Safeguarding: Principles, Policies and Practices
Definitions
‘Adult’ is anyone aged eighteen or over;
‘Adult at risk’ may be a person who has a learning disability, a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment, has mental health needs including dementia or personality disorder, has a long-term illness or condition, who misuses substances or alcohol, who is unable to make their own decisions or is in need of care and support;
‘Child’ is anyone under the age of eighteen;
‘Member’ is anyone attending or supporting a BEA event, including volunteers, lecturers and trustees.
Principles
- Berwick Educational Association (‘BEA’) is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its members. These may include adults at risk and children. All members should show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
- BEA recognizes that all members, regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, language or sexual identity have the right to participate in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment, whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. BEA recognizes that this is the responsibility of every member.
Policies
- Attendance at BEA events is open to everyone aged 18 or over, subject where necessary to payment of an admission fee. Children may also attend, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times: children who are part of a school group, must be accompanied and supervised by a teacher(s) at all times.
- BEA will ensure that its volunteers, lecturers and trustees are aware of this Safeguarding Policy, including the reporting guidance below and offer appropriate training. It is not our policy to take up DBS checks on our volunteers, trustees or lecturers.
- All allegations, suspicions or concerns of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately. The main types of abuse include:
- Physical abuse-including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.
- Sexual abuse-including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the person has not consented, or could not consent 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 withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
- Financial or material abuse-including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
- Neglect or acts of omission-including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
- Discriminatory Abuse – including racist, sexist, that based on a person’s disability, age or sexuality and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
- BEA will appoint a Safeguarding Officer with primary responsibility for issues concerning Safeguarding and member protection.
Practices
Awareness: BEA will ensure that its current volunteers/trustees/lecturers are aware of this Safeguarding Policy, including the reporting guidance below, by sending this policy document to them when they join BEA and by sending them a fresh copy when the policy has been modified. BEA will also offer training resources as part of this process. At events where children are present, the lead volunteer will ensure that this policy is displayed at the venue. BEA will publish this policy on its website.
Safeguarding Officer: BEA’s CURRENT Safeguarding Officer (‘SO’) is Jacqui Parkin (jcqpar@gmail.com). BEA will notify this person to all volunteers/trustees/lecturers and publish this information on the BEA website.
Reporting Guidance: If any person witnesses, becomes aware or is made aware of an incident and/or is concerned that the welfare of another member has been put at risk, then that person must, in the first instance, inform the SO directly or via the lead volunteer, or call Onecall direct 01670536400. If a situation is not an emergency and it is not possible to appraise the SO, then for adults or children living in Northumberland ring 01670 536 400 during office hours; 0845 600 5252 out of hours. In an emergency, i.e. if someone’s safety is under immediate threat, dial 999 and then report to the SO. The SO must report any allegation/incident or concern to the Trustees and to NCC/NHS via One Call 01670 536 400 onecall@northumbria.nhs.uk Incidents should not be reported via social media.
The Trustees will review each incident to take action as appropriate and to determine whether it should be reported to the police and/or the Charity Commission. Reports to the Charity Commission will be via their online form.
Record-Keeping: The SO is responsible for ensuring that a full record be made of the nature of an allegation/incident/concern and any other relevant information as soon as possible. This should include information in relation to the date, the time, the place where the alleged abuse happened, your name and the names of the others present, the name of the complainant and, where different, the name of the person who has allegedly been abused, the nature of the alleged abuse, a description of any injuries observed, the account which has been given of the allegation.
The SO must ensure that records are kept for 10 years. All records should comply with GDPR.
Review: The SO will report to the Board annually on the operation of this policy and recommend changes as appropriate. The next report will be in February 2024, unless the SO determines that changes in circumstances make an earlier review desirable.
Reviewed by the Trustees on 28/02/2023