Safeguarding Policy
The Intrepid Games foundation abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements.
• We recognise the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• All children, 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 and 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 and other agencies is essential in promoting children’s welfare
Purpose: The Intrepid Games Foundation will:
• Protect children and young people who receive the Odyssey Project service from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services
• Provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of the Intrepid Games Foundation 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: The Children Act 1989 definition of a child is: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently, are a member of the armed forces or is in hospital.
Child Abuse: Children may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse within their family or harm outside of the family. There are 4 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 • Child sexual exploitation • Child criminal exploitation • Child trafficking • Domestic abuse • Emotional abuse • Female genital mutilation • Grooming • Neglect • Non-recent abuse • Online abuse • Physical abuse • Sexual abuse
Safeguarding children: Safeguarding children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 as:
• providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge;
• protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online;
• preventing the impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development; • ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;
• promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children; and
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework. Legal Framework: This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation is available from https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/
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 children and young people and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty.
These organisations include: • Schools • Registered childcare providers • Local authorities • Police • Prisons and probation services • NHS trusts and foundations • Other organisation may also have Prevent duties if they perform delegated local authority functions.
Training & Awareness: The Intrepid Games Foundation will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its trustees, employees, volunteers and any relevant persons linked to the organisation who requires it (e.g. contractors). For all employees who are working or volunteering with children, this requires them as a minimum to have awareness training that enables them to
• Understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children
• Understand the difference between safeguarding children and child protection
• How to spot the signs of abuse and neglect
• How to respond to the indicators of abuse and neglect and keep children safe
• Understand dignity and respect when working with children
• Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy
Confidentiality & Information Sharing: The Intrepid Games Foundation 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 significant harm* or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed.
Recording & Record Keeping: A written record must be kept about any safeguarding concerns. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision 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).
Safe Recruitment & Selection: There is a duty under Section 11 of the Children’s Act 2004 for the intrepid games foundation to be committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to children from people unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them. Currently the project does not require working closely with children, only through an assembly. There will be no 1-1 contact and there will be teachers present. There will also be authoritative figures such as firefighters / police and ambulance present for medal presentations who are all DBS Checked.
Use of Mobile Phones & Other Digital Technology: All employees, trustees and volunteers should be aware that there will be no use of technology around children especially regarding the use of mobile phones and any digital technology and understand that it is unlawful to share images and content on any digital platform without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities