Safeguarding
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Jonathan Parkes - jparkescoaching@outlook.com
Overview
If you have any concerns about a child's safety or welfare, please contact our safeguarding lead. Alternatively, you can call the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 050 7666 or the Emergency Duty Team on 0800833408 and discuss your concerns. If necessary you can do this without giving your name.
You can also report concerns online at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse
NSPCC helpline: Parents and carers can contact the NSPCC helpline whenever they’re worried about a child by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing help@nspcc.org.uk, texting 88858* or contacting us online at nspcc.org.uk/ helpline. The helpline is free, available 24/7 and calls can be made anonymously.
Coach Joe's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. We actively listen to all young people and always take what they tell us seriously. Our aim is for children to enjoy their time with us and feel safe and secure in the environment. We work in partnership with all parents, carers and external agencies to help every child achieve their full potential and make a positive contribution to the school community.
In accordance with our responsibilities under section 175/157 of the Education Act 2002 and “Keeping Children Safe in Education“ Sept 2026, we have a Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection, Jonathan Parkes.
If occasions do arise where we have concerns regarding a child’s welfare. We will always aim to discuss our concerns with parents and carers first. However, on some occasions we may need to share information and work in partnership with Oxfordshire Children’s Services. On these occasions it may be necessary for Children’s Services (whilst investigating an incident under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989) to speak to a child without parent’s knowledge or permission. The decision to do this would be made in collaboration with Children’s Services and would only be in circumstances where a child may be at immediate risk of significant harm.
Safeguarding policy
Coach Joe's is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and recognise that this is everyone’s responsibility. We want to deliver good quality, safe services to children, young people and their families and will take appropriate action if we become aware of allegations or concerns about a child or young person’s welfare and safety and/or allegations or concerns about inappropriate behaviours towards children or young people by adults. This policy sets out how Coach Joe's fulfils its duties and responsibilities effectively and provides safeguarding guidance to assist staff working with children, young people and their families.
Purpose
This policy relates to the safeguarding and protection of children and young people from harm or exploitation. In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, a child is someone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.
The scope of this policy
This policy and associated procedures apply to all staff and anyone working on behalf of Coach Joe's. T
Coach Joe's will review all policies and procedures annually or in the event of any new legislation. Any staff member not complying with this policy and procedures will be subject to disciplinary processes.
Legal framework
This policy is underpinned by legislation, national policy and best practice guidance, including:
▪ Children Act 1989
▪ Human Rights Act 1998
▪ The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) 1998
▪ Children Act 2004
▪ Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004
▪ The Mental Capacity Act 2005
▪ The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006,
▪ The Care Act 2014
▪ Working Together to safeguard children 2018
▪ Information sharing advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers 2018
Our values and principles
We believe that all children and young people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from exploitation and abuse of all kinds. The welfare of children and young people is paramount and overrides all other. We will value, listen to and respect children and young people and take any concerns, disclosures and allegations made by them seriously and report these immediately. ▪ We recognise that some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or disabilities and we will pay attention to individuals needs and work in an inclusive way, making reasonable adjustments where appropriate. We are committed to creating a culture of openness and vigilance in our workplace where staff and service users alike are valued and respected. Bullying of any kind is not tolerated. We will strive to keep children and young people safe by implementing robust policies and procedures underpinned by best practice guidance and legislation.
When recruiting staff through safer recruitment processes which will include a comprehensive induction. All staff will complete Safeguarding Children training appropriate to their roles and responsibilities. Basic Awareness training will be a minimum requirement for all staff. Safeguarding training is considered mandatory and will be refreshed at least every two years, working in partnership with children, young people, their parents and our partners and other agencies is essential in promoting children and young people’s welfare.
▪ supporting children and young people to communicate their views and feelings, helping them to understand their rights and advocating for them where needed to ensure their voice is heard.
▪ providing a complaints procedure for children and young people and their families to whom services are provided and seeking regular feedback on the service they have received (see Complaints Procedure).
▪ providing staff with regular supervision and a code of conduct which promotes the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
▪ recording and storing information professionally and securely.
Recognising Abuse
Child Abuse is when a child or young person is intentionally harmed by an adult or another child - this can either be a one-off incident or something that happens over a period of time. Child Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional and can happen in person or online. It can also be a lack of love, care and attention, this is neglect. (NSPCC.org.uk) It is important that we know about the different types of child abuse, what signs to look out for and what to do if you have concerns about a child or young person. The NSPCC identifies different types of child abuse such as:
▪ Neglect – the persistent lack of essential care for a child including enough love, stimulation, safety, food, clothing, shelter, medical care or education. It can also mean leaving a child alone and at risk.
▪ Emotional abuse – can mean repeatedly rejecting a child, constantly threatening or putting a child or young person down so that they feel unloved and worthless, children living in a home environment where there is domestic or other forms of abuse.
▪ Physical abuse – including hitting, punching, burning, poisoning, attempted drowning and smothering.
▪ Sexual abuse – forcing or persuading a child or young person to take part in any kind of sexual activity. It can include inappropriate touching, kissing or sexual intercourse. It can also involve causing a child to look at, or being involved in pornographic material or videos.
▪ Child sexual exploitation (CSE) – In February 2017, CSE was redefined as ‘a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology’.
▪ Domestic Abuse – any incident of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to: Psychological, Physical, Sexual, Financial, Emotional.
