Safeguarding Policy

Date: 15/11/2024

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

1. Not A Statistic Northeast CIC (the Organisation, we, our or us) is committed to preventing and responding to risks of harm to and promoting the welfare of all children and adults at risk that we work with (i.e. as Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's service users). These individuals are referred to as the 'Beneficiaries' of this Safeguarding Policy.

2. We recognise the importance of this commitment to safety and welfare and, further, are committed to safeguarding all Beneficiaries without discrimination due to an individual's age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity leave status, marriage or civil partnership status, or sexual orientation.

3. This Safeguarding Policy is based on the safeguarding laws of England, Wales, and Scotland, including related guidance issued by the UK Government and relevant governmental departments, agencies, and public bodies. If this Policy is at any time inconsistent with this body of law, Not A Statistic Northeast CIC will act to meet the requirements of up-to-date safeguarding laws in priority to the requirements set out in this Policy.

4. Not A Statistic Northeast CIC has implemented this Safeguarding Policy in order to meet its obligations as a Community Interest Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England, Company No. 15274001.

5. Any questions in relation to this Policy should be referred to the Managing Director in the first instance, by emailing Shane@not-a-statistic-ne.org or by contacting 07308117083.

SCOPE OF THE SAFEGUARDING POLICY

6. This Policy explains key aspects of how Not A Statistic Northeast CIC prevents harm in relation to its Beneficiaries via its practices and its Staff Members' conduct.

7. This Safeguarding Policy covers the organisation and operation of all of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's activities involving children and adults at risk (i.e. our Relevant Activities). These primarily include:

      a. Providing Peer to Peer Support sessions for anyone over 16 years of age.

      b. Signposting service users to other local/national services.

8. This Policy's guidelines and obligations apply to all individuals working for or acting on behalf of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC in the UK at all levels, including senior managers, officers, employees, consultants, trainees, homeworkers, part-time and fixed-term workers, casual workers, agency workers, volunteers, and interns (collectively 'Staff Members').

9. This Policy does not form part of any contract of employment or similar and Not A Statistic Northeast CIC may amend it at any time at our absolute discretion.

DEFINING SAFEGUARDING

10. 'Safeguarding' is an umbrella term that refers to work (e.g. practices and procedures) aimed at preventing or responding to harm or risks of harm posed to vulnerable individuals, and at promoting these individuals' wider welfare. Safeguarding is particularly important for children and adults at risk. Most safeguarding legal obligations relate to the care of these groups and these are the groups to whom the protections set out in this Policy apply. For safeguarding purposes:

      a. Children are individuals younger than 18 years old.

      b. Adults at risk are individuals 18 years old or over (in England and Wales) or 16

      years old or over (in Scotland) who have care and/or support needs and who are,

      because of these needs, unable to protect themselves from harm (e.g. due to

      illness or disability). This need not be on a permanent basis.

11. The commitments and practices contained in this Safeguarding Policy apply to the safeguarding of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's Beneficiaries from harm caused by either:

      a. The activities and practices of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC and any conduct of

      its Staff Members, or

      b. People and situations outside of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's and its Staff

      Members' control, where Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's Staff Members are aware

      of, ought to be aware of, or reasonably suspect the risks posed by a situation.

12. For the purposes of this Policy, a 'Safeguarding Concern' is any conduct or situation that is known or reasonably suspected by a Staff Member or another party that risks violating the safeguarding commitments set out above.

KEY MEASURES THAT NOT A STATISTIC NORTHEAST CIC IS COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING AND MAINTAINING TO SAFEGUARD ITS BENEFICIARIES.

13. Following applicable local safeguarding arrangements when safeguarding children. These arrangements include leadership and guidance issued by the safeguarding partners for a local area (i.e. the local authority, chief officers of police, and a clinical commissioning group).

14. Following applicable leadership and guidance provided by local Safeguarding Adults Boards when safeguarding adults.

15. Ensuring that Staff Members are trained to, and encouraged to, report any Safeguarding Concerns that they identify. Staff Members will be encouraged to follow Not A Statistic Northeast CIC 's safeguarding reporting procedures as closely as possible when reporting concerns (set out below under the heading 'Procedures: Reporting').

16. Ensuring that all Staff Members listen to all safeguarding-related queries and concerns raised by other Staff Members, Beneficiaries, or relevant other parties, with respect and professionalism. Staff Members should be trained how to, and encouraged to, then assist with reporting any such concerns via Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's regular reporting procedures.

