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 November 2023                          

Company number 12075322

 

This Policy is to provide staff, volunteers and service users with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding, supporting, and promoting the welfare of children and adults with care and support needs.

 Policy Statement

JCT was established in June 2019 to provide and carry on activities which benefit the community and, in particular, (without limitation) to raise the aspirations of young people by delivering a variety of workshops and community engagement programmes which include programmes that support a healthy lifestyle and improve employment opportunities, all which will support our communities to fight against knife crime and antisocial. 

Safeguarding is fundamental to our work, and we believe that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is paramount. All children and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religious belief, sex and sexual orientation or identity, have the right to protection from all types of harm and abuse.

We recognise that some groups of children/adults may be more vulnerable to harm or exploitation because of disability, refugee status, looked-after status, poverty, gender, race and other social factors. We are committed to providing additional support to children from minority ethnic groups and disabled children to overcome barriers they may face, for example, with communication or the impact of discrimination.

To fulfil JCT Community Management's commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, all organisations that provide services for, or work with, children and vulnerable adults must have: 

∙  Clear priorities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, explicitly stated in strategic policy documents. 

∙  A clear commitment by senior management to the importance of safeguarding and promoting welfare 

∙  A clear line of accountability and defined roles and responsibilities within the organisation for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. 

∙  Recruitment and human resources management procedures that take account of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, vulnerable adults and young people, including arrangements for appropriate checks on new staff and volunteers. eg DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service), Registration via LSCB and the use of the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) (when operational) 

∙  Safe working practice guidance, which staff/volunteers have read and understood 

∙  Procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff and volunteers, 

including a Named Senior Officer to whom allegations and concerns are reported. 

∙  Arrangements to ensure that all staff undertake appropriate training to equip them to carry out their responsibilities effectively, and keep this up to date by refresher training at regular intervals and that all staff, including temporary staff and volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults, are made aware of the establishment's arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and their responsibilities for that 

∙  Policies for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, including a child protection policy, and procedures that comply with JCT Community Management  Safeguarding Children and vulnerable adults policies and procedures for safeguarding. 

∙  Arrangements to work effectively with other organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, including arrangements for sharing information. 

∙  A culture of listening to, and engaging in dialogue, with children and vulnerable adults- seeking children's views in ways that are appropriate to their age and understanding, and taking account of those views in individual decisions and in the establishment or development of services. 

∙  Appropriate whistle-blowing procedures, and a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults to be addressed. 

∙  Safeguarding of on-line, social media and generic JCT activities by and for learners and staff and stakeholders. 

1. Introduction 

1. 1.1  The purpose of this document is to set out the JCT Community Management's Safeguarding This document is the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy for the JCT Community Management's which will be followed by all members of the charity and followed and promoted by those in the position of leadership within the organisation. 

2. 1.2  Individual agencies are responsible for ensuring that their employees are competent and confident in carrying out their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting children's welfare and vulnerable adults. 

3. 1.3  The purpose of the Charity is to deliver Health and Well-being programmes and activities for our elderly residents and to mentor our youth to become resilient and focused to enable them offer positive contributions to society. 

4. 1.4  We know that being a young person makes them vulnerable to abuse by adults. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that any adult's actions in the context of the work carried out by the Charity are transparent and safeguard and promote the welfare of all young people. 

1. 1.5  This document is written in accordance with the JCT Community Management's Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2013). 

2. 1.6  Principles upon which the Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy is based: 

∙  The welfare of a child, young person and vulnerable adults will always be paramount 

∙  The welfare of families will be promoted 

∙  The rights, wishes and feelings of children, young people and vulnerable adults and their families will be respected and listened to Keeping safe from harm requires people who work with children and vulnerable adults to share information. 

See the Information Sharing: Practitioners Guide published by the DfES. 

∙ Those people in positions of responsibility within the Charity will work in accordance with the interests of children, vulnerable adults and young people and follow the policy outlined below; 

2. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy 

1. 2.1  Immediate Action to ensure Safety 

Immediate action may be necessary at any stage in involvement with children and vulnerable adults and families. 

