Safeguarding Policy
Child protection Policy
Policy Statement
Wikimedia UK is committed to practice which protects children from harm. Staff and volunteers within this organisation accept and recognise our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which cause children harm.
The organisation is also committed to reviewing our Child Protection Policy and Procedures at regular intervals.
Who to contact?
Wikimedia has designated senior members of staff to take specific responsibility for child protection matters within the charity. These designated people are:
- Schools Project Leader
CONTACT DETAILS
- Chair of Trustees
CONTACT DETAILS
- Wikimedia UK Directors
CONTACT DETAILS
All cases of alleged or suspected abuse should be immediately reported to your designated Child Protection Representative, or to the Director in their absence. In the absence of any of the above named Representatives, you should contact your local Social Services office.
The appropriate external contacts are:
Social Services Office – Child Care Help Desk
Police Station
Other localities: Contact your local Social Services Office or Police Station
National advice – NSPCC Helpline – 0800 800500 (24 hr)
Legislation and Guidance
These documents are based on the following detailed legislation and guidance, which can be found online:
i)Department of Health/Home Office/DfEE: ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ 1999
ii)Volunteer Development Agency ‘Our Duty To Care’
iv)The Protection of Children Act 1999
Who does this affect?
These documents are designed for the guidance of all staff and volunteers of the chapter, as well as all children and their families, schools and other educational institutions who are utilising the services of the charity. The policy and procedures will be made available to all of the above mentioned individuals/groups.
A child is defined as any individual under the age of 18 years. The policy and procedures may also be relevant for use in the case of any vulnerable young person over the age of 18 years who is utilising the services of the charity.
The charity’s Child Protection policy and procedures apply to all children and young people regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or religion.
Procudures
Following the procedures for safeguarding children on trips
Trips involving children and young people will normally also include parents and carers. However, it is important that the following procedures are adhered to in order to keep children and young people safe:
Ensure children and young people are aware of how they are expected to behave Gain written consent from parents/carers for children to participate in an outing, as well as a written statement of any specific needs or requirements for their child Ensure at least one staff member or volunteer participating in the outing is trained in first aid and has access to first aid equipment Ensure all those attending are aware of their roles and responsibilities and are appropriately qualified and experienced
If using an activity centre or other external provider:
Use reputable organisations which have in place any licences or accreditation required (some adventure activities require specific licences) Visit the centre beforehand wherever possible Gain agreement from parents/carers and the children and young people on the trip on the activities to be undertaken Ensure external providers have proper safety procedures in place (e.g. insurance, equipment/transport maintenance, health and safety policy, Child Protection Policy etc) Ensure the accommodation is suitable
All planned activities and trips must be appropriate for the group of children and/or young people participating.
Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
It is essential that children and young people understand that any concerns they may have will be listened to and taken seriously. It is also essential that parents and carers are aware of and understand the procedures the charity has in place for maintaining the welfare of children and young people using its services.
Charity management is responsible for ensuring that relevant information is available to and exchanged between all those involved in the operation of the charity and its activities. Confidential information should only be shared on a need to know basis.
Management and staff are responsible for:
Ensuring children and young people have information about how and with whom they can share their concerns, complaints and anxieties. This information must be shared in a manner appropriate to the age of the child/young person. Ensuring all information is available in multiple formats for the blind and visually impaired. Ensuring parents and carers are aware of the nature of relationships with adults with whom their children form friendships. Publicising information to parents and carers about the charity’s activities, its Child Protection Policy and Procedures, and the name of the person(s) to contact in the event of concerns or complaints. Ensuring all staff and volunteers have the information required to deal with emergencies and child protection issues.
Following carefully the procedures for recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers
When a vacancy is identified, a job description or task/project brief must be drawn up which should identify the skills required for that post. The vacancy should be advertised as widely as possible through the most appropriate means.
All volunteers and staff, including temporary or casual workers, must be subject to the charity’s selection and recruitment procedures as follows:
All candidates must complete an application form. The recruiting manager should verify the person’s identity by his/her birth certificate, passport or other formal document, preferably something bearing their photograph. The recruiting manager should verify any qualifications stated on the application form. All suitable candidates must have an interview or meeting, with the recruiting manager and one other senior staff member. Any gaps in employment or inconsistencies in the candidate’s history must be identified and reasons given. Written references should be taken up prior to the employment of the successful candidate, and verified by a telephone call. All successful candidates, including volunteers who may come into contact with children and young people, must be subject to Enhanced Disclosure through checks by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). No unsupervised access to children is to be allowed until references have been reviewed and results from the CRB are obtained. Advice should be sought prior to recruiting someone with a criminal record or record of other offences. New members of staff or volunteers must undergo a supervised probationary period including a comprehensive induction which must cover the Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training
Wikimedia UK will ensure that all staff and volunteers are well informed and supported, by the following process:
- Induction
As part of their general induction, new staff and volunteers will be familiarised with this Policy and Procedures document, as well as other policies such as Health and Safety. This may include training in child protection issues.
- Probationary Period
The development and suitability of the employee or volunteer will be reviewed during the first six months of taking up the post.
- Supervision and Support
Regular meetings, whether individual or on a group basis, will provide an opportunity for staff/volunteers to share concerns, anxieties or worries about their work or the environment. Meetings should also be an opportunity to identify areas of concern and/or training needs.
APPENDIX I: RECORD OF CONCERN
Name of Child: Age: Child’s Address:
Name of Parent/Carer: Telephone no:
Is the person making this report expressing his/her own concerns or passing on those of someone else?
What is said to have happened or what was seen?
When and where did it occur?
Has the child been spoken to? If so, what was said?
Who else, if anyone, was involved and how?
What was said by those involved?
Were there any obvious signs, e.g. bruising, bleeding, changed behaviour?
Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser?
Have the child’s parents been contacted?
Who else has been told about it and when?
Signed………………………………… Date……………….
Print Name …………………………………………………….
APPENDIX 2: GUIDELINES FOR CHILD PROTECTION REPRESENTATIVES
The responsibilities of a designated Child Protection Representative are:
To ensure that the charity’s Child Protection Policy and Procedures are followed To undertake training in the recognition and investigation of child abuse To develop knowledge of the procedures involved in reporting abuse To make this knowledge available to all staff, volunteers, parents, carers and children as appropriate To manage the process of referring cases or suspected cases of abuse to Social Services by:
i.Ensuring all staff, volunteers, parents, carers and children know who is the designated Child Protection (CP) Representative ii.Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, parents, carers and children know that concerns about abuse or possible abuse must be brought to the designated CP Representative or in his/her absence, the most senior member of staff iii.Deciding, after discussion with the relevant parties, if the case should be referred or not, or if further clarification should be sought from the parents/carers at any point iv.Ensuring decisions and facts are recorded using a Record of Concern v.Reporting the case to Social Services, confirming the referral in writing under confidential cover
To ensure all staff and volunteers undergo basic Child Protection awareness training as appropriate To be a contact point for external agencies needing to contact the charity about child protection matters To ensure written records are stored securely with access available to designated people only To ensure charity recruitment procedures are followed and CRB Enhanced Disclosures are obtained for all new staff and volunteers To identify the need for support that any employee or volunteer may have when involved in an abuse case and to liaise with necessary parties to establish how this support can be offered.