A Safeguarding or child protection policy statement makes it clear what your organisation or group will do to keep children safe. your organisation’s commitment to protecting all children.
This document will help you to recognise the steps your safeguarding policy should include, what it should cover and why it’s important.
Why do I need a Safeguarding Policy?
All organisations that work with children are required by law to have a written policy on child protection. It is also good practice to have a clear statement about policies and procedures that will be in place to protect children from harm.
A child protection policy provides a framework for your organisation’s approach to protecting all children, no matter who they are or what you think of their parents’ lifestyle choices. With the right policies in place, your staff can work together safely and more effectively to prevent abuse from happening and support children.
What should a safeguarding policy cover?
A child protection or safeguarding policy is a written statement that describes your organisation’s commitment to protecting all children in its care, and the steps your organisation will take to fulfil that commitment.
every group that works with children should have one. The following questions can help you decide what your policy should include:
Who does the policy apply to?
Your policy should make it clear who is responsible for deciding what parts of your organisation’s work with children will affect child protection and safeguarding. It should also include appropriate contacts for advice and support, such as local advice lines or Children’s Centres (and their opening hours).
Wherever possible, the policy should avoid blaming or labelling people, eg, saying ‘children of single parents rather than ‘children of single mothers’.
What are your organisation’s core values?
Your safeguarding policy should include a statement about what your organisation is committed to achieving. It may not be possible to tick all the boxes in terms of legislation and regulation, but a strong statement that reflects your organisation’s values will help keep children safe.
What are the main risks to children in your organisation?
Your safeguarding policy should include a list of all possible risks to children from your work or contact with you, whether they are likely or unlikely, and the action you will take to minimise them.
What are your organisation’s policies and procedures?
Your safeguarding policy needs to set out how the work of your organisation will affect child protection and safeguarding, including who is responsible for delivering it. It should include any contact with children that may be seen as an occasion of sin within your religion.
The policy should also cover where children will be, what they will be doing and who they will be with. It should tell your staff and volunteers what behaviour is not tolerated by staff or volunteers, eg, sexual relationships between staff and children in their care.
What are the main points of contact for enquiries about child protection?
Your safeguarding policy needs to include a list of all the points of contact for enquiries about child protection. These need to be people who are available at various times, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
Conclusion:
Child protection policies are in place to protect all children in every organisation’s care, no matter who they are or what you think of their parents’ lifestyle choices.
For more information on safeguarding contact the Verrolne Training In the UK.
