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Safeguarding Policy

July 2024

 

Purpose

As a therapeutic service, The Haven recognises that it has a duty of care towards children, young people and adults at risk who access its services. The welfare of every person in our care is of the utmost importance. This document applies to all staff and volunteer Advisors assisting with the work of The Haven Pregnancy Counselling Centre, who will be given a copy to read when starting work with The Haven.

 

Aim

The aim of this policy and the Safeguarding Procedures document is to help trained Advisors, schools workers and anyone else involved in the work of The Haven to adopt safe working practices with young people or adults at risk of harm, and respond appropriately when abuse is disclosed or discovered.

The Haven recognises that approaches to young people need to reflect that there are differences between adults and children in regard to the following: legal competence, age appropriateness, parental responsibility, confidentiality and exposure to, as well as protection from, significant harm.

 

Policy Statement

The Haven is committed to:

  • Treating all young people or adults at risk of harm with respect and dignity befitting their age and understanding regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and religion
  • Promoting the welfare and protection of young people or adults at risk of harm, including the opportunity for them to express their concerns
  • Seeking good communication with parents and carers
  • Providing written procedures regarding recruitment, supervision and training of all workers
  • Adopting a procedure for dealing with concerns about possible abuse
  • Recognising that local authorities have a responsibility to ensure that appropriate services are provided for young people or adults at risk of harm who are ‘in need’ and to protect children or investigate situations where a child is suffering or at risk of significant harm
  • Informing young people or adults at risk of harm of our policies and procedures as appropriate

 

Coordinators and Contact Details

Safeguarding Coordinator: Caroline Kemp (Centre Manager) 07940 800841

Deputy Coordinator: Crispin Rogers (Chair of Trustees) 07803 551833

 

Limits of Confidentiality

Absolute confidentiality cannot be upheld when a client states that they or someone they know, such as another child, may be at risk of serious harm, or when an Advisor suspects that a young person is being abused. In these circumstances, it may be necessary to share concerns with another professional agency such as Social Services. The client would need to be informed of this intention and be told of what would be communicated. The limits of confidentiality should be explained to young people or adults at risk of harm as early as possible.

 

Safer Recruitment of Staff and Volunteers

All staff and volunteers will be appointed, trained, supported and supervised in accordance with government guidance on safer recruitment (see Safeguarding Procedures).

All staff, Advisors offering counselling, the Safeguarding Coordinators and the Trustees will be required to attend annual in-house safeguarding training. In addition, they will be encouraged to attend any general safeguarding training provided by their church.

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Trustees

 

Definition of a young person

A young person is a person under 18 years of age.

 

Definition of an adult at risk of harm

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who has:

  • A learning or physical disability
  • A physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise including an addiction to alcohol or drugs
  • A reduction in physical or mental capacity
  • A dependency upon others, or a requirement for assistance, in the performance of physical functions
  • A severe impairment in the ability to communicate with others
  • An impairment in the ability to protect him or herself from assault, abuse or neglect

And requires any of the following:

  • Accommodation and nursing or personal care in a care home
  • Personal care or support to live independently in his or her home
  • Social care services
  • Any services provided in an establishment catering for a person with learning difficulties

 

Definitions of Abuse

For safeguarding children, see: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/briefings/definitions-signs-child-abuse

For safeguarding adults, see: https://www.scie.org.uk/safeguarding/adults/introduction/types-and-indicators-of-abuse

 


Safeguarding Policy

This policy is available for download.