17. Ensuring that all reported Safeguarding Concerns are dealt with by appropriate individuals and teams and in accordance with Not A Statistic Northeast CIC 's relevant procedures (set out below under the heading 'Procedures: Investigation and Response').

18. Implementing and maintaining comprehensive, accessible, fair, and efficient

procedures for Staff Members to use when reporting and dealing with

Safeguarding Concerns. These procedures will be made known and easily

accessible to all Staff Members.

     a. Procedures will be designed to ensure all safeguarding issues are dealt with

     fairly and objectively even when allegations are made against one of Not A

     Statistic Northeast CIC 's Staff Members. Any such allegations will be treated in

     a manner that takes into account the gravity of the accusations, but which does

     not vilify or presume the guilt of an accused individual without a fair

     investigation.

     b. Any reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law

     will be treated securely and in a protected manner in line with whistleblowing

     law.

19. Appointing the Managing Director to hold responsibility for managing safeguarding policies and procedures within Not A Statistic Northeast CIC.

20. Following appropriate recruitment processes when recruiting new Staff Members, including volunteers. This includes:

      a. Conducting all appropriate pre-employment checks (e.g. Disclosure and Barring

      Service (DBS) criminal record checks).

      b. Ensuring new Staff Members take part in, and understand the content of, all

      necessary safeguarding training before having any contact with Not A Statistic

      Northeast CIC's Beneficiaries.

      c. Following Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's policies and procedures on hiring and

      recruitment.

21. Providing appropriate safeguarding training for all relevant Staff Members. Every Staff Member should be provided with, and required to undertake, training that is appropriate to their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. This should, where appropriate, include training on:

      a. How to define and identify potential signs of different types of abuse, including

      physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect, and

      others.

      b. How to listen to and respond to concerns or disclosures about safeguarding

      issues during an initial conversation (e.g. how to explain when information can

      and cannot be kept confidential).

      c. How to use Not A Statistic Northeast CIC 's safeguarding reporting procedures

      and when doing so is appropriate.

      d. Which additional resources (e.g. policies, other supporting documents, or

      external educational resources) are available to ensure Staff Members remain

      informed about safeguarding.

      e. Alison Online - Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults.

      f. Alison Online - Vulnerability, Abuse and Safeguarding in the UK.

22. Ensuring that all information related to Safeguarding Concerns, including the content of reported concerns as well as the personal data of anybody involved, is handled safely and securely. This involves:

       a. Following the requirements set out by the UK's data protection laws, including

       The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act

       2018.

       b. Following Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's data protection policies and

       procedures, including our Data Protection and Data Security Policy.

       c. Providing Staff Members with training on data protection and privacy, where

       appropriate.

       d. Ensuring Staff Members always have an identifiable point of contact for

       questions or concerns about data protection and privacy. This is currently the

       Managing Director, who can be contacted by emailing the Managing Director or

       at 07308117083.

       e. Only sharing information about a Safeguarding Concern internally as far as is

       necessary to manage the concern for the relevant Beneficiary's benefit.

23. Ensuring transparency and awareness regarding safeguarding information and procedures. For example, by:

        a. Providing information to Beneficiaries about our safeguarding procedures so

        that they are aware of how to raise any concerns.

        b. Ensuring all Staff Members are aware of safeguarding laws, Not A Statistic

        Northeast CIC's safeguarding commitments and procedures, and Staff Members'

        responsibilities in relation to these.

24. Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-to-date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's Relevant Activities and workforce, and meeting any review and evaluation requirements specific to Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's industry and organisation type.

STAFF MEMBERS' RESPONSIBILITIES

25. All Staff Members have a responsibility to promote the safety and wellbeing of all of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC 's Beneficiaries. This means that all of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's policies and procedures relevant to safeguarding and all UK laws relevant to safeguarding must be followed at all times. Specifically:

26. All Staff Members must contribute to upholding the key measures that Not A Statistic Northeast CIC has committed to taking to safeguard its Beneficiaries (set out above) to an extent that is appropriate for their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. Specific ways that Staff Members should do this will be clarified during training. If a Staff Member is uncertain as to their responsibilities, it is their responsibility to raise this with the Managing Director.

27. Staff Members must actively participate in all safeguarding training they are assigned and, if they do not understand any aspects of their training, must raise this with the Managing Director.

