SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Aspire Black Suffolk is committed to its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, concerns, reports, or suspicions of abuse. This policy demonstrates a commitment to keeping children, young people and adults at risk safe from harm whilst working with Aspire Black Suffolk. This includes all of Aspire Black Suffolk staff, volunteers and Directors, all of whom will be made aware of this safeguarding policy.

All Aspire Black Suffolk staff, volunteers and directors will be provided with a copy of this policy, along with training to understand safeguarding and internal and external referral processes to ensure safeguarding is embedded throughout all practice. 

1. Policy Statement
The policy and procedures are in place in order for staff to work to prevent abuse and know what to do should a concern arise. They will enable Aspire Black Suffolk CIC to:
• Promote good practice and work in a way that can prevent harm and abuse 
• Ensure that any concerns, allegations or suspicions of abuse, are dealt with swiftly and appropriately and the person experiencing abuse is supported.

2. Definitions
The policy and procedures relate to both the safeguarding of adults at risk and to children. It also covers staff and volunteers and their families.

Adult
Adults at risk are defined in the Care Act 2014 as individuals aged over 18 who:
• “Have needs for care and support (whether or not the Local Authority is meeting any of those needs).
• Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.
• As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.”

Children
A child is defined in the Children Act 1989 as: “Anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday even if they are living independently."
Related Policies
This policy will need to be read in conjunction with the following Aspire Black Suffolk’s policies:
➢ Equality and Diversity 
➢ Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy
 

3. Responsibilities of Aspire Black Suffolk 
Aspire Black Suffolk will work to:
a) Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse for adults at risk or children and young people.
b) Promote the wellbeing of any adults at risk or children and young people accessing Aspire Black Suffolk’s opportunities or programmes. 
c) Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live.
d) Promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for the adults, young people and children concerned.
e) Raise awareness of safeguarding to ensure that everyone can play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect.
f) Provide information and support in accessible ways to help people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well-being of an adult or child.
g) Address what caused any abuse or neglect where appropriate if it occurred whilst Aspire Black Suffolk were involved in the programme.

4. Aspire Black Suffolk will:
a) Ensure that all staff and volunteers are familiar with this policy and associated procedures.
b) Work with other agencies within the framework of the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.
c) Act within its confidentiality policy and will usually gain permission from adult clients before sharing information about them with another agency. The safeguarding of a child or an adult who is at risk or if a crime has been committed will override any need for consent. (If a child has disclosed or if Aspire Black Suffolk staff or volunteers have concerns about a child, and the Designated Safeguarding Lead judges that a referral to Social Care is needed, they will inform the child that they need to tell someone else but will not need to gain consent.)
d) Make a safeguarding referral to Customer First as appropriate. i.e., if there is an immediate danger or the child/adult is at risk of harm.
e) Ensure that staff are aware of their responsibilities to attend training and support staff in accessing training.
f) Ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the internal Safeguarding processes for raising concerns.
g) Aspire Black Suffolk has a Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensures that the Designated Safeguarding Lead understands her/his responsibility to refer incidents of abuse to the relevant statutory agencies (Police/Social Care). 
The contact details of the Designated Safeguarding Lead will be posted on Aspire Black Suffolk’s website, they will:
h) Respond appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
i) Understand how diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services may influence the identification, prevention and response to safeguarding concerns.
j) Ensure that all employees, volunteers, Directors who come into contact with vulnerable adults and any children, have a DBS check in line with the requirements of the Independent Safeguarding Authority Vetting and Barring Scheme. This will include undertaking a DBS check on any potential trustee as well as Directors.

 

Responsibilities of Aspire Black Suffolk Staff and Volunteers
a) To follow the safeguarding policy and procedures at all times, particularly if concerns arise about the safety or welfare of an adult at risk or a child.
b) To participate in Suffolk County Council Endorsed safeguarding training and maintain current working knowledge of safeguarding.
c) Always discuss any concerns about the welfare of any client or child with their line manager. If the line manager is unavailable, staff and volunteers must go direct to the DSL. 
d) Work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of people who use Aspire Black Suffolk services.
e) Remain alert at all times to the possibility of abuse.
f) Recognise the impact that diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services can have.
 

