Jagannath Hall Alumni UK (JHAA UK) Safeguarding Policy & Procedures

Protecting Children and Young Persons

Background

Child protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity that is undertaken to protect specific children and young persons who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm. As adults and/or professionals or volunteers, everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children and promote their welfare.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children – and in particular protecting them from significant harm - depends upon effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise.

Individual children, especially some of the most vulnerable children and those at greatest risk of social exclusion, will need co-ordinated help from health, education, children’s social care, and quite possibly the voluntary sector and other agencies, including youth justice services.

Policy

JHAA UK Members and Volunteers must at all times show respect and understanding for individual’s rights, safety and welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the ethos and principles of JHAA

Members and volunteers are committed to

1. Treating children and young people with respect and dignity. 

2. Always listening to what a child or young person is saying 

3. Valuing each child and young person 

4. Recognising the unique contribution each individual can make 

5. Encouraging and praising each child or young person 


All JHAA Board Members/Volunteers should:

1. Be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect
2. Be alert to risks which individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose to children
3. Share and help to analyse information so that an assessment can be mad e of the child’s needs and circumstances
4. Contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard and promote the child/young persons welfare
5. Take part in regularly reviewing the outcomes for the child/young person against specific plans
6. Work co-operatively with parents unless this is inconsistent with ensuring the child/youngpersons safety
7. Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child/young person. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child/young person by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children/Young persons may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. Children/Young person can potentially be abused by an adult/adults or another child/children or young persons.
8. Definitions of Abuse or Neglect:
9. Physical abusemay involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child. 

10. Emotional Abuse 
is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (eg: rape, buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts.

They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglectis the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food and clothing, shelter including exclusion from home or abandonment, failing to protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger, failure to ensure adequate supervision including the use of inadequate care-takers, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

JHAA UK Board/Volunteer Awareness

All JHAA Board members and Volunteers will be made aware of this policy as part of their initial induction process and there will be regular briefings and updates for Board and all Volunteers.

Where necessary or possible, Volunteers will be encouraged to attend appropriate training courses, such as those run by the Methodist Church.

Reviewing the Policy and Procedure

This policy and procedure will be reviewed every year; this will include checking telephone numbers, accuracy of personnel details, and any updates required by a change in local or national policy.

Procedures

What to do if you have concerns about a child or young adult

You may have concerns about a child or young adult because of something you have seen or heard, or a child may choose to disclose something to you. If a child discloses information to you, you should:

1. Do not promise confidentiality, you have a duty to share this information and refer to Children’s Social Care Services. 

2. Listen to what is being said, without displaying shock or disbelief. 

3. Accept what is said. 

4. Reassure the child/young adult, but only as far as is honest, don’t make promises you may not be able to keep eg: ‘Everything will be alright now’, ‘You’ll never have to see that person again’. 

5. Do reassure and alleviate guilt, if the child refers to it. For example, you could say, ‘You’re not to blame’. 

6. Do not interrogate the child; it is not your responsibility to investigate. 

7. Do not ask leading questions (eg: Did he touch your private parts?), ask open questions such 
as ‘Anything else to tell me?’ 
or sentences beginning with ‘What, Why, Where, When and How.
8. Do not ask the child to repeat the information for another member of staff. 

9. Explain what you have to do next and who you have to talk to. 

10. Take notes if possible or write up your conversation as soon as possible afterwards. 

11. Record the date, time, place any non-verbal behaviour and the words used by the child (do not paraphrase). 

12. Record statements and observable things rather than interpretations or assumptions. Whatever the nature of your concerns, discuss them with your manager or designated member of 

13.  
14. See the diagram on the next page for the process to follow.
15. If you still have concerns, you or JHAA UK Member/Volunteer should refer to:

Insert here the name, address & contact details of JHAA UK safeguarding lead who will refer to the Local Authority Childrens Services- Waltham Forest Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub- MASH on 020 8496 2310 (Monday to Thursday 9am-5.15pm, Friday 9am-5pm), 020 8496 3000 (out of hours)

https://directory.walthamforest.gov.uk/kb5/walthamforest/directory/advice.page?id=27fyEuq_Qzo

In addition, the police and NSPCC have powers to intervene in special circumstances.

What information will you need when making a referral? :

You will be asked to provide as much information as possible. Such as the child’s full name, date of birth, address, school, GP, languages spoken, any disabilities the child may have, details of the parents. Do not be concerned if you do not have all these details, you should still make the call. To help with gathering the information JHAA UK have a basic referral form in place to complete.

Ideally, you should follow up referral in writing, within 48hrs.

Safeguarding Children/Young Persons – Process Chart

Process Where There Are Concerns About A Child/Young Persons Welfare

Allegations Involving a JHAA Member / Volunteer

JHAA is committed to having effective recruitment and human resources procedures, including checking all volunteers to make sure they are safe to work with children and young people. Where appropriate, key Board members involved in recruitment processes will undertake Safer Recruitment Training.

However, there may still be occasions when there is an allegation against a Board member or Volunteer. Allegations against those who work with children/young persons, whether in a paid or unpaid capacity, cover a wide range of circumstances.

