Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
Name of Organisation: First Footers Dance
1. Introduction
First Footers Dance comes in to contact with children and/or vulnerable adults through the following activities:
At classes and other related activities where staff and managers come in to contact with customers and the general public
This policy seeks to ensure that First Footers Dance undertakes its responsibilities with regard to the protection of children and/or vulnerable adults and will respond to concerns appropriately. The policy establishes a framework to support paid and unpaid staff in their practices and clarifies the organisations expectations.
2. Legislation
The principal legislation governing this policy are:
Working together to safeguard children 2010
The Children Act 1989
The Children Act 2004
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Public Interest Disclosure Act
Mental Health Act 1983
3. Definitions
Abuse happens when a person who is unable to protect themselves is ill treated or neglected. It may be a one-off incident, or may happen repeatedly over time.
Anyone can harm an adult who is not able to protect themselves.
The abuse may take place anywhere, in a public or private place.
Behaviours that count as abuse or neglect:
Physical abuse
Including hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
Sexual abuse
Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.
Psychological abuse
Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
Exploitation
Either opportunistically or premeditated, unfairly manipulating someone for profit or personal gain.
Financial or material abuse
Including theft, fraud, exploitation, coercion in relation to an adults financial affairs, possessions or benefits.
Discriminatory abuse
Including discrimination on grounds of race, gender and gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
Definition of a child (safeguarding)
A child is anyone under the age of 18 years
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person over the age of 18 years who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation and may include a person who:
Has a mental illness including dementia
Has a learning disability
Has a physical or sensory disability
Is a substance misuse
Is elderly or frail
4. Responsibilities
All staff (paid and unpaid) have responsibility to follow the guidance laid out in this policy and to pass on any welfare concerns to Manager - Gail Rowe.
Managers responsibilities include ensuring any concerns are responded to swiftly and to make judgements when to take action and/or refer to investigating bodies (Police or Local Authorities) when appropriate.
It is the responsibility of Managers to ensure that all staff receive information or training in how to respond to reports of or allegations of abuse or exploitation of Children or Vulnerable Adults during organised events.
This should take the form of either one on one meetings or group meetings before events.
5. Reporting
The stages involved in raising and reporting safeguarding concerns should be as follows:
Staff (paid or unpaid) individually or through a third person (e.g. reports from other customers/public attending event) identify a concern related to a child or vulnerable adult
Immediately or as soon as possible, communicate concerns to Managers, who then
Assess if medical attention is required
Where appropriate discuss with parents or with vulnerable adults and obtain permission to refer to local authority or police. Managers will then consult with the local authority or police and implement any advice received. This should be recorded.
It is important that staff and Managers recognise that the procedure applies whenever an allegation of abuse or neglect is aimed at staff members.
6. Policy Review
This policy should be reviewed annually, with a view to altering any changes or omissions identified.
Prepared: 10 August 2019