Policy For Safeguarding Children & Young Vulnerable Adults

The Trustees of Commonweal Housing Limited are ever mindful to safeguard children and after examining their operations, consider that they do not directly result in any contact with children and young vulnerable adults.   Therefore, for the time being, they do not need to have procedures for the protection of this group of people.  It is the policy of Commonweal to instigate appropriate procedures and controls prior to ever having direct contact with children and young vulnerable adults. In the meantime it is the policy of Commonweal that any service providers or other organisations who are employed by or contracted to Commonweal to provide services that involve children and young vulnerable adults, should agree to work within the following policy statement:

§         The welfare of the child is paramount 

§         All children, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs. 

§         The policy is approved and endorsed by the Board of Trustees. 

§         The policy applies to all Trustees, staff and volunteers. 

§         Children and parents are informed of the policy and procedures as appropriate. 

§         All concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously by Trustees, their staff and volunteers and responded to appropriately.  This may require a referral to children’s services and in emergencies, the Police. 

§         A commitment to safe recruitment selection and vetting. 

§         Reference to principles, legislation and guidance that underpin the policy. 

§         Arrangements for policy and procedures review. 

§         Reference to all associated policies and procedures, which promote children’s safety. 

§         Reference to all associated policies and procedures which promote children’s safety and welfare e.g. with regard to: 

-          Health and safety

                      -          Anti-bullying

                 -          Protection of children online and with photography

Furthermore, it is the policy of Commonweal that service providers and the like should have the procedures and systems that include:  

§          A named person (and deputy) with a clearly defined role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, appropriate to the level at which she/he operates. 

§         A description of what child abuse is and the procedures for how to respond to it where there are concerns about a child’s safety or welfare or concerns about the actions of a trustee, staff member or volunteer.  Relevant contact details for children’s services, police, health and NSPCC help lines should be available. 

§         A process for recording incidents, concerns and referrals and storing these securely in compliance with relevant legislation and kept for a time specified by their insurance company.  

§         Guidance on confidentiality and information sharing, legislation compliant, and which clearly states that the protection of the child is the most important consideration.

§         A code of behaviour for trustees, staff and volunteers.  The consequences of breaching the code are clear and linked to disciplinary and grievance procedures. 

§         Safe recruitment, selection and vetting procedures that include checks into the eligibility and the suitability of all trustees, staff and volunteers who have direct or indirect (e.g. help line, email) contact with children.  In the case of trustees, because of their position within the charity, we take the view that whenever there is a legal entitlement to obtain a CRB check in respect of such a trustee, a check should be carried out.  This goes beyond circumstances where the trustee comes into contact with children. 

§         A complaints procedure, which is an open, and well publicised way in which adults and children can voice concerns about unacceptable and/or abusive behaviour towards children. 

§         Systems to ensure that all staff and volunteers working with children are monitored and supervised and that they have opportunities to learn about child protection in accordance with their roles and responsibilities. 

§         Requirements for trustees, staff and volunteers to learn about child protection in accordance with and as appropriate to their roles and responsibilities.