▪ Extremism and Radicalisation – Radicalisation ’refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism leading to terrorism’ (Prevent, HM Govt. 2011). Purple recognises that there is a threat of terrorism and understands that many terrorists are radicalised in the course of their contact with others. The UK Government Prevention Strategy (2011) which is a key aspect of safeguarding, outlines the commitment to be made by the healthcare sector in ensuring that threats of this kind are understood and responded to. Signs to look out for include: Being drawn into to strong principles and ideologies held by others, as a means to control, social network involvement in extremism, being at a transitional time in life, having a need for identity, meaning and belonging, being influenced or controlled by a groups, feelings of grievance and injustice, feeling under threat , displaying mental health concerns, a desire for status, a desire for excitement or adventure and/or a need to dominate and control others. Other examples of abuse include: • Bullying and cyberbullying • Child trafficking • Female genital mutilation • Grooming • Non-recent abuse • Online abuse For more information please visit: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-ofabuse/ Raising Awareness of Safeguarding All staff and volunteers will undertake safeguarding training as part of their induction which will include information on types of child abuse and spotting the signs.
Reporting Abuse
If we have concerns about a child or a child makes an allegation of abuse to us, we will share this with the relevent parties (could be the parent, or school, or relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team, also MASH). A verbal referral must be followed up in writing within 24 hours. The Local Authority will decide on the appropriate response and must inform the referrer within 24 hours of their intended response. W
How should I respond to a child or young person if they are making an allegation or telling me something concerning? Listen to what the child/young person has to say, but on no account question the child/young person. Reassure the child/young person that you have listened very carefully and understand what they say.
➢ Explain to the child/young person that you need to let your manager know what has happened.
➢ Write down in detail exactly what the child/young person has said using the child’s / young person’s words as far as possible and record the time and date that you have received the information.
➢ Staff should not make judgments on their own as to what constitutes a serious allegation or disclosure by a child or young person – share the information as described above. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 covering England and Wales, provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, or who have capacity and want to prepare for a time when they lack capacity in the future. It sets out who can take decisions, in which situations, and how they should go about this. For young people aged 16 the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) must be taken into account in relation to ‘best interest decisions’ regarding the sharing of information. The act says that: “a person lacks capacity in relation to a matter if at the material time he is unable to make a decision for himself in relation to the matter because of an impairment of, or disturbance in the functioning of the mind or brain”.
This includes how able they are:
➢ • to understand what is likely to result from or affect their situation
➢ • to take action themselves to prevent abuse
➢ • to take part as fully as they can in making decisions about getting other parties involved. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are part of the MHA 2005, and this provides protection to people who have a mental disorder and who do not have mental capacity to make decisions about their care & treatment. This applies to people accommodated in a hospital or care home who receive care and treatment. The Supreme Court ruling on the 19th March 2014 extended this to people living in the community who receive care and treatment.
All allegations must be referred immediately to the area Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). No action should be taken until the matter has been referred and actions agreed with the area Local Authority and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). All Local Authority areas are covered by Local Safeguarding Children Boards. They are responsible for coordinating the safeguarding process in each Local Authority area. They produce procedures and guidance for all agencies in their geographical area, advising how to respond to a wide variety of safeguarding issues including how to respond to concerns or allegations. You need to know which LSCB covers your area and where to access their procedures. What about concerns or allegations involving children young people with disabilities? Children/ young people with disabilities are more vulnerable to abuse than other children / young people for a number of reasons. These include the increased likelihood of social isolation, their potential dependency on a number of carers for daily living and intimate care, and their communication needs which may prevent them from telling someone they trust. The relationship between social care staff and parents and carers may also influence how situations are interpreted. Relationships are often collaborative and supportive and discourage the belief that abuse may be happening. A real knowledge and understanding of the child or young person will assist in interpreting unusual behaviour, the impact of their disability on their behaviour and the impact of any specific medical condition. In spite of their increased vulnerability children / young people with disabilities are under represented amongst the group of children / young people with child protection plans. The link below provides guidance on how professionals should work together to safeguard the welfare of disabled children. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-disabled-children-practice-guidance What about concerns or allegations where the alleged perpetrator is a child or young person? Occasionally allegations or concerns involve children or young people as the alleged perpetrator. In these circumstances the same referral process should be followed with the addition that the alleged perpetrator should also be the subject of an assessment by the Local Authority investigating the allegation. The alleged perpetrator should at the very least be viewed as a child in need, as they themselves may be a victim.
What about concerns a child may be at risk of Extremism/Radicalisation?
The aim of radicalisation is to attract people to their reasoning, embed their extreme views and persuade vulnerable individuals of the legitimacy of their cause. Prevent is the Government’s counter terrorism strategy. It aims to provide support to young individuals at risk of being groomed into terrorist activities before any crimes are committed. All staff working on behalf of Coach Joe's have a duty to work in ways that prevent people, including children, from being drawn into terrorism. You must:
➢ Know how to identify children / young people at risk of extremism and/or radicalisation and how to intervene as appropriate.
➢ Know and follow the Local Safeguarding Children Board Procedures about extremism and radicalisation. Any staff member who is concerned that a service user is at risk of radicalisation or may have become radicalised must contact the relevant Safeguarding Children’s Team to raise this concern. Changes that may arouse concern in regard to children with whom staff come into contact with may include:
▪ Reports of unusual changes in behaviour, friendships or actions and requests for assistance
▪ Indication of child being insistently befriended by individuals or groups with radical views
▪ Evidence of service users/staff accessing extremist material online
▪ Use of extremist or hate terms to exclude others or incite violence; writing or artwork promoting violent extremist messages or images
What happens after the referral has been made?
There is a set process for dealing with all referrals made to Local Authority Children’s Social Care. Once a referral has been made, the responsible Local Authority will decide whether to undertake an initial assessment, Section 47 core assessment and whether to continue through the child protection process. The process has several steps: initial assessment; strategy discussion; Section 47 core assessment; initial child protection conference and review child protection conference. You may be asked to contribute to each step in some way. Please consult “Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018” and “What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused” for more information on the processes involved.