RJW recognises the need to protect children from harm. All employees will take special care to identify the needs of children within the family homes and in schools where work is undertaken.
Although we plan to undertake work during school hours and strongly encourage children to be out of the property for the period of works undertaken, this is not always possible.
We will safeguard children and young people by:
- Adopting child protection guidelines through a code of behaviour for staff
- Sharing information about child protection and good practice
- Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know
- Following the procedures for recruitment and selection of staff
- Reviewing our policy and good practice at regular intervals.
Statement of Intent
RJW will:
- Safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from all forms of abuse including physical, emotional, and sexual harm.
- We shall show respect and understanding for an individual’s rights, safety and welfare, and conduct ourselves in a way that reflects our ethos, principles and values.
- Report any concerns or evidence around the safeguarding of children.
- Ensure all operatives have enhanced DBS checks.
Attitudes
Employees must:
- Treat children and young people with respect and dignity
- Listen to what a child or young person is saying
- Use appropriate language with/ when around children and young people
- Respect a young person’s right to privacy
Contact with children and young people
RJW employees are very unlikely to be working around children and young people. When working in a family home, it is firstly encouraged for children and young people to leave while work is being conducted. This is for the safety of the child/young person. This may entail them staying with friends and or family while work is conducted. If this is not possible, children will have to remain in a safe haven with a parent while work is being undertaken. This ensures that our engineers are never in immediate 1:1 contact with children and young people. However, there may be circumstances in which they witness, or witness evidence of abuse to a child or young person which would require reporting immediately.
Information Sharing
Should any RJW employees have concerns, they will be listened to and taken seriously. RJW employees should report their concerns to Rebecca Wilson first, unless that matter is urgent and warrants an emergency 999 call. Rebecca Wilson will gain the facts from the RJW operative and share this information with the main contractor and any other agencies that may be required such as social services or the police. Some information will be confidential and should only be shared on a strictly need-to-know basis. Where it becomes necessary to breach confidentiality e.g. in the case of a safeguarding concern we will notify the appropriate agency.
Parents
Parents / persons with parental responsibility are ultimately responsible for their children’s welfare at all times, and they should be informed in depth regarding the safe haven approach if the child/young person is to remain in the property.
Reporting Allegations or Suspicions of Abuse
In any case where an allegation is made, or an employee has concerns, a record should be made including the details below. This should then be discussed with Rebecca Wilson. Do not delay completing a report or taking emergency action if required.
Incident/concern child safeguarding report
Details must include, as far as practical:
- Name of child or young person (if known)
- Age (if known)
- Home Address (if known)
- Date of Birth (if known)
- Name/s and Address of parent/s or person/s with parental responsibility
- Telephone numbers if available
- Is the person making the report expressing their own concerns, or passing on those of somebody else? If so, record details
- What has prompted the concerns? Include dates and times of any specific incidents
- Has the child or young person been spoken to? If so, what was said?
- Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser? If so, record details
- Who has this been passed on to, in order that appropriate action is taken? e.g. school, designated officer, social services etc
- Has anyone else been consulted? If so, record details
- What actions have been taken
- Name of employee who has concerns
Designated Child Protection Person
For reasons of confidentiality the only person(s) who need to know this information are the following Designated Child Protection
Persons: REBECCA WILSON
The Designated Person(s) will inform the relevant outside organisation of the incident. If you are unable to make immediate contact with a Designated Child Protection Person you should make a report yourself and/or take emergency action.
Record Keeping
All records, information and confidential notes should be kept in separate files in a locked drawer or filing cabinet and stored securely electronically. Only the designated persons will have access to these files.
Recruitment
All RJW employees undergo DBS criminal records check and produce 2 satisfactory references.Each employee is made familiar with policies and procedures including the Child Protection Policy.
Employees working with adults at risk and Children will receive safeguarding awareness training.
Employees are encouraged to request additional training and keep up to date with safeguarding developments.