Safeguarding Policy

The purpose and scope of this policy statement

Spark4Kids is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children, staff and visitors and promoting a climate where children and adults will feel confident about sharing any concerns which they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

We aim to safeguard and promote the welfare of children by protecting them from maltreatment; preventing impairment of childrenā€™s health or development; ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

This Safeguarding Policy draws upon a number of duties including Ofsted Guidance and procedures produced by the London Safeguarding Children Board (https://www.londonscb.gov.uk/) and the Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (https://safeguarding.southwark.gov.uk/southwark-safeguarding-board/sscp/).

The policy is applicable to all activities undertaken by attendees whilst they are the responsibility of Spark4Kids.

We will ensure that all staff have ready access to safeguarding training resources and that they attend regular training either in-person or online, all with the aim of ensuring that procedures are in place to assist staff to understand and discharge their role and responsibilities as required.

 

The purpose of this policy statement is:

  • To protect children and young people who receive Spark4Kidsā€™s services. This includes the children of adults who use our services
  • To provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child safeguarding.

This policy statement applies to anyone working for and on behalf of Spark4Kids, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

 

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of this legislation and guidance is available from www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

 

We believe that:

  • children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind
  • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

 

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child is paramount
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young peopleā€™s welfare

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them
  • appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead, a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding
  • developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice
  • using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
  • developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
  • sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures ā€¢ implementing a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  • using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
  • ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
  • recording and storing information professionally and securely.

 

Related policies and procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures, including:

  • Procedures for responding to concerns about a child or young personā€™s wellbeing
  • Dealing with allegations of abuse against a child or young person
  • Role of the designated safeguarding officer
  • Managing allegations against staff and volunteers
  • Safer recruitment policy and procedures
  • Adult to child supervision ratios
  • Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  • Anti-Bullying policy and procedures
  • Online safety policy and procedures for responding to concerns about online abuse
  • Photography and image sharing guidance
  • Child safeguarding records retention and storage policy
  • Whistleblowing Policy

 

Spark4Kids Safeguarding Contact

 

Local Authority Safeguarding Officer (LADO) in Southwark (Southwark LADO website)

In Southwark the LADO role is based within the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU):

  • QAU duty number: 020 7525 3297
  • QAU service manager: (LADO) 020 7525 0689

 

Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP website)

 

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) in Southwark (MASH website)

  • If you’re concerned about a child who may be suffering harm:
    • MASH Telephone: 020 7525 1921 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
    • MASH Telephone: 020 7525 5000 (Out of Hours)
    • MASH Email: [email protected]

 

NSPCC HelplineĀ 

  • NSPCC Telephone Helpline: 0808 800 5000

 

Spark4Kids is committed to reviewing this policy and good safeguarding practice annually.Ā  This policy was last reviewed on 4th September 2024.