IN ALL CASES, IT IS VITAL TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD THE CHILD OR CHILDREN AND/OR VULNERABLE ADULTS CONCERNED i.e.: 

∙  If emergency medical attention is required, this can be secured by calling an ambulance (dial 999) or taking a child to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department. 

∙  If a child is in immediate danger, the police should be contacted (dial 999) as they alone have the power to remove a child immediately if protection is necessary, via their powers to use Police Protection. 

2. 2.2  Recognition of Abuse or Neglect 

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child and/or vulnerable adults. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child and/or vulnerable adult by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children and

vulnerable adults may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children. 

1. 2.3  Physical Abuse 

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child. 

2. 2.4  Emotional Abuse 

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve conveying to children and vulnerable adults that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. 

It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child's developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying, causing children and vulnerable adults frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of Emotional Abuse is involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child and/or vulnerable adult though it may occur alone. 

3. 2.5  Sexual Abuse 

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child, young person and/or vulnerable adult to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape or buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children and vulnerable adults in looking at, or in the production of, sexual online images, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children and vulnerable adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. 

2.6 Neglect 

Neglect is the failure to meet a child's and/or vulnerable adult basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: 

∙  provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)

∙  protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger 

∙  ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers) 

∙  ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment 

It may also include Neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's and/or vulnerable adult basic emotional needs. 

7. 2.7  Individuals within the organisation need to be alert to the potential abuse of children and vulnerable adults both within their families and also from other sources including abuse by members of that organisation. 

8. 2.8  The organisation should know how to recognise and act upon indicators of abuse or potential abuse involving children and vulnerable adults and where there are concerns about a child's
   welfare. There is an expected responsibility for all members of the organisation to respond to any suspected or actual abuse of a child in accordance with these procedures. 

9. 2.9  It is good practice to be open and honest with parents/carers about any concerns. However, you MUST NOT discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances: 

∙  where Sexual Abuse or sexual exploitation is suspected 

∙  where organised or multiple abuse is suspected 

∙  where there are concerns a child may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation 

∙  where fabricated or induced illness (previously known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy) is suspected 

∙  where contacting parents/carers would place a child, yourself or others at immediate risk 

10. 2.10  These decisions should not be taken in isolation. Consult with your senior manager/line manager/designated officer. 

3. What to do if Children and Vulnerable Adults talk to you about abuse or neglect 

3.1 It is recognised that a child and/or vulnerable adult may seek you out to share information about abuse or Neglect or talk spontaneously individually or in groups when you are present. In these situations, YOU MUST: 

∙  Listen carefully to the child and/or vulnerable adult. DO NOT directly question the child 

∙  Give the child and/or vulnerable adult time and attention. 

∙  Allow the child and/or vulnerable adult to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events. 

∙  Make an accurate record of the information you have been given taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child's and/or vulnerable adult’s presentation as well as what was said. Do not throw this away as it may later be needed as evidence. 

∙  Use the child's and/or vulnerable adult’s own words where possible. 

∙  Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have 

shared - do not offer false confidentiality. 

∙  Reassure the child and/or vulnerable adult that: 

o they have done the right thing in telling you; 

o they have not done anything wrong; 

∙  Tell the child and/or vulnerable adult what you are going to do next and explain that you will need to get help to keep him/her safe. 

∙  DO NOT ask the child and/or vulnerable adult to repeat his or her account of events to anyone

4. Consult about your concern 

1. 4.1  Because of your observations of, or information received you may become concerned about a child and/or vulnerable adult who has not spoken to you. 

2. 4.2  It is good practice to ask a child and/or vulnerable adult why they are upset or how a cut or bruise was caused, or respond to a child and/or vulnerable adult wanting to talk to you. This practice can help clarify vague concerns and result in appropriate action. 

