Policies

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust

SAFEGUARDING FOR ALL POLICY

The Zone, St Andrews Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PT

Tel: 01484 442235

www.hgct.co.uk

Charity Number: 1117768

Introduction

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust places the safety and wellbeing of young people and staff at the forefront of all its operations and acknowledges the range of activities that contribute to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes effective safeguarding practice.

The Safeguarding for All Policy provides for a coherent framework of practice to be in place and for all policies relating to this framework to address this priority. The Safeguarding for All Policy is reviewed each year and when/or changes in law, policy, guidance or best practice occur in order to ensure that it remains a key driver in the development of strategy on safeguarding.

Policy Statement

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust recognise its duties, statutory and otherwise to ensure that the all programs function with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children participating.

The Policy applies to all as Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust is committed to ensuring that it:

• Provides a safe environment for children and young people.
• Identifies children and young people who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, and
• Takes appropriate action to see that such children and young people are kept safe, whilst participating in all programmes.

In pursuit of these aims, the governing body will approve and review policies and procedures with the aim of:

• Raising awareness of issues relating to the welfare of children and young people and the promotion of a safe environment for the children and young people taking part in all programs.
• Establishing a clear line of accountability for the provision of services.
• Aiding the identification of children and young people at risk of significant harm, and providing procedures for reporting concerns.
• Establishing procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff
• The safe recruitment /employment of staff and the safe use of contractors.
• Promoting a culture of listening to children and young people to ensure best practice and keep their wishes at the centre of the programme.
• Reviewing processes of sharing information with other professionals.

Working in partnership

HGCT will assist the local authorities to exercise its statutory functions. Where provision is provided by HGCT to a partner organisation such as residential provider, education partner HGCT will liaise with staff in the partner organisation to ensure that local procedures and protocols are adhered to.

In terms of partner agencies – awareness and appreciation of the role of others is essential for effective collaboration between practitioners and their organisations. Inter-agency and collaborative work are central to good practice in safeguarding.

HGCT will refer concerns that a child or young person might be at risk of significant harm to Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub, the Police or the local authority for assessment of need.

All referrals will need to evidence that consent has been provided by the subject of the referral as well as parent/carer, except where the referral relates to attendance matters or assistance in applications for parenting contracts, parenting orders, acceptable behavior contracts and anti-social behavior orders. Where there is a risk of significant harm and consent is not given then a justification will be provided of the need to share information.

Purpose and Objectives

It is HGCT policy to ensure that guidelines, procedures, training and additional need support are in place so that staff and young people can confidently identify and respond appropriately to concerns relating to the safety of all young people.

It will ensure that designated department Manager will be available to assist staff who identify concerns and that all concerns will be treated seriously.

No matter what the source of the information, HGCT will adopt the following procedure to ensure consistency. The procedure will consist of three steps:

• Information gathering
• Analysis
• Action

It will ensure that all concerns about children are recorded accurately and where possible in the language given by the source of the concern.

In the context of working in HGCT, where the majority of individuals are over the age of 16, it is important to recognise that whilst the law allows consensual sexual activity at the age of 16, if the child requires help and support the lawful nature of the activity does not stop intervention. Examples of this may be:

• Children and young people with care and support needs;
• Children in relationships with much older individuals or individuals in a position of authority and trust;
• Children who may be at risk of sexual abuse or exploitation;
• Children who are parents;
• Children whose care and support needs mean they are unlikely to be able to protect themselves despite their legal age.

Roles and Responsibilities

On behalf of children or vulnerable adults we have a responsibility to protect them. There are however, key people within HGCT and the Local Authorities who have specific responsibilities under safeguarding procedures. Those internal persons named constitute the HGCT senior management and safeguarding team.

Designated Senior Person (Department head):

• Making sure all staff are aware how to raise safeguarding concerns
• Ensuring all staff understand the symptoms of child abuse and neglect
• Ensuring processes are in place for referring concerns to social care
• Monitoring children who are the subject of child protection plans
• Maintaining accurate and secure child protection records

Lead Designated Officer (Katy Stockdale Safeguarding lead 07736451533) – is responsible for:

• Supporting and assisting staff and young people who are reporting concerns;
• Liaising with Children & Young People’s and Adult Services as appropriate;
• Monitoring referrals and young people wellbeing through appropriate panel meetings
• Developing safeguarding training materials, files, procedures and contacts;
• Delivering/providing training where appropriate.
• Designated Person (Surestart and Prevent, Lead Person DBS): Recruiting and vetting of staff and other relevant individuals within the Group, including DBS checks; Monitoring and acting upon any changes to legislative requirements; supporting and assisting staff or students making referrals; receiving and processing concerns related to the behaviour of staff; developing the Staff Code of Conduct, monitoring and organising safeguarding training.

