dh Dance School
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
dh Dance School
Signed in as:
filler@godaddy.com
Title SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AT RISK POLICY Description of Policy / What is it for? This policy covers dh Dance School and demonstrates that the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, volunteers and Student Teachers must be aware of their responsibilities in this regard. Purpose of policy / Objectives This document outlines dh Dance School policy on identifying and responding to concerns regarding the safeguarding and protection of children and young people at risk. The purpose of this policy statement is: • To protect all children, young people and adults who engage in dh Dance School classes. This includes volunteers and Student Teachers. • To provide overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. We will give equal priority to keeping all children, young people at risk safe regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Scope This policy applies to all at dh Dance School Other relevant approved documents Recruitment Policy; Code of Conduct – Staff Policy; Whistleblowing Policy; Lone Worker Policy; GDPR/Data Protection Policy; Equality and Diversity policy; Social Media Policy; Computer, Email, and Internet Usage Policy; Work Related Violence and Abuse Policy; Dignity at Work Policy. Procedures for • Responding to concerns about a child, young person, or adults’ wellbeing. • Dealing with allegations of abuse • Managing allegations • Supervision ratios • Induction • Disciplinary Procedures • Photo and image sharing procedure • Recording and Retention procedure for safeguarding information. Date of Issue/re-issue Dh Dance School will monitor the implementation of this policy through supervision of Safeguarding is taken seriously by dh Dance School The definition of safeguarding – children and young people The term ‘children’ refers to those under the age of 18 years. The definition we base our policy on comes from the Children’s Act 2004 and the guidance document; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 which defines safeguarding and promoting children and young people’s welfare as: • Protecting children from maltreatment. • Preventing impairment of health or development • Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and • Taking action to enable all children have the best outcomes. The above statutory guidance defines child protection as part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. Child protection is the activity undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. For the purposes of this policy, dh Dance School’s responsibilities cover protecting children and young people from: • Neglect. • Physical abuse. • Sexual abuse. • Emotional abuse. • Bullying, including online bullying and prejudice-based bullying. • Racist, disability and homophobic or transphobic abuse. • Gender based violence/violence against women and girls. • Radicalisation and/or extremist behaviour. • The impact of new technologies on sexual behaviour, for example sexting. • Teenage relationship abuse. • Substance misuse. • Issues that may be specific to a local area or population, for example gang activity and youth violence. • Domestic violence. • Peer on peer abuse. • Female genital mutilation. • Forced marriage. • Fabricated or induced illness. Child Criminal Exploitation Adults at risk The term ‘adult at risk’ refers to those over the age of 18 years, “Who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of disability, age or illness; and is or may be unable to take care of or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm or exploitation”. We believe that: • no one should experience abuse, harm, or exploitation of any kind • we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people, and adults, to keep them safe and to operate in a way that protects them We recognise that: • the welfare of children and adults at risk is paramount • safeguarding is a whole organisational responsibility • Everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, health, disability, sexuality, beliefs or political or immigration status has the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse • Some children or adults at risk are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their levels of dependency, communication needs or other issues • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, service users and other agencies is essential. We will seek to keep everyone safe by: • valuing, listening to, and respecting them • appointing a nominated safeguarding lead/a deputy safeguarding lead • supporting the Designated Safeguarding Leads/Deputies in their work and in any action, they may need to take in order to protect children and adults at risk • developing safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice • following legislation, statutory guidance and recognised good practice in order to protect vulnerable people and all involved in our services • using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving service users appropriately • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to deal effectively with bullying that does arise • developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and procedures • sharing information about safeguarding best practice with helpers, volunteers, and Student Teachers • providing effective management for helpers and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures • implementing a code of conduct for helpers and volunteers • using our procedures to manage allegations appropriately • increasing awareness around issues and abuse and having clear alerting and referring procedures for employees and volunteers to follow should they have any suspicion that abuse is occurring or has occurred • ensuring that service users are aware that we have a duty to report concerns, allegations or suspicions of abuse and that confidentiality cannot be maintained where there are allegations of abuse. Service users who suspect