3. 4.3  If you are concerned about a child and/or vulnerable adult you must share your concerns. Initially you should talk to one designated person responsible for child and/or vulnerable adult protection within the Organisation. In
   
   Safeguarding Lead Jonathan Mason 07854920419
   
   

4. 4.4  If he is implicated in the concerns, you should discuss your concerns directly with:

Director and Safeguarding Manager Darren McCoy 07955221799

5. 4.5  You should consult with your local Social Care Duty & Investigation Team in the Wandsworth Council in the following circumstances: 

∙  when you remain unsure after internal consultation as to whether child and/or vulnerable adult protection concerns exist 

∙  when there is disagreement as to whether child and/or vulnerable adult protection concerns Issue 4 exist 

∙  when you are unable to consult promptly or at all with your designated internal contact for child and/or vulnerable adult protection 

∙  when the concerns relate to any member of the organising committee 

4.6 Consultation is not the same as making a referral but should enable a decision to be made as to whether a referral to Social Care or the Police should progress. 

5. Make a Referral 

1. 5.1  A referral involves giving Social Care or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action. 

1. 5.2  Parents/carers should be informed if a referral is being made except in the circumstances outlined in section 2.9. 

2. 5.3  However, inability to inform parents for any reason should not prevent a referral being made. It would then become a joint decision with Social Care about how and when the parents should be approached and by whom. 

5.4

If your concern is about harm or risk of harm from a family member or someone known to the children and/or vulnerable adults , you should make a telephone referral to the Social Care Duty & Investigation Team in Wandsworth

∙  If your concern is about harm or risk of harm from someone not known to the child and/or vulnerable adult family, you should make a telephone referral directly to the Police. 

∙  If your concern is about harm or risk of harm from an adult in a position of trust see Section 6: Allegations Against Adults Who Work With Children. 

∙  If your concern is that a child and/or vulnerable adult or their family need additional help or support, you should contact the appropriate Locality Team 

5.5 Information required when making a referral 

Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available). The unavailability of some information should not stop you making a referral. 

∙  Your name, telephone number, position and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking. 

∙  Full name and address, telephone number of family, date of birth of child and/or vulnerable adult and siblings. 

∙  Gender, ethnicity, first language, any special needs. 

∙  Names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others. 

∙  The names of professionals known to be involved with the child/family and/or vulnerable adult e.g.: GP, Health Visitor, School.

• The nature of the concern; and foundation for the concern. 

∙  An opinion on whether the child may need urgent action to make them safe. 

∙  Your view of what appears to be the needs of the child and/or vulnerable adult and their family. 

∙  Whether the consent of a parent with Parental Responsibility has been given to the referral being made. 

5.6 Action to be taken following the referral 

∙  Ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time. 

∙  Put your concerns in writing to the Social Care Duty & Investigation Team following the referral (within 48 hours) 

∙  Accurately record the action agreed or that no further action is to be taken and the reasons for this decision. 

6. Allegations against Adults who work with Children and/or vulnerable adults. 

1. 6.1If you have information which suggests an adult who works with children and vulnerable adults (in a paid or unpaid capacity) has: 

∙  behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed a child and/or vulnerable adult. 

∙  possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child and/or vulnerable adult. 

∙  behaved towards a child/children and/or vulnerable adult/s in a way that indicated s/he is unsuitable to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. 

You should speak immediately with your line manager or senior manager who has responsibility for 

2. 6.2  managing allegations. The senior manager will consult with/make a referral to the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) via the LSCB 

3. 6.3 If one of those people is implicated in the concerns, you should discuss your concerns directly with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) via the LSCB 

7. E-Safety 

JCT Community Managment has a policy that covers the use of all ICT-related activities including the use of social media, email and Internet. 

7.1 If you experience or are subject to any form of abuse via any form of ICT communications we take this matter very seriously and all and any incidences are required to be reported immediately 

8. Confidentiality 

1. 8.1  The organisation should ensure that any records made in relation to a referral should be kept confidentially and in a secure place. 

