Safeguarding Policy

Registered Office Address: The Peniel Centre, Unit 7-8 New River Trading Estate Fairways, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, EN8 0NJ

Tel No: 020 3940 8792

General Email address:  info@thepenielcentre.org               

Senior Leader Name: Chris Ebechidi

Senior Leader Contact Telephone / Email: chris@thepenielcentre.org

Safeguarding Coordinator Name: Juliet Ahanonu

Safeguarding Coordinator Contact Telephone: 07507 634 655

Email: ngoahanonu@gmail.com

Company Number: 13929798

Regulators: Charity Commission England

Insurance Company: Ansvar Insurance

The following is a brief description of our place of worship / organisation and the type of work / activities we undertake with children and adults who have care and support needs: The Peniel Centre is a place of personal encounters with God that lead to changed lives, passionate about others and on mission for God. We are a church for everyone – in different seasons and different generations. We provide safe, fun-filled environment where children and adults can learn about God to help them become committed followers of Jesus Christ.

Section 1: Our commitment

As a Leadership we recognise the need to provide a safe and caring environment for children, young people, and adults.  We acknowledge that children, young people, and vulnerable adults can be the victims of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect. 

We accept the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, which states that everyone is entitled to “all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”.  We also concur with the Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children should be able to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse.   They have a right to be protected from “all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.” 

As a Leadership we have therefore adopted the procedures set out in this safeguarding policy in accordance with statutory guidance.  We are committed to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding. 

The policy and any attached practice guidelines are based on the ten Safe and Secure safeguarding standards published by thirty-one: eight.

The Leadership undertakes to:

• endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, in addition to the international conventions outlined above.
• provide ongoing safeguarding training for all its workers and will regularly review the operational guidelines attached.
• ensure that the premises meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislation, and that it is welcoming and inclusive.
• support the Safeguarding Coordinator(s) in their work and in any action, they may need to take in order to protect children and adults with care and support needs.
• the Leadership agrees not to allow the document to be copied by other organisations. 

Section 2: Prevention

Understanding abuse and neglect  

Defining child abuse or abuse against an adult is a difficult and complex issue. A person may abuse by inflicting harm or failing to prevent harm. Children and adults in need of protection may be abused within a family, an institution, or a community setting. Very often the abuser is known or in a trusted relationship with the child or adult.

In order to safeguard those in our places of worship and organisations we adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and have as our starting point as a definition of abuse, Article 19:

1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment, or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment, and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.

Also, for adults the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights with particular reference to Article 5:

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Detailed definitions, and signs and indicators of abuse, as well as how to respond to a disclosure of abuse, are included here in our policy.

Safer recruitment

The Leadership will ensure all workers will be appointed, trained, supported, and supervised in accordance with government guidance on safe recruitment.  This includes ensuring that:

• There is a written job description/person specification for the post
• Those applying have completed an application form and a self-declaration form
• Those shortlisted have been interviewed
• Safeguarding has been discussed at interview
• Written references have been obtained, and followed up where appropriate
• A disclosure and barring check has been completed where necessary (we will comply with Code of Practice requirements concerning the fair treatment of applicants and the handling of information)
• Qualifications where relevant have been verified
• A suitable training programme is provided for the successful applicant
• The applicant has completed a probationary period
• The applicant has been given a copy of the organisation’s safeguarding policy and knows how to report concerns.

Safeguarding training

The Leadership is committed to ongoing safeguarding training and development opportunities for all workers, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone.  All our workers will receive induction training and undertake recognised safeguarding training on a regular basis.

The Leadership will also ensure that children and adults with care and support needs are provided with information on where to get help and advice in relation to abuse, discrimination, bullying or any other matter where they have a concern.

Management of Workers – Codes of Conduct

As a Leadership we are committed to supporting all workers and ensuring they receive support and supervision. All workers have been issued with a code of conduct (Appendix 5) towards children, young people and adults with care and support needs.

Section 3: Practice Guidelines

As an organisation / place of worship working with children, young people and adults with care and support needs we wish to operate and promote good working practice. This will enable workers to run activities safely, develop good relationships and minimise the risk of false or unfounded accusation.

As well as a general code of conduct for workers we also have specific good practice guidelines (Appendix 4) for every activity we are involved in, and these are attached or in the appendices.

