EASE SAFEGUARDING POLICY as of November 2023
Contents
- Introduction and scope
- Structure for Safeguarding in EASE
- Volunteer checks and support
- Safeguarding children at EASE
- Reporting procedures
- In an emergency
- What to do if a disclosure is made to you
- What information to record
- Who to contact
- The process after a report has been made
- Serious incidents
Appendix 1: EASE Terminology
Appendix 2: Legislation and Best Practice
Appendix 3: Safeguarding Glossary of Terms
Appendix 4: Referrals to Ealing Children’s Services
1. Introduction and Scope
The first priority of EASE is to ensure the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults and the well-being of all. This policy is to minimise risk associated with EASE activities and to detail how we will respond to all safeguarding concerns and disclosures.
The policy applies to all those involved with the Ealing and Acton Support Enterprise (EASE) drop-in, including all guests (people – adults and children with refugee status or seeking asylum, who visit the drop-in), volunteers, ad hoc visitors to the drop-in and the Board of Trustees. Persons count as children up to the age of 18 years.
Safeguarding matters are often thought only to apply to those specifically classed as vulnerable (children, elderly etc.). But safeguarding issues can happen to anyone when they face inappropriate behaviour from others. This can be physical or mental, a repeated event or a one-off incident. It occurs when there is an imbalance in the power dynamic that exists either systemically or at a particular moment in time and someone exploits that imbalance inappropriately. We include in this everything from bullying to sexual or physical abuse. Sometimes these issues may not even be considered as abuse by the recipient.
All allegations of abuse of a vulnerable adult or child will be treated seriously at EASE. All action taken under these guidelines must be carried out sensitively, taking account of the vulnerable adult’s or child’s individual needs including race, culture and ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability and sexuality. Our primary safeguarding role is to identify issues of concern and raise them to the relevant authorities when necessary. We will deal with minor internal incidents ourselves.
We commit to minimise moments when any of us may be put in a more vulnerable situation that could lead to a safeguarding issue arising. Our Code of Conduct for volunteers is designed to do just that. In a benign situation, some of these ‘rules’ may seem overbearing, but their purpose is to protect everyone, in case something does go wrong. The Code aims to empower us – guests, volunteers and visitors – as to what we can say yes or no to, without feeling uncomfortable about doing so, so that we do not put anyone at EASE in a vulnerable situation.
EASE will not tolerate any harassment, victimisation or unfair treatment of, and will take appropriate action to protect, whistleblowers when they raise a concern in good faith.
Above all, we must enable everyone associated with EASE to understand this message:
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY: NOT RESPONDING TO A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN IS NOT AN OPTION.
2. Structure for Safeguarding in EASE
Who is responsible:
- The EASE Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ensuring that those who come into contact with the charity’s services are protected from abuse and appropriate action is taken if abuse is alleged or suspected. One Trustee will have overall responsibility for safeguarding.
- The Board of Trustees will appoint a trustee as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and at least one Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL).
- The DSL and Board of Trustees are responsible for reviewing and updating this Policy regularly, and at least annually, in line with legislation and any specific guidance issued by Asylum Support & Integration Directorate.
- Safeguarding will be a standing item on the agenda of EASE Board meetings.
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead is the focal point for receiving and acting on any safeguarding concerns. The DSL will have an up-to-date DBS check.
- The Deputy DSLs are responsible for supporting the responsibilities of the DSL and receiving any safeguarding concerns in the absence of the DSL or if someone feels unable to go to the DSL. The Deputy DSLs will have up-to-date DBS checks.
- All individuals involved in/present at EASE activities are required to adhere to the Policy and any associated procedures.
3. Volunteer Checks and Support
- The appropriate checks will be carried out on all future staff and volunteers, by verifying their identity before they commence duties.
- All volunteers will be made aware of this Policy and our Code of Conduct prior to visiting the drop-in. Visitors who wish to continue to volunteer will sign a copy of the Code of Conduct to indicate that they have read and understood both the Code and this policy.
- All volunteers working with vulnerable adults and children will not have or seek to have any kind of intimate relationship with those individuals and must maintain a professional working relationship at all times. All guests?
4. Safeguarding children at EASE
- At EASE, volunteers working with guest children through play and arts and crafts will be in an open area.
- All children visiting EASE must be accompanied by parents or guardians.
- Parents and guardians have full responsibility for their children at all times.
- If a child under 18 years arrives without a parent or guardian, this is considered a safeguarding concern.
- Volunteers are not allowed to take children into the bathrooms.
- No volunteer should be alone with a child.
- For young people volunteering at the drop-in, no volunteer under the age of 18 should be in a situation where they are alone with individuals or groups of drop-in guests
5. Reporting procedures
5.1 In an emergency:
- If an individual is in immediate danger or in need of urgent medical attention, action must be taken to ensure their safety and well-being, which may involve contacting one or more of the emergency services.
- Someone presenting an immediate significant risk to themselves or to someone else is an emergency requiring action even if the individual does not want any intervention.