Information in relation to child protection concerns should be shared on a "need to know" basis. 

2. 8.2  However, the sharing of information is vital to child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to the need for protection. 

8.3 If in doubt, consult: 

Wandsworth Child and Young person

Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub: Duty Number Telephone: 020 8871 6622/ Out of hours (after 5pm): 020 8871 6000 

All Referrals – MASH@wandsworth.gov.uk 

Email: IPOC@wandsworth.gov.uk/ Secure Email: ipoc@wandsworth.cjsm.net

If you are seriously concerned about a child's immediate safety, dial 999. For LADO consultations and referrals please contact the duty Child Protection Adviser on:

Local Authority Designated Officer Advice – LADO@wandsworth.gov.uk Telephone – Anita Gibbons, LADO 07974 586 461

If you have an urgent Safeguarding concern about a vulnerable adult please get in touch with Wandsworth Adult Social Care

Telephone: 020 8871 7707 / Contact the Out of Hours Team on Telephone: 020 8871 6000/ SMS Phone: 07940 775107/ Email: accessteam@wandsworth.gov.uk

The following legislation is relevant to this policy, either because it has influenced its introduction and/or its content: 

 

• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974  

• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974  

• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975  

• The Police Act 1997  

• Protection of Children Act 1999  

• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999  

• The Human Rights Act 1998  

• Sexual Offences Act 2003  

• The Children Act 2004  

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006  

• Equality Act 2010  

• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 -The Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 is of particular importance as all decisions made to bar individuals from working with children or adults are now made by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) under this legislation. ▪ GDPR and data protection act 2018 

Consent form 

 

This consent form aims to gain agreement for the named individual to participate in our programme/activity and ensure we have sufficient information necessary for participation. We are only asking for essential information and will always ensure we protect personal information in accordance with data protection laws.  

 

If you are 18 years old or over, you can complete and sign yourself. If you are less than 18 years old you must complete and sign this form and you must get it countersigned by your parent/guardian.  

 

You or your child (for under 18s) wishes to take part inJCT Community Mnagment  event from (date) 

……………………………… to …………………………….. Please complete and sign the consent, medical form and photograph/media consent in full and return them to us as soon as possible. If you have any queries please contact ( JCT Community Management  complete] at …… [JCT Community managment email

 

Young Person’s Details 

 

Full Name: Date of Birth: 

 

Home address: 

 

Contact telephone number:   

 

 

Name (s) of parent/ guardian: 

 

Medical / Support information 

 

Date of last tetanus injection if known:   

Do you or your child (for under 18’s) have any access or communication needs?  

Yes / No (delete as appropriate) 

 

If yes please tell us what we need to ensure your / their access needs are met 

 

 

 

  

Do you or your child (for under 18s) have any known health needs? E.g. Diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, allergies  

   

Yes / No  (delete as appropriate) If Yes please complete the next two questions 

 

Current medication? 

   

Name:  

 

                 

Dose: Frequency: 

 

Do you require JCT Community Management  to provide additional support to keep you or your child well? Please provide as much information as possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please use this space to provide any other medical/support information 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note here any dietary requirements, including allergies  

 

 

 

 

 

Consent Statement 

 

I agree to participation and confirm that I have read and understood all of the details in this form and that the medical details given are complete and accurate.  

 

I understand that while I / my child (for under 18s) is participating in the programme/activity, they will be subject to the programme/activity’s general code of behaviour and will be required to obey the instructions and advice of JCT Community Management   staff and accompanying adults. If I / my child (for under 18s) is seen to not be abiding by the code of conduct, participation in the programme/activity may be terminated. I understand that in such circumstances JCT Community Management  will not be responsible for the travel arrangements for myself / my child. 

 

I understand JCT Community Management   will do everything in its control to protect personal possessions but cannot be held liable for any loss or damage. Personal Insurance is recommended. 

