Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Safeguarding is the responsibility to ensure that employees, volunteers, and partner organisations do no harm to children, young people or vulnerable people.

We do not expose them to the risk of discrimination, neglect, harm and abuse; and that any concerns the charity has about the safety of vulnerable people are dealt with and reported to the appropriate authorities. It is also the responsibility of Shade of mercy foundation charity for protecting its employees and volunteers when they are vulnerable, for example, when ill or at risk of harm or abuse.

Child protection is a central part of safeguarding. It is the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering or at risk of significant harm as a result of abuse or programme of work. It also includes measures and structures designed to prevent and respond to abuse.

 Shade of mercy foundation recognises it has an obligation to put in place all reasonable safeguarding measures to ensure, as far as possible, the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

All employees, volunteers, partner organisations and visitors are obliged to follow this policy and maintain an environment that prevents exploitation and abuse and which encourages reporting of breaches of this policy using the appropriate procedures.

All people working with the charity Shade of mercy foundation will:

1.    Read, understand and adhere to the Safeguarding Policy.

2.    Strive to promote a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, sexual harassment and abuse.

3.    Strive to develop relationships which are based on equality, trust, respect and honesty

4.    Place the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable people above all other considerations

5.    Report any concerns they may have about the welfare of a child or vulnerable person

6.    Report any concerns they may have about the behaviour in relation to safeguarding. In a one-to-one situation with a child or young person, where privacy and confidentiality are important, try to make sure that another adult knows the contact is taking place and why. If possible, ensure another adult is in sight and that the child or young person knows another adult is around.

All people working with the charity Shade of mercy foundation will not:

1.    Sexually harass, assault or abuse another person

2.    Physically harass, assault or abuse another person

3.    Emotionally abuse another person, such as engaging in behaviour intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade, condone, or participate in behaviour which is abusive, discriminatory, illegal, or unsafe

4.    Develop, encourage or fail to take action of relationships with children or other vulnerable people which could in any way be deemed sexual, exploitative or abusive

5.    Act in ways that may be violent, inappropriate or sexually provocative

6.    Agree with a child to keep a secret which has implications for their safety or the safety of other young people.

Trustees are responsible for ensuring employees, volunteers, visitors and partner organisations are aware of the policy and are supported to implement and work in accordance with it, as well as creating a culture that encourages a focus on safeguarding. They must ensure that they are responsive, acting immediately if they become aware of any safeguarding concerns, and supportive towards employees or volunteers who complain about breaches in this policy.

The charity Shade of mercy foundation will review this global policy statement annually to reflect new legal and regulatory developments and ensure good practice.

Code of Conduct

Principles

As an adult working in Shade of Mercy Foundation – whether as a member of staff or a volunteer – you have a responsibility to ensure that everyone attending Shade of Mercy Foundation’s activities, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults, are protected from harm.  It is the responsibility of each adult to ensure that:

ü their behaviour is appropriate at all times;

ü they observe the rules established for the safety and security of children, young people and vulnerable adults;

ü they follow the procedures following suspicion, disclosure or allegation of child abuse;

ü the recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed; and

ü in every respect, the relationships they form with the children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care are appropriate

All persons who wish to work in Shade of mercy Foundation, must accept and understand this policy.  They must also agree to put Shade of Mercy Foundation’s policy on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults into practice.

Meeting your responsibilities

To give positive guidance the Code of Behaviour (below) provides a list of 'do's and don'ts' to help you ensure that:

ü the welfare of the children and/or young people and/or vulnerable adults for whom you have a duty of care is safeguarded;

ü you avoid compromising situations or opportunities for misunderstandings or allegations.

Code of behaviour

a)       DO put this code into practice at all times;

b)      DO treat everyone with dignity and respect;

c)       DO set an example you would wish others to follow;

d)      DO treat all young people equally - show no favouritism;

e)       DO plan activities that involve more than one other person being present, or at least are within sight and hearing of others;

f)        DO follow recommended adult/young people ratios for meetings and activities;

g)       DO respect the right to personal privacy of a child, young person or vulnerable adult;

h)      DO avoid unacceptable situations within a relationship of trust, eg: a sexual relationship with a young person or vulnerable adult over the age of consent;

i)         DO allow children, young people and vulnerable adults to talk about any concerns they may have;

j)         DO encourage others to challenge any attitudes or behaviours they do not like;

k)       DO avoid being drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour, eg: tantrums and crushes;

l)         DO follow Shade of mercy Foundation’s 'no alcohol' guidance;

m)    DO make everyone aware of Shade of Mercy Foundation’s  procedures for safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults;

n)      DO remember this code even at sensitive moments, eg: when responding to bullying, bereavement or abuse;

o)      DO keep other members of staff/volunteers informed of where you are and what you are doing;

p)      DO remember someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned;

q)      DO take any allegations or concerns of abuse seriously and refer immediately.

1.       DO NOT trivialise abuse;

2.       DO NOT form a relationship with a child, young person or vulnerable adult that is an abuse of trust;

3.       DO NOT permit abusive peer activities, eg: initiation ceremonies, bullying;

4.       DO NOT engage in inappropriate behaviour or contact - physical, verbal, sexual;

5.       DO NOT play physical contact games with children, young people or vulnerable adults;

6.       DO NOT make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun;

7.       DO NOT use inappropriate language - writing, phoning, email or internet;

8.       DO NOT let allegations, suspicions, or concerns about abuse go unreported;

9.       DO NOT just rely on your good name to protect you.

The charity Shade of mercy foundation will review this policy statement annually to reflect new legal and regulatory developments and ensure good practice.

New paragraph