheless, there are situations where children need protection.

Sexual abuse
Grooming
Physical and emotional abuse or neglect.
Domestic violence
Inappropriate supervision by staff and volunteers.
Bullying, cyberbullying, acts of violence and aggression within youth centres or schools
Victimisation
Self-harm
Unsafe environment & activities
Crime and drugs
Exploitation

Safeguarding Children at Events and Activities

1. There are three kinds of events or activities:

I. Those open to adults & children of all ages

II. Those for children accompanied by a “parent.”

III. Those for unaccompanied children sometimes run alongside other events or activities.

2. At events and activities open to all ages, children under 16 must accompany an adult over 18 who brings the child and retakes it home. Young people aged 16 or 17 may attend unaccompanied if they obtain the written consent and mobile telephone number of one of their parents.

3. At events and activities for children accompanied by “parents,” children under 16 must be supervised by an adult over 18 who not only brings the child to the event but also retakes the child home afterwards. If a lone adult brings more than one child, the children will have to stay together so that one adult can supervise them. Young people aged 16 or 17 may attend unaccompanied if they bring the written consent and mobile phone number of one of their parents.

4. At events and activities for unaccompanied children, children under the age of 16 must be enrolled by a responsible adult before they leave with the event leader. The enrolment must record the child’s name, age, and address, as well as the names and addresses of the child’s parents and the telephone number of one of their parents.

5. Both events and activities are to be defined broadly to include any occasions when BLESSTCIC will provide a service.

Discloser and Barring

I. BLESSTCIC offers the following activities for children: music, dance, football, netball, Residentials, and basketball group workshops,

II. Some of our activities may, therefore, require adult participants or adult leaders to undergo a DBS check and or police check under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006. The necessary level of checking (if any) will broadly reflect the degree and frequency of unsupervised access given to other people’s children.

III. The board will take very seriously any allegation of impropriate on the part of any member of BLESSTCIC. A BLESSTCIC member who discovers anything amiss should contact the following person immediately. Safeguard lead officer Mr Richard Campbell 07889673213

IV. The board will review the allegation and likely risk to children and, if appropriate, will consider banning the member from future events or revoking his/her membership or both, but only in full accordance with the rules and procedures of BLESSTCIC.

Healthy and Safety aspects of safeguarding children

I. Before starting any events for unaccompanied children and young people, the board will carry out a risk assessment and then take steps to minimise all risks to health and safety. Parents and children will be made aware of any particular risks and of the steps to be taken to minimise those risks. The board will keep a record of all risk assessments.

II. Sufficient adults must be present at events or activities for unaccompanied children and young people to enable one adult to handle any emergency. In contrast, another adult supervises the children and young children who are not directly affected by the emergency.

Policy on the prevention of bullying

BLESSTCIC will not tolerate bullying by children, adults, or other children. Suppose any incident of child-on-child-bullying should arise at BLESSTCIC events and activities. In that case, those involved will be separated immediately, and the child's parents will be asked to deal with the matter. The Board will review all incidents of child-on-child- bullying and assess the likely future risk to children; if appropriate, the Board will consider banning a child from future events, but only in full accordance with the rules and procedures of BLESSTCIC.

Allegations of adult bullying children will be handled under the rules and procedures of BLESSTCIC.

Managing behaviour, discipline and acceptable restraint

I. Adults supervising children at BLESSTCIC events must never use any form of corporal punishment. Suppose physical restraint is essential to prevent injuries to any other children or persons or to prevent serious property damage. In that case, the minimum necessary restraint may be used only for that purpose.
II. Unacceptable behaviour at BLESSTCIC facilities, events, and activities for unaccompanied children will generally be stopped by separating the children from each other and from the group. The miscreants will be suitably supervised and returned to their parents as soon as possible.
III. BLESSTCIC may apply a further disciplinary sanction, namely banning a child from one or more future events, over the following 18 months. The following officer, Miss Malikea Selassie, would determine and apply any such sanction.
IV. Apparent who are aggravated by this ban may appeal to BLESSTCIC, who will hear the views of all relevant persons. This decision of BLESSTCIC is the final. Any such appeals should be made to and will be determined by the following officer, Mr Richard Campbell

Other policies:

This safeguarding policy should be read together with the following policies.

I. Health & Safety Policy
II. Data Protection Policy
III. Recruitment and selection Policy
IV. Disciplinary Policy
V. Background check policy
VI. Lone working policy
VII. Child Protection policy

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up in accordance with the following:

I. Child Act 1989
II. United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
III. General Data Protection Regulation
IV. Human Rights Act 1998
V. Sexual Offences Act 2003
VI. Children Act 2004
VII. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
VIII. Protection of Freedom Act 2012
IX. Children and Families Act 2014
X. Special Education Need and Disability (SEND) code of practice- Guidance on the Special educational Need and Disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0-25
XI. Information Sharing Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services
XII. Working together to Safeguard Child Act 2017.

