Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Charity for the Naval Service Policy for Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk This policy applies to all Aggie Weston’s Staff and Volunteers In Scotland the term “Safeguarding” is used in a different context and therefore for personnel based in Scotland this Policy refers to “Child Protection” and “Adult Protection” Policy. Where there is a difference in process between England and Scotland this will be identified, otherwise all information is identical. Safeguarding Policy – November 2020 Next Review: November 2021 Page | 1 Contents Section 1 Aggie Weston’s Safeguarding Policy Statement 3 Section 2 Background 2.1 Purpose of this Policy 5 2.2 Guidance 5 Section 3 Definitions 3.1 What is Safeguarding? 6 3.1.i Safeguarding Children 6 3.1.ii Safeguarding Adults at Risk 6 Section 4 Safeguarding Procedures 4.1 Safer Recruitment 7 4.2 Training 7 4.3 Procedure for Recognising, Responding to and Reporting Abuse 7 4.4 Reporting a Concern – Contact Details 8 4.5 Subsequent Actions 8 Section 5 Responsibilities 5.1 Responsibilities of the DPS 10 5.2 Responsibilities of the Line Manager 10 5.3 Responsibilities of Pastoral Workers and Volunteers 11 Annex 1 Aggie Weston’s Safeguarding Report Form 12 Annex 2 Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Contact Information 14 Appendix 1 Understanding, Recognising and Responding to Abuse 1 Definitions of Types of Abuse 16 2 Responding to Abuse or Concerns 19 Appendix 2 Safeguarding and the Requirements of Data Protection 1 Information Sharing 21 2 Photography and filming of people 22 Aggie Weston’s Photo Consent Form 24 Safeguarding Policy – November 2020 Next Review: November 2021 Page | 2 Section 1 Safeguarding Policy Statement for Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Charity for the Naval Service The purpose of Dame Agnes Weston’s Royal Charity for the Naval Service (Aggie Weston’s) is to provide pastoral support to serving members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their families. In fulfilling this purpose, we: Welcome interaction with adults and children at risk within the naval community Run activities at which children and adults at risk may attend Support other organisations working with children and adults at risk. Our safeguarding responsibilities Aggie Weston’s recognises its responsibilities in safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk, regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability. As a charity we commit to the nurturing, protection and safekeeping of all associated with the charity. In pursuit of this, we commit ourselves to this policy and to the development of sound procedures to ensure we implement our policy well. ● Prevention and reporting of abuse It is the duty of all staff to help prevent the abuse of children and adults at risk, and the duty of each staff member to respond to concerns about the well-being of children and adults at risk. Any abuse disclosed, discovered or suspected will be reported in accordance with our procedures. Aggie Weston’s will fully co-operate with any statutory investigation into any suspected abuse linked with the charity. ● Safer recruitment, support and supervision of workers Aggie Weston’s will exercise proper care in the selection and appointment of those working with children and adults at risk, whether paid or voluntary. All workers will be provided with appropriate training, support and supervision to promote the safekeeping of children and adults at risk. ● Respecting children and adults at risk Aggie Weston’s requires all who are appointed to work with children and adults at risk to follow clear guidelines on boundaries and professional practice so that all children and adults are shown the respect that is due to them. ● Safer working practices Aggie Weston’s is committed to providing an environment that is as safe as possible for children and adults at risk and will adopt ways of working with them that promote their safety and well-being. ● A safer community Aggie Weston’s is committed to the prevention of bullying. We will seek to ensure that the behaviour of any individuals who may pose a risk to children, young people and adults at risk is managed appropriately. Safeguarding Policy – November 2020 Next Review: November 2021 Page | 3 Aggie Weston’s Safeguarding Team: The charity’s safeguarding team consists of the following people: Steve Martin, Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding He will raise the profile of safeguarding within the charity and oversee and monitor the implementation of the safeguarding policy and procedures on behalf of the trustees. John Bazley, Designated Person for Safeguarding (DPS) He will advise the charity on any matters related to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk and where appropriate liaise with Naval Chaplaincy Service (NCS) to take the appropriate action when abuse is disclosed, discovered or suspected. Chris New, Deputy Designated Person for Safeguarding (Deputy DPS) He will assist the DPS, or take the place of the DPS when the DPS is absent, or when concerns are made about the DPS. Putting our policy into practice ● A copy of the safeguarding policy statement will be available in all designated work places where Aggie Weston’s staff operate. It will also be displayed on the charity website. ● All personnel who are likely to come into contact with children and/or adults at risk will be given access to a full copy of the safeguarding policy and procedures as part of their induction and will be asked to sign to confirm that they have understood them and will follow them. ● A full copy of the policy and procedures will be made available on request to any beneficiary of the charity. ● The policy and procedures will be monitored and reviewed annually, and any necessary revisions adopted into the policy and implemented through our procedures. ● The policy statement will be provided and a report on the outcome of the annual safeguarding review will be given annually at the autumn meeting of the trustees. Safeguarding Policy – November 2020 Next Review: November 2021 Page | 4 Section 2 2.1 Purpose of the Policy: This Safeguarding Policy for the Protection of Children and Adults at Risk is applicable for Aggie Weston’s staff wherever they are employed. For the purpose of this policy, every person engaged on Aggie Weston activity, whether employed or as a volunteer, is deemed to be acting under the authority of the trustees of the charity and, therefore, under a duty to abide by this policy. Since Aggie Weston’s staff generally work under the Line Management of Naval Chaplaincy Service (NCS), it is intended that this policy align with any policy that is in place locally. Any variation should be reported to the Aggie Weston’s executive as a matter of priority. 2.2 Guidance: This policy has been written in accordance with the following guidance: - Department for Education - Working Together to Safeguard Children (Mar 2015)1 - Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings (Oct 2015)2 - Department of Health – Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Feb 2017)3 - The Care Act 2014: Safeguarding Adults. 4 - Charity Commission Strategy for dealing with safeguarding vulnerable groups, including children, in charities. 5 - National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland6 - Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 20077 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2 2 https://www.safeguardinginschools.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Guidance-for-Safer- Working-Practices-2015-final1.pdf 3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support- statutory-guidance#safeguarding-1 4 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support- statutory-guidance 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-for-dealing-with-safeguarding-issues-in- charities 6 https://www2.gov.scot/Resource/0045/00450733.pdf 7 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2007/10/contents Safeguarding Policy – November 2020 Next Review: November 2021 Page | 5 - Joint Service Publication 834 – Safeguarding Service Children and Young People - Joint Service Publication 893 – Policy on Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Section 3 3.1 What is safeguarding? Safeguarding is a term that is used to describe how adults and children are protected from abuse or neglect. It is an important shared priority of many public services including charities and the Armed Forces, and is a key responsibility for Local Authorities. Safeguarding concerns the protection of certain groups of people who may be in vulnerable circumstances. These people may be at risk of abuse or neglect due to the actions (or lack of action) of another person. i. Safeguarding Children Safeguarding children is defined as6: Protecting children from maltreatment; Preventing impairment of children's health or development; Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and Taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances. This definition applies to all people under 18 years of age, including service personnel under the age of 18. ii. Safeguarding Adults at Risk Safeguarding is the means of protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted. This includes, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. Adults at risk are defined as anyone 18 years of age and over (an Adult) who:- 8 Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2015 Safeguarding Policy – November 2020 Next Review: November 2021 Page | 6 Has care and support needs; Is experiencing, or is at risk of abuse or neglect and; Is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.