Our approach to safeguarding

Staff and volunteer recruitment, training and supervision

Recruitment:

Full details of the recruitment process can be found in the Family Lives Recruitment and Selection Policy.

Staff:

The application of rigorous procedures for the recruitment of any staff who are in contact with vulnerable adults and children, both directly and indirectly, can reduce the likelihood of any complaints or allegations of abuse. As an absolute minimum, we adhere to the following standards:

• All prospective paid workers complete an application form which asks for:
  • A curriculum vitae,
  • details of their previous employment,
  • the names of two referees;
• Shortlisting and interview process, involving at least 2 panel members from Human resources, Line Manager, Senior Manager 
• All prospective workers undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before they start employment – anyone who refuses will not be employed;
• All prospective paid workers are interviewed to establish previous experience of working in an environment where there may be children and/or vulnerable adults
• All work offers are dependent upon receipt of satisfactory references.  Referees are reminded that references should not misrepresent the candidate or omit to say things that might be relevant to their employment;
• All appointments are subject to an agreed probationary period;
• New members of staff are clear about their role responsibilities and work to an agreed job description
• All staff are required to attend regular supervision with their Line Manager/Supervisor 
• These required standards apply to all incoming staff and fully discussed as part of the staff recruitment and induction process.

Volunteers:

We apply rigorous procedures and processes for recruitment of all volunteers who are in contact with vulnerable adults and children, both directly and indirectly, to reduce the likelihood of any complaints or allegations of abuse. As an absolute minimum, these types of volunteers must: :

• complete an application form which asks for:

• Personal Statement
• the names of two referees

• Undertake an interview and selection for training process, involving Service Managers and/or Senior Family Support Coordinators          
• Undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before they can start volunteering.  Where this is not possible the work is done under close supervision.
• Provide 2 satisfactory references.  Referees are reminded that references should not misrepresent the prospective volunteer or omit to say things that might be relevant to their application to volunteer
• Complete training where their skills and abilities are assessed to be appropriate to their role                
• Undertake a set probationary period successful completion of which results in appointment
• Be clear about their role and commitment responsibilities
• Attend regular practice development sessions

These required standards apply to every volunteer who may come in to contact with vulnerable adults and children.  They are fully discussed as part of the volunteer recruitment and induction process.

Training:

Introduction to the Safeguarding Policy and Procedure is part of the induction process for staff and volunteers.

Staff Child Protection training is monitored by Designated Safeguarding Leads.  and updated as guidelines and laws change. It is fully reviewed every three years. We follow local authorities and Local Safeguarding Board guidelines and protocols in the areas in which we work.

Internal safeguarding training is delivered every 2 years, and the Designated Safeguarding Leads are responsible for keeping the training material up to date.

The knowledge and skills of the Designated Safeguarding Leads are refreshed regularly. And there are always appropriately trained managers available for staff to express concerns.

Supervision:

Monitoring and practice development support are provided to comply with Family Lives’ expectations and standards. This happens via regular supervision, debriefs and volunteer reviews.      

All staff and volunteers are required to become familiar with the Safeguarding policy and Risk of Harm reporting procedures. It is the responsibility of the Line Manager to identify and provide suitable training opportunities for staff and volunteers to ensure they can identify and address child protection and vulnerable adult issues within all Family Lives services and projects. This process is continuous, regular and responsive to emerging needs.

There are opportunities to debrief following a difficult call/visit when working with families with complex needs where safeguarding issues have been identified.

Family Lives in digital settings

Digital safeguarding refers to the safeguarding policies, procedures and practices relating to online spaces. The same safeguarding principles apply to Family Lives programmes and activities, whether these take place digitally or physically.

Our Digital Policy describes the consideration we give to all safeguarding needs in these settings.  It also gives guidance on the use of social media and digital platforms by all staff and volunteers.

Referral of digital safeguarding concerns

Safeguarding Leads provide support to staff and volunteers to prevent and respond to digital safeguarding concerns. They raise awareness, conduct training and promote best practices, as well as receiving concerns, conducting referrals to specialised services and supporting investigations, where needed.

All Family Lives staff and volunteers are required to report any digital safeguarding suspicions or incidences following the Risk of Harm Procedure. Failure to report these to a relevant person is a breach of Family Lives’ policy and could lead to disciplinary action being taken against employees and the termination of Family Lives relationship with non-employees.