The Designated Safeguarding Person is responsible for:

• Referral of cases of suspected abuse or allegations to Children and Young People’s Services Social Care and/or the Police, Channel and appropriate agencies.
• Providing advice and support to other staff on issues relating to child protection
• Maintaining a proper record of any child protection referral, complaint or concern (even where that concern does not lead to a referral)
• Ensuring that parents of children and young people within HGCT are aware of the Group’s Safeguarding policy
• Liaising with the appropriate Children and Young People’s Social Care services, Safeguarding Boards and other appropriate agencies
• Sharing pertinent and appropriate information with partner agencies and organisations in compliance with information sharing protocols and data protection law.

Supporting young people at Risk

HGCT recognise that the programme may be the only stable, secure and predictable element of an ‘at risk’ young person’s life. However, it is important to note that the behavior of young people at risk may present as challenging, defiant or withdrawn.

HGCT aims to identify young people at risk through a variety of methods:

• Application and enrolment form screening
• School references and school liaison
• Induction process
• One to one family care plans
• Home visits
• Self-referral

HGCT aims to support young people through:

• Forging excellent working partnerships with other external partnerships i.e., schools and partnerships, schools which, in turn, can help to inform as to a young person’s specific issues and needs. For example; young people who are ‘Looked after children’ or who are subject to a ‘Child Protection’ or ‘Child in need’ plan when they sign up to the activity programs.
• Programs which encourages confidence, self-esteem and self-motivation.
• HGCT ‘culture of safety’ which promotes a positive, supportive and secure environment which provides all with a sense of being respected and valued.
• Consistent Implementation of codes of conduct and behavioural policies which ensure that young people know that some behaviour is unacceptable.
• Continuing support and activities for additional need support.
• Development of a responsive and knowledgeable staff group, trained to respond appropriately in safeguarding situations.
• Effective absence reporting.

Recruitment of staff

All staff will be subject to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in line with the HGCT safe recruitment policies and procedures and the staffing compliance strategy.

All interviews for staff include a question in regards to safeguarding and all candidates are invited to an interview with the Manager’s, alongside a scoring system.

Disclosures for staff and volunteers

All staff and volunteer workers will be required to have a satisfactory enhanced DBS check as HGCT are deemed to be operating in a regulated activity due to the high number of young people and those with support and care needs within our programs.

Any seasonal staff who do not have a valid DBS disclosure will not be allowed unsupervised access to children under the age of 18 or young people with support and care needs until this has been received by our HR department.

Existing staff

All Staff are subject to renewed DBS checks by the company every 3 years and subscription to the DBS Update Service.

It is the responsibility of every member of staff to disclose to management any criminal convictions that are incurred during their employment at interview stage. Failure to do so will be considered a disciplinary offence and in some circumstances may lead to dismissal.

Training

All staff will receive training to familiarise them with child protection issues and responsibilities and the College procedures and policies.

All newly recruited member of staff will receive safeguarding training by the safeguarding lead to have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in safeguarding children and young people and are aware of the associated procedures.

All Senior Managers and the designated Safeguarding Lead are familiar with their role and responsibilities.

All staff are aware of their role and responsibilities and receive guidance on how to deal with suspicions or disclosures of abuse.

Members of staff must renew their training every 3 years and designated safeguarding staff every 2 years

Procedures

It is the duty by law of any member of staff, volunteer or visitor who receives a disclosure of abuse, or suspects that abuse may have occurred, to report it to a member of the safeguarding team. If a member of the team cannot be found then the matter should be brought to the attention of the most senior member of staff.

If appropriate, the member of the Safeguarding Team will refer cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Team (MASH) by telephone in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Board Procedures.

It is not the job of staff to investigate allegations; this is the responsibility of the Authorities. However, essential information may help these investigations and details such as young person name, address, and date of birth, family composition, and reason for referral should be recorded. The name of the person who initially received the disclosure and whether or not the parents/guardians of the learner are aware of the referral should also be included.

Advice and guidance can be obtained from the MASH team, or the Local Safeguarding Board.

Support from the Designated Safeguarding team will be made available for staff dealing with safeguarding issues.

Professional Confidentiality

A member of staff must never agree with a young person to keep information confidential and where there is a safeguarding concern this must be reported to a member of the safeguarding team and may require further investigation by the appropriate authorities.

Staff will be informed of relevant information in respect of individual cases on a ‘need to know basis only. Any information shared with a member of staff in this way must be held confidentially by themselves.

Key Definitions and Concepts

Child Protection

Some children and young people are in need because they are suffering or likely to suffer “significant harm”. Where local authorities believe a young person is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm, they have a duty to make enquiries to decide whether they should act to safeguard or promote the welfare of a young person.

Children in Need

Children and young people who are defined as being “in need‟ under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, are those whose vulnerability is such that they are unlikely to reach or maintain a satisfactory level of health or development, or their health and development will be significantly impaired, without the provision of service(s). A child with a disability is a child in need.

Significant Harm

The concept of significant harm is the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention into family life in the best interests of the child or young person and gives local authorities a duty to make enquires as to whether to take action (Section 47, Children Act 1989) to safeguard or promote the welfare of a young person who is suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm. The Act also gives powers to the Police to take emergency action to protect a young person from significant harm.

Definitions of Abuse

The following explanations of types of possible signs of abuse are taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children.

Lists of signs and symptoms cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of abuse and many children or young people at some time of their life may exhibit one or maybe more of them. However, such signs and symptoms may suggest abuse if a young person exhibits either several of them, perhaps within a short space of time, or an extreme form of a particular symptom, or if a pattern of signs and symptoms emerges.

It is important that staff are aware of the signs and symptoms and, whilst they may be indicative of some other problem or issue, the possibility that the young person is being abused should not be discounted. Any concern about a young person who is showing signs of abuse or of being at risk of abuse should be followed up with the Safeguarding Team.

Physical Abuse

May involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child.

Emotional Abuse

Is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying) causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

The concept of significant harm is the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention into family life in the best interests of the child or young person and gives local authorities a duty to make enquires as to whether to take action (Section 47, Children Act 1989) to safeguard or promote the welfare of a young person who is suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm. The Act also gives powers to the Police to take emergency action to protect a young person from significant harm.

Neglect

Is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in a serious impairment of the child’s health or development.  Neglect may occur in pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
• Protect a child from physical harm and external harm or danger
• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers)
• Or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
• It may also include neglect, or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs.

Sexual Abuse

Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Is a collective term for procedures, which include the removal of part or all of the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. The practice is medically unnecessary, extremely painful and has serious health consequences, both at the time when the mutilation is carried out and in later life. The procedure is typically performed on girls aged between 4 and 13, but in some cases, it is performed on new-born infants or on young women before marriage or pregnancy. FGM has been a criminal offence in the U.K. since the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act 1985 was passed. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 replaced the 1985 Act and makes it an offence for the first time for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to carry out FGM abroad, or to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad, even in countries where the practice is legal. Suspicions may arise in a number of ways that a child is being prepared for FGM to take place abroad. Consider whether any other indicators exist that FGM may have or has already taken place, for example: 1. Preparations are being made to take a long holiday – arranging vaccinations or planning an absence from College; 2. The young person has changed in behaviour after a prolonged absence from programs; or 3. The young person has health problems, particularly bladder or menstrual problems.

Modern Slavery

The following pieces of legislation are relevant to this procedure:

Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act

(Northern Ireland) 2015; Modern Slavery Act 2015; Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003;

Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004; Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

Modern Slavery encompasses many different types of behaviors and abuse, perpetrated against individuals from any background and of any age. Modern Slavery is abuse and therefore is included in the HGCT Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

The different types of abuse that come under the umbrella term of Modern Slavery are:

• Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour (s.1 MS Act)
• Human Trafficking (s.2 MS Act) (the purposeful movement of a person for exploitation in whatever form. There is no minimum or maximum distance (i.e. it can be from one room to another)

Exploitation can include (in addition to the above):

• Sexual exploitation (i.e. forced into prostitution, regardless of age of the individual

being exploited)

• Removal of organs
• Securing services by force, threats or deception (in particular if the individual being exploited is a child or an adult at risk). This can also include an individual being forced into committing criminal acts against their will as a possible debt-bondage process.