Responsibilities of Directors and Trustees 
Directors have a duty of care to prevent risks to Aspire Black Suffolk reputation as well as the people it helps.

Responsibilities of Clients
Aspire Black Suffolk clients, suppliers, contractors, funders and partners have a responsibility to act in accordance with our Code of Conduct, Staff and volunteer Handbook. Aspire Black Suffolk staff and volunteers will be made aware of their duty to report any abuse, neglect or risk to other clients working with Aspire Black Suffolk. 

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5. Recognising the Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
Aspire Black Suffolk is committed to ensuring that all managers, staff, volunteers and Directors undertake training to gain a basic awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse. 

Aspire Black Suffolk will ensure that the Designated Safeguarding Lead (s) and any other key members of staff will have access to higher levels of safeguarding training. Which will be funded via ABS and agreed via our board of Directors.

Abuse and neglect can take many forms and Aspire Black Suffolk will always consider the circumstances of an individual case.

Abuse in adults includes:

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Discriminatory
Including forms of harassment, bullying, slurs, isolation, neglect, denial of access to services or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, religion or because someone is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. This includes racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia or any other form of hate incident or crime.

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Domestic Abuse or Violence
Including an incident of a pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse, by someone who is, or has been, an intimate partner or family member regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This includes.psychological/emotional, physical, sexual, financial abuse; so, called ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

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Financial or Material
Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, exploitation, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.

Modern Slavery
Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive, and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment. 
 

Neglect and Acts of Omission
Includes ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to access appropriate health, are and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

Organisational (sometimes referred to as Institutional)
Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example in relation to care provided in a person’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to ongoing ill treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.
 

Physical
Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, burning, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.

Psychological 
(Sometimes referred to as emotional) Including threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or support networks.

Sexual
Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual acts, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting. It also includes sexual exploitation which is exploitative, situations, contexts and relationships where the person receives ‘something’ (e.g., food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, mobile phones, cigarettes, gifts, money) or perceived friendship/relationship as a result of them performing, and/or another or 
others performing sexual acts.

Self-neglect
Includes a person neglecting to care for their personal hygiene, health or surroundings or an ability to provide essential food, clothing, shelter or medical care necessary to maintain their physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing and general safety. It includes behaviour such as hoarding.
 

Abuse in children includes:
Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. 

Emotional abuse: the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone. 

Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. 
Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs. 

It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse and exploitation that fall within these categories. They are child exploitation, cyberbullying and online abuse, criminal exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery, domestic abuse, FGM, honour-based abuse, grooming, missing. Abuse may be carried out deliberately or unknowingly. Abuse may be a single act or repeated acts. People who behave abusively come from all backgrounds. They may be people in positions of trust; they may also be relatives, friends, neighbours, or people who use the same services as the person experiencing abuse.

Designated Named Person for Safeguarding
Aspire Black Suffolk has an appointed Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) who is responsible for leading safeguarding in the organisation. In their absence, a deputy will be available for staff to consult with. 

The roles and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (s) are to:
a) Ensure that all staff are aware of what they should do and who they should go to if they have concerns that an adult or child at risk may be experiencing or has experienced abuse or neglect.
b) Ensure that concerns are acted on, using our internal processes and then recorded and referred to Customer First and/or the allocated social worker where necessary.
c) Follow up any safeguarding referrals and ensure the issues have been addressed.
d) Manage and have oversight over individual complex cases involving allegations against an employee, volunteer or Trustee, paid or unpaid.
e) Consider any recommendations from the safeguarding process.
f) Reinforce the need for confidentiality and to ensure that staff, volunteers and Directors are adhering to good practice with regard to confidentiality and security.
g) Ensure that staff working directly with clients who have experienced abuse, or who are experiencing abuse, are well supported and receive appropriate supervision.
h) Ensure staff, volunteers and trustees are given support and afforded protection, if necessary, under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998; they will be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner and they will be kept informed of any action that has been taken and its outcome.