28. Staff Members must never do anything to actively risk the safety or wellbeing of any of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's Beneficiaries. This includes, but is not limited to:

      a. Subjecting them to or facilitating abuse of any sort.

      b. Engaging in any sexual activity with children (i.e. anybody under the age of 18).

      c. Participating in or facilitating any activities that may commercially exploit

      Beneficiaries. For example, failing to report suspected child labour or trafficking.

29. Staff Members must report all Safeguarding Concerns that they have regarding Beneficiaries, regardless of whether the concerns relate to potential wrongdoing of other Staff Members, other Beneficiaries, or external parties (e.g. parents, teachers, other organisations, or members of the public).

PROCEDURES: REPORTING

30. Staff Members will receive safeguarding training that should enable them to identify Safeguarding Concerns (e.g. suspected abuse, neglect, or threats to wellbeing) relevant to Not A Statistic Northeast CIC's Beneficiaries.

31. If a Staff Member identifies a Safeguarding Concern, to report it they should:

     a. Inform the service user of need to escalate.

     b. In emergency situations contact 999 or 119.

     c. Inform the Managing Director of situation, who will assist with follow up actions.

     d. Complete and send Safeguarding Escalation form (Appendix 1) to Managing

     Director.

     e. Maintain own and others safety throughout.

32. If a Staff Member feels unable to follow the above steps, they should report their Safeguarding Concern in a reasonable alternative manner. This may the case if, for example:

      a. Following the above procedure would require disclosing the concern to

      somebody who is implicated in the Safeguarding Concern or who the Staff

      Member is otherwise uncomfortable contacting about this concern, or 

      b. The matter is time sensitive and involves a risk of serious harm to somebody, in

      which case contacting an external agency (e.g. the police, the ambulance service,

      or a mental health crisis line) or a more senior member of Not A Statistic

      Northeast CIC's staff first may be more appropriate.

PROCEDURES: INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE

33. Reported Safeguarding Concerns will be dealt with promptly according to the following process:

         a. All reported safeguarding concerns will be dealt with swiftly and in a timely

         manner.

         b. Responsibility for investigating concerns lies with the Managing Director.

         c. Where concerns are outside of our ability to resolve, we will escalate 

         these concerns to the local authority.

         d. We regard all safeguarding concerns to be serious and will ensure the validity          and gravity of concerns is established swiftly.

         e. Any person who's safety or wellbeing is as risk will be support by us 

         and escalated to the local authority for support.

         f. All safeguarding concerns will be recorded on a Safeguarding database 

         with, details of the investigation, outcomes and future actions from 

         these outcomes.

         g. The board of directors/Trustees will reviews the safeguarding database

         periodically (3 monthly).

34. Staff Members who report a Safeguarding Concern will be kept informed about the progression of the matter they reported to an appropriate degree. Note that, depending on the nature of the concern and consequent investigations, some information about matters may be kept confidential and not shared with the reporter.

35. If a Staff Member is found to be in breach of this Safeguarding Policy or safeguarding law in general, they will be treated fairly and will only be dismissed if appropriate in the circumstances and in accordance with employment law.

36. Referrals or notifications to external organisations (e.g. police services, local authorities, or regulatory bodies) will be made when, and only when, this is appropriate, and will always be made in accordance with the law (e.g. data protection law).

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND OTHER PROTECTIONS

37. This Safeguarding Policy does not cover all of Not A Statistic Northeast CIC 's commitments relevant to protecting its Beneficiaries. We also have other policies in place that protect our Beneficiaries, Staff Members, and/or others. These include:

      a. A Data Protection and Data Security Policy.

      b. A Privacy Policy.

      c. Our Business Plan.

38. All of the policies, procedures, and other documents set out above are available on request from the Managing Director.

MONITORING

39. This policy will be reviewed in line with any legislative changes to the policies and procedures defined within this policy.

POLICY REVIEW

40. Review Period: 12 monthly by The board of Directors. 

41. Next Review: November 2025

EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

42. First Assessment Conducted by Date: November 2024 – Managing Director

PUBLICATION

43. Published by: Shane Knox (Managing Director)

44. Registered Address: NOT A STATISTIC NORTHEAST CIC, 9 Dryborough Street, Millfield, Sunderland, SR4 6BL

©2024 NOT A STATISTIC NORTHEAST CIC Company No: 15274001