Safeguarding

Download our full Safeguarding Statement Here

1. Safeguarding

Our safeguarding policy sets out how HUG’s operates to keep adults at risk of abuse or neglect and children safe from abuse. The policy is about stopping abuse where it is happening and preventing abuse where there is a risk that it may occur.

There is a Duty of Care to volunteers and service users. The protection and safety of adults at risk and children whether they are volunteers and/or participants in our activities is a priority. We will endeavour to protect and support the volunteers who work with us as well as users of our services.

All citizens of the United Kingdom have their rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. Children’s legislation includes the Children's Act 1989 and 2004.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. For the safeguarding policy to be effective every individual involved, who supports us whatever their role, will play their part in keeping people safe.

2. Definitions

Adult at risk of abuse or neglect

For the purposes of this policy, adult at risk refers to someone over 18 years old who, according to paragraph 42.1 of the Care Act 2014:

• Has care and support needs

• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

• As a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

If someone has care and support needs but is not currently receiving care or support from a health or care service, they may still be an adult at risk

Children and young people are defined as those persons aged under 18 years old. This policy will apply to all volunteers and will be used to support their involvement. “Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children” is defined in Working Together 2018 as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment

• Preventing impairment of children’s health and development

• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes

3. Persons affected by this policy

• All volunteers

• All service users

• All visitors

4. Our Policy: HUG’s has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.

• There are no excuses for not taking all reasonable action to protect adults at risk and children from abuse, exploitation, radicalisation and mistreatment.

• HUG’s recognises that under the Care Act 2014 it has a duty for the care and protection of adults who are at risk of abuse.  It is committed to promoting wellbeing, harm prevention and to responding effectively if concerns are raised.

• The welfare of the child and/ or adult at risk is paramount and all adults have the right to protection from abuse.

• We are committed to working with appropriate agencies including Local Authority Safeguarding Teams and the police etc. to ensure the reporting of abuse is appropriate and in line with local, national and Information Sharing guidance

• We will create an environment where volunteers feel able to raise safeguarding concerns and feel supported with their safeguarding responsibilities.

• All volunteers are to be made aware of HUG’s procedures; which includes awareness of their safeguarding responsibilities and procedures to be followed if they have a safeguarding concern

• All volunteers are required to report any suspected abuse and be aware of the appropriate reporting and support procedure for safeguarding including the reporting of people at risk of radicalisation and extremism.

• All volunteers and who come into contact with adults at risk of abuse, and children and their families as part of their HUG’s activities will be alert to possible signs of abuse and consider whether there may be safeguarding concerns. They will discuss their concerns with the HUG’s Group Leader (Safeguarding Lead) to get appropriate support.

• The Designated Safeguarding Lead for HUG’s will endeavour to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities in a way that ensures that adults and children are safeguarded from harm. The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for following up and reporting any suspected reports of abuse.

In the absents of the Safeguarding Lead, all concerns should be reported directly to the police.

Reviewed 3rd April 2023