Indicators of Modern Slavery

Child Sexual Exploitation is a named type of abuse in its own right. This is the specific targeting of children (anyone under the age of eighteen) in order to exploit them sexually. Typically, this occurs with gangs of perpetrators, who may use drugs, alcohol and/or gifts to groom the child. It is important to note that with all cases of child sexual exploitation, a child is unable to consent to their own abuse.

Indicators of modern slavery include:

• Individuals not being paid for the work they undertake
• Individuals being held in debt-bondage (being told they “still” owe money after having paid off a previous debt)
• An individual’s passport being held by their “employer” in order to keep the individual at work
• Multiple benefit claimants having their benefits being paid into the same account
• An individual not having freedom of movement (i.e. Passport being taken)
• Clear exploitation of an individual by another for financial or sexual gain.

Under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, we are required to ensure we do not have any aspect of modern slavery within HGCT.

If any staff/volunteer feel they have a concern about a young person in relation to modern slavery they should report through the identified Safeguarding channels outlined in this policy.

Child exploitation and online protection command (CEOP) (Gov.uk)

The National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) (formerly the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. They protect children from harm online and offline, directly through NCA led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies.

Abuse and Neglect (Adults with care and support needs)

HGCT adopts the definition of harm (adults) as laid down by the Department of Health as follows:

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. In giving substance to that statement, however, consideration needs to be given to a number of factors.

Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a person with care and support needs is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.

• Physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions;
• Sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the person with care and support needs has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting;
• Psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks;
• Financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits;
• Neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating; and
• Discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

Specific Issues and Further Information

Further information and specialist advice are available on areas such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation, those affected by drugs and alcohol abuse in families, fabricated illness, children abused through prostitution, complex (organised or multiple) abuse involving one or more abusers and a number of children. Forced marriage is a marriage conducted without the full consent of both parties where duress is a factor. This should not be confused with an ‘arranged marriage’. Forced marriage is regarded as a form of domestic abuse for adults, and where children are involved, as a form of child abuse. Initial concerns should be reported to the Designated Staff who will liaise with appropriate agencies.

Procedures for Handling and Responding to Disclosures and Allegations of Abuse

The following brief notes provide guidance for staff who receive a disclosure or who have concerns about allegations of abuse.

In addition, staff are encouraged to contact the Designated Staff if they have any initial concerns about the possible child protection situation.

HGCT adopt a young person-centered approach and the wishes of the child or young person are at the center of all our activities.

Receiving a Disclosure

DO

• Take allegations or suspicions of abuse seriously
• Respond with tact and sensitivity to anyone who confides in you
• Re-assure the person that it is right to speak to someone
• Allow the person to speak in his/her own way and time
• Discuss the need to refer to the appropriate person within HGCT
• Make notes using the person’s own words

DON’T

• Promise confidentiality (only those who need to know will be told)
• Make judgements
• Investigate the allegation or suspicion of abuse
• Ask leading questions or probe for details
• Interpret what has been said or make assumptions about the situation
• Contact parents/carers before seeking advice

Following up a Disclosure, Allegation or Suspicion of Abuse

• Contact a member of the HGCT’S Safeguarding Team as soon as practicable.
• Provide written details on a safeguarding referral form – all written information and rough notes will be retained by the Designated Staff who will seek advice from the appropriate agencies and feed back to you.
• Where there are serious concerns of ‘significant harm’ the Designated Staff will refer immediately to Kirklees Safeguarding board.
• If urgent hospital treatment is needed for a young person whilst on programs, inform the Designated Staff if this relates to a child protection issue.
• Both the young person, and if required, the member of staff to whom the disclosure was made can access support from HGCT, counselling and support services.

Records and Monitoring

HGCT maintain up to date and accurate records of any cause for concern in regards to all young people. There is also an indication of the status of each individual case and when it is deemed appropriate to pass this information to other agencies.

Members of staff receiving a disclosure of or noticing signs of abuse should use the provided HGCT safeguarding referral form to record these concerns as accurately and as soon as they can. These forms should be passed to the program manager and will be kept securely in a confidential cabinet in the room used by the safeguarding officer.