 

In the event of an accident or illness, I understand that every effort will be made to contact the emergency contacts I have provided but, if this is not possible, I authorise the project leader to consent to any lifesaving medical treatment from a qualified medical practitioner which, in the opinion of the competent medical practitioner, may be necessary for me / my child (over the duration of the programme/activity).   

 

I understand that JCT Community Management   researchers will have access to the information provided to support engagement on the programme [namely, name, age, gender, ethnicity, postcode and barriers].  Any information used for statistical purposes will be done in such a way that it will preserve the confidentiality of the information and data wherever practical, will be anonymised. 

 

 

 

 

   

[Optional] Equality Monitoring Form 

 

 

 

 

 

Disability: Please tick the following 

Do you consider yourself to have a disability? Yes / No 

If you wish, please state your disability here: __________________________________________ Are there any special arrangements required not mentioned above? _______________________ 

Are any of these day to day activities affected by your disability? 

Eyesight  Mobility  

Hearing  Manual Dexterity  

Speech  Physical Coordination  

Learning, understanding or memory  Lifting, carrying or moving everyday objects  

Other ___________________  Prefer not to say  

Data Protection Statement  

 

The information which you give when completing this form will be used in accordance with Data Protection legislation and for the following purposes: to enable JCT Community Management to create an electronic and paper record of the above named person; to enable participation in the JCT Community Management to programme; and ensure the Organization has emergency information and medical information to allow safe participation of the programme/activity. We will safeguard personal details and will not divulge them to any other individuals or organisations for any other purposes outside the programme unless explicit consent has been obtained. The information collected and where consented may also be used for the wider purpose of providing statistical data used to assist with monitoring provision and/or areas of need in order to support future resources. The information will be kept securely and will be kept only as long as necessary.    

 

I confirm that I have read and understood all of the details in this form and confirm that the information I have given is complete and accurate. 

  

 

Signature: ____________________________________  Date: __________________ Young Person 

 

Signature: ____________________________________  Date: __________________ 

Parent or Guardian  

Appendix 2 Types of Abuse:  

 

Abuse: A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may cause abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children. 

 

Physical abuse: Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child, young person or adult at risk.   Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child, young person or adult at risk. 

Emotional abuse: Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child, young person or adult at risk such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on their emotional development.  It may involve conveying to them that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person.  It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children, young people or adult at risk.  These may include interactions that are beyond their developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing them participating in normal social interaction.   It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another.  It may involve serious bullying, causing children, young people or adult at risk frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of them.  Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, young person or adult at risk, though it may occur alone. 

 

Sexual Abuse & Sexual Exploitation:  Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child,  young person or adult at risk to take part in sexual activities,  including sexual exploitation, whether or not they are aware of what is happening, and whether it is for money or reward or not. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative contact (e.g. rape and buggery) or nonpenetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children, young people or adults at risk in seeing or receiving or sending sexually suggestive emails or text-messages, or inappropriate behaviour on the Internet, involving them looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material of watching sexual activities, or encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. 

 

Neglect: Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child, young person or adult at risks’ basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of their health or development.  Neglect may occur during pregnancy because of maternal substance abuse.  Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: 

 

• Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, (including exclusion from home or abandonment) 

• Protect a child, young person or adult at risk from physical and emotional harm or danger 

• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers) ▪ Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment 

 

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child, young person or adult at risk’s basic emotional needs. 

 

Discriminatory Abuse: Including racial or sexual harassment and abusive treatment based on a child, young person or adult at risk’s disability. 

 

Abuse of Disabled Children:  Disabled children are at increased risk of abuse and those with multiple disabilities are at even more significant risk both of abuse and neglect. Parents of disabled children may experience multiple stresses. This group of children may be particularly vulnerable to abuse for a number of reasons including: 

 

• Having fewer social contacts than other children, young people or adult at risk; 

• Receiving intimate personal care from a larger number of carers; 

• Having an impaired capacity to understand what they are experiencing is abuse or to challenge the abuser; 

• Having communication difficulties resulting in difficulties in telling people what is happening; 

• Being reluctant to complain for fear of losing services; 

• Being particularly vulnerable to bullying or intimidation; 

• Being more vulnerable to abuse by peers than other children, young people or adults at risk. 

