Safeguarding children

This policy will enable Mapping for Change CIC to demonstrate its commitment to keeping safe the children who may participate in their activities. Mapping for Change acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse.

Whilst not all Mapping for Change representatives will work unsupervised with children, it is important that all staff, volunteers and management are familiar with the policy, understand the boundaries of appropriate behaviour and adhere to the procedures in put place to prevent and report abuse.

The policy applies to all staff, including managers, management committee members, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, students and anyone working on behalf of Mapping for Change.

In order to implement the policy Mapping for Change will work:

• to manage services in a way which promotes safety and prevents abuse
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
• prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals
• ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.

All Mapping for Change staff, volunteers, management and representatives will:

• Treat all children with respect and with due regard to cultural differences
• Act as an appropriate role model and provide an example you wish others to follow
• Challenge unacceptable behaviour by others - do not permit abusive activities (e.g. bullying, ridiculing, including 'cyber bullying')
• Ensure feedback given in activities is constructive rather than negative
• Take care in use of language/terminology/behaviour and do not make unnecessary comments or actions which could be interpreted as having a sexual connotation
• Take special care when discussing sensitive issues with vulnerable people

Recognising Abuse

Abuse can take different forms and includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse as well as neglect and bullying, and has long term effects in terms of development, health and well-being. You may not be completely confident in recognising abuse, but you may come across something which concerns you or just 'does not seem quite right'. It is not the place of Mapping for Change employees or volunteers to pass judgement on whether abuse has occurred, as this is the remit of Social Services. However, you have a duty and responsibility as someone working with children to report any concerns to the appropriate body.

Reporting Abuse

Mapping for Change:

• Will act within its confidentiality policy and will usually gain permission from the child before sharing information about them with another agency
• Will inform children that where a person is in danger, a child is at risk or a crime has been committed then a decision may be taken to pass information to another agency without the child’s or their guardian’s consent
• Will pass information to the Local Safeguarding Children Board when more than one person is at risk. For example: if the concern relates to a worker, volunteer or organisation who provides a service to children
• Will report any incidents where a child is accidentally hurt during an activity to the activity coordinator as quickly as possible and to their guardian where necessary
• Has a legal obligation to remove someone who has caused harm or would have or poses a risk of harm to a child
• Will endeavor to keep up to date with national developments relating to preventing abuse and welfare of children.