How to report a safeguarding incident

1. Log incident on provided incident forms, and report directly to Safeguarding lead on duty at the time.

Katy Stockdale- Designated Safeguarding Lead Huddersfield Giants Community Trust 07736451533.

Lisa Darwin – Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead and Inclusion Officer Huddersfield Giants Community Trust 07415118200.

If required on call to report to PHAROS and of EFLT.

(Level 1 and 2 safeguarding procedure following incident management procedure and PHAROS guidance).

Pre-Programme Planning

As far as possible, staff working on each specific wave should be included in the preparation and planning for the waves on which they will work. Failure to meet this due to seasonal employment phone calls and or meetings will be schedule with management pre-program.

In order to meet the needs of young people, HGCT must ensure all partners and stakeholders understand the individual needs of those in their care. The DSO for the program must have been informed of their specific needs. Early discussion with any organisation (internal or external) involved with the program delivery is encouraged, in order to understand and consider adaptions where appropriate.

Confidentiality will be maintained wherever possible and information will only be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis in order to ensure staff and volunteers supporting young people understand their needs.  As such, HGCT will ensure they inform all staff as appropriate upon registration, including: does the young person have a key worker or social worker who may need to be informed should an incident occur during the program; is the young person the subject of care plan by any agency or any court or family order; any consent forms must include relevant questions on health, additional needs, medications, diet or special requirements such as cultural needs, fears, phobia’s or allergies.

Any young person/ Family who share information on medical and or additional needs to follow our inclusion process of assessment of needs, please see attached in the appendices. HGCT have a designated Inclusion Officer to support young people and families to make sure all HGCT practice is inclusive of all needs.

Pre-Program Arrangements by HGCT

• Ensure we have completed and seeked appropriate assurance for the appropriateness to deliver via ‘due diligence’ on any contracted service or provider for the HGCT delivery, in line with our contracting and due diligence policy.
• Complete a preliminary visit to any external centre well in advance of activities taking place.
• Share medical, dietary and any other key information required to enable safer participation on programme – for both Staff and Participants. A confirmation of final numbers and room arrangements must be made in advance.
• Decide to appropriately share information to better enable inclusion. Where young people are identified as having medical conditions or support needs which could potentially impact upon inclusion/activity or residential participation, as soon as possible a discussion should take place with the activity providers and the residential accommodation providers to facilitate this process.
• Produce risk assessments for all programme delivery and activities including transport – ensuring these are developed by a competent person with suitable training and experience and that they are approved by the Senior Leadership Team.
• Discuss and share the Risk Assessments for young people’s inclusion with external partners and staff.

Delivery Ratios

HGCT accept the responsibility of a minimum of x2 staff per cohort of 16 young people e.g. Team Leader and Team Assistant/ facilitator/ coach and or education leader, must be in operation throughout all delivery. Volunteers should not form part of the staffing ratio. All staff and volunteers must be aged over 18 years

HGCT management will, ensure that they have considered whether they have appropriate staffing contingency arrangements in place in order to provide coverage in case of serious incidents / staff absence illness etc.

Ethical Work with Young People

A Relationship of Trust – Preventing Abuse of Trust

HGCT recognise they are an enterprise working and caring directly for children and young people who may be at risk and have codes of conduct to protect these groups against sexual activity or inappropriate relationships taking place with those staff or volunteers who are in a ‘relationship of trust’.

These codes of conduct are primarily intended to protect young people where a relationship of trust exists between them and an adult who is supporting / supervising them.  However, such guidance should also ensure that those in a position of trust do not put themselves in a situation where allegations, whether justified or unfounded, could be made. Workers / volunteers (regardless of their age) hold a position of authority and influence and must observe the code of conduct at all times. The following principles are president in HGCT’S Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers.

Code of Conduct Young Participants

HGCT, also develop and provide copies of codes of conduct for young people. Any such code of conduct should identify how as young participants, they must take responsibility for their own behaviour. We establish expectations which in turn supports and maintains professional boundaries with staff and supports a safe culture amongst their peers.

Peer on Peer Abuse and Bullying

HGCT as part of this policy, manages concerns or allegations of possible abuse; where the alleged perpetrator may be another participant or other young person.

