Policies
Safeguarding
Purpose:
This policy sets out Over The Rainbow’s approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. It applies to all aspects of our work and to everyone working for Over The Rainbow, including permanent and temporary employees and self-employed contractors.
Definitions:
Safeguarding children and adults is defined as:
Protecting children from maltreatments
Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
Ensuring the children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Taking action to enable all children to have the nest outcomes
Protecting the rights to live safely, free from abuse and neglect
Working together with other organisations to prevent and stop the risks and experience of abuse or neglect
Promoting the well-being of children and adults – considering their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs
Recruitment:
Over The Rainbow carries out safe recruitment checks on anyone who works for us. All roles require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (enhanced) and references before an individual joins us. A social media check may also be undertaken.
Everyone interviewed for the post will need to show an understanding of safeguarding aspects relevant to their role.
Expectations of staff:
Everyone at OTR has the responsibility to familiarise themselves with the safeguarding policy and procedures.
They must maintain a proper focus on the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults in all aspects of their work.
It is the responsibility of all employees to inform a manager (N Lucas/ L Shaw) if anyone within their household becomes subject to an allegation involving a safeguarding concern or abuse against a child or vulnerable adult.
Safeguarding training:
OTR is committed to ensuring that everyone who works for us understands their safeguarding responsibilities and keeps their knowledge up to date. All staff must complete and online safeguarding training within 3 months of taking up post and after that 3-yearly intervals. There will also be regular refreshers to keep knowledge up to date.
Acting on concerns:
We have a responsibility to make sure that all concerns about a child/ adult are passed on to the relevant agency. If anyone is concerned about a child/ adult who may be being abused or neglected, they should not ignore their suspicions and discuss this with their managed without delay.
Concerns about children should be referred to children’s social care for the local authority where the child lives. For adults this should be referred to adult services.
A child concern form should be completed on the day of the concern and passed onto a manager.
Concerns about a child should be shared with their carer unless it or felt that this would cause more harm.
Any concerns about a colleague should be raised with management.