JHAA Safeguarding Lead will contact Waltham Forest Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub known as MASH on 020 8496 2310 (Monday to Thursday 9am-5.15pm, Friday 9am-5pm), 020 8496 3000 (out of hours)

https://directory.walthamforest.gov.uk/kb5/walthamforest/directory/advice.page?id=27fyEuq_Qzo

The following procedure should be applied in all situations where it is alleged that a person who works with children has:

• Behaved in a way which has harmed a child/young person, or may have harmed a child/young person; 

• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; 

• Behaved towards a child, children or young person in a way, which indicates that he/she is unsuitable to 
work with children. The allegations may relate to the persons behaviour at work, at home or in another setting. 
The Child Protection Officer will discuss the matter to determine what steps should be taken and where necessary obtain further details of the allegation and the circumstances in which it was 


The discussion should also consider whether there is evidence/information that establishes that the allegation is false or unfounded, before making a referral to MASH. Common sense and judgement must be applied in reaching a decision about what action to take.

JHAA UK Change Record

JHAA UK Training Record for Board Members and Volunteers

Appendix

• JHAA UK Code of Conduct and Guidelines for Members/Volunteers
• JHAA UK Referral Form

JHAA UK Code of Conduct and Guidelines for Members/Volunteers 

Aligned with JHAA Values and Ethos of our organisation

Staff must at all times show respect and understanding for individual’s rights, safety and welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the ethos and principles of JHAA.

Members and volunteers are committed to:

1. Treating children and young people with respect and dignity. 

2. Always listening to what a child or young person is saying 

3. Valuing each child and young person 

4. Recognising the unique contribution each individual can make 

5. Encouraging and praising each child or young person 


Members and volunteers will:

1. Provide an example, which we would wish others to follow 

2. Use appropriate language with children and young people and challenge any 
inappropriate language used by a young person or child or an adult working with young people. 

3. Respect a young person’s right to privacy

ONE TO ONE CONTACT - Members and volunteers will:

1. Not spend excessive amounts of time alone with children, away from others. Volunteer’s
should try to always be visible to others in their contact with children. 

2. In the unlikely event of having to meet with an individual child or young person make 
every effort to keep this meeting as open as possible. 

3. If privacy is needed, ensure that other members are informed of the meeting and its 



PHYSICAL CONTACT- Membersand volunteers should never


1. Engage in sexually provocative or rough physical games, including horseplay 

2. Do things of a personal nature for a child or a young person that they can do for 
 If such an incident arises, for example, where a child or young person has limited mobility, JHAA Volunteer should seek a Board member to deal with such an incident 

3. Allow, or engage in, inappropriate touching of any kind.

However

1. Be aware that someone might misinterpret our actions no matter how well 


2. Never draw any conclusions about others without checking the facts.

3. Never allow ourselves to be drawn into inappropriate attention seeking situations 
such as tantrums or crushes 

4. Never exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues or make suggestive remarks or 
gestures about, or to a child or young person, even in fun.

RELATIONSHIPS -
Members and volunteers who are involved in relationships with other members or volunteers should ensure that their personal relationships do not affect their role within JHAAUK or the work of JHAA UK.

SHARING INFORMATION


Good communication is essential in any organisation. In JHAA every effort will be made to assure that, should individuals have concerns, they will be listened to and taken seriously. 
It is the responsibility of the Board Members to ensure that information is available to, and exchanged between all those involved in JHAA and its activities. Some information is confidential and should only be shared on a strictly need‐to‐know basis. 
Children & Young People have a right to information, especially any information that could make life better and safer for them. JHAAwill act to ensure they have 
information about how, and with whom; they can share their concerns, complaints and anxieties. 
When sharing information, JHAABoard Members and volunteers will be sensitive to the level of understanding and maturity, as well as to the level of responsibility, of the people with whom they are sharing.

Parents

Parents / persons with parental responsibility are ultimately responsible for their children’s welfare at all times, and they should be assured that their children are involved with a credible organisation. 
We achieve this by

1. Publicising information on our Website.

2. Publishing the named Designated Safeguarding Lead including how to make a complaint.
3. Publishing a full copy of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.

It is imperative that each member of JHAA including Volunteers and paid Teachersare aware of their responsibilities under the Child Protection legislation and have a working knowledge of JHAAUK procedures.

Each member, volunteer and paid teachers will receive updated training in Child Protection at least every year following review of the policy and procedures. 


JHAA UK Referral form


1. Name of child or young person 

2. Age 

3. Home Address (if known) 

4. Date of Birth (if known) 

5. Name/s and Address of parent/s or person/s with parental responsibility 

6. Telephone numbers if available 
Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns, or passing on those of 
somebody else? If so, record details; 

7. What has prompted the concerns? 

8. Include dates and times of any specific incidents 

9. Has the child or young person been spoken to? 
If so, what was said? 

10. Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser? If so, record details 

11. Who has this been passed on to, in order that appropriate action is taken? E.g. MASH
12. Has anyone else been consulted? 


DESIGNATED Safeguarding Lead is:

RECORD‐KEEPING 


All records, information and confidential notes will be kept in separate files in a locked drawer or filing cabinet. 


Only the designated Persons will have access to these files.

DISCLOSURE- Points to Note


1. Never guarantee absolute confidentiality, as Child Protection will always have precedence over any other issues. 

2. Listen to the child, rather than question him or her directly. 

3. Offer him / her reassurance without making promises, and take what the child says 
 

4. Allow the child to speak without interruption 

5. Accept what is said – it is not your role to investigate or question. 

6. Do not overreact. 

7. Alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement 

8. Advise that you will try to offer support, but that you must pass the information on. 

9. Explain what you have to do and whom you have to tell. 

10. Record the discussion accurately, as soon as possible after the event, 

11. Use the child’s words or explanations – do not translate into your own words, in case 
you have misconstrued what the child was trying to say.