5.2 What to do if a disclosure from a child or adult at risk is made to you:
- Listen carefully and calmly to the individual.
- Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing and what they have told you is very important.
- Avoid questioning where possible, and never ask leading questions
- Do not promise secrecy or confidentiality. Let the individual know that you will need to speak to the DSL because it is in their best interest. If you intend to speak to the police or social care, you should let them know this too.
- Report the concern. In an emergency, call the police (999), otherwise talk to the DSL or DDSL as soon as possible. Do not let doubt/personal bias prevent you from reporting the allegation. Remember, the individual who is told about, hears, or is made aware of the concern/disclosure is responsible for reporting it.
- Record details of the disclosure and allegation within 24 hours. Write down the details using what you have available then sign and date it.
- DSL to complete an EASE Safeguarding report form to manage this at the earliest opportunity.
5.3 What information to record to raise the safeguarding concern:
As much information as possible should be recorded, regarding the incident or circumstance which has given rise to the concern. The following should be recorded in any format available:
- their name and contact details (unless they wish to remain anonymous);
- names of individuals involved
- date, time and location of incident/circumstance; and
- whether any witnesses were present.
5.4 Who to contact:
- In an emergency: Contact 999
- Designated safeguarding contacts: 07765 982 790 (Jon), 07815 479 370 (Becky), 07183 878 686 (Larissa) or email safeguarding@easeealing.org.uk
- Safeguarding email contact: ease.ealing@gmail.com
- Ealing Council – 020 8825 5000
- Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): asv@ealing.gov.uk or 020 8825 8930
5.5 The process after a report has been made:
- The safeguarding leads will follow up as appropriate on a case-by-case basis, prioritising the well-being of the child/ adult at risk at all times. Dependent on the concern/disclosure, a referral may be made to:
- In an emergency call 999
- For children: Ealing local Authority Children’s Services (Ealing Children’s Integrated Response Service – ECIRS): 020 8825 8000 or the borough in which the child resides.
- For adults: Local Authority Adult Services: Contacting the social care advice and referral centre on: Phone: (020) 8825 8000; Email: sscallcentre@ealing,gov.uk or the borough in which the vulnerable adult resides
- Whistleblowing regarding children: Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). Contact details: asv@ealing.gov.uk or 020 8825 8930
- Any incident will be reported to the EASE Board of Trustees and discussed at the next Trustee meeting
- Each Local Authority has a Safeguarding team, and referral process. Once it is established where the person of concern lives, a referral may be made by the designated person, who may also consider it appropriate to contact the police.
- If for any reason an individual is unable to contact the DSL or is uncomfortable raising a concern with the DSL, in the case of a child, they should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). Contact details: asv@ealing.gov.uk or 020 8825 8930
6 Serious Incident
EASE has a duty to report promptly serious incidents to the Charity Commission and the Trustees shall consider, on a case by case basis, in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance, whether a serious incident has occurred and should be reported. This Policy is reviewed annually.
The policy is recommended for approval by: Board of Trustees’ Chair and DSL
Version Approved by Board of Trustees on XXX
Appendix 1: Terminology for EASE
Guest: a migrant, asylum seeker or refugee or person attending EASE to benefit from our services
Visitor: a visitor invited to EASE to look around either for information, to better understand EASE and our services, or with a view to volunteering. No visitor will be accepted unless they have been invited or because they are from authorities inspecting the premises (e.g. police, borough health & safety officers, etc.).
Volunteer: A volunteer is someone who wishes to volunteer with EASE services and has been through the application and induction process, including signing the code of conduct (or agreeing to the ‘interim regulations’ in the interim), and has been accepted as a volunteer at EASE.
Trustees: The trustees are members of the EASE board of trustees responsible for managing and oversight of EASE.
Child: a person under the age of eighteen years.
See Annex for more on terminology and definitions of abuse.
Appendix 2: Legislation and Best Practice
EASE is committed to complying with the requirements of the law and good practice in this area. This policy has been produced in accordance with Department of Health Guidance “No Secrets”, which will remain as statutory guidance, and has taken into account the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 National Framework
‘Safeguarding Adults’ and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, Department of Health Statement of Government Policy on Adult Safeguarding.
The Children Act 1989 established the paramountcy principle – The welfare of the child is paramount. The Children Act 2004 establishes the need for collaboration and partnership working as key in securing successful outcomes for children and families. A multi- disciplinary approach to identification, planning and review should be the norm for all families where intervention is considered necessary.
Appendix 3: Safeguarding Glossary of Terms
Safeguarding:
Protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.
Enabling adults at risk to achieve the outcomes that matter to them in their life; protecting their right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Empowering and supporting them to make choices, stay safe and raise any concerns. Beginning with the assumption that an individual is best-placed to make decisions about their own wellbeing, taking proportional action on their behalf only if someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, they are exposed to a life- threatening risk, someone else may be at risk of harm, or a criminal offence has been committed or is likely to be committed.
