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GEARS+ Ltd fully recognises its responsibilities for child protection. Our policy applies to all staff, directors and volunteers working in the business. There are five main elements to our policy: - Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.
- Raising awareness of child protection issues and equipping children with the skills needed to keep them safe.
- Developing and then implementing procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
- Supporting young people who have been abused in accordance with his/her wishes.
- Establishing a safe environment in which young people can learn and develop.
We recognise that because of the day to day contact with young people, members of staff are well placed to observe the outward signs of abuse. The organisation will therefore: - Establish and maintain an environment where young people feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and are listened to.
- Ensure that young people know that there are adults in the organisation whom they can approach if they are worried.
- Include opportunities in the curriculum for young people to develop the skills they need to recognise and stay safe from abuse.
We will follow the procedures set out by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and take account of guidance issued by the Department for Education and Skills to: - Ensure we have a designated senior person for child protection who has received appropriate training and support for this role.
- Ensure we have a nominated Director responsible for child protection.
- Ensure every member of staff (including temporary staff and volunteers) and the Board knows the name of the designated senior person responsible for child protection and their role.
- Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities in being alert to the signs of abuse and responsibility for referring any concerns to the designate senior person responsible for child protection.
- Ensure that parents have an understanding of the responsibility placed on the organisation and staff for child protection.
- Develop effective links with appropriate agencies and co-operate as required with their enquiries regarding the protection of young people and if requested, attendance at case conferences.
- Keep written records of concerns about young people, even where there is no need to refer the matter immediately.
- Ensure all records are kept securely in the care of the Director responsible for child protection, separate from the young person’s main file, and in locked locations.
- Develop and then follow procedures where an allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer.
- Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.
We recognise that young people who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. The organisation may be the only stable, secure and predictable element in the lives of young people at risk. When in the organisation their behaviour may be challenging and defiant or they may be withdrawn. The organisation will endeavour to support the young person through: - The content of the curriculum.
- The ethos of the organisation which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment and gives young people a sense of being valued.
- The organisations behaviour policy which is aimed at supporting vulnerable young people. The organisation will ensure that the young person knows that some behaviour is unacceptable but they are valued and not to be blamed for any abuse which has occurred.
- Liaison with other agencies that support the young person such as Social Services, Child and Adult Mental Health Service, Education Welfare Service and Educational Psychology Service.
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