 

Disability is defined as:  A major physical impairment, severe illness and/or a moderate to severe learning difficulty; an ongoing high level of dependency on others for personal care and the meeting of other basic needs. 

 

Bullying:  Bullying may be defined as deliberately hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. It can take many forms, but the three main types are physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, theft), verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, threats, name calling) and emotional (e.g. isolating an individual from the activities and social acceptance of their peer group). There is increasing use of new technologies as a tool for bullying and such incidents should be taken seriously. 

 

Self-Harming Behaviour:  Children, young people and adults at risk who harm or attempt to harm themselves should be taken seriously. The self-harming behaviour in itself may cause impairment of their health or development and in some circumstances, present significant harm or the risk of significant harm. Self-harming behaviour may also arise alongside eating disorders and/or drug misuse. 

 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):  Female genital mutilation is a collective term for procedures that include the removal of part or all of the external female genitalia for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious physical and mental health consequences both at the time and in later life. The procedure is typically performed on girls of 4 -13 years but may be performed on newborn babies or on young women. FGM can result in death. 

 

   

FGM is a criminal offence (Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 2003 and subsequent amendments by the Serious Crime Act 2015). Under the act it is an offence to arrange, procure, aid or abet female genital mutilation. Parents/carers may be liable under this act. It is also an offence to allow the procedure to be

undertaken in another country. When agencies become aware that a girl is at risk of FGM a referral should be made to Children’s Social Care. 

 

Forced Marriage:  A forced marriage is one that is conducted without the full consent of both parties and where duress is a factor. Forced marriage can amount to sexual and emotional abuse and put children, young people or adults at risk, susceptible to physical abuse. In circumstances where there are concerns that someone is at imminent risk of a forced marriage urgent referrals should be made to Children’s Adults’ Social Care. 

 

In the case of a child, young person or adult at risk, in danger of forced marriage it is likely that an initial discussion with the parent, carer or other community member may significantly increase the level of risk to the person

Online abuse: Online abuse is any type of abuse that happens on the web, whether through social networks, playing online games or using mobile phones. Children and young people may experience cyberbullying, grooming, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or emotional abuse. It can take place anywhere and anytime. 

 

Online child sexual abuse: When sexual exploitation happens online, young people may be persuaded, or forced, to: 

  

• send or post sexually explicit images of themselves ▪ take part in sexual activities via a webcam or smartphone ▪ have sexual conversations by text or online. 

 

Abusers may threaten to send images, video or copies of conversations to the young person’s friends and family unless they take part in other sexual activity. 

Images or videos may continue to be shared long after the sexual abuse has stopped. 

 

Online bullying or cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is an increasingly common form of bullying behaviour which happens on social networks, games, and mobile phones. Cyberbullying can include spreading rumours about someone, or posting nasty or embarrassing messages, images, or videos.  

Cyberbullying includes: 

 

• sending threatening or abusive text messages 

• creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos 

• ‘trolling’ – sending menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games 

• excluding children from online games, activities or friendship groups 

• setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child 

• encouraging young people to self-harm 

• voting for or against someone in an abusive poll 

• creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name 

• sending explicit messages, also known as sexting 

• pressuring children into sending sexual images or engaging in sexual conversations. 

Online grooming : Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or trafficking. 

Groomers can use social media sites, instant messaging apps including teen dating apps, or online gaming platforms to connect with a young person or child. 

They can spend time learning about a young person’s interests from their online profiles and then use this knowledge to help them build up a relationship. 

It’s easy for groomers to hide their identity online – they may pretend to be a child and then chat and become ‘friends’ with children they are targeting. 

Groomers no longer need to meet children in real life to abuse them. Increasingly, groomers are sexually exploiting their victims by persuading them to take part in online sexual activity. 

