Safeguarding Policy
February 2022
1 Scope
This policy applies to and is for use by our members, staff and volunteers working with children on behalf of Baby Artiste Ltd.
2 Context
Baby Artiste Ltd recognises the value of all of our children and seeks, wherever possible, to ensure they have a free and safe environment to grow and develop without fear of abuse. This is achieved by creating a safe space for our children, to enable each of them to fulfil their potential as Baby Artiste Ltd works to address issues at the earliest possible stage.
3 Purpose
This policy is to provide information concerning safeguarding of children, and to provide guidelines on good practice.
4 Definitions
Safeguarding means:
taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to the welfare of children are minimised where there are concerns about children’ welfare, taking immediate and appropriate action to address those concerns.
A child in the UK (as agreed by England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland) can be defined as:
- anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.
Abuse is defined as, a form of maltreatment of a child or vulnerable person. Abuse may be caused by neglect, the infliction of harm or by the failure to act to prevent harm. Abuse may occur within the family setting, an institutional (by professionals and peers) or community setting. This may be inflicted by those known to them, or more rarely, by others e.g. via the internet.
5 Policy
The Safeguarding Officer (SO) for Baby Artiste Ltd is Shanara Mackay. You can contact her on: info@babyartiste.co.uk
This policy should be used in reference to Baby Artiste Ltd Safeguarding Children Policy Incident Recording template.
What to do if you suspect abuse
Any concerns should be discussed with the Safeguarding Officer (SO) which will be recorded and if a referral is needed it will be made within 24 hours using the format provided below. Compile a report about the incident, marking it ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ and send it to the nominated SO using the email address info@babyartiste.co.uk. In the report include:
- Name of person reporting the incident
- Position of person reporting the incident
- Place of work of person reporting the incident
- Contact phone number of person reporting the incident
- Name of child
- Address/ phone number of child
- Date of birth of child
- Other relevant details (for example, family circumstances of a child)
- Parent/ Guardian/ Carer details
- Date and time of incident
- Details of the incident/ allegations/ suspicions
- Details of any action(s) taken to date
- Submission of report date
The SO will consider any report, seeking legal advice where necessary, and will act which may involve referral of the incident to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours. If the SO considers that there is any immediate danger, then immediate action will be taken. The SO will report any allegations involving children to children’s services and concerns about staff behaviour will be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer. If required, other emergency services will be contacted to reduce the imminent risk posed towards the child.
The SO will inform the person reporting the incident of the action that has been taken. The SO will not discuss the incident further, except for clarification.
The SO will keep all sensitive information secure, including dates and details of the referral, the feedback received, the procedures followed and the outcome of advice given by Social Services, as appropriate.
6 Implementation
Wherever Baby Artiste Ltd members, staff and volunteers instructed by and acting on Baby Artiste Ltd’s behalf are required to have direct and supervised contact with children, we will require them to make sure that they are accompanied at all times by a responsible adult representing Baby Artiste Ltd. If no accompanying adult is present the member of staff or volunteer must not proceed with any activity involving unsupervised contact with children. This is also applicable to those working on behalf of Baby Artiste Ltd participating in schemes involving contact with children.
Baby Artiste Ltd will implement safeguards against poor practice, harm, and abuse to protect children. All members, staff, volunteers, and those working on behalf of Baby Artiste Ltd will be provided clear information about how to report issues such as bullying and abuse and provided any necessary support in doing so. Wherever members, staff, volunteers instructed by and acting on Baby Artiste Ltd ‘s behalf are required to have direct and possibly unsupervised contact with children. Baby Artiste Ltd will recruit or appoint staff or contractors who are deemed suitable to work with children. We will not knowingly place an individual in a position that causes him or her to come into contact with children where that individual has been accused and/or convicted of crimes against children, child abuse, or child neglect.
A communication will be issued instructing all members, staff, volunteers and those working on behalf of Baby Artiste Ltd to read this policy. Anyone found in breach of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
Baby Artiste Ltd will fully comply with all relevant legislation in responding to a breach of this policy. Breaches will be reported to the appropriate authorities. We will maintain a full record of any reported incidents or suspicions, including the procedures followed, the feedback received and to whom the case was referred.
7 Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding Children Policy reflect both the mission and purpose of Baby Artiste Ltd and the spirit and intentions of legislation which outlaws abuse to those within our care.
Baby Artiste Ltd is committed to creating and preserving the safest possible environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is the duty of all members, staff and volunteers to be aware of all forms of abuse which children can be suffered – neglect, physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
In several of our activities, particularly relating to education and training, Baby Artiste Ltd may come into contact with those who are vulnerable, and we are responsible for ensuring that children are not harmed in any way through contact with Baby Artiste Ltd. We have a duty to act prudently, and this means that we will take all reasonable steps within our power to ensure the safeguarding of children.
It is the responsibility of every individual, both staff and volunteer, to eliminate risk to children by ensuring the practical application of this policy and reporting concerns about any possible breach of this policy to the Director, where appropriate.
All allegations of abuse will be treated seriously.
Any abuse is totally unacceptable to Baby Artiste Ltd and perpetrators will face disciplinary action.
8 Review
Baby Artiste Ltd will monitor and review the effectiveness of this Safeguarding Children Policy on an annual basis.
9 Information
This document shall be made available to anyone associated with Baby Artiste Ltd (including all members, staff and volunteers).
This document was approved by the Director and the Baby Artiste Team on 10th February 2022.
Useful contacts
NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk
ChildLine 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
Child Exploitation
and Online Protection
Centre
+44 (0)870 000 3344 http://ceop.police.uk/
The National
Children’s Bureau
020 7843 6000 www.ncb.org.uk
Disclosure and
Barring Service
08718 727 800 http://www.disclosuresdbs.co.uk
Churches Child
Protection Advisory
Service
0845 120 4550 www.ccpas.co.uk
Ofsted 0300 123 1231 www.ofsted.gov.uk
Disability Rights UK 020 7250 8181 http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/
References
This policy addresses the following legislation and guidance:
Children, Schools and Families Act 2010
Co-operating to safeguard children (NI, 2003)
National guidance for child protection in Scotland 2014
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Working together to safeguard children (England, Mar 2013)
Useful contacts
For more information on Baby Artiste Ltd please visit our website: www.babyartiste.co.uk