The BLESSTCIC values young people and children as vital to the organisation and desires to see them grow, mature and be challenged in a healthy and safe environment.

The name of the group’s child protection officer will be displayed in the minutes dated 20/04/2019, and a copy of this policy will be kept with Mr Richard Campbell, CEO of BLESSTCIC.

Organisation

1. Each child and young person should be formally registered within the group. The information includes an information/consent form, which their parent/guardian must complete. These forms have vital information about health and emergency contacts and should be kept securely and brought to each session. (see Appendix B).

2. Attendance register: a register should be kept for each session.

For activities for under 10s, which run for more than two hours on any one day, OR if you run a holiday club for six or more days a year, you must register for the activity. To register, contact your local Social Services Office and ask for the local Day Centre adviser. The law assumes that registration will be granted unless there are good reasons why it should not be.

Child Protection Representative

The BLESSTCIC appointed a child protection representative, Senior Lead Child Protection Officer Miss Caprice Bound (07583288857), on 18/04/2022. If any worker has any child safety concerns, they should discuss them with her. She will take report this to our lead child protection officer, Mr Richard Campbell, and she will take on the following responsibilities:

I. Ensuring that the policy is being put into practice;
II. Being the first point of contact for child protection issues;
III. Keeping a record of any concerns expressed about child protection issues;
IV. Bringing any child protection concerns to the notice of the Management Committee and contacting the Local Authority if appropriate;
V. Ensuring that paid staff and volunteers are given appropriate supervision;
VI. Ensuring that everyone involved with the organisation is aware of the identity of the Child Protection Representative.

The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that it is meeting its aims.

Trips/Outings

I. When organising a trip/outing, make sure a trip/outing slip is completed. This includes details about the trip and a section for parents to consent. These forms must be returned before the event and brought on the journey with the completed group information/consent forms. (If a group information/consent form has not already been completed for a child or young person, it will need to be completed).

II. Ensure that there is adequate insurance for the work and activities.

Personal/Personnel Safety

I. A group of children or young people under sixteen should not be left unattended at any time.
II. Avoid being alone with an individual child or young person for a long time. If there is a need to be alone with a child or young person (e.g. first aid or he/she is distressed) make sure that another worker knows where you are and why.

III. No volunteer or worker from any external organisation should arrange to meet a young person away from the activity without someone else being there.

As such, meetings should be planned and have the approval of a member of the Committee (this must be someone other than the organiser themselves).

Teenage assistants should always be supervised.

Child Safety

I. Make sure that the area you use for activities is fit for the purpose, e.g. remove furniture, which could cause injury in energetic games.
II. Make sure that all workers and assistants know

Where the emergency phone is, and how to operate it
Where the first aid kit is
Who is responsible for First Aid and how to record accidents or injuries in the incident book
What to do in the event of a fire or other emergency

III. Once a year, there should be a fire practice
IV. Do not let children go home without an adult unless the parent specifically says they may do so. Never let a child go with another adult unless the parent has informed you this will happen.
V. If private cars are used for an outing, the committee must approve the drivers, be appropriately insured, have rested before driving, and have clean licenses. Each vehicle should always have at least one other responsible person (16 or over). All vehicles should be fitted with full seatbelts, not just lap belts. Full seatbelts should always be used.

Under normal circumstances, workers should only give a lift home to a young person from group activities if the young person's parents have specifically asked for them to do so. (If workers are asked to give a young person or child a lift home, they are not obliged to do so; it is left to their discretion).

During trips or outings, it should be made clear if workers’ cars will be used and where the children or young people will be returned to.

New Workers

Workers and assistants are by far the group's most valuable resource for working with young people. When recruiting and selecting paid workers and volunteers, the following steps will be taken:

I. Completion of an application form;
II. An interview by three people from the Committee, who will make the final decision;
III. Identifying reasons for gaps in employment and other inconsistencies in the application;
IV. Checking of the applicants’ identity (passport, driving license, etc);
V. Taking up references before the person starting work;
VI. Ensuring criminal record checks have been carried out through relevant local agencies approved by the Criminal Records Bureau;
VII. Taking appropriate advice before employing someone with a criminal record;
VIII. Allowing no unaccompanied access to children until all of the above have been completed;
IX. A probationary period of 3 months for new paid workers and volunteers;
X. On-going supervision of paid workers and volunteers;
XI. Ensuring good practice is followed in working with children and young people by providing appropriate training and guidance;
XII. A nominated child Protection representative on the Management Committee.

Training

It is a great benefit if workers undertake regular training for this type of work. The committee should keep workers informed of relevant courses.

What is child protection?

Child protection is the response to the different ways in which a young person’s or child’s physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual health are damaged by the actions of another person.

