SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND PROCEDURE
1. INTRODUCTION
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. NURTURE SOLUTIONS LTD (Nurture Solutions Ltd) acknowledges the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people; and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements. All children and adults, 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.
This policy applies to all internal staff and candidates and will be widely promoted and be mandatory for everyone involved in Nurture Solutions Ltd. Failure to comply with this policy and the company's safeguarding procedures may result in disciplinary action being taken, including termination of employment and/or contract.
All candidates placed by Nurture Solutions Ltd are expected to familiarise themselves with arrangements for safeguarding children and young people in the organisation where they are placed and to have a clear understanding regarding abuse and neglect in all forms; including how to identify, respond and report.
Here at Nurture Solutions Ltd we expect all staff, and candidates to follow and promote good practice in safeguarding. In order to do so, they should:
- Read, understand, accept, and act in accordance with this policy.
- Be vigilant and follow professional codes of conduct to maintain professional boundaries and safe working practices.
- Report any concerns or disclosures related to the protection and safety of children and young people
- Undertake mandatory safeguarding training and awareness sessions where provided.
- Help educate learners/service users in placements regarding matters of keeping safe, including acting as a good role model.
2. OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARING
- Nurture Solutions Ltd has robust safer recruitment processes that ensures that those who are known to be a risk to children and vulnerable young adults do not gain access to them.; those whose actions suggest that they are a risk to children and young people are detected at the earliest stage and prevented from continuing to work with children; and that those who intend to do harm are prevented at every possible stage from entering the workforce.
- Staff and candidates Staff and candidates understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and are provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognize, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people
- There is an open and transparent culture which enables staff and candidates to raise concerns around children, those that work with children, and processes within Nurture Solutions Ltd.
- It is as simple as possible for an individual to report concerns about harm or risk and clear procedures are implemented where safeguarding and child protection issues arise. Where concerns are reported we will ensure that individuals are supported.
- Nurture Solutions Ltd has robust policies and procedures in place, which are reviewed and updated at least every 12 months.
- Nurture Solutions Ltd stays up to date with development on safeguarding best practice, reporting and auditing safeguarding activities annually and addressing any areas of improvement.
- We will report any concerns regarding any individual, or any potential safeguarding situation that is becomes aware of as soon as practicable to the appropriate authority and will co-operate in any ongoing investigations or assessments.
- We will work in partnership with other services especially parents/carers, the referring authority, the Police, Children's Social Services and other partnership agencies to ensure that those who are identified as being at risk of abuse are protected.
- Confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Nurture Solutions Ltd. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organization.
Those raising the concern will be made aware that the concern will be shared with appropriate people but will be treated in confidence as far as possible.
Officers, employees and volunteers will not discuss the concern except with the designated officer and any agent of the organization responsible for investigating the concern.