Training
All staff, volunteers and Directors should receive a basic safeguarding training at a level according to their role. This should be refreshed as a minimum every three years.

Responding to People who have Experienced or are Experiencing Abuse

Aspire Black Suffolk recognises that it has a duty to act on reports, or suspicions of abuse or neglect. It also acknowledges that taking action in cases of adult abuse is never easy. Responding if Aspire Black Suffolk Receives an Allegation
a) Reassure the person concerned.
b) Listen to what they are saying.
c) Record what you have been told/witnessed as soon as possible.
d) Remain calm and do not show shock or disbelief.
e) Tell them that the information will be treated seriously.
f) Ask questions to ensure you gather the full facts but do not start to investigate or ask detailed or probing questions.
g) Use the vulnerable adult/child’s own words where possible.
h) Do not promise to keep it a secret.
i) Tell the child or adult at risk what you are going to do next and explain that you will need to get help to keep him/her safe. If you witness abuse or abuse has just taken place, the priorities will be:
a) To call an ambulance if required.
b) To call the Police if a crime has been committed.
c) To preserve evidence.
d) To keep yourself and others safe.
e) To inform the Designated Safeguarding Manager.
f) To record what happened in the agreed place/file/log.
Allegations made against a Member of Staff: if a member of staff has information which suggests a member of staff has:
a) Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a vulnerable adult/child.
b) Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a vulnerable adult/child.
c) Behaved towards a vulnerable adult/child in a way that has indicated she/he is unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults/children

Allegations made against a Member of Staff: Allegation Management 

If a member of staff has information which suggests a member of staff has:
a) Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a vulnerable adult/child.
b) Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a vulnerable adult/child.
c) Behaved towards a vulnerable adult/child in a way that has indicated she/he is unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults/children.

The member of staff should immediately report this to their line manager or Designated Safeguarding Lead, in line with the Aspire Black Suffolk Whistleblowing & Sharing Concerns policy. If appropriate, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (s) will consult with/make a referral to the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer). Follow the procedures for LADO referrals on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership website.

 

LADOs can be contacted by email: LADO@suffolk.gov.uk or by using the LADO central telephone number: 0300 123 2044.

If the allegation is made about the Designated Safeguarding Lead (s), staff must inform their line manager who will in turn inform the Director of Aspire Black Suffolk.

Recording and Managing Confidential Information

Aspire Black Suffolk is committed to maintaining confidentiality wherever possible and information regarding safeguarding issues should be shared only with those who need to know. For further information, please see Aspire Black Suffolk’s Confidentiality and Data Protection Policies.

All allegations/concerns should be recorded in the agreed place/file/log where safeguarding concerns are recorded. The information should be factual and not based on opinions. Record what the person tells you, what you have seen and names of witnesses if appropriate. The information that is recorded will be kept secure and will comply with Aspire Black Suffolk 
 

Data Protection Policy.

Disseminating/Reviewing Policy and Procedures

This safeguarding policy and procedures will be clearly communicated to staff. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (s) will be responsible for ensuring that this is done.

The safeguarding policy and procedures will be reviewed annually by Aspire Black Suffolk the Designated Safeguarding Lead (s) will be involved in this process and can recommend changes The Designated Safeguarding Lead (s) will also ensure that any changes are clearly communicated to staff. It may be appropriate to involve staff.

Referral process 
• Please dial 999 if the person is in immediate danger.
• To discuss whether or not a referral is required, you can call the Professional Consultation Line on 0345 6061499 to speak with a MASH social worker.

For Concerns about a Child
• If you have a concern about a child or a young person, you will need to complete and submit a Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF) using the new secure Suffolk Children and Young People's Portal.

 

Making a Referral for a Child For Concerns about an Adult

If you have a concern about an adult and wish to make a safeguarding referral you will need to use 
the new Suffolk County Council Adult Care Portal. The first time you complete a form you will be 
asked to create a new portal account. It’s quick and easy to register for an account and means the 
information you send to us is secure.