 

Sexting; Sexting is when someone shares sexual, naked or semi-naked images or videos of themselves or others, or sends sexually-explicit messages. They can be sent using mobiles, tablets, smartphones, laptops etc – any device that allows you to share media and messages

Sexting may also be called ‘trading nudes’, ‘dirties’ or ‘pic for pic’. The creating or sharing of explicit images of a child is illegal, even if the person doing it is a child. 

 

Cuckooing; Cuckooing is the process whereby criminal gangs target the homes of vulnerable people in order to use their premises for criminal activity.  Many of the victims are particularly vulnerable and criminal gangs may use threats and intimidation to gain access to the property to engage in criminal activity such as drug dealing, sexual exploitation etc. 

 

Criminal exploitation: county lines; Criminal exploitation of children or vulnerable adults is a geographically widespread form of harm that is a typical feature of county lines criminal activity: drug networks or gangs groom and exploit people to carry drugs and money from urban areas to suburban and rural areas, market and seaside towns. 

 

Peer on peer abuse; Children can abuse other children. It can take many forms including: bullying; sexual violence and sexual harassment; physical abuse such as hitting, kicking, shaking, biting, hair pulling or otherwise causing physical harm; sexting and initiating/hazing type violence and rituals. 

 

Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur online and offline. Evidence shows that girls, children with special education and needs disabilities (SEND) and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) children are at greater risk. Peer on peer abuse tends to be experienced by children aged 10 and upwards, with those abusing them being slightly older. Signs of possible peer on peer abuse include but are not limited to: 

 

physical injuries - drug and alcohol abuse - going missing -  committing criminal offences - disengagement from school - poor mental health - sexual health concerns. 

 

 

Trafficking:  Children, young people and adults at risk can be trafficked into, within and out of the UK for many reasons and all different types of exploitation. Trafficking is a form of child abuse and needs an appropriate safeguarding response. Any child, young person or adult at risk who is recruited, transported,

transferred, harboured or received for exploitative reasons is considered to be a victim of trafficking, whether or not they have been forced or deceived. This is because it is not considered possible for children, young people or adults at risk in this situation to give informed consent. Even when they understand what has happened, they may still appear to submit willingly to what they believe to be the will of their parents or accompanying adult. It is important these children, young people and adults at risk are protected too. 

 

Children, young people and adults at risk are trafficked for many reasons, including sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, labour, benefit fraud, forced marriage, begging and involvement in criminal activity such as pick pocketing, theft and working on cannabis farms. They are likely to be subjected to other forms of abuse, as a means of coercing and controlling them. 

 

Trafficking is carried out by individual adults and organised crime groups.  

 

Consensual sexual activity involving a young person under 18 years is not abusive, but it may be, and a child or young person’s ability to consent can be impaired due to lack of freedom, capacity or choice; for example because of an age/power imbalance; because it is leading into sexual exploitation; because one person is in a position of trust with the other (e.g. a teacher); where one person is vulnerable because of disability or capacity; where the child/young person is in the care of another away from home. No child under the age of 13 or under is able to consent to any sexual activity according to the Sexual Offences Act 

Incident Record Form 

 

Whenever a child or adult makes a disclosure, makes an allegation or there are concerns about the welfare and safety of a child or adult at risk, the following standards will be applied to record keeping. 

1. When a disclosure or allegation is made in person, whenever possible and practical, notes will be taken during the conversation; 

2. Where it is not possible or appropriate to take notes at the time, a written record will be made as soon as possible afterwards and always before the end of the day, using the safeguarding disclosure form attached; 

3. The person making the disclosure or allegation will be advised at the time that a written record will be made and the importance of making a record of information will be explained; 

4. The person making the disclosure will be informed that they can have access to the record made in respect of their own information; 

5. The context and background leading to the disclosure will be recorded; 

6. As much information as possible will be recorded and fact, hearsay and opinion will be distinguished in the record.  Assumptions and speculation will be avoided; 

7. For all methods used to make a disclosure or allegation, the time, date, location, format of information e.g. letter, telephone call, direct contact and persons present will be recorded; 

8. Records will be signed and dated by the person receiving the information; 

9. A log of the incident will be maintained, normally by the safeguarding officer who will be responsible in most cases for managing Safeguarding incidents. 