Bullying

Bullying in any form; physical, verbal, and emotional, whether in person or online is not acceptable and all concerns in relation to alleged bullying must be taken seriously.

All concerns must in the first instance be brought to the attention of the Team Leader who will escalate issues which cannot be immediately resolved to Management and DSO, who will;

• Speak to those individuals involved and facilitate a mediation process where possible
• Issue a warning
• Where the bullying is of a serious nature e.g. physical or sexual assault then the concerns must be immediately reported to the HGCT DSO who will take responsibility for referring to statutory agencies and implement the Critical Incident Process.
• Where there are concerns of ‘sexting’ or the sharing of indecent images by text, email or social media, advice must be sought from the HGCT DSO, who will take responsibility for assessing the risks and whether a referral to statutory agencies is appropriate and will advise on the informing parents and carers

Supporting our Staff and Volunteers

Recruitment

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust operates a Safer Recruitment Policy based on Local Safeguarding Children’s Board practice that is applicable to all roles irrespective of contract type and is overseen by the CEO and Safeguarding Lead.

Training

HGCT believes that staff are able to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities more

effectively by providing an effective induction and ongoing training relevant to their roles. There is a Training Matrix for details of training requirements depending on role and responsibilities. It is Mandatory that all staff have completed 3-hour basic safeguarding awareness of abuse and neglect and that all Wave Leaders are trained to assist first response on delivery for any safeguarding incidents. The company upholds a hierarchy of an Assistant and Designated Safeguarding Lead who are trained to Level 4 qualification, and Designated Safeguarding withholds a train the trainer certification.

Probation

Staff cannot pass their probation unless they have completed their basic Safeguarding course or without all relevant safer recruitment checks being signed off. Including an interview question around safeguarding scenarios.

Staff Code of Conduct

Huddersfield Giants Community Trust expects all staff and volunteers to behave in a professional manner when working with our young people. As part of their commitment to this we ask all staff and volunteers to sign a code of conduct and a safeguarding for all policy. This may differ depending on role and the level of engagement with young people and vulnerable adults; it includes use of social media and professional appearance.

Staff welfare

We recognise that working with young people and vulnerable adults who are victims of abuse can be challenging and impact staff and volunteer’s wellbeing. Huddersfield Giants Community Trust has the following support mechanisms:

• Mental health training
• Promoting help-lines such as NSPCC to staff.
• Text and phone local NHS helpline to support in emotional needs and counselling.
• Managerial support and on program drop in sessions, for whistle blowing referrals delivering by DSL or ADSL.

Whistleblowing

HGCT operates a clear whistleblowing procedure, and is referenced in staff training and codes of conduct, and promotes a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children to be addressed.

Allegations against staff & position of trust

Working with all statutory bodies we will ensure we carry out safe practice to prevent people who pose risk to children from working within our organisation. We also understand that issues may arise with persons after they have been checked via DBS and provided with advice and guidance around safer working practices. Any concerns about a person associated with Huddersfield Giants Community Trust should be taken to the Designated Safeguarding Lead with immediate effect. Any concerns about the DSL should go to the CEO or Local Authority Designated Officer. An investigation cannot be carried out by the organisation until LADO has been contacted.

Kirklees LADO

Referral to the LADO must be made within 24 hours (or on a Monday if the information comes to light at the end of the day on a Friday) if there is information about a person indicating they have:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child; or
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children.

If there is an allegation with regard to someone who works with children about children they care for in another capacity (e.g. their own children) then this potentially has implications for their professional role and must also be referred to the LADO.

Any allegation can require potentially three different enquiries: a police investigation; a child protection enquiry; and a disciplinary enquiry. The LADO will ensure that enquiries are managed appropriately and that information is shared between the police, social care and the employer. The LADO will discuss with the employer how the person who the allegation is about will be supported and managed whilst enquiries are being undertaken and how children will be kept safe whilst enquiries are ongoing.  If it is evidenced that someone is unsafe to work with children the LADO will ensure required actions have been taken including, when necessary, referring to the appropriate bodies.

This policy identifies that persons working within the organisation are deemed at all times within the spirit of the law and are defined as within a position of trust.

Persons who are the subject of an allegation have the right to have their case dealt with fairly, quickly and consistently. In relation to issues of a safeguarding nature and in line with Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, disciplinary policies.