What you should do

I. Listen to the child/young person
II. Look at them directly and do not promise to keep any secrets before you know what they are, but always let the child/young person know if and why you are going to tell anyone
III. Look at them directly and do not promise to keep any secrets before you know what they are, but always let the child/young person know if and why you are going to tell anyone
IV. Take whatever is said to you seriously and help the child/young person trust his/her feelings. Take notes of exactly what is said to you, avoiding assumptions and conjecture.

V. It is noted that the worker's role is to investigate any allegations (this would contaminate evidence if a situation went to court). Any disclosure by a child/young person must be reported to the named child protection officer.
VI. Speak immediately to the Local Authority or NSPCC for further advice and guidance.

What you should not do

I. Project workers/volunteers should not begin investigating the matter themselves.
II. Do not discuss the matter with anyone except the correct people in authority.
III. Do not form your own opinions and decide to do nothing.

Things to say or do:

‘What you are telling me is very important’
This is not your fault’
‘I am sorry that this has happened/is happening’
‘You were right to tell someone’
What you are telling me should not be happening to you and I will find out the best way to help you’
Make notes soon after the event. Try to write down exactly what the young person or child said. Avoid assumptions or conjecture.

Things not to say or do:

Do not ask leading questions – Why? How? What?
Do not say ‘Are you sure?’
Do not show your own emotions e.g., shock/disbelief.
Do not make false promises.

Appendix 3

Reporting allegations or suspicions of abuse.

If you have any concerns about a child/young person being abused, you should inform the designated person named below.

Organisation: BLESSTCIC

Name: Richard Campbell
Job/role: CEO
Address: Office 136, Lewis Building, 35 Bull St, Birmingham, B4 6AF
Contact details of the senior lead of BLESSTCIC safeguard child protection officer: Miss Caprice Bound

Phone: 0758328857

Email: caprice@blesstcic.org

BLESSTCIC nominated lead safeguarding child policy officer: Mr Richard Campbell (Founder & Chair)

Phone: 07889673213

Email: richard@blesst.co.uk

Important contacts outside the organisation

Birmingham City Council Administration Safeguarding Children Board

Monday to Thursday: 8:45 am to 5:15pm
Friday: 8:45 am to 4:15 pm

Telephone: 0121 303 1888

Emergency out-of-hours. Telephone: 0121 675 4806

Important contacts:

1. West Midlands Police (101 in an emergency dial 999)
2. Victim Support (0845 30 30 900)
3. Stechford Police Station ( 03451135000)
4. Rape Crisis (0808 802 9999)
5. NHS non-emergency number (111)
6. NHS England (0300 311 2233)
7. Force Married Unit (0207 008 0151)
8. National Domestic Violence (0808 2000 247)
9. Crime Stoppers (0800 555 111)
10. Anti-social behaviour (0121 303 111)
11. NSPCC Tel: 0844 892 1026 Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

12. NSPCC Child Protection Helpline (24 hours): To report or discuss concerns about a child’s welfare. Tel: 0808 800 5000 or text phone: 0800 056 0566 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk. Child line Tel: 0800 1111

13. NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit is a joint NSPCC/Sport England initiative. It provides an accreditation scheme for national governing bodies and county sports partnerships; provides advice and training to a range of sport and leisure organisations and has produced a range of child protection resources for training and child protection policy development: including Standards for Safeguarding and Protecting Children in Sport (NSPCC and Sport England, 2), and Safe Sport Away (ASA and NSPCC 2001). Tel: 0116 234 7278 Website: www.thecpsu.org.uk

14. Save The Children. Tel: 020 7012 6400 Freephone: 0800 814 8148
Website: www.savethechildren.org.uk

15. Child Exploitation Online & Protection Centre (CEOP)

Confidential recording sheet

Organisation: …………………………………………………………………………………………………...
Name of person reporting: …………………………………………………………………………………
Name of child/young person: ……………………………………………………………………………..
Age and date of birth: ……………………………………………………………………………………….

Ethnicity: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Religion: ………………………………………First language: ………………………………………
Disability: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Parent’s/carer’s name(s): …………………………………………………………………………………

Home address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Tel: ……………………………………………..

Are you reporting your own concerns or someone else’s? Please give details.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Give a brief description of what has prompted the concerns – include date, time and an outline of specific incidents.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Any physical signs? Behaviour signs? Indirect signs?

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Have you spoken to the child/young person? If so, what was said?

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Have you spoken to the parent(s)/carer(s)? If so, what was said?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Has a specific person been alleged to be the abuser? If so, please give details.

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Have you consulted anyone else? Please give details.

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Name of person reported to: ………………………………………………………………………………
Date of reporting: ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Signature of person reporting: ……………………………………………………………………………
Today’s date: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Action taken: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Notes
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Policy agreed on behalf of the management committee on 18/04/2022