Abuse and neglect
Physical abuse: A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child or adult at risk. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness
Sexual abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child/adult at risk to take part in abuse sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child [/adult at risk] is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children/adults at risk in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children/adults at risk to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child [/adult at risk] in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
Emotional abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child or adult at risk such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on their emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child/ adult at risk that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person; not giving them opportunities to express their views; deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed, including interactions that are beyond a child or adult at risk’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing them participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing a child or adult at risk to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.
Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child/ adult at risk’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of their health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to: o provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); o protect a child/ adult at risk from physical and emotional harm or danger; o ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or o ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s or adult at risk’s basic emotional needs. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse.
Additional examples of abuse and neglect of adults at risk
Financial abuse: having money or property stolen; being defrauded; being put under pressure in relation to money or other property; and having money or other property misused.
Discriminatory abuse: treating someone in a less favourable way and causing them harm, because of their age, gender, sexuality, gender identity, disability, socio-economic status, ethnic origin, religion and any other visible or non-visible difference.
Domestic abuse: includes physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse by someone who is, or has been a partner or family member. Includes forced marriage, female genital mutilation and honour-based violence (an act of violence based on the belief that the person has brought shame on their family or culture). Domestic abuse does not necessarily involve physical contact or violence.
Psychological abuse: including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
Organisational abuse: where the needs of an individual are not met by an organisation due to a culture of poor practice or abusive behaviour within the organisation.
Self-neglect: behaviour which threatens an adult’s personal health or safety (but not that of others). Includes an adult’s decision to not provide themselves with adequate food, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, or medication (when indicated), or take appropriate safety precautions
Modern slavery: encompasses slavery, human trafficking, criminal and sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
Safeguarding children: protecting children from abuse and neglect, preventing the impairment of children’s health or development, ensuring that they grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances.
‘Adult at risk’ or ‘vulnerable adult’: a person aged eighteen years or over who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and is, or may be, unable to take care of, or unable to protect him or herself against abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding adults at risk: protecting adults from abuse and/or neglect. Enabling adults to maintain control over their lives and make informed choices without coercion. Empowering adults at risk, consulting them before taking action, unless someone lacks the capacity to make a decision, or their mental health poses a risk to their own or someone else’s safety, in which case, always acting in his or her best interests.
Vulnerable adults may:
- have mental health needs including dementia
- have learning disabilities
- have a physical or sensory disability
- misuse substances or alcohol
- be physically or mentally frail.
(ii) The term ‘adult abuse’ is subject to wide interpretation and definition. ‘No Secrets’ provides the following definition:
‘Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons’.
We recognise that a vulnerable adult can be at risk of mistreatment and abuse and that such mistreatment and abuse constitutes a clear infringement of rights.
(iii) Categories of abuse
Abuse can take many different forms and can occur in many places and in any situation. Types of abuse can be:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Financial abuse
- Emotional or Psychological abuse
- Neglect
- Discriminatory abuse
These are not mutually exclusive and many situations will combine a combination of different types of abuse.
(iv) Who abuses?
Clients are vulnerable to abuse from a number of sources, including:
- Visitors to the Drop in, including volunteers and other clients
- Other agencies
- Friends or family members
Legal representatives
APPENDIX 4: Referrals to EALING Children’s services
Ealing Children’s Integrated Response Service (ECIRS) was created to make it easier for children and families to get the help they need from professionals and others working within the borough.
It is the single point of contact to make referrals into children’s services where there is a need for support, or where there are specific concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. It is also the contact for families wishing to self-refer to Supportive Action for Families in Ealing (SAFE).
ECIRS is a multi-agency team made up of social workers, police, health professionals and others. Therefore, by referring to the team, you are consenting to relevant information being shared between these agencies unless otherwise stated. This is known as Ealing Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
4.1.1 Contact Ealing Children’s Integrated Response Service (ECIRS)
If you are concerned about a child or young person’s welfare or safety call the service on 020 8825 8000.
4.1.2 When should I call the team?
There are many situations where you may find it useful to call us whether you are a parent, member of the public or in a profession working with the family. For example if you are:
- concerned that a child or young person may be at risk of harm
- worried about a child’s behaviour, social and emotional wellbeing or want some parenting support
- wanting information or advice about difficult parenting issues such as drug and alcohol use or mental health issues
- experiencing verbal or physical abuse from a partner or family member.
If you have low level concerns and do not feel you need to speak to a social worker, have you considered whether an Early Help Assessment and Plan (EHAP) would be able to help? If so, please call the Family Information Service on 020 8825 5588.
4.1.3 What happens when I call?
You will be put through to a member of the team to discuss your concerns. You may be given information and support or:
- we may work with you for a short time in order to ensure that we can direct you to other services to meet your needs
- we may refer you onto other services in order to ensure you receive the support that you need
- if we are concerned that a child or young person is at risk of immediate harm, we will speak to a social worker to make sure that immediate action is taken.
This policy will be reviewed in November 2024