Working in Partnership

The diversity of organisations and settings means there can be great variation in practice when it comes to safeguarding children, young people, and adults. This can be because of cultural tradition, belief and religious practice or understanding, for example, of what constitutes abuse.

We therefore have clear guidelines in regard to our expectations of those with whom we work in partnership, whether in the UK or not. We will discuss with all partners our safeguarding expectations and have a partnership agreement for safeguarding.

We believe good communication is essential in promoting safeguarding, both to those we wish to protect, to everyone involved in working with children and adults and to all those with whom we work in partnership. This safeguarding policy is just one means of promoting safeguarding.

Section 4: Responding to allegations of abuse

Under no circumstances should a worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse.  Follow procedures as below:

• Documenting a concern

The worker should make a report of the concern in the following way:

• The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to:

Name: Juliet Ahanonu (hereafter the “Safeguarding Co-ordinator”)
Tel: 07507 634 655
Email: ngoahanonu@gmail.com

The above is nominated by the Leadership to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities.

• In the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or, if the suspicions in any way involve the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, then the report should be made to:

Name: Yomi Woghiren (hereafter the “Deputy”)
Tel:  07943 896 853
Email: yomiwoghiren@yahoo.com

If the suspicions implicate both the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Deputy, then the report should be made in the first instance to:

thirtyone:eight PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ.
Tel (24 hours): 0303 003 1111. 

Alternatively contact Social Services or the police.

• The Safeguarding Co-ordinator should contact the appropriate agency, or they may first ring the thirtyone:eight helplines for advice. They should then contact social services in the area the child or adult lives.

Name of local authority: Hertfordshire Council Children’s Social Services
Tel (24 hours): 0300 123 4043 
Website Address: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/child-protection/report-child-protection-concern.aspx

Adult Social Services
Tel (24 hours): 0300 123 4042.
Website Address: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/adult-social-services/report-a-concern-about-an-adult/hertfordshire-safeguarding-adults-board/hertfordshire-safeguarding-adults-board.aspx

Police Protection Team Tel: (01992 631212)

• The Safeguarding Co-ordinator may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern

• Chair or trustee responsible for safeguarding who may need to liaise with the insurance company or the charity commission to report a serious incident.
• Designated officer or LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if the allegation concerns a worker or volunteer working with someone under 18.
• Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made in accordance with these procedures and kept in a secure place.
• Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or Deputy should not delay referral to Social Services, the Police or taking advice from thirtyone:eight.
• The Leadership will support the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy in their role and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need-to-know basis.
• It is, of course, the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the safeguarding agencies or seek advice from thirtyone:eight, although the Leadership hope that members of the place of worship / organisation will use this procedure. If, however, the individual with the concern feels that the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy has not responded appropriately, or where they have a disagreement with the Safeguarding Co-ordinator(s) as to the appropriateness of a referral they are free to contact an outside agency direct. We hope by making this statement that the Leadership demonstrate its commitment to effective safeguarding and the protection of all those who are vulnerable.

The role of the safeguarding co-ordinator/ deputy is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to statutory agencies who have a legal duty to investigate.

Detailed procedures where there is a concern about a child:

Allegations of physical injury, neglect, or emotional abuse.

If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:

• Contact Children’s Social Services (or thirtyone:eight) for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home. 
• Not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so, having contacted Children’s Social Services. 
• Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions. 
• For lesser concerns, (e.g., poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of significant harm.
• Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them.  In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Children’s Social Services direct for advice.
• Seek and follow advice given by thirtyone:eight (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Children’s Social Services.

Allegations of sexual abuse

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:

• Contact the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
• Seek and follow the advice given by thirtyone:eight if for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Children’s Social Services/Police. Thirtyone:eight will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.

Detailed procedures where there is a concern that an adult needs protection:

Suspicions or allegations of abuse or harm including physical, sexual, organisational, financial, discriminatory, neglect, self-neglect, forced marriage, modern slavery, domestic abuse.

If there is concern about any of the above, Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:

• Contact the Adult Social Care Team who have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to investigate allegations of abuse. Alternatively, thirtyone:eight can be contacted for advice.
• If the adult is in immediate danger or has sustained a serious injury contact the Emergency Services, informing them of any suspicions.

If there is a concern regarding spiritual abuse, Safeguarding Co-ordinator will:

• Identify support services for the victim i.e., counselling, or other pastoral support
• Contact thirtyone:eight and in discussion with them will consider appropriate action with regards to the scale of the concern.

Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children/young people

If an accusation is made against a worker (whether a volunteer or paid member of staff) whilst following the procedure outlined above, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures will:

• Liaise with Children’s Social Services in regard to the suspension of the worker
• Make a referral to a designated officer formerly called a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) whose function is to handle all allegations against adults who work with children and young people whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Make a referral to Disclosure and Barring Service for consideration of the person being placed on the barred list for working with children or adults with additional care and support needs. This decision should be informed by the LADO if they are involved.

Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with care and support needs

The safeguarding co-ordinator will:

• Liaise with Adult Social Services in regards the suspension of the worker
• Make a referral to the DBS following the advice of Adult Social Services

The Care Act places the duty upon Adult Services to investigate situations of harm to adults with care and support needs. This may result in a range of options including action against the person or organisation causing the harm, increasing the support for the carers or no further action if the ‘victim’ chooses for no further action and they have the capacity to communicate their decision. However, this is a decision for Adult Services to decide not the church.

Section 5: Pastoral Care

Supporting those affected by abuse

The Leadership is committed to offering pastoral care, working with statutory agencies as appropriate, and support to all those who have been affected by abuse who have contact with or are part of the place of worship/organisation.

Working with offenders and those who may pose a risk

When someone attending the place of worship / organisation is known to have abused children, is under investigation, or is known to be a risk to adults with care and support needs; the Leadership will supervise the individual concerned and offer pastoral care, but in its safeguarding commitment to the protection of children and adults with care and support needs, set boundaries for that person, which they will be expected to keep. These boundaries will be based on an appropriate risk assessment and through consultation with appropriate parties.

Adoption of the policy

This policy was agreed by the leadership and will be reviewed annually on:

Date: 01 November 2022

APPENDIX 1 – Recognising and responding to an allegation or suspicion of abuse

Definitions of Abuse

The definitions of child abuse recommended as criteria throughout England and Wales by the Department ofHealth, Department for Education and Employment and the Home Office in their joint document, WorkingTogether to Safeguard Children (1999) are as follows:

Abuse and Neglect

Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, bya stranger.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or careerfeigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after. This situation is commonly described using terms such as factitious illness by proxy or Munchausen syndrome by proxy*.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they areworthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill-treatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative(e.g., rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or career failing to provide adequate food, shelter, and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Organized Abuse

Organized or multiple abuse may be defined as abuse involving one or more abuser and a few related or non-related abused children and young people. The abusers concerned may be acting in concert to abuse children, sometimes acting in isolation, or may be using an institutional framework or position of authority torecruit children for abuse. Organised or multiple abuse may be defined as abuse involving one or more abuser and a number of related or non- related abused children and young people. The abusers concerned may be acting in concert to abuse children, sometimes acting in isolation, or may be using an institutional framework or position of authority to recruit children for abuse.

Organised and multiple abuse occur both as part of a network of abuse across a family or community,and within institutions such as residential homes or school.

(A child may suffer more than one category of abuse).

*Munchausen’s Syndrome by proxy
The Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry defines Munchausen’s Syndrome by proxy as: “A form of child abuse in which the parents, or carers, give false accounts of symptoms in their children and may fake signs of illness(to draw attention to themselves). They seek repeated medical investigations and needless treatment for their children.”

Safeguarding awareness

The Leadership is committed to on-going safeguarding training and development opportunities for all workers, developing a culture of awareness of safeguarding issues to help protect everyone. All our workers will receive induction training and undertake recognised safeguarding training on a regular basis.

The Leadership will also ensure that children and adults with care and support needs are provided with information on where to get help and advice in relation to abuse, discrimination, bullying or any other matter where they have a concern.

Recognising Abuse

The following signs may or may not be indicators that abuse has taken place, but the possibility should be considered. 

