Safeguarding Policy & Procedure
We will ensure that working with Carousel is safe.
We will listen to and respect everyone we work with
All staff and volunteers will have a police check
Staff will be trained to know how to keep everyone safe at Carousel
We have a clear system for dealing with any problems people might have
Safeguarding Policy:
Carousel is responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone who participates in our activities. Carousel staff and trustees will set an organisational culture that prioritises Safeguarding so that it is safe for those affected to come forward and report incidents and concerns with the assurance these will be handled sensitively and appropriately.
Carousel has a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) and a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer (DDSO) who will receive relevant training and stay informed with new children, young people and adults at risk legislation.
Carousel Trustees have primary responsibility for Safeguarding and will
Act in the best interest of vulnerable groups
Assess and manage risk
Put policy and good practice into place
Monitor and review safeguarding processes to make sure that they are implemented and effective
Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
Undertake necessary safeguarding training
Carousel staff, freelance staff and volunteers recognise that they have a duty of care to all children, young people and adults at risk taking part in their activities and a responsibility to take the necessary action if there is any suspicion of abuse, during or prior to the workshop.
The Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) is a central point of contact in the organisation for safeguarding
Carousel's DSO is:
Gareth Evans Artistic Director Community Base 113 Queens Road Brighton
BNl 3XG 01273 234734
If you need to speak with someone regarding safeguarding at Carousel and it is not possible or appropriate to make contact with the DSO, then either the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer (DDSO) or Carousel Trustees should be contacted.
Carousel's DDSO is:
Lizzie Banks Community Base 113 Queens Road Brighton
BNl 3XG 01273 234734
Carousel Trustees nominated safeguarding contact is:
Aleks Dimitrijevic aleksandra77@hotmall.com
We will strive to create a healthy, positive and safe environment for all children, young people and adults at risk of abuse by:
Valuing, listening to and respecting children, young people and adults at risk, as well as promoting their welfare and protection
Following appropriate and careful recruitment and selection procedures to ensure the suitability of staff and volunteers who are applying to work with Carousel. Consideration is given to where and how roles are advertised and safeguarding, including the requirement of an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check, is included in job packs. Applicants are scored on their knowledge of safeguarding at interviews.
Ensuring all staff, freelancers, volunteers and trustees complete a DBS every three years. Staff, volunteers or trustees involved in any activity affecting their DBS status must notify Carousel immediately. Carousel will respond to information provided by DBS by considering whether it's relevant to the position before deciding if it affects our recruitment decision. Carousel has a duty to refer to DBS when we believe a person has caused harm or poses a future risk of harm to vulnerable groups, including children
Requiring all staff and freelancers undertake mandatory external training (every three years) and in-house refresher training (every year). The nominated DSO and deputy DSO will undertake additional training for Designated Safeguarding Leads (Enhanced Safeguarding Training every three years)
Providing a full and comprehensive induction for new staff, freelancers and volunteers ensuring familiarity and confidence with our Safeguarding Policy and procedures. Training in good practice when working with learning disabled people within the arts, including appropriate interpersonal and physical contact, will be completed as part of the induction.
Having Safeguarding as a fixed agenda item at monthly staff meetings, providing a regular opportunity for all staff to share relevant information, updates or concerns across the organisation
Having Safeguarding as a fixed agenda item at quarterly Trustee meetings, for the DSO to provide updates to the board
Maintaining confidential records regarding any investigation or report. This includes recording injuries obtained either during or before a Carousel activity.
Embedding safeguarding in our project planning process, briefing staff and volunteers before projects begin, and carrying out risk assessments when necessary
Keeping informed on current legislation and other matters relating to children, young people and adults at risk protection, by receiving regular updates from our HR consultants, Avensure
Reviewing our procedures annually
Maintaining clear professional boundaries between staff and participants. We advise staff not to share personal details with participants, such as phone numbers and email addresses
Contact details for the DSO and alternative named contacts, as well as Carousel's line of accountability for Safeguarding is publicly available via Carousel's website
Ensuring that permission to take and use photographs and video of children or adults is obtained and signed off by their parent/carer or the adult themselves. We will provide details of the photo to be used as well as the context in which it will be used i.e. website, annual report, general project reports. We will ensure the safe storage and archiving of photographs and video.
Extending our safe working practices to include online activity. We will ensure we have the necessary contact details for children and adults in the session, obtain permission to record meetings from participants (If the recording features children, consent must be obtained from their parents in advance), hosts how to control online meeting spaces - turning of audio, video, removing people - and are able to deal with any inappropriate behaviour promptly
Safeguarding Procedure:
If you suspect a child or adult at risk is in immediate danger call the relevant emergency service on 999
A concern is when you or somebody else may have noticed indicators of abuse or neglect and feels that something is not right. You must always act in our client's best interest.
