Safeguarding Policy
The following outlines Whizz Kidz commitment to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults, to keep everyone safe and to practise in a way that protects everyone.
The welfare of children, young people and adults is paramount in all the work we do, and we believe everyone has an equal right to protection from all types of harm and abuse.
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England, Wales and Scotland.
Policy Statement
"Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Whizz Kidz is committed to promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults protecting them from abuse or neglect, whether they are receiving services from us, our Whizz Kidz colleagues and volunteers, or anyone else we meet through our work."
Purpose
Whizz Kidz works with children and families as part of its activities. These include: clinical services, young people’s clubs, wheelchair skills, employability skills, work experience and fundraising events. The purpose of this policy statement is to describe:
- how we protect children and young people who receive Whizz Kidz services
- our responsibilities for safeguarding colleagues and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families
Whizz Kidz is committed to protecting all vulnerable children and adults who come into contact with the charity. This includes parents and carers, volunteers and Whizz Kidz colleagues.
Definitions
Children and young people
A child or young person is anyone under 18 years old. A child or young person becomes an adult on the day of their 18th birthday.
Vulnerable Adult
The Care Act (2014) describes an adult at risk as anyone over 18 years who:
- has care and support needs (even if these are not met)
- and is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
- and is unable to protect themselves.
Colleagues
Colleagues refers to all paid employees and volunteers at Whizz Kidz. This includes:
- paid employees
- unpaid employees or volunteers
- those on full, part time, temporary and zero hours contracts
- trainers
Our colleagues may work:
- at the Whizz Kidz London Office
- from home
- in the community
- at events
- at schools
- on the telephone and online
Safeguarding children and adults
Under Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) we have a responsibility to all children in contact with our colleagues.
Under the Care Act (2014) we must work together to promote wellbeing and prevent risk of abuse and neglect.
At Whizz Kidz, if we have a concern about anyone over 18, we treat them as an ‘adult at risk’, while paying careful consideration to their wishes and rights.
Expectations of our services
Whizz Kidz will seek to keep children, young people and adults safe by:
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents and carers
- Recruiting and selecting colleagues safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
- Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
- Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistle blowing measures in place.
- Building a safeguarding culture where colleagues and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
Expectations of our colleagues
Training and compliance
Our colleagues are expected to:
- complete the mandatory safeguarding training and attend refresher sessions
- adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures including online safety
- contribute to creating an environment that promotes wellbeing and reduces the risk of harm
- value, listen and respect everyone they come in to contact with
- adhere to our code of conduct
Acting on concerns
If any of our colleagues have concerns about a child, young person, adult or colleague we expect them to:
- identify the concern
- respond to and report their concerns to our incident team
- follow our safeguarding procedures and maintain appropriate boundaries
Accountability for Safeguarding
Trustees
Whizz Kidz’s Board of Trustees are accountable for ensuring that the organisation has appropriate structure, processes, and resources in place to ensure safeguarding is central to everything it does. The board also monitor compliance.
Chief Executive
The Chief Executive is the senior individual accountable for all aspects of safeguarding across the organisation, including a strong culture of safeguarding.
Senior Management Team (SMT)
Each member of SMT is accountable for embedding safeguarding in their directorate. This includes making sure that employees are adequately trained.
Head of Safeguarding
The Head of Safeguarding is strategically and operationally accountable for safeguarding across Whizz Kidz. They are accountable for making sure safeguarding policy and practice is developed, implemented, managed, and monitored.
Safeguarding Officer
The Safeguarding Officer is responsible for giving safeguarding advice and guidance across the organisation. They are also responsible for ensuring safeguarding training is available and can be accessed by all staff.
Investigating your concerns
Whizz Kidz has a dedicated incident team that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The team support colleagues who raise a safeguarding concern. The Incident Team investigate concerns raised and use our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know.
We will put your needs first and respect your experiences as genuine. We will listen and treat you with dignity.
We will fully investigate any reported concerns.
Contact safeguarding
If you have any concerns about the welfare or safety of children and adults or concerns relating to parents and carers, volunteers or Whizz Kidz colleagues, please get in touch using the details below:
Safeguarding Lead: Sarah Howe
Email: safeguarding@whizz-kidz.org.uk
Telephone: 07909 910 612
Chief Executive: Sarah Pugh
Email: safeguarding@whizz-kidz.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7798 6134