Child Protection Policy Statement                           

 

Safe Space believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to help safeguard  the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

Safe Space recognises that:

the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and their agencies, wherever possible,  is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

Research and evidence suggests that children with disabilities are more likely to be abused than non-disabled children, but deaf and disabled children are particularly vulnerable to abuse because they’re:

• not offered the same protection as non-disabled children
• often treated as different, and less likely to receive adequate sex education or information about their own bodies
  
• generally more isolated, both physically and socially and also from mainstream facilities and services
  
• less likely to have people who they can communicate with
  
• dependent on others for their most important needs, such as feeding, taking medication or their intimate care needs.
  

     The purpose of the policy:

To provide protection for the children and young people who receive Safe Space’s services, including the children of adult members or users.
To provide volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm.

This policy applies to all volunteers and the board of trustees.

We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:

• valuing them, listening to and respecting them
• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  
• recruiting volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  
• sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
  
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
  
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.
  

Safe Space is committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

 
             Adopted on: 22/03/15
          Last reviewed: 22/03/15