Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

At Let’s Go! Mcr, the safety and well-being of all children and young people participating in our activities are paramount. We are fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of every child and young person, ensuring they are protected from harm, abuse, and exploitation. This policy outlines the measures we take to promote a safe environment for all participants, volunteers, and staff.

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and board members involved in the organisation, as well as any external partners or service providers working with us.

Aims of the Safeguarding Policy

  1. To create a safe environment for children and young people where they can participate in our trips and activities without fear of abuse, neglect, or harm.
  2. To protect children and young people from abuse, ensuring that their welfare is our top priority in all our operations.
  3. To ensure staff and volunteers are properly trained and equipped to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.
  4. To establish clear reporting procedures for safeguarding concerns or incidents.

Definitions

Child/Young Person: Any individual under the age of 18.

Abuse: Any action that harms a child or young person, including physical, emotional, sexual, or neglectful actions.

Key Principles

  1. Welfare of the Child: The welfare of the child is the primary concern. All actions and decisions must prioritise the safety and well-being of the child or young person.
  2. Equality and Non-Discrimination: All children, regardless of race, gender, disability, or background, have equal rights to protection and to participate in our activities.
  3. Confidentiality: Safeguarding issues will be handled with the utmost confidentiality, with information shared only on a need-to-know basis to protect the child.
  4. Zero Tolerance for Abuse: Let’s Go! Mcr has zero tolerance for any form of abuse. Any incident or concern will be dealt with promptly and rigorously.

Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): The DSL is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters, ensuring the proper implementation of policies, and responding to any safeguarding concerns or allegations.

Staff and Volunteers: All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to uphold the safeguarding policy, report concerns, and attend relevant training.

Board of Directors: The board is responsible for ensuring that safeguarding remains a priority, monitoring policy implementation, and reviewing safeguarding measures.

Training and Awareness

All staff and volunteers will undergo safeguarding training as part of their induction. This training will be updated annually.

Regular refresher training will be provided to ensure everyone understands their safeguarding responsibilities and stays updated on best practices and legal obligations.

Code of Conduct

All staff, volunteers, and external partners are expected to follow these guidelines:

  1. Treat all children and young people with respect and dignity.
  2. Avoid being alone with a child or young person whenever possible.
  3. Use positive reinforcement rather than negative or physical discipline.
  4. Do not engage in any inappropriate physical contact or make suggestive remarks.
  5. Ensure any electronic communication with children is professional and necessary for the activity.
  6. Always report any safeguarding concerns or breaches of this policy.

Recognising Abuse

Types of Abuse:

  1. Physical Abuse: Deliberate harm to a child, such as hitting, shaking, or other physical injuries.
  2. Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional ill-treatment, which may involve criticizing, threatening, or ignoring a child.
  3. Sexual Abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities.
  4. Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs, including food, shelter, and medical care.

Reporting Procedures

  1. Recognise: If you observe signs of abuse or if a child discloses abuse, ensure the child feels safe and heard. Do not make promises of confidentiality; instead, explain that the information may need to be shared with professionals for their safety.
  2. Respond: If a child makes a disclosure, remain calm, listen carefully, and avoid asking leading questions. Record the information as accurately as possible.
  3. Report: All concerns must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). If the DSL is unavailable, report to the deputy DSL or a senior member of the team. If a child is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.
  4. Record: Any incident or concern should be documented in writing, noting the child’s exact words and any observations. This report must be signed, dated, and stored securely.
  5. Referral: The DSL is responsible for making any necessary referrals to external safeguarding authorities, such as the local authority’s Children’s Services or the police.

Managing Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

If an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff or volunteer:

  1. The DSL must be informed immediately.
  2. The accused individual may be suspended from their role pending an investigation.
  3. The DSL will refer the case to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for further investigation and guidance.
  4. All steps will be taken in accordance with statutory guidelines and in cooperation with relevant authorities.

Safer Recruitment

Let’s Go! Mcr is committed to safe recruitment practices to ensure that staff and volunteers working with children and young people are suitable for their roles. This includes:

  1. Enhanced DBS Checks for all staff and volunteers working directly with children.
  2. A thorough interview and reference-checking process to assess candidates’ suitability.
  3. Clear job descriptions outlining safeguarding responsibilities.

Online Safety

We recognise the importance of safeguarding children in online spaces. As part of our activities, we will ensure that any online interactions with children (for example, through social media or digital platforms) are conducted safely and appropriately.

Staff and volunteers must adhere to the Online Safety Guidelines, ensuring all communications are professional, transparent, and necessary.

Policy Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are significant changes in legislation, guidance, or operational practices. Any updates will be communicated to staff and volunteers promptly.

Conclusion

Let’s Go! Mcr takes its responsibility for safeguarding children and young people seriously. Through robust training, clear policies, and proactive oversight, we ensure that every child who participates in our activities is safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Contact Information for Safeguarding Issues:

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Louise Donohue

Contact Number: 07747 382300

Email: [email protected] 

This safeguarding policy is effective from 01/03/24 and will be reviewed on 01/03/2025