Learn about our Safeguarding Policy
ACCOUNTABLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Executive Director of Operations
POLICY VERSION: Version 1.4
APPLIES TO: Volunteers and Staff
AUTHOR: Alison Watts, Head of Safeguarding
APPROVED BY: Service and Quality Committee
DATE APPROVED: 13 March 2023
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: April 2023
NEXT REVIEW DATE: March 2024
INTRODUCTION
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and as an organisation Samaritans is committed to ensuring compliance with best practice safeguarding standards and guidance.
PURPOSE and SCOPE OF THE POLICY
This policy is designed to protect children, young people and adults at risk who receive Samaritans services from harm. This safeguarding policy applies to all volunteers, the Board of Trustees, staff, agency staff, students or anyone working or volunteering on behalf of Samaritans. The policy should be read and applied in conjunction with Samaritans other key policies and procedures. This safeguarding policy applies to both the protection of children and the protection of adults defined as at risk of harm and includes callers, donors, staff, volunteers and Trustees who meet those criteria.
Definitions
A child is anyone under the age of 18.
An adult at risk*is anyone aged 18 or over who:
- has needs for care and or support
- as a result of care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from abuse
- is currently experiencing or is at risk of abuse.
*An all-inclusive term which embraces vulnerable adults in Ireland – Adult Support and Protection Act 2007 Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 Code of Practice 2014. – Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017 (Ireland).
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
This policy applies to the UK and Ireland and covers all nations
1 . This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect Children and Adults at risk. These include:
– Children Act 1989; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, Section 11 (Children’s Act 2004) (England).
– Children and Young People 2014 Act (Scotland).
– Social Services and Well-being Act 2014 (Wales).
– Children First Act 2015 (Ireland).
– The Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance (especially chapter 14) 2014 (England).
– Social Services and Well Being Act 2014 Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019 (Wales).
– Adult Support and Protection Act 2007 Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 Code of Practice 2014.
– Adult Safeguarding Bill 2017 (Ireland).
Ireland has a separate children’s safeguarding statement as required by the Children First Act 2015.
WE BELIEVE THAT
Children and adults at risk should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and adults at risk, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
WE RECOGNISE THAT
The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take.
Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
There is a legal framework within which Samaritans need to work to safeguard adults who have needs for care and support and for protecting those who are unable to take action to protect themselves and will act in accordance with the relevant safeguarding adult legislation.
All children and adults at risk (including those with any protected characteristics) have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
Disclosures of abuse can be current, retrospective, and/or anonymous and are generally made in confidence.
WE WILL SEEK TO HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT RISK SAFE, BY:
Listening to children, young people, and adults at risk without judgement, valuing and respecting them, and ensuring their views and wishes are taken into consideration.
Samaritans will provide services in a manner that as far as possible prevents any child or adult from experiencing harm.
When Samaritans has reasonable grounds for concern that identifiable children or adults are being, have been, or are at risk of being seriously harmed Samaritans will raise their concerns in accordance with Samaritans safeguarding procedures and where appropriate, statutory, or regulatory guidance.
All Board members, staff, officials, and volunteers understand their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults and have completed and are up to date with safeguarding adult training and learning opportunities appropriate for their role.
Adopting robust safeguarding procedures and codes of practice for all staff, volunteers, and Trustees.
Ensuring that all contracting, and commissioning is undertaken with regard for safeguarding.
Providing effective management for staff, and volunteers through robust supervision and support, and guidance for managers.
Ensuring suitably experienced safeguarding team is appointed within the organisation acting as an overall lead.
Recruiting staff, volunteers and Trustees in accordance with good practice guidelines, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
Recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.
Routinely sharing good practice findings and lessons learned with staff, volunteers and Trustees as necessary.
Ensuring that appropriate action is taken where there are concerns regarding staff, volunteers or Trustees conduct with children or vulnerable adult.