Safeguarding
Policy.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility

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Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children – and in particular protecting them from significant harm - depends upon effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise. All agencies and professionals should:

• be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect;

• be alert to the risks which individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose to children;

• share and help to analyse information so that an assessment can be made of the child’s needs and circumstances;

• contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard and promote the child’s welfare.

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Staff awareness
Staff will be made aware of this policy and provided with regular training and updates.

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​Reviewing the Policy and Procedure

Governance for this policy will be the responsibility of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Board of Trustees; it will be kept under regular review by the Board. who will receive regular, appropriate training. 

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Designated Safeguarding Lead

There will be a member of staff responsible as the Safeguarding Lead - Paul Marcus - whose roles and responsibilities are to:

• ensure they have appropriate safeguarding training

• ensure that all staff are aware of what they should do and who they should go to if they have concerns that a child or vulnerable adult may be experiencing or has experienced abuse or neglect

• ensure that concerns are clearly recorded, acted on and referred to the appropriate authority

• follow up any referrals and ensure the issues have been addressed

 

​Responsibility

CMP ask that the beneficiaries we support are able to accept volunteers within their own safeguarding policy; a declaration is acknowledged within each brokered agreement; that the volunteer business and the beneficiary organization of the voluntary work are responsible for ensuring necessary safeguarding arrangements are in place; and that where (if) regulated activity is to be conducted appropriate regulatory requirements are complied with.

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Managing allegations

CMP will ensure any allegations made against a member of staff or Trustee will be dealt with swiftly.

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Where a member of staff is thought to have committed a criminal offence the police will be informed. If a crime has been witnessed the police should be contacted immediately.

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​The safety of the individual(s) concerned is paramount. A risk assessment must be undertaken immediately to assess the level of risk to all service users posed by the alleged perpetrator. This will include whether it is safe for them to continue in their role or any other role within the charity whilst the investigation is undertaken. This decision will be taken in consultation with statutory authorities.

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The CMP has a culture of whistle blowing and staff are aware of this culture. Staff will be supported if they raise matters that are of concern.

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​Managing a disclosure of abuse

Volunteers, Trustees or members of the CMP team are unlikely to receive a disclosure of abuse. However, if a child or vulnerable adult tells anyone connected with CMP something that concerns them, it must be handled correctly.  If this is not dealt with correctly then the child may withdraw and not tell anyone else, potentially leaving themselves and others at further risk. 

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​The following rules have been established as good practice for all CMP staff, volunteers and Trustees:

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• ​Listen carefully to what they are saying

• Be patient and focus on what you’re being told. Try not to express your own views and feelings.

• ​If the child is struggling to talk to you, show them Childline’s “letter builder tool”. It uses simple prompts to help them share what’s happening and how they are feeling.

• ​Let them know they have done the right thing by telling you. Reassurance can make a big impact. If they’ve kept the abuse a secret it can have a big impact knowing they’ve shared what’s happened.

• ​Tell them it’s not their fault. Abuse is never the victim’s fault. It’s important they hear and know this.

• ​Say you take them seriously. They may have kept the abuse secret because they were scared they wouldn’t be believed. Make sure they know they can trust you and you’ll listen and support them.

• ​Do not confront the alleged abuser. Confronting the alleged abuser could make the situation worse for the child.

• ​Explain what you will do next.

• If you are dealing with a child, never promise not to tell anyone. These matters must be reported, and by breaking a promise you may damage the child’s trust in authority. Often “best interest” decisions need to be made for the child.

• ​Record, Retain and Report

• Report as soon after you’ve been told about the abuse so the details are fresh in your mind and action can be taken quickly. It is best practice to make notes soon after you’ve spoken to the child or adult. Keep these notes, time and date them, and sign them. They may be important in the future. Make sure you offer the notes to any investigating authority.

• If you believe any person is at risk of immediate harm call 999.

• Report your concerns and actions to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

 

Revised February 2024

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