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF ABUSE

• Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them
• Injuries which occur to the body in places which are not normally exposed to falls, rough games, etc
• Injuries which have not received medical attention
• Neglect – under nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging food, untreated illnesses, inadequate care, etc
• Reluctance to change for, or participate in, games or swimming
• Repeated urinary infections or unexplained tummy pains
• Bruises, bites, burns, fractures etc which do not have an accidental explanation
• Cuts/scratches/substance abuse

INDICATORS OF POSSIBLE SEXUAL ABUSE

• Any allegations made by a child concerning sexual abuse
• Child with excessive preoccupation with sexual matters and detailed knowledge of adult sexual behaviour, or who regularly engages in age-inappropriate sexual play
• Sexual activity through words, play or drawing
• Child who is sexually provocative or seductive with adults
• Inappropriate bed-sharing arrangements at home
• Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams, or nightmares, sometimes with overt or veiled sexual connotations
• Eating disorders – anorexia, bulimia

EMOTIONAL SIGNS OF ABUSE

• Changes or regression in mood or behaviour, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes Also, depression/aggression, extreme anxiety.
• Nervousness, frozen watchfulness
• Obsessions or phobias
• Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration
• Inappropriate relationships with peers and/or adults
• Attention-seeking behaviour
• Persistent tiredness
• Running away/stealing/lying

APPENDIX 2 – How to Respond to A Child Wanting to Talk About Abuse

It is not easy to give precise guidance, but the following may help:

GENERAL POINTS

• Show acceptance of what the child says (however unlikely the story may sound)
• Keep calm
• Look at the child directly
• Be honest
• Tell the child you will need to let someone else know – don’t promise confidentiality
• Even when a child has broken a rule, they are not to blame for the abuse
• Be aware that the child may have been threatened or bribed not to tell
• Never push for information. If the child decides not to tell you after all, then accept that and let them know that you are always ready to

HELPFUL THINGS YOU MAY SAY OR SHOW

• I believe you (or showing acceptance of what the child says)
• Thank you for telling me
• It’s not your fault
• I will help you

DON’T SAY

• Why didn’t you tell anyone before?
• I can’t believe it!
• Are you sure this is true?
• Why? How? When? Who? Where?
• Never make false promises
• Never make statements such as “I am shocked, don’t tell anyone else”

CONCLUDING

• Again, reassure the child that they were right to tell you and show acceptance
• Let the child know what you are going to do next and that you will let them know what happens (you might have to consider referring to Social Services or the Police to prevent a child or young person returning home if you consider them to be seriously at risk of further abuse)
• Contact the person in your church/organisation responsible for co-ordinating child protection concerns or contact an agency such as THIRTYONE:EIGHT for advice or go directly to local safeguarding children’s board/Police/NSPCC
• Consider your own feelings and seek pastoral support if needed

APPENDIX 3 – What To Do Once a Child Has Talked to You About Abuse

The Procedure

• Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within an hour of being told), writing down exactly what the child said, write what you said in reply to the child, when he/she said it and what was happening immediately beforehand (e.g., description of activity). Make a record of the dates and times of these events and when you made the record. Keep all handwritten notes securely, even if these have been typed
• Report your discussion as soon as possible to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator. If the latter is implicated report to the Deputy Co-ordinator. If both are implicated, report to THIRTYONE:EIGHT or to local safeguarding children’s board if
• You should not discuss your suspicions or allegations with anyone other than those nominated in the above point. Do not discuss with anyone on social media (both within and outside of the church).
• Once a child has talked about abuse the worker/co-ordinator should consider whether or not it is safe for a child to return home to a potentially abusive situation. On rare occasions, it might be necessary to take immediate action to contact local safeguarding children’s board and/or police to discuss putting into effect safety measures for the child so that they do not return.

APPENDIX 4 – PRACTICE GUIDELINES

A. GUIDELINES FOR DISCIPLINE

Discipline is the education of a person’s character. It includes nurturing, training, instruction, chastisement, verbal rebuke, teaching, and encouragement. It brings security, produces character, prepares for life, is evidence of love and is God’s heart. (Hebrews 12:5-12 and Proverbs 22:6)

Ask God for wisdom, discernment and understanding and pray for and with the child.

Work on each individual child’s positives, do not compare them with each other, but encourage and build them up, giving them responsibility for simple tasks.

Build healthy relationships with children and be a good role model, setting a good example. You can’t expect children to observe ground rules if you break them yourself.

Take care to give quieter and well-behaved children attention and don’t allow some children to take all your time and energy.

Be consistent in what you say and ensure that other team members know what you have said – this avoids manipulation.

Look honestly at your programme – if children are bored, they misbehave. Is the programme at fault?

NEVER smack or hit a child and don’t shout – change voice tone if necessary.

Discipline out of love NEVER anger. (Call on support from other leaders if you feel you may deal with the situation unwisely in your anger.)