10. The log will include full details of referrals to the local authorities where applicable; 

11. All original records, including rough notes, will be provided to the relevant Safeguarding Officer as soon as practical; 

12. All records will be kept in a confidential and secure place and shared only in order to safeguard a child, young person or adult at risk, in line with the information sharing protocol and requirements of the Data Protection legislation. 

 

Safeguarding Incident Form 

 

 

A code of good practice 

 

It is the policy of JCT community management to safeguard the welfare of all young people using our services by protecting them from neglect and from physical, sexual and emotional harm.  

 

For all staff, trustees and volunteers involved in the work of JCT community management 

(aged 18 and over), this is essential information – keep it with you. More details on our policies can be obtained from our Safeguarding Officer. 

 

What happens if…? 

 

If you suspect abuse, a young person confides in you, or a complaint is made about any adult or about yourself, it is your duty to report the concern: 

 

If a young person tells you about abuse by someone else:  

1. Allow the young person to speak without interruption, accepting what is said  

2. Offer immediate understanding and reassurance, while passing no judgement  

3. Advise that you will try to offer support but that you must pass the information on  

4. Immediately tell your line manager or the Safeguarding Officer 

5. Write careful notes of what was said; use actual words wherever possible  

6. Sign, date and pass your notes to the Safeguarding Officer 

7. Ensure that no situation arises which could cause any further concern and always inform your line manager and the Safeguarding Officer of the action you have taken. 

 

If you have a concern about a young person’s safety and well-being:  

1. Immediately tell your line manager or Safeguarding Officer 

2. Write careful notes of what you witnessed, heard or were told  

3. Sign, date and pass your notes to the Safeguarding Officer  

4. Ensure that no situation arises which could cause any further concern 

 

If you receive a complaint or allegation about any adult or about yourself:  

1. Immediately tell your line manager or Safeguarding Officer 

2. Write careful notes of what you witnessed, heard or were told  

3. Sign, date and pass your notes to the Safeguarding Officer  

4. Try to ensure no-one is placed in a position which could cause further compromise 

Code of behaviour 

 

DO put this code into practice at all times 

DO treat everyone with dignity and respect 

DO set an example you would wish others to follow 

DO treat all young people equally – show no favouritism 

DO plan activities that involve more than one other person being present, or at least are within            sight and hearing of others  

DO follow the recommended adult/young people ratios for meetings and activities 

DO respect a young person’s right to personal privacy 

DO avoid unacceptable situations within a relationship of trust e.g. a sexual relationship with a         young person over the age of consent 

DO have separate sleeping accommodation for young people, adults and young leaders working         with a younger section  

DO allow young people to talk about any concerns they may have  

DO encourage others to challenge any attitudes or behaviours they do not like 

DO avoid being drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviour e.g. tantrums and crushes 

DO ensure a no alcohol policy when young people are in your care – adults and young people  

DO make everyone aware of JCT community management 

protection procedures – young people,         parents/carers, young leaders and other helpers 

DO remember this code even at sensitive moments e.g. when responding to bullying, bereavement    or abuse 

 

DO keep other staff informed of where you are and what you are doing  

DO remember someone else might misinterpret your actions, no matter how well-intentioned DO take any allegations or concerns of abuse seriously and refer immediately 

 

DO NOT trivialise abuse 

DO NOT form a relationship with a young person that is an abuse of trust 

DO NOT permit abusive peer activities e.g. initiation ceremonies, bullying  

DO NOT engage in inappropriate behaviour or contact – physical, verbal, sexual 

DO NOT play physical contact games with young people  

DO NOT make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun 

DO NOT use inappropriate language – writing, phoning, email or internet 

DO NOT let allegations, suspicions, or concerns about abuse go unreported DO NOT just rely on your good name to protect you