The Mullany Fund – Safeguarding Policy
July 2020
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: Sioned Jenkins
Phone/email: 07864587585 sioned@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 2020
Signed: Richard Bowen
Chair of Trustees
Date:01/07/2020