Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Safeguarding refers to the action taken to promote the welfare of children and adults at risk and protect them from harm, abuse or neglect. It is a key priority for us. The safety and welfare of all visitors and employees is paramount so that everyone who accesses our premises, exhibitions, staff, volunteers and resources is safe and protected from harm.

At Life we come in to contact with children and adults at risk in numerous ways including: –

• general visitors to our Science Centre and ice rink;
• school visits to Lifelab, our education facility and the Science Centre;
• our work with community groups;
• out of hours events (for example summer camps, field trips, science club).

We recognise that children and adults at risk represent a particular safeguarding risk. This policy together with the training provided by Life provides a framework to support all of our team (including employees, trustees, contractors, temporary workers, volunteers and casual workers) in their safeguarding practices.  It clarifies our expectations, responsibilities and how to respond to concerns appropriately.

Policy Aims

We aim to: –

• respect the rights of all children and adults at risk;
• provide an environment which is safe and welcoming for children and adults at risk and which protects them from all forms of abuse;
• ensure that everyone working in the Life Science Centre is trained and aware of the need to protect children and adults at risk and knows how to reduce the risks to them; and

provide procedures and guidance for everyone working at the Science Centre.

Definitions

Safeguarding Children

For the purpose of safeguarding, a child, as defined in the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004, is anyone under the age of 18. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education does not change their status or entitlements to services or protection.

Safeguarding is defined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 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 and,
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Safeguarding Adult’s at Risk

An adult at risk is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited.

This may include a person who:

• are elderly and frail;
• has a mental illness including dementia;
• has a physical or sensory disability;
• has a learning disability;
• has a severe physical illness;
• is a substance misuser;
• is homeless.

Types of Harm and Abuse 

Harm and abuse can take a number of forms, including but not exclusively the following:

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Bullying
• Neglect
• Financial (or material) abuse
• Exploitation

Responsibilities

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility at Life.

Our Board of Trustees is ultimately responsible and take safeguarding very seriously. Trustees receive an anonymised update on any safeguarding incidents to make sure that they were handled properly, to identify and address any trends and lessons learned and ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are in place and training is kept up to date.

We will:-

• deliver this policy, ensure staff are appropriately aware of the policy, promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and adults at risk;
• ensure everyone understands and are fully trained in their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding;
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern;
• share information about concerns with agencies who need to know;
• follow robust procedures for the recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers and ensure individuals who are working with children /adults at risk have the appropriate DBS checks or risk assessments in place;
• ensure no contractors are allowed in Education unaccompanied when the area is occupied unless confirmation that DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks have been completed;
• ensure that any accompanying individuals (parents, guardians, schoolteachers etc.) are aware of their own responsibilities in relation to safeguarding;
• address any failures to comply with this policy appropriately and inform staff and volunteers that not adhering to the policy and guidelines will lead to formal disciplinary action;
• ensure appropriate risk assessment procedures are followed;
• ensure Life’s complaints procedure is accessible to all visitors.

We have designated safeguarding leads. Their role is to lead on promoting safeguarding and the appropriate handling of any concerns raised.  Managers should ensure that they are informed of any concerns reported to them by staff or volunteers.

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:-

Jenny Search (Head of Schools and Communities Engagement)

Niamh Dale (Head of Trading and Operations)

It is our team’s responsibility to ensure that: –

• our behaviour is appropriate at all times – please see code of conduct below;
• we observe the guidance and training put in place for the safety and security of young and/or vulnerable people and understand the consequences of not adhering to this; and
• you recognise the position of trust in which you have been placed and act appropriately to protect ourselves.
• if we suspect or feel concerned that a visitor or employee is at risk of harm or abuse we take personal responsibility to act. Not sharing worries or concerns may put visitors or employees – and particularly children and adults at risk- at further risk of harm. It is better to report something and be wrong than not to report it at all.

Whilst there may not be a personal or organisational responsibility to investigate a safeguarding complaint or concern, there is a responsibility to refer concerns on to the relevant local authority or the Police and this should be done immediately in cases where the concern is about a child or an adult at risk suffering harm or is likely to do so.

Who to contact

In an emergency or when someone is at risk of immediate harm, you should always contact 999.

Otherwise, you should discuss concerns immediately with the Duty Manager on duty that day in the Science Centre or one of the Schools and Communities Engagement Leads/ or one of the designated safeguarding leads.

Internal Contacts

Designated Safeguarding Leads

jenny.search@life.org.uk (Schools and Communities Engagement)

0191 243 8264

niamh.dale@life.org.uk (Science Centre)

0191 243 8265

External Contact Information

For Children

Initial Response Service is the first point of contact for anyone who is worried about a child’s safety or welfare.

Initial Response Service

Children’s Social Care

Wellbeing, Care and Learning Directorate

Civic Centre

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 8PU

Phone: 0191 277 2500

For Adults

Newcastle Community Health and Social Care Direct (8am – 5pm) – 0191 278 8377

Outside of these hours call – 0191 278 8377

In an emergency always dial 999

Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains current in line with any legislative changes and links appropriately with other policies.