Lay down ground rules e.g., no swearing, racism or calling each other names, a respect for property, and make sure the children understand what action will be taken if not kept.

Each child is unique, special, and individual, and each child needs a different method of being dealt with. We need to ask why the child is behaving that way.

Separate children who have a tendency to be disruptive when together. Give them a chance, warn them and only separate if they are disruptive as a last resort.

Have the child sit right in front of you or get a helper to sit next to the child.

Be pro-active and encourage helpers to be pro-active and not wait to be told to deal with a situation.

Take the child aside and talk to them, challenge them to change, whilst encouraging them on their strengths.

Warn a child that you will speak to their parents and do so if necessary. Warn them, call the parent out as a last resort (this needs to be done by the Session leader only).

If a child’s behaviour is constantly disruptive, seek advice and guidance from another leader / session leader. (See church policy on Child Protection)

Pray before you meet and talk over the session before you leave.

B. Guidelines on Physical Contact (Touch)

We aim to follow these guidelines on physical contact (touch) for those who work with children.

• Keep everything A hug in the context of a group is very different from a hug behind closed doors
• Touch should be related to the child’s needs, not the worker’s
• Touch should be age-appropriate and generally initiated by the child rather than the worker
• Avoid any physical activity that is, or may be thought to be, sexually stimulating to the adult or the child
• Children have the right to decide how much physical contact they have with others, except in exceptional circumstances when they need medical attention

Team members should monitor one another in the area of physical contact. They should be free to help each other by pointing out anything which could be misunderstood or anything which could be misconstrued. Concerns about abuse should always be reported

C. Guidelines on Photographic Images and Videos

All servers will as far as be practicable have their phones out of sight while supervising children unless it is needed for the session.

Parents will be asked for consent for photography and video for any promotional uses.

Photographs that include children will be selected carefully and will endeavour to prevent children from being easily identified.

Children’s full names will not be used on the website in association with their photographs.

Permission will be sought before any images are taken or displayed and images will only be used for the specific purpose for which permission was sought for and how the image will be stored if not destroyed.

If the intention is to use an image on the internet this must be clearly stated, and further permission must be acquired if an image is to be used in a way not originally stated.

Use of images will reflect diversity of age, ethnicity, and gender of the activity.

Live streaming of events must be clearly advertised in advance and where children are involved in presentations or performances during the service, permission should be sought in line with the photographic guidelines.

APPENDIX 5 – Workers Code of Conduct

Purpose

This behaviour code outlines the conduct expected of all workers serving with the church.

The code of conduct aims to help protect adults at risk of harm, children and young people from abuse and inappropriate behaviour from those in positions of trust, and to reduce the risk of unfounded allegations of abuse being made.

The role of workers

When working with children and young people or adults at risk of harm, you are acting in a position of trust for the church. You will be seen as a role model and must act appropriately.

Good practice

• Treat everyone with dignity, respect, and fairness, and have proper regard for individuals’ interests,rights, safety, and welfare
• Work in a responsible, transparent, and accountable way
• Be prepared to challenge unacceptable behaviour or to be challenged
• Listen carefully to those you are supporting
• Avoid any behaviour that could be perceived as bullying, emotional abuse, harassment, physical abuse, spiritual abuse, or sexual abuse (including inappropriate physical contact such as rough play and inappropriate language or gestures)
• Seek advice from someone with greater experience when necessary
• Work in an open environment – avoid private or unobserved situations
• Follow policies, procedures and guidelines and report all disclosures, concerns, allegations, and suspicions to the safeguarding coordinator
• Don’t make inappropriate promises particularly in relation to confidentiality
• Do explain to the individual what you intend to do and don’t delay acting

Unacceptable behaviour

• Not reporting concerns or delaying reporting concerns
• Taking unnecessary risks
• Any behaviour that is or may be perceived as threatening or abusive in any way
• Developing inappropriate relationships
• Smoking and consuming alcohol or illegal substances
• Favouritism/exclusion – all people should be equally supported and encouraged

Breaching the Code of Conduct

If you have behaved inappropriately, you will be subject to disciplinary procedures. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may be asked to step down from your role. We may also make a referral to statutory agencies such as the police and/or the local authority children’s or adult’s social care departments or DBS. If you become aware of a breach of this code, you should escalate your concerns to the safeguarding coordinator or elders.