If you see or suspect abuse of a child or adult at risk you should make Carousel's DSO aware of the problem as soon as possible. If the DSO is not available, contact Carousel's Director or Carousel Trustees nominated safeguarding contact.
If you enter Q situation where you suspect a crime has been committed, you must immediately inform your Manager at Carousel who will inform the appropriate authorities.
The DSO/DDSO or Trustees are responsible for managing concerns and will decide the necessary actions.
Keep a note for your own records of your suspicion and what action you have taken. Records must be full and accurately kept (see Record Keeping section below) and if for whatever reason this is made difficult alternative arrangements will be made by the Company.
A disclosure is when somebody shares information that might indicate that themselves or somebody else is experiencing harm or neglect or at risk of harm or neglect.
If someone discloses to you
Remain calm but don't delay taking action
Listen carefully to what is said.
Ask questions only for clarification. Don't ask leading questions
Don't promise to keep it a secret. Make it clear that you will only tell people who need to know and who should be able to help
Reassure the person that they did the right thing in telling someone
Tell the person what you are going to do next
If you are concerned that there is an imminent significant risk of harm, or when working with other organisations in external settings, speak immediately to the person responsible for the protection of the person (e.g. headteacher, day centre manager). If you are unsure consult Social Care and Health
As soon as possible make a note of what was said, using the person's own words. Note the date, time, any names involved or mentioned and what action you took. Make sure you sign and date the record
In confidence, make the DSO aware of the situation
DSO will make and record decisions on the next steps once a concern, disclosure or allegation has been reported. They will determine the threshold of the report and determine whether to report to external agencies (e.g. social services, non-emergency police) and whether an adult has consented/ has capacity to consent to external reporting
An allegation is when somebody tells you that another person has behaved in a way that has harmed a child or adult at risk or may lead to a child or adult at risk being harmed. This includes the possibility of somebody committing a criminal offence or planning to commit a criminal offence against a child or an adult at risk of harm. It might also be an indication that somebody is unsuitable for working with a vulnerable group. An allegation should be treated in the same way as a disclosure.
Other contacts:
Brighton and Hove Safeguarding Children Partnership and The Brighton & Hove Safeguarding Adult Board (SAB) include statutory, private, voluntary, and independent organisations who work together to empower and protect some of the most vulnerable members of the local community. They can be contacted if you have concerns and cannot contact any of Carousel's contacts.
If you are concerned about a child contact Front Door For Families:
01273 290400
FrontDoorForFamilies@brighton-hove.gov.uk
If you are concerned about an adult at risk contact Brighton & Hove Adult Social Care at the Access Point Team:
01273 295555
hascsafeguardinghub@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Reporting and Record Keeping:
Detailed notes should be recorded as soon possible following a disclosure, allegation or accident. Things to include in a record:
Details of those involved for example
Name
DOB
Address
Any support needs
What happened
Details of the allegation
Any injuries
The time the incident took place
Where the incident happened
What was said in the words of the child, young person or adult at risk
Any actions taken
Who is sharing this information
Records of any responses from other agencies such as police or social services
It is a legal requirement to get consent from adults in order to share information with other people. Always seek consent and respect an individual's right to choose, but in certain situations it is possible to share information without consent. These are:
Where other people are, or may be, at risk, including children
Sharing could prevent a crime
The alleged abuser has care and support needs of their own and may also be at risk
A serious crime has been committed
Members of staff are implicated
The person may be being coerced
The risk is unreasonably high and meets the criteria for a multi-agency risk assessment conference referral
A court order or other legal authority has asked for information
If you do not share and don't have consent:
support the person to weigh up the risks and benefits of different options
ensure they are aware of the level of risk and possible outcomes
offer to arrange for them to have an advocate or peer supporter
offer support for them to build confidence and self-esteem if necessary
agree on and record the level of risk the person is taking
record the reasons for not intervening or sharing information
regularly review the situation
try to build trust and use gentle persuasion to enable the person to better protect themselves
Rights and confidentiality
If a complaint or allegation is made against a member of staff or volunteer they should be made aware of their rights under employment law and internal disciplinary procedures. You must not discuss the concerns or allegations directly with the staff members concerned. The alleged abuser, and the person thought to have been abused, both have the right to confidentiality.
If the allegation is against a member of staff the usual disciplinary procedure will be followed. Following the outcome of the disciplinary procedure, the senior management team will decide on any further appropriate action.
If the allegation is against a volunteer, the senior management team will decide on the most appropriate course of action and may seek guidance from Social Care and Health.
Ratified by the Board of Trustees
Date: 18/06/2024
Signature: A. Dimitrijevic
Position: Trustee