Students Mentors

Safeguarding Policy

This is the safeguarding policy of The Mullany Fund

The Mullany Fund – Safeguarding Policy

July 2023

Purpose of statement

The Mullany Fund works with children and young people as part of its activities. These include visiting schools, colleges and youth organisations to deliver careers and future options talks; arranging and coordinating work experience placements for young people; leading an online mentoring service for young people aged 14-19; and managing a team of volunteers who help deliver our interventions.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

  • to protect children and young people who receive The Mullany Fund’s services;
  • to provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

 

This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of The Mullany Fund, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and interns.

Legal framework

This policy has been created on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Wales. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

 

We believe that:

  • children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind;
  • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child or young person is paramount;
  • all children and young people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;
  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues;
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, school staff and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

 

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them;
  • appointing a Designated Safeguarding Person and a lead trustee for safeguarding;
  • providing opportunities for all staff to attend basic safeguarding awareness training;
  • developing child protection and safeguarding procedures which reflect best practice;
  • using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately;
  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise;
  • developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures, including interaction via social media;
  • recruiting staff, trustees and volunteers safely, ensuring that all undergo an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS);
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures;
  • implementing a code of conduct for staff and volunteers;
  • using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately;
  • ensuring that we have effective complaints measures in place;
  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance;
  • recording and storing information professionally and securely.

Related policies and procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisation policies and procedures, including:

  • Procedures for responding to allegations, concerns and disclosures.
  • Role of the Designated Safeguarding Person.
  • Safer recruitment policies and procedures.
  • Code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
  • Child protection records retention and storage policy.

Contact details

Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP)

Name: Sarah James

Phone/email: 07864587583 sarah@themullanyfund.org

 

Lead trustee for safeguarding

Name: Richard Bowen

Phone/email: 07968194348 info@themullanyfund.org

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

This policy was last reviewed on: 1st July 2023

Signed: Richard Bowen

Chair of Trustees

 

Date:01/07/23

The Mullany Fund – Procedures for Responding to Allegations, Concerns and Disclosures

July 2023

 

Concerns

 

Where staff or volunteers have cause to be concerned for a service user’s wellbeing they should communicate this with the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) as soon as possible. Concerns may be cause by a sudden change of behaviour or appearance, inappropriate use of language or anything else that the staff or volunteer believes could be detrimental to the welfare of our service users.

 

Where a volunteer communicates a concern about a service user’s wellbeing:

 

  1. The staff member who speaks with the volunteer should take as many details as possible and complete the password-protected Concern/Incident Log.
  2. The staff member should then inform the DSP that a new concern has been reported. Where the DSP is unavailable, the Chair of Trustees should be informed instead.
  3. The DSP will assess the reported concern and take the following actions:
    1. If the concern is assessed as requiring no further intervention, it will be deleted from the Log.
    2. If the concern is assessed as requiring monitoring, it will be stored in the Log until an agreed review period.
    3. If the concern is assessed as requiring further action, the DSP will telephone the service user’s school and pass the information on to the school’s DSP. Written confirmation that the school DSP will take responsibility for taking further action will be requested.
    4. The Mullany Fund DSP will then inform the Chair of Trustees of action taken, and will contact the volunteer to reassure them that action has been taken (though no details will be provide)

Where a staff member has a concern about a service user’s wellbeing:

 

  1. The staff member should complete an entry into the password-protected Concern/Incident Log including as many details as possible regarding the concern.
  2. The staff member should then inform the DSP that a new concern has been reported. Where the DSP is unavailable, the Chair of Trustees should be informed instead.
  3. The DSP will assess the reported concern and take the following actions:
    1. If the concern is assessed as requiring no further intervention, it will be deleted from the Log.
    2. If the concern is assessed as requiring monitoring, it will be stored in the Log until an agreed review period.
    3. If the concern is assessed as requiring further action, the DSP will telephone the service user’s school and pass the information on to the school’s DSP. Written confirmation that the school DSP will take responsibility for taking further action will be requested.
    4. The Mullany Fund DSP will then inform the Chair of Trustees of action taken, and will contact the staff member to reassure them that action has been taken (though no details will be provide)

Disclosures

Though it is unlikely that disclosures will take place, it is important for staff and volunteers to be aware that the children or young people they are working with may choose to reveal sensitive information. This may involve allegations of abuse or neglect, disclosures of self-harm, eating-disorders or other mental health issues.

 

When a child or young person reveals this information, it is referred to as a disclosure and to ensure their wellbeing it is vital that staff and volunteers follow a clear reporting procedure so that The Mullany Fund can respond in a timely, safe and appropriate manner.

Where a disclosure is made to a volunteer:

  1. The volunteer will follow the ‘Disclosure Guidance’ document when initially recording the disclosure.
  2. The volunteer will contact the DSP as soon as possible after the disclosure to provide information about it.
  3. The DSP will complete an entry into the password-protected Concern/Incident Log including as many details as possible regarding the disclosure.
  4. The DSP will assess the disclosure and take the following actions:
    1. Regardless of the perceived seriousness of the disclosure, the DSP will telephone the service user’s school and pass the information on to the school’s DSP. Written confirmation that the school DSP will take responsibility for taking further action will be requested.
    2. The Mullany Fund DSP will then inform the Chair of Trustees of action taken, and will contact the volunteer to reassure them that action has been taken and – where appropriate – advise on further contact with the service user.

