Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as protecting children from maltreatment and preventing impairment of children’s health or development. Safeguarding ensures that children can grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.
Sensory Soft Play policy Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults gives clear procedures on responding to concerns regarding the safeguarding and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Combined with the associated procedures, and guidance, the policy provides a
structure for staff that may come across concerns of this nature within the context of their work.
Definitions
A “child” is defined as anyone who has not reached their 18th birthday. Children therefore mean children and young people. A vulnerable adult someone 18 or over who is unable to care independently for themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or
exploitation.. This could be due to a physical or learning disability, illness or injury or mental health issues; old age; substance addiction; domestic violence or abuse or other reasons. It can be a temporary or a permanent condition.
Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare, and refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are at risk of suffering, significant harm.
“Sensory Soft Play” acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and requirements established by the Disclosure Barring Service. Hastings Voluntary Action also advises and supports Sensory Soft Play with regard to the legal requirements required for legal policies and provides training if deemed appropriate.
The policy recognises the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background, all children:
To have a positive and enjoyable experience at our educational, focused and fun activities run by Sensory Soft Play in a safe and child centred environment;
Policies and practices to be carried out to ensure children and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse whilst participating in the activity provided by the organisation.
Sensory Soft Play acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
To liaise with Directors, other groups to ensure their Health and Safety requirements are met for any child or vulnerable adult including Child Protection.
Your line manager to be notified straight away with any incidents, concerns or breaches of this policy. Lisa Henderson must be advised of any incidents or areas of concern.
Lisa Henderson or a named member of staff to assist with the incident and ensuring Sensory Soft Play are following procedures, notify all directors and actions taken, contact and liaise with external agencies if appropriate.
As part of our safeguarding policy Sensory Soft Play will:
- promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people;
- ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding at every event;
- ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern;
- ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding are maintained and securely stored following Sensory Soft Play guidelines and policies;
- prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals;
- ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory to those who are working or voluntary with children or vulnerable adults at Sensory Soft Play and clients.
Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.
Monitoring
The policy will be reviewed one year and then every three years, unless deemed necessary or in the following circumstances: changes in legislation and/or government guidance as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board/Councils as a result of any other significant change or event and as
advised by Hastings Voluntary Action.
Recently updated: July 2019