Safeguarding Policy

Hetton New Dawn

Safeguarding of Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults Policy

Hetton New Dawn (charity number 1136887) is a charity in the heart of the Hetton community dedicated to improving the lives of those who are vulnerable due to facing a variety of issues. With the dedication of our volunteers and partners, we strive to improve the lives of those who need help within the community.

Hetton New Dawn believes that each person has a value and is due dignity by others and that we have a duty to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children. We are faithful to the safeguarding and protection of all people and affirm that the needs of people when they are vulnerable is paramount.

We recognise that this vulnerability may be temporary or permanent and may be visible or invisible. Abuse may take the form of physical, sexual, psychological, financial or material, neglect and acts of omission, discriminatory, institutional abuse or neglect. We acknowledge the effects these may have on people and their development, and we have a duty to support all people.

This policy is intended to support Hetton New Dawn staff, volunteers and Trustees to ensure the charity provides a safe supportive and caring community for everyone especially vulnerable people.

Hetton New Dawn commits itself to respond without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child, young person or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, whether it be at the charity, in their home or in another context.

• Hetton New Dawn commits itself to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust.
• Hetton New Dawn commits itself to ensuring the implementation of government legislation and guidance and safe practice.
• Hetton New Dawn commits itself to the provision of support, advice and training for all its workers, paid and volunteers, which will ensure people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults who may be vulnerable.
• Hetton New Dawn affirms and gives thanks for the work of those who are workers with children, young people and vulnerable adults and acknowledges the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding them.

Hetton New Dawn appoints the Community Development Worker as the Safeguarding Officer and supports him/her in this role, which is to:

i) Support and advise the Hetton New Dawn volunteers in fulfilling their roles

ii) Provide a point of reference to report concerns and advise on safeguarding issues

iv) Promote safeguarding best practice within Hetton New Dawn.

a) Purpose

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to ensure procedures are in place and people are clear about roles and responsibilities for children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care.

b) Good Practice

Everyone is expected to:

i) Treat all people with respect and dignity.

ii) Make a written note of any concerns, noting date, time and place of visit and pass onto the Safeguarding Officer, who will then contact the relevant authorities.

iii) have a duty of care and be always observant.

c) Appointment and training of volunteers

All volunteers and trustees will be required to have a current DBS disclosure.

All trustees and volunteers will be required to undergo safeguarding training.

Safeguarding issues will be a management committee agenda item annually, when the safeguarding policy will be reviewed, training needs will be identified, and training will be arranged by the Community Development Worker.

d) Guidelines for working with vulnerable adults

Guidelines will outline good practice and systems. These will be reviewed and discussed with trustees and beneficiaries annually.

e) Safeguarding Concerns.

If there is a safeguarding concern, then please speak to the Safeguarding Officer who is the Community Development Worker, Charlotte Davis, as soon as possible as to who will decide what action is required.

Her email address is, cdw-newdawn@outlook.com or her mobile number is 07766597948. The Chairman of the New Dawn trustees, Margaret Collins, is appointed to oversee safeguarding issues. She can be contacted on margaret.collins02@tiscali.co.uk, or by phone on 07868446473. If the resolution of concerns proves difficult, then statutory agencies will be contacted.

f) Confidentiality

As part of our commitment to safeguarding, we as a charity understand and follow all confidentiality procedures. This includes secure storage of any paper documents and keeping our electronic information very secure using protected passwords to access any data. Any information we hold will be kept only for our charity and never given to any other organisation or any other person.

g) Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the New Dawn Committee. The date of the next review is September 2024.

h) Key concepts and definitions

I. Vulnerable Adults: any adult aged 18 or over who, by reason of mental or other disability, age, illness or other situation is permanently or for the time being unable to take care of her or himself, or to protect her or himself from significant harm or exploitation.

II. Safeguarding children and child protection guidance and legislation apply to all children up to the age of 18.

III. Safeguarding and protecting vulnerable adults from maltreatment; preventing impairment of their health and ensuring safe and effective care.

IV. Adult protection is a part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect specific adults who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm, including neglect.

V. Abuse and neglect may occur in a family, in a community and in an institution. It may be perpetrated by a person or persons known to the vulnerable adult or by strangers, by an adult or by a child. It may be an infliction of harm or a failure to prevent harm.

A signed copy of this policy is held on file in HND office at Hetton & Eppleton Community Hall. It is also available on our website www.hettonnewdawn.co.uk.