Safeguarding Policy

Young people and vulnerable adults Safeguarding Policy for Neurodelicious CIC

Neurodelicious CIC abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and is committed to safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements.

We recognise the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

All young people and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation has an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

Some young people and vulnerable adults are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

Working in partnership with young people and vulnerable adults, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people and vulnerable adults’ welfare.

Purpose

Protect young people and vulnerable adults who receive Neurodelicious CIC’s services from harm. 

Provide staff and volunteers, as well as young people and vulnerable adults and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Neurodelicious CIC, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.


Definitions: Types & Signs of Abuse

Young Person and Vulnerable Adult at Risk:

A young person or vulnerable adult who has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs), is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

Young person and vulnerable adult Abuse:

Young people and vulnerable adults may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their daily lives. There are four main categories of abuse, which are: sexual, physical, emotional abuse, and neglect. It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse that fall within these categories, they are:

  • Bullying and cyberbullying

  • Domestic abuse

  • Female genital mutilation

  • Grooming

  • Historical abuse

  • Online abuse

Safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults: 

Safeguarding young people and vulnerable adults is defined as: 

  • protecting young people and vulnerable adults from maltreatment. 

  • preventing impairment of young people and vulnerable adults’s health or development.

  • ensuring that young people and vulnerable adults are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.

  • taking action to enable all young people and vulnerable adults to have the best outcomes.

Signs of Abuse include but are not limited to:

  • Neglect 

  • Tired/listless

  • Unkempt

  • Poor hygiene

  • Unrelated medical conditions

  • Hungry

  • Over eats when food is available

  • Poor growth

  • Poor/late attendance

Emotional: 

  • Clingy 

  • Attention seeking

  • Over ready to relate to others

  • Low self esteem

  • Apathy

  • Fearful/withdrawn

  • Sleep disorders

  • Depression/self harm

  • Drink/drug/solvent abuse

Physical: 

  • Unexplained injuries

  • Injuries on certain parts of the body

  • Injuries in various stages of healing

  • Flinching when approached

  • Reluctant to change

  • Crying/instability

  • Afraid of home

  • Behavioural extremes

  • Apathy/depression

  • Injuries that reflect use of an implement 

  • Bruises / limping / flinching 

  • Tearful / crying a lot

  • Behaviour & character changes 

  • Cover up with clothing 

  • Not attending / withdrawal 

  • Hypervigilance 

Sexual:

  • Knowledge

  • Promiscuity

  • Wary of other adults and young people and vulnerable adults

  • Running away from home

  • Eating disorders

  • Depression

  • Self harm

  • Unexplained gifts/money

Legal Framework:

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect young people and vulnerable adults in England. 

Neurodelicious CIC should have in place arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults as well as vulnerable young people and vulnerable adults.


The Prevent duty

Some organisations in England, Scotland and Wales have a duty, as a specified authority under section 26 of the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015, to identify vulnerable young people and vulnerable adults and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty. These organisations include:

  • Registered young people and vulnerable adults providers

  • Local authorities

  • Police

  • Prisons and probation services

  • NHS trusts and foundations.

  • Other organisations may also have Prevent duties if they perform delegated local authority functions.

Young people and vulnerable adults can be exposed to different views and receive information from various sources. Some of these views may be considered radical or extreme.

Radicalisation is the process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.

Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.


Confidentiality and Information Sharing:

Neurodelicious CIC expects all employees, volunteers and trustees to maintain confidentiality.  Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection.

However, information should be shared with the Local Authority if a child is deemed to be at risk of harm or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed. 


Recording and Record Keeping:

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding a young person or vulnerable adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decisions made and why they were made.

All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). 

Any records kept could be used in court, so it is vital they are

  • accurate

  • detailed

  • clear

  • factual

  • objective

Records shall contain information on what was seen or heard that has caused concern, what was said and how Neurodelicious CIC responded. 


When dealing with a disclosure, Neurodelicious CIC will

  • Listen carefully

  • Offer reassurance 

  • Record (verbatim)

  • Be transparent about what we will do with the information

  • Ask open questions (what, who, when, where, how)

  • Consider the person’s immediate safety

  • Refer/seek advice

Referral process for safeguarding concerns:

  1. Young person or vulnerable adult speaks to our designated Safeguarding lead. If it is an emergency situation and someone is in immediate harm call 999 for the emergency services.

  2. Neurodelicious CIC makes a referral online using the secure Suffolk County Council referral portal. 

  3. If Neurodelicious CIC needs to discuss whether or not a referral is required, they will call the Suffolk Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) professional Consultation Line on 03456 061499 to speak with a MASH social worker. 

Safe Recruitment & Selection:

Neurodelicious CIC is committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices that reduce the risk of harm to young people and vulnerable adults from people unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them.

DBS Checks:

All staff and volunteers of Neurodelicious CIC who work directly with vulnerable young people and vulnerable adults are required to have the appropriate DBS checks, which are refreshed every three years.

Social Media:

All employees and volunteers should be aware of Neurodelicious CIC social media policy and procedures and the code of conduct for behaviour towards the young people and vulnerable adults we support.

Use of Mobile Phones and other Digital Technology:

All employees, trustees and volunteers should be aware of Neurodelicious CIC policy and procedures regarding the use of mobile phones and any digital technology and understand that it is unlawful to photograph young people and vulnerable adults without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities.

Whistleblowing:

It is important that people within Neurodelicious CIC have the confidence to come forward to speak or act if they are unhappy with anything. Whistle blowing occurs when a person raises a concern about dangerous or illegal activity, or any wrong- doing within their organisation. This includes concerns about another employee or volunteer. There is also a requirement by Neurodelicious CIC to protect whistleblowers.

Important Contacts:

Senior Lead for Safeguarding / Designated Safeguarding Officer:

Name: Oliver Squirrell

Email address: info@neurodelicious.co.uk

Telephone number: 07774533193

Police:

Emergency – 999

Non-emergency – 101

Date Of Last Review of Policy:

1st January 2024