Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
Safeguarding & Child ProtectionMAKE is committed to providing a safe, welcoming environment for all participants under 18. This policy applies to everyone working for or on behalf of MAKE and to all children and young people attending our activities.
All children are entitled to protection from harm regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or background. We recognise that some children may be additionally vulnerable because of discrimination, communication needs, dependency, previous experiences or other circumstances.
Safeguarding leads and training
020 7926 3100
Lambeth out-of-hours safeguarding
020 7926 5555
Emergency
999
Lambeth LADO
[email protected] / [email protected]
Concerns or allegations about an adultA concern or allegation that an adult working with children has harmed a child, may have harmed a child, behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk, or otherwise behaved inappropriately towards a child will be treated separately from an ordinary child-protection referral. MAKE will seek advice from the Lambeth Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay and follow the local procedure. If the concern relates to one DSL, it should be reported to the other DSL. Where necessary, concerns may be raised directly with the local authority or police.
MAKE will keep a factual record of the allegation, actions, decisions and outcomes and will not conduct its own investigation where this could compromise a statutory investigation.
Child-on-child safeguardingBullying and behaviour concerns can also be safeguarding concerns. MAKE will respond to child-on-child abuse or harmful behaviour including physical or sexual violence, sexual harassment, coercion, discriminatory abuse, threatening behaviour, bullying, cyberbullying, sharing sexual images, or other harmful conduct. We will not dismiss harmful behaviour as 'banter' or an inevitable part of growing up.
We will consider the safety and support needs of all children involved, record significant concerns, inform parents/carers where appropriate and make a safeguarding referral where required.
Prevent and harmful influencesWe will remain alert to concerns that a child may be vulnerable to exploitation, radicalisation or other harmful influences. Any such concern will be treated as a safeguarding concern and referred through the appropriate safeguarding route.
All children are entitled to protection from harm regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or background. We recognise that some children may be additionally vulnerable because of discrimination, communication needs, dependency, previous experiences or other circumstances.
Safeguarding leads and training
- Jamie Rogers and Louise Ungpakorn are MAKE's Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs).
- Both DSLs undertake safeguarding training and refresh it regularly.
- Jamie and Louise hold Enhanced DBS checks appropriate to their roles. Any future staff or volunteers will be checked at the appropriate level for the work they undertake, including barred-list checks where legally eligible or required.
- All staff and volunteers must understand and follow this policy and raise concerns without delay.
- Listen calmly and take the child seriously. Do not promise confidentiality.
- Do not investigate, interrogate the child or ask leading questions. Clarify only what is necessary to understand the immediate concern.
- Make a factual written record as soon as possible, including the child's own words where appropriate, the date/time, action taken, decisions made and the rationale.
- Report the concern immediately to a DSL. Safeguarding information will be shared only where necessary to protect a child.
- If a child is in immediate danger or requires urgent protection, call 999.
- For other safeguarding concerns about a child, MAKE will contact Lambeth's Integrated Referral Hub and follow the advice given.
020 7926 3100
Lambeth out-of-hours safeguarding
020 7926 5555
Emergency
999
Lambeth LADO
[email protected] / [email protected]
Concerns or allegations about an adultA concern or allegation that an adult working with children has harmed a child, may have harmed a child, behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk, or otherwise behaved inappropriately towards a child will be treated separately from an ordinary child-protection referral. MAKE will seek advice from the Lambeth Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay and follow the local procedure. If the concern relates to one DSL, it should be reported to the other DSL. Where necessary, concerns may be raised directly with the local authority or police.
MAKE will keep a factual record of the allegation, actions, decisions and outcomes and will not conduct its own investigation where this could compromise a statutory investigation.
Child-on-child safeguardingBullying and behaviour concerns can also be safeguarding concerns. MAKE will respond to child-on-child abuse or harmful behaviour including physical or sexual violence, sexual harassment, coercion, discriminatory abuse, threatening behaviour, bullying, cyberbullying, sharing sexual images, or other harmful conduct. We will not dismiss harmful behaviour as 'banter' or an inevitable part of growing up.
We will consider the safety and support needs of all children involved, record significant concerns, inform parents/carers where appropriate and make a safeguarding referral where required.
Prevent and harmful influencesWe will remain alert to concerns that a child may be vulnerable to exploitation, radicalisation or other harmful influences. Any such concern will be treated as a safeguarding concern and referred through the appropriate safeguarding route.