Safeguarding Policy

The purpose of this policy:

To protect children and young people who attend our Gatherings and Meetings;

To provide members and enquirers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection;

The Order of the Cross believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to carry out our activities in a way that protects them.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

Children Act 1989
United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
Data Protection Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Children Act 2004
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Children and Families Act 2014
Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: 0-25years- Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014
Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers; HM Government 2015
Working together to safeguarding children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children;HM Government 2015

This policy should be read alongside procedures for

Role of designated safeguarding officer
Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person
Recording and information sharing

We recognise that:

The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
All children regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal 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
Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents and carers is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

valuing them, listening to and respecting them
appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee for safeguarding
using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately.
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment
Ensuring that we have effective complaints measures in place
Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children and young people by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

Contact details

Designated Safeguarding Officer {DSO)
Name
Phone/email

Deputy DSO
Name
Phone/email

Trustee lead for safeguarding
Name. Rayleen Finn
Phone/email

CEOP
www.ceop.police.uk

NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 50000

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on 9th September 2018

Signed…Rayleen Finn……….…Trustee lead for safeguarding