Where any person has a concern that a person has caused harm, or poses a future risk of harm to any vulnerable groups including children, they have a duty to immediately report this. The following are included but are not regarded as exclusive:

• Behaviour in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child;
• Possible committed, criminal offence against or related to a child;
• Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm to children.

These behaviours should be considered within the context of the four categories of abuse (i.e. physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect). Allegations against persons who work with children and young people that may be deemed as inappropriate under the sexual offences act 2003, may also include:

• Having a sexual relationship with a child under 18 if in a position of trust in respect of that child, even if consensual.

• ‘Grooming’, i.e. meeting a child under 16 with intent to commit a relevant offence Other ‘grooming’ behaviour giving rise to concerns of a broader child protection nature (e.g. inappropriate text / e-mail messages or images, gifts, socializing etc.);
• Possession of indecent photographs / pseudo-photographs of children.

If concerns arise about the person’s behaviour to her/his own children, Huddersfield Giants Community Trust will liaise with the Local Authority to let them assess whether there might be implications for children with whom the person has contact with.

Allegations of historical abuse should be responded to in the same way as contemporary concerns.

Staff members will be notified of the reporting information and how to make a referral to LADO, should they not feel happy with decisions or follow up proceedings by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Any allegations made about members of staff will be reported to OFSTED within 14 days, by Huddersfield Giants Community Trust.

Safeguarding Code of Practice – Staff and Volunteers

To ensure the highest standards of integrity, staff / volunteers should demonstrate appropriate

behaviour in all work with children and young people.  Staff / volunteers within HGCT must comply with the provisions of this Code of Practice.

All relationships between any worker / volunteer and a young person should be based on trust, honesty and respect.  Workers and volunteers should act as responsible adults in all their work with young people.  They should have an objective view of a young person’s situation and should support young people to identify, for themselves, the best life choices.

If any employee/volunteer is uncertain about any particular safeguarding situation, advice should be obtained in the first instance from department manager, who may seek clarification from the Huddersfield Giants, DSO.

Staff / volunteers should be aware they are required to be positive role models for young people and therefore must: –

• Never create or develop an inappropriate relationship, of any kind, with any individual or group of young people. Staff / volunteers must be aware that as adults they have a powerful influence over young people and any abuse of that power is dangerous and inappropriate.
• Not use unacceptable language when engaging with young people. Staff / volunteers should not swear, use or tell inappropriate jokes, or use racist or sexist language.  Staff / volunteers should also be aware that the use of sarcastic comments might be seen as a method of ‘put down’ when talking to young people.  Staff / volunteers should actively encourage the use of positive language and praise when working with young people.
• Do not consume alcohol, psychoactive substances (formally known as legal highs), or prescribed drugs/medication which have not been prescribed to you or other illegal substances during the delivery of the whole residential phases, and delivery time of the remaining phases of programme. Staff and volunteers may be called on at any time to deal with an incident and should be fit do so. Male and female staff and volunteers should be aware that whilst casual dress is often worn for work with young people, their choice of clothes and current fashions should be appropriate for the work they are undertaking. Examples of inappropriate clothing or fashion may be:
• Open-toed shoes/heeled shoes for outdoor activities unless specially designed for outdoor adventurous activities
• Wearing of wedge or high/heeled shoes whilst driving a mini-bus
• Fashionably long nails or false nails whilst undertaking sports or other activities
• Excessive use of jewellery or accessories which may easily get caught or scratch young people
• The wearing of provocative or inappropriate clothes when working with young people
• Staff/volunteers engaging in activities without appropriate upper-body, T-shirts or similar attire staff / volunteers must also be aware that young people growing into adulthood are undergoing physical changes which might make them vulnerable to certain suggestions and are aware of the visual appearance of others.  Staff / volunteers should therefore be aware of this in respect of their work

Remember: Young teens moving into adulthood are often just beginning to become sexually aware and beginning to form personal relationships.  HGCT Programmes may provide an environment in which such relationships can blossom.  This means staff / volunteers need to be alert to the behaviour of those young people participating.

Note: Wearing clothing appropriate to the activities on offer should help all staff / volunteers keep themselves safe during HGCT and do not attract unwanted attention from impressionable young people.

