The purpose and scope of this policy statement is to

• protect children and young people who receive W&BCI’s services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services

• to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

• This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of W&BCI, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and student

 

 

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Scotland. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from the NSPCC

 

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 practice in a way that protects them.

 

We recognise that:

• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to 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

• extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

 

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

• valuing, listening to and respecting them

• appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding

• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently

• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance

• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions

• making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern

• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers 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

• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing 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

• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

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BOOKINGS FOR CHILDREN OF PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE AND UNDER

GUIDELINES: As a prerequisite to booking The Merse, you are required to read and comply with the Safeguarding Policy of the Wigtown & Bladnoch Community Initiative .

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​At least two responsible adults must be present at all times and should undertake the following:

• The adults who are in charge should be introduced to the children attending the event.

• A record should be kept of the names of the children attending the event and emergency contact numbers for their parents/carers.

• The adults in charge must have access to a phone in the event of an emergency.

• The adults in charge should be aware of where the first aid box & book are kept, the location of fire exits and assembly point.

• It is important that the adults in charge are informed of any child with allergies or acute medical conditions.

• Entertainers should at no time take responsibility for the care of children and young people.

• Any other adult venue users who require to enter the venue during the event, but are not part of the event, should at no time take responsibility for the care of children and young people.

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