abuse are encouraged to share their concerns with appropriate team members • establishing a caring environment in which there is an informed vigilance about the dangers of abuse and applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance • completing risk assessments, appropriate consent forms (for children’s activities), appropriate records and ensuring adequate insurance is in place. • ensuring that we keep up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding • using rigorous and careful supervision to protect people from the risks associated with known offenders within the community, including implementing contracts with known offenders and those who have been assessed as posing a risk • recording and storing information professionally and securely • working in partnership with local safeguarding boards or safeguarding partners and other partnership organisations to ensure proper reporting and management of concerns • co-operating with the statutory authorities in any investigation, following multi-agency decisions and maintaining confidentiality of any investigations to those directly involved • referring concerns about - volunteers and student Teachers - that meet the relevant criteria to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) • contacting the police as a matter of urgency where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed • supporting all those in dh Dance School who are affected by abuse supporting and supervising those who pose a risk to children or adults at risk, implementing contracts of behaviour, whilst bearing in mind the overarching principle that the welfare of the child or adult at risk is paramount. • taking the necessary action if an assessment is made that someone poses an unmanageable risk to those in need of protection and could not safely attend our services/projects • ensuring that pastoral care is offered and signposting them to appropriate agencies for support. Dh Dance Schools Designated Safeguarding Officer is: Daniela Hearn 07769316780 Email:dhDanceschool@gmail.com The legal framework for this work is: • The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 • The Care Act 2014 • The Mental Capacity Act 2005 • The Children Act 1989 and 2004 • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 (updated 2021) • Keeping Children Safe in Education 2018 (updated 2021) • The Children and Social Work Act 2017 • The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 • Human Rights Act 1998 • GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 • Childcare Act 2006 (as amended in 2021) • Children and families Act 2014 • Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 • Equality Act 2010 • Prevent Duty/Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 • Information Commissioners Office • Pan Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Who this policy applies to This policy is approved and endorsed by dh Dance School and applies to: • all those who attend dh Dance School • Voluntary staff and student Teachers The policy and procedures should be interpreted in accordance with local authority and charitable organisation good practice guidance. Children, parents/carers, and vulnerable adults will be informed of this policy and our procedures, by making this policy accessible, visible, clear, and concise. Review Daniela Hearn will review this policy annually, amending and updating it as required, and informing all helpers/ volunteers and student Teachers that this has been done. The Policy will be signed and dated upon receipt of updates by Daniela Hearn Name: Signed: Date: Appendix 1 KEY CONTACTS: SOURCES OF ADVICE AND SUPPORT For information, advice and guidance on any matter relating to Safeguarding, dh Dance School Designated Safeguarding Lead is: Daniela Hearn Telephone No:07769316780 Email:dhDanceschool@gmail.com EXTERNAL SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS: BCP Children’s Services First Response Hub This brings agencies together in one place and includes staff from Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole Local Authority Children’s Services alongside Dorset Health Care and Dorset Police. During office hours (8.30am – 5.15pm, Mon –Thurs 8.30am – 4.45pm Fri) Address: Joint emergency HQ, Wimborne Road, Poole, BH15 2BP Email: childrensfirstresponsehub@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 01202 123334 Dorset County Council Dorset - Children's Advice and Duty Service (ChAD) Professionals Number: 01305 228558 Families and members of the public 01305 228866 This is a professionals-only number to discuss your concerns, you will no longer complete a referral form. Out of Hours BCP childrensOOHS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk 01202 738256 Dorset MASH@dorsetcc.gov.uk 01202 228866 Useful links: Pan Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership pandorsetsafeguardingchildrenpartnership@bcpcouncil.gov.uk Keeping children safe in education: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2 Dorset police contact for Prevent concerns: MASH@dorset.pnn.police.uk For training enquiries relating to safeguarding please contact Dorset Nexus Book a place at http://www.dorsetnexus.org.uk/ Adults at risk As with Children’s Work, departments that work with adults at risk will have a named Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Safeguarding Deputy. This information will be highly visible and available to all clients, staff, and visitors to departments where adults at risk frequent. Further support and escalation contacts are as follows: In emergency call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or 101 or 999. In Poole sshelpdesk@bcpcouncil.gov.uk Helpdesk - 01202 633902 SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A DISCLOSURE OR ALLEGATION OF ABUSE If a child, young person, or adult makes a disclosure that they are being abused and / or an allegation of abuse against someone, it is important that the person being told: • stays calm and listens carefully • reassures the person making the disclosure • does not investigate or ask leading questions. If questions are necessary, they should be framed in an open manner and not ‘lead’ in any way. Remember TED: Tell me…. Explain…. Describe… • explains that they will need to tell someone else if anyone is at risk of harm, in order to help them • does not promise to keep secret what they have been told • makes a written record of the allegation, disclosure or incident and signs and dates this record. If there is an immediate threat of harm, the Police should be contacted without delay. Where it is considered that there is no immediate threat of harm, the following will occur: . If in any doubt, contact Bournemouth MASH on 01202 458101 or 01202 458102. • If the concern is about a family who are already on a Child Protection Plan or are considered a Child in Need or are known to the Early Help team inform the social worker of the incident. • A confidential record will be made of the conversation and the circumstances surrounding it. This record will be signed and dated and kept securely with a copy passed to statutory authorities if a referral is made. • Effective information-sharing underpins integrated working and is a vital element of both early intervention and safeguarding. Research and experience have shown repeatedly that keeping children safe from harm requires practitioners and others to share information. • The person about whom the allegation is made must not be addressed if it is believed that to do so could place a child or adult at increased risk. If the statutory authorities are involved, they should be consulted beforehand. • The Safeguarding Lead and Executive Director should be kept informed of any serious concerns. • For concerns relating to adults, Adult Social Care will be contacted. See Key Contacts. If the allegation concerns a team member or volunteer For any concerns relating to children, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) will be contacted. The timing and method of any action to be taken will be discussed and agreed with the LADO. This will cover communication with the worker, suspension, investigation, and possible strategy meetings. A decision will be taken by the LADO about when to inform the worker and dh DanceSchool will follow this advice. For LADO contact details, see Key Contacts. In accordance with the law, a referral will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) if dh Dance School withdraws permission for an individual to engage in work with children / adults at risk OR would have done so had that individual not resigned, retired, been made redundant or been transferred to a different position because the employer believes that the individual has engaged in relevant conduct, satisfied the harm test, or committed an offence that would lead to automatic inclusion on a barred list. Concerns, Complaints and Compliments Should anyone have any concerns, complaints, or compliments, please refer to the policy. If would be helpful to have complaints in writing, as this avoids any possible misunderstanding about what the issue is. However, whether verbal or in writing, complaints will be acted upon. Any written complaint will be responded to within 10 days. All action is taken in line with the following guidance: Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) updated December 2020 – published by HM Government Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and Dorset Inter-Agency Safeguarding Procedures & Guidance, accessed through both the Pan Dorset Safeguarding children’s partnership website https://pdscp.co.uk/ What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused – Government Guidance (2015) Multi Agency https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-to-do-if-youre-worried-a-child-is-being-abused--2 Procedures for the Protection of Adults with Care and Support Needs in Bournemouth, Dorset, and Poole WHAT IS ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF CHILDREN? The definitions below are taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 and apply to England. Additional information is taken from Pan Dorset Multi Agency Safeguarding Procedures. Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger, for example, via the internet. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children. Physical abuse Physical abuse is deliberately hurting a child. It may involve hitting, shaking, punching, kicking, biting, throwing, or beating with objects such as belts, whips, or sticks. It also includes burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, poisoning or giving a child alcohol or illegal drugs or any other physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. In pregnancy an unborn child can be harmed by domestic violence. Emotional abuse Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such including repeated verbal threats, criticism, ridicule, shouting, lack of love and affection and can cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child from participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another as in domestic abuse. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone. Sexual abuse and exploitation Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse including via the internet. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. Sexual abuse also comes in many forms including Sexual Exploitation and FGM. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non medical reasons. it is also known as female Genital Cutting, Female Circumcision and ‘Sunna’. FGM is illegal in the UK. Child sexual exploitation is where children are sexually exploited for money, power, or status. It can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults. Consent cannot be given, even when a child believes they are voluntarily engaging in sexual activity with the person who is exploiting them. It does not always involve physical contact as it can happen online. This can involve a broad range of exploitative activity, from seemingly ‘consensual’ relationships and informal exchanges of sex for attