Safeguarding Policy

The policy is to be practiced by any member of staff or volunteer working directly with children, young people and adults at risk, and to any other support staff or the director of the organisation who becomes involved in a child protection concern in the course of their work. This is in accordance to the Birmingham Safeguarding Children’s Board (BSCB, 2018) and the Birmingham Safeguarding Adult’s Board (BSAB, 2018).

The policy applies to anyone with whom we are in contact with during the course of our work, whether a child, a young person or an adult at risk. Where the policy or procedure refers to a ‘child’ or ‘young person’ we mean anyone who has not yet reached the age of 18 years. Where the policy refers to an ’adult at risk’, we mean anyone who is 18 years or older and who is vulnerable according to the definition in the Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure. According to Disability Code of Practice 2014, children and young people are to be protected up to age 25.

“Children and Young People may be hurt by an adult or another young person in many ways. Abuse can be any of the following:”

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect

Children and Adults with care and support needs can be the victims of many types of abuse and neglect including:

• Domestic abuse: Controlling and coercive behaviour, forced marriage, female genital mutilation or honour based violence.
• Discriminatory abuse: Ill-treatment or harassment based on a persons’ age, sex, sexuality, disability, religious beliefs or ethnic group – disability hate crime.
• Financial or material abuse: Financial scams (in person, on line, by post or telephone); theft; fraud coercion over wills; misuse of someone’s money, property or other belongings without their agreement.
• Institutional abuse: Through rigid regimes, systematic poor care; poor organisational culture; lack of resources; denial of choice; lack of dignity and respect for service users.
• Physical abuse: Hitting; burning; pushing or kicking someone, rough handling; unreasonable restraint (including misuse of medication); locking someone in a room.
• Neglect or acts of omission: Neglect or acts of omission by people responsible for giving care including; ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs; failure to provide access to the appropriate health, care and support or educational services; withholding necessities of like such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
• Sexual abuse: Rape; inappropriate touching; forcing or grooming someone to take part in or witness any sexual act against their will.
• Psychological or emotional abuse: Intimidation; bullying; shouting; swearing; taunting; threatening or humiliating someone; grooming; manipulation; or inciting someone to carry out criminal or terrorist acts.
• Self-neglect: Neglecting to care for oneself or the environment.
• Slavery: Trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.