Where a disclosure is made to a staff member:

  1. The staff member will follow the ‘Disclosure Guidance’ document when initially recording the disclosure.
  2. The staff member will inform the DSP as soon as possible after the disclosure to provide information about it.
  3. The DSP will complete an entry into the password-protected Concern/Incident Log including as many details as possible regarding the disclosure.
  4. The DSP will assess the disclosure and take the following actions:
    1. Regardless of the perceived seriousness of the disclosure, the DSP will telephone the service user’s school and pass the information on to the school’s DSP. Written confirmation that the school DSP will take responsibility for taking further action will be requested.
    2. The Mullany Fund DSP will then inform the Chair of Trustees of action taken, and will contact the volunteer to reassure them that action has been taken and – where appropriate – advise on further contact with the service user.

 

Allegations against The Mullany Fund

Where allegations of abuse or inappropriate behaviour is made against members of The Mullany Fund it is important that all procedures are followed in an open and transparent manner and that full cooperation is given to the relevant authorities.

Where an allegation of abuse is made against a staff member or trustee:

 

If the allegation is made to a third party and they contact the relevant authorities:

  1. The allegation of abuse will be communicated to the DSP in the first instance by the relevant authorities.
  2. The DSP will contact the Chair of Trustees and inform them of the allegation.
  3. In the event that an allegation is made against the DSP, the Chair of Trustees will be informed in the first instance by the relevant authorities.
  4. The individual subject to the allegation will be offered guidance and support and, where necessary, legal advice pending an inquiry.
  5. Should the allegation be escalated, it may be necessary for the member of staff or trustee to be suspended pending the outcome of any internal or external inquiry.
  6. At all times, The Mullany Fund, the DSP and the Chair of Trustees shall act in accordance with the law and full cooperation will be given to the relevant authorities.
  7. The findings of the inquiry will be used to decide on what – if any – subsequent actions are required.

 

If the allegation of abuse is made to a volunteer or staff member:

  1. The volunteer or staff member will contact the DSP and inform them of the allegation (or the Chair of Trustees where the allegation is against the DSP.)
  2. The DSP will contact the Chair of Trustees and inform them of the allegation.
  3. The relevant authorities will be informed of the allegations and next steps will be agreed.
  4. The individual subject to the allegation will be offered guidance and support and, where necessary, legal advice pending an inquiry.
  5. Should the allegation be escalated, it may be necessary for the member of staff or trustee to be suspended pending the outcome of any internal or external inquiry.
  6. At all times, The Mullany Fund, the DSP and the Chair of Trustees shall act in accordance with the law and full cooperation will be given to the relevant authorities.
  7. The findings of the inquiry will be used to decide on what – if any – subsequent actions are required.

Where an allegation of abuse is made against a volunteer:

If the allegation is made to a third party and they contact the relevant authorities:

  1. The allegation of abuse will be communicated to the DSP in the first instance by the relevant authorities.
  2. The DSP will contact the Chair of trustees and inform them of the allegation.
  3. The individual subject to the allegation will be offered guidance and support and will be required to suspend voluntary services pending an inquiry.
  4. At all times, The Mullany Fund, the DSP and the Chair of Trustees shall act in accordance with the law and full cooperation will be given to the relevant authorities.
  5. The findings of the inquiry will be used to decide on what – if any subsequent actions – are required.

If the allegation is made to another volunteer or staff member:

  1. The volunteer or staff member will contact the DSP and inform them of the allegation (or the Chair of Trustees where the allegation is against the DSP.)
  2. The DSP will contact the Chair of Trustees and inform them of the allegation.
  3. The relevant authorities will be informed of the allegations and next steps will be agreed.
  4. The individual subject to the allegation will be offered guidance and support and will be required to suspend voluntary services pending an inquiry.
  5. At all times, The Mullany Fund, the DSP and the Chair of Trustees shall act in accordance with the law and full cooperation will be given to the relevant authorities.
  6. The findings of the inquiry will be used to decide on what – if any subsequent actions – are required.

 

The Mullany Fund – Disclosure Guidance

 

July 2022

Though it is unlikely that disclosures will take place, it is important for staff and volunteers to be aware that the children or young people they are working with may choose to reveal sensitive information. This may involve allegations of abuse or neglect, disclosures of self-harm, eating-disorders or mental health issues.

When a child or young person reveals this information, it is referred to as a disclosure and to ensure their wellbeing it is vital that staff and volunteers follow a clear reporting procedure so that The Mullany Fund can respond in a timely, safe and appropriate manner.

Prior to a child or young person disclosing information, they may ask you to keep what they are about to disclose a secret. It is important that you make clear that you cannot keep what they say confidential and that you might have to pass the information on to someone who will be able to help them, even if you believe this may deter the individual from making a disclosure.

 

If the child or young person decides to make a disclosure, ensure that you listen in a calm and non-judgemental manner. Do not ask leading questions, and avoid making value statements – staying neutral at all times.

If it is not appropriate to make notes during the disclosure, ensure that you write an account of the disclosure as soon as possible after it has been made. Include as many details as possible, including the date and time of disclosure, but do not embellish or make assumptions. Only record exactly what the child or young person said.

Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing by telling you, and that in order to help them you will now have to pass this to someone who is in a better position to help them.

If the disclosure is serious enough that you are concerned for the individual’s immediate welfare, contact 999.

Otherwise, as soon as is possible, contact The Mullany Fund’s Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) providing as much information as possible. The DSP will then take appropriate next steps to ensure the welfare of the individual.

Please note that if the disclosure involves an allegation against the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) then you should contact the Chair of Trustees and inform them of the disclosure instead.