Suspicions and disclosure regarding a member of staff or volunteer

Practitioners that work with, or are in contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults need to be aware of the possibility that allegations of abuse may be made against them. All staff and volunteers should take care not to be put into a vulnerable position with a child and should work with individual adults or children in view of others.

Staff and volunteers must bring any allegation made to a Designated Safeguarding Lead who will immediately, ideally within a working day unless there are exceptional circumstances, inform Human Resources.  In cases where the allegation made is against a DSL, the complainant should approach the Chief Executive.

• All conversations must be recorded 
• Ensure that the child or vulnerable adult in question is safe and away from the alleged abuser
• Irrespective of any investigation by social workers or the police, Family Lives will follow the appropriate disciplinary procedure; common practice is for the alleged abuser to be suspended from work until the outcome of any investigation is clear
• Consider whether the person has access to children anywhere else and whether those organisations or groups need to be informed
• Act upon the decisions made in any investigation

All incidents will be internally investigated after any external investigation has been completed. This is to review organisational practice and put in place any additional measures to prevent a similar thing happening again. 

Legal framework

Primary legislation 

• Children Act (1989 s47)
• Protection of Children Act (1999)
• Data Protection Act (1998) and General Data Protection Regulations (2018)
• The Children Act (Every Child Matters) (2004)
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)
• Childcare Act 2006
• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 

Secondary legislation

• Sexual Offences Act (2003)
• Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)
• Equalities Act (2010)
• Data Protection Act (1998) 

Non-Statutory Guidance

• Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations 2009
• Children and Families Act 2014
• Serious Crime Act 2015
• Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (s 26)

Appendix 2 – Definitions of abuse

We recognise that many children, young people and vulnerable adults are the victims of different kinds of maltreatment. These may include abusive acts by parents, family members, peers, known adults or strangers.

Maltreatment of children can occur when parents or others with caring responsibilities fail to take appropriate protective action, resulting in a child suffering from neglect or maltreatment by others.  Child maltreatment can result from or be aggravated by psycho-social and relationship factors that have an adverse impact upon the lives of adults and children in a family – including domestic violence, substance misuse, bullying, child sexual exploitation, racist abuse or ritualistic practices that are abusive.

The characteristics of abuse can take a number of forms and cause victims to suffer pain, fear, anxiety and distress reaching well beyond the time of the actual incident(s). Victims may be too afraid or embarrassed to raise any complaint. They may be reluctant to discuss their concerns with others or unsure who to trust or approach with their concerns. We know that there are some situations where victims are unknowingly exploited or unaware that they are victims of abuse or have difficulty in communicating this information to others.

Family Lives commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults seeks, through its services, to create a safe and emotionally healthy environment within which children, young people and vulnerable adults can thrive and work with the security of clear guidance. 

A child is as defined as anyone under the age of 18.

A Vulnerable Adult is as defined in accordance with the Care Act 2014 and Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendments) Order 2002 as a person aged 18 or above including:

• a substantial learning or physical disability;
• a physical or mental illness or mental disorder, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs; or
• Significant reduction in physical or mental capacity.
• Is elderly and frail

With respect to the role of Family Lives, an adult may also be termed ‘vulnerable’ for a short period, usually at a time of crisis or particular stress due to a life event or recur as a result of stressful events or relationship difficulties, or while under the influence of substances or coercion.

This may include a person who:

• Is homeless
• Is going through a period of extreme stress as a result of personal or relationship difficulties including bereavement
• Is subjected to work related or other forms of bullying, violence or other abuse by family members, gangs or others

Recognising signs of abuse

It can often be difficult to recognise abuse. The signs listed in this policy are only indicators and many can have reasonable explanations. Children may behave strangely or seem unhappy for many reasons, as they move through the stages of childhood or their family’s experience changes. It is nevertheless important to know what could indicate that abuse is taking place and to be alert to the need to consult further.  There is sometimes a crossover between the types of abuse and the resultant symptoms and behaviours that lead to abuse being recognised. Children may suffer from a single form of abuse, but usually there will be more than one type of maltreatment resulting in the child suffering different forms of significant harm expressed by different symptoms. Someone can abuse a child by actively inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm.