• Staff / volunteers should not overpower young people with their views and opinions but give them the space and time to work things out in their own mind. Challenge should lead to learning and growth, not conflict.
• Personal grievances and personal issues between staff / volunteers should on no account be discussed with young people. Any grievance between staff should be addressed to the Wave Leader who will try to resolve the situation informally in the first instance or will follow set grievance procedures of Huddersfield Giants Community Trust if the complaint is of a more serious nature.
• Staff / volunteers should not become overly familiar with young people and must be aware of the dangers of leaving themselves open to accusations. All staff / volunteers must consider situations where they could be in vulnerable one-2-one situations and try and avoid them where possible.

Note: Huddersfield Giants Community Trust will take care during the planning stages to ensure adequate adult supervision and adequate staff/volunteer gender balance in relation to number of young people attending and the activities on offer.

• In general, when delivering HGCT activities there should be no need for one-2-one situations. However, there is a recognition that a short intervention / mediation may occasionally be necessary during the programme. If that is the case all staff / volunteers must consider situations where they and the young person could be in vulnerable one-2-one situations and must implement control measures.  This will improve the protection afforded to both the young person and staff / volunteers.
• As a general rule, staff and volunteers must be alert to situations outside of HGCT employment where a worker / volunteer may meet a young person in a social context, but the contact arose in or through their work with Huddersfield Giants Community Trust.

In this regard a worker is ethically never ‘off duty’.  Common examples may be ‘bumping into’ young people at a club or pub.  Staff / volunteers must avoid creating inappropriate social relationships with young people who they have met through a work environment.  This would include relationships via social network sites and all staff under employment with Huddersfield Giants Community Trust should ensure that they understand the HGCT policy on the use / misuse of social media.

Staff and Volunteers should never invite or accept as a ‘friend’ a participant/student, using any personal social media account.

Staff and volunteers should be reminded to ensure that anyone who in their personal time uses ‘internet dating sites’, which make use of ‘location finders’, should ensure that they turn off that facility whilst engaging in work for HGCT, therefore minimising the possibility of being compromised by HGCT participants, who themselves may make use of such sites.

• Any inappropriate relationship with a child or young person where a worker / volunteer arranges to be alone with a participant will be considered an abuse of power and an abuse of their position of trust. Staff / volunteers must be aware that any breach of the code of practice may lead to disciplinary proceedings or dismissal.

Note:  In the event of any criminal offence being committed this will be referred to the police and those involved may be subject to prosecution.

• Dealing with conflict – There is recognition that sometimes tensions may flare when working in a contained environment where young people are facing challenges and feeling the pressure during HGCT activities. Ultimately Staff / volunteers have duty of care to ensure the safety of other young people and have a right to protect themselves in extreme situations.  Staff should be aware of any tension building up and of the triggers for conflict and should always attempt to diffuse situations at the earliest possible point. Staff should be mindful of behavioural codes of conduct established for the programme for (and with) the participants and Huddersfield Giants Community Trust’s protocols for managing challenging behaviour.

Additional policies included for residential setting health and safety of young people;

• Young person missing policy
• Travel safety policy
• Base contact guidance and information
• Partnership due diligence
• Equality and diversity

This policy has been received in accordance to the current climate and with the understanding of young people’s vulnerabilities from a national lockdown due to the recent pandemic. HGCT understand the importance to support young people and provide robust safeguarding procedures to protect all on our programs.

Staff have been inducted in varied safeguarding briefing prior to starting program activity, and will have addressed the types of behaviours and experiences that young people may have experienced through lockdown some outlined below;

• Living in isolation with an abuser
• Fear of loss of friendships
• Mental health problems
• Loneliness and vulnerability
• Online abuse and bully
• Online CSE and grooming

HGCT, have consulted with Kirklees Safeguarding Board on reporting processes, and any alterations to services should we receive any disclosures as well as supporting young people who we may feel is unsafe or being mistreated.

Additional policies included for residential setting health and safety of young people;

• Young person missing policy
• Travel safety policy
• Room division and planning company statement
• Base contact guidance and information
• Partnership due diligence

Referral to services and or agencies

NSPCC: 0808 800 5000

West Yorkshire Police: non-emergency call 101 in an emergency call 999

Kirklees Safeguarding Services duty and advice team professional: 01484 414960

Kirklees multi agency Team: 01484456848

CEO

Lisa Darwin