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SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND CHILD PROTECTION
POLICY
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Policy Statement
3. Scope
4. Accountability
5. Aim
5.1 Prevention
5.2 Protection
5.3 Support
6. Information Sharing and partnerships
7. Legislation, guidance and references
8. Direct provision
8.1 Health and Wellbeing
8.2 Health and Safety
8.3 Site Management
8.4 Recruitment
1. INTRODUCTION
The Children Act 1989 states that every child has a right to protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 was published in August 2005. The guidance came into force on 1 October 2005. It details what is expected of District Councils, including:
- Senior management commitment to the importance of safeguarding and promoting well being;
- A clear statement of the Council’s responsibilities to children, made available to staff;
- Clear lines of accountability for work on safeguarding and promoting well being;
- Using the views of children and young people to help shape services.
- Safe recruitment procedures for those coming into contact with children and young people;
- Appropriate training for staff;
- Effective working relationships within the Council and with other agencies to safeguard and promote wellbeing, and to share information effectively.
2. POLICY STATEMENT
Maidstone Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children and young people when they come into contact with the services provided. Kent County Council has a multi-agency Kent Children’s Safeguarding Board (KCSB) which Maidstone Borough Council supports. This policy is designed to function within that context and amendments may be made to this policy from time to time in the light of any future recommendations arising from the Kent Safeguarding Children’s Board.
Maidstone Borough Council delivers a range of services and activities to and for children and young people and recognises that these may have a very powerful and positive influence on them. It is the council’s aim to aid the development of self-esteem and social awareness of children and young people and to provide opportunities for enjoyment with personal achievement in accordance with the Every Child Matters Framework (2004). The council will promote the safeguarding of children in all services affecting them and consult with children in policy and service delivery matters which affect them so that they can help shape services.
In addition to direct service delivery for children, the wide ranging nature of the Council’s work gives many staff substantial one-to–one access to children and young people. This policy is for all staff who may come into contact with children in the course of their work, whether in someone’s home, on Council premises, or in the community.
This Policy and the accompanying Child Protection Procedures are designed to promote children’s welfare, to protect children from potential abuse and to protect staff and volunteers from potential false allegations of abuse.
3. SCOPE
The Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and Procedures apply to all staff whose work involves contact with children and young people under 18 years of age and statemented (“vulnerable”) young people under the age of 25. The term “staff” includes all who work with, or have contact with children and young people in the course of their work for Maidstone Borough Council, whether as a permanent or temporary employee, casual worker, volunteer, contractor or in any other capacity. Under 18’s should be referred to Children’s Social Services and anyone over 18 should be referred to Adult Social Services.
4. ACCOUNTABILITY
Ultimately, accountability for safeguarding and protecting children under this policy falls to The Chief Executive. However, responsibility is delegated in accordance with the management structure of the Council to the Assistant Director of Customer Services and Partnerships. In addition, all staff are responsible for ensuring that the activities in which they are involved during the course of their work are carried out in accordance with this policy and with the approved child protection procedures relating to it.
5. AIM
There are three main elements to the Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and Procedures:
- Prevention
- Protection
- Support
5.1. Prevention
Employees and elected Members of the Council will endeavour to ensure that all children and young people using the Council’s services do so safely and appropriately, and are treated with respect and understanding. The Council will organise a range of activities for children with a preventative, safeguarding purpose in mind.
5.2. Protection
The Council will take all reasonable steps to safeguard and protect the rights, health and well-being of children who take part in activities organised by the Council and within its facilities, as well as those of children who staff may come into contact with in the course of their work.
5.3. Support
Child protection training will be made available to all members of staff who work with or come into regular contact with children in the course of their work. The Council recognises that child protection issues can be challenging and the Council will offer suitable, impartial support to any member of staff affected by this policy, whether directly or indirectly.
6. INFORMATION SHARING AND PARTNERSHIPS
The Council supports the principle of the Kent Information Sharing Protocol, which is being developed by The Kent Children’s Trust under the Children Act 2004, and will participate fully in it when the protocol is agreed. The Council is committed to close working with partners in the Trust and elsewhere in matters relating to safeguarding and protecting children and to the delivery of the Kent Children and Young People’s Plan.
7. LEGISLATION, GUIDANCE AND REFERENCES
This Safeguarding Children and Child Protection Policy and the accompanying Child Protection Procedures have been developed in line with the principles of The Children Act 1989 and The Children Act 2004, and with reference to the following:
· Working Together To Safeguard Children 2006
· Every Child Matters 2003
· The NSPCC publication Sportscheck
· Kent and Medway Safeguarding Children Handbook 2007
· What to do if you are worried a child is being abused (DFES 2006)
The Policy and Procedures should also be read in conjunction with the following Council documents:
- Recruitment and Selection Policy and Procedures
- Criminal Records Checks on Staff Policy
- Corporate Equality Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Health, Safety and Welfare Policy
- Disciplinary Procedures.
- DIRECT PROVISION
The Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures cover procedures relating to direct provision. All staff and volunteers working with children and young people are required to exercise common sense and to seek additional information and advice from the relevant Officer where applicable (list of contacts for Council Officers found in Appendix D and list of contacts for the project/activity found in Appendix E (both contained within the Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures)).
The council will ensure that activities are carried out in a safe environment and risks and incidents minimised by applying the procedures in a timely manner.
The procedures cover the following areas:
8.1. Health and wellbeing
8.1.1. Administration of medication
8.1.2. Headlice infestation
8.1.3. Accident and Incident
8.1.4. Sick children and young people
8.1.5. Sun protection
8.1.6. Healthy food
8.1.7. Photographing children/ young people
8.2. Health and Safety
8.2.1. Risk assessments
8.2.2. Site security
8.2.3. Lost children
8.2.4. Non collected child
8.2.5. Travelling by mini bus or coach (off site)
8.3. Site management
8.3.1. Supervision or participants
8.3.2. Alcohol and drugs
8.3.3. Managing behaviour
8.3.4. Working with external organisations
8.4. Recruitment
8.4.1. Safe recruitment
8.4.2. Training