For Vulnerable Adults, abuse is often a violation of an individuals’ human and civil rights by any other person or persons. It can take a number of forms:

• Physical abuse e.g. hitting, bullying, pushing, shaking, inappropriate restraint, force-feeding, forcible administration of medication, neglect or abandonment
• Sexual abuse e.g. involvement in any sexual activity against their will, exposure to pornography, voyeurism and exhibitionism
• Emotional/psychological abuse e.g. intimidation or humiliation
• Financial abuse e.g. theft or exerting improper pressure to sign over money from pensions or savings etc.
• Neglect or acts of omission e.g. being left in wet or soiled clothing, or malnutrition
• Discriminatory abuse e.g. racial, sexual or religious harassment
• Personal exploitation – involves denying an individual their rights or forcing them to perform tasks that are against their will
• Violation of rights e.g. modern slavery, human trafficking, preventing an individual speaking their thoughts and opinions
• Institutional abuse e.g. failure to provide a choice of meals or failure to ensure privacy or dignity
• Coercion and gaslighting

Abuse can take place within a family, institutional or community setting and via social media. Perpetrators can be family members, a known adult, carer, professional partner, stranger, a young person or child.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, and suffocating. It can also result when a parent or carer deliberately causes the ill health of a child to seek attention; called fabricated illness or Munchhausen’s Syndrome by Proxy. Some families or cultures may believe physical chastisement is not only acceptable but desirable. Symptoms that may indicate physical abuse include:

• Bruising in or around the mouth, on the back, buttocks or rectal area
• Finger mark bruising or grasp marks on the limbs or chest of a small child
• Bites
• Burn and scald marks; small round burns that could be caused by a cigarette
• Fractures to arms, legs or ribs in a small child
• Large numbers of scars of different sizes or having occurred at different times

Psychological or emotional abuse

Psychological or emotional abuse sometimes co-exists with other forms of abuse. Emotionally abusive behaviour (which sometimes amounts to emotional cruelty) occurs if a parent, carer or authority figure is consistently hostile, rejecting, threatening or undermining. It can also result when children or adults are prevented from social contact with others, or if developmentally inappropriate expectations are imposed. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of someone else. Symptoms that may indicate emotional abuse include:

• Excessively clingy or attention-seeking behaviour
• Very low self-esteem or excessive self-criticism
• Excessively withdrawn behaviour or fearfulness; a ‘frozen watchfulness’
• Despondency
• Lack of appropriate boundaries with strangers; too eager to please
• Eating disorders/self-harm

Physical and/or emotional neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s or vulnerable adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, causing damage to their health and development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter or clothing, or protect them from harm or danger, or failing to access appropriate medical care and treatment when necessary. Emotional neglect happens when a child’s need for love, security, praise and recognition is unmet. This may occur if a parent is psychologically unavailable because of stresses on the parent or circumstances affecting parenting such as addictions or domestic abuse. It can exist in isolation or in combination with other forms of abuse. Symptoms of physical and emotional neglect can include:

• Inadequate supervision; being left alone for long periods of time
• Lack of stimulation, social contact or education
• Inadequate nutrition, leading to ill-health
• Constant hunger; stealing or gorging food
• Failure to seek or to follow medical advice such that a child’s life or development is endangered
• Very low self-esteem, depression or withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities
• A child expressing suicidal thoughts, ‘running away’ or threatening to do so
• Inappropriate clothing for conditions

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child, young person or vulnerable adult to participate in sexual activities, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. This may include physical contact, both penetrative and non-penetrative, or involve no contact, such as watching sexual activities or looking at pornographic material. Encouraging children to act in sexually inappropriate ways is also abusive. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, any sexual activity –contact or non-contact – with a child under the age of 13, is a crime. Symptoms of sexual abuse may include:

• Allegations or disclosure
• Genital soreness, injuries or discomfort
• Sexually transmitted diseases; urinary infections
• Excessive preoccupation with sexual matters; inappropriately sexualized play, words or drawing
• A child who is sexually provocative or seductive with adults
• Repeated sleep disturbances through nightmares and/or wetting

Older children, young people and vulnerable adults may additionally exhibit:

• Depression
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Eating disorders; obsessive behaviours
• Self-mutilation; suicide attempts
• School/peer/relationship problems

Appendix 4 – The Prevent Duty, Child Sexual Exploitation, Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and other forms of abuse

The Prevent Duty

Prevent is the multi-agency set of arrangements aimed at preventing individuals and groups from engaging in violent extremism. Family Lives is committed to co-operate and works collaboratively with a multi-agency approach.

Parents and carers should be involved in discussion about any extremism concerns at the earliest point possible unless this would increase risk to a child or young person or increase the risk of a crime being committed in the immediate future.

What could be signs of possible radicalisation?

There may be a number of signs that a young person or vulnerable adult may be being radicalised which could include:

• Notable changes in behaviour or mood
• Beginning to express extreme political or radical views
• Appearing increasingly sympathetic to terrorist acts
• Changes in appearance
• Changing friends and spending excess time alone or on the internet

What to do if you have a concern

If you have a concern about a particular young person/adult you will follow the normal safeguarding procedures, including discussing with the designated safeguarding lead, and where deemed necessary, the relevant local Authority children’s social care team. In Prevent priority areas, the local authority will have a Prevent lead and you or the parent/carer can discuss concerns with the local Safeguarding Team. You can also contact the local police 999 force or dial 101 (the non-emergency number). They will talk in confidence about any concerns and help you gain access to support and advice.

The Department for Education has dedicated a telephone helpline (020 7340 7264) to enable schools to raise concerns relating to a young person’s extremism directly, or by email to counter.extremism@education.gsi.gov.uk. Please note that the DfE helpline is not intended for use in emergencies, such as a child being at immediate risk of harm or a security incident, in which case the normal emergency procedures should be followed.  Any worker who believes a crime is being committed, or planned, or is aware of any terrorist activity, should contact the Police immediately. Other referrals should be direct made to Social Services Safeguarding team.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse in which children become sexually exploited for money, power or status.  Children or young people may be tricked into believing they are in a loving, consensual relationship or given drugs and alcohol in order to perform sexual acts. Children are also at risk to online grooming.  Some children and young people are trafficked into or within the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Sexual exploitation can also happen to young people as part of the initiation into gangs.

Indicators of potential child sexual exploitation:

• Acquisition of money, clothes, mobile phones etc without plausible explanation
• Gang-association and/or isolation from peers/social networks
• Exclusion or unexplained absences from school, college or work
• Leaving home/care without explanation and persistently going missing or returning late
• Excessive receipt of texts/phone calls
• Returning home under the influence of drugs/alcohol
• Inappropriate sexualised behaviour for age/sexually transmitted infections
• Evidence of/suspicions of physical or sexual assault
• Relationships with controlling or significantly older individuals or groups
• Multiple callers (unknown adults or peers)
• Frequenting areas known for sex work
• Concerning use of internet or other social media
• Increasing secretiveness around behaviours; and
• Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being

Forced Marriages

No faith supports the idea of forcing someone to marry without consent and should not be confused with arranged marriages between consenting adults.

Under-age Marriages

In The United Kingdom, a young person cannot legally marry until the age of 18 or have a sexual relationship until they are 16 years old or older

Female Genital Mutilation

This is against the law yet we know that for some communities it remains a religious act and a cultural requirement. It is also illegal for someone to arrange for a child to go abroad with the intention of having her circumcised.

Ritualistic Abuse

Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people (including children). We would never condone the use of any physical violence to get rid of any possessing spirit. This is physical abuse and we will report perpetrators even if it was their intention to help the child.

Other forms of abus

We recognise that the list above is not exhaustive and other forms of abuse may occur in different settings.

Appendix 6 - Information sharing

The seven golden rules to sharing information 

1. Remember that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 and human rights law are not barriers to justified information sharing but provide a framework to ensure that personal information about living individuals is shared appropriately.
2. Be open and honest with the individual (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could be shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so.
3. Seek advice from other practitioners, or your information governance lead, if you are in any doubt about sharing the information concerned, without disclosing the identity of the individual where possible.
4. Where possible, share information with consent, and where possible, respect the wishes of those who do not consent to having their information shared. Under the GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 you may share information without consent if, in your judgement, there is a lawful basis to do so, such as where safety may be at risk. You will need to base your judgement on the facts of the case. When you are sharing or requesting personal information from someone, be clear of the basis upon which you are doing so. Where you do not have consent, be mindful that an individual might not expect information to be shared.
5. Consider safety and well-being: base your information sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the individual and others who may be affected by their actions.
6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and secure: ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those individuals who need to have it, is accurate and up to-date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely.
7. Keep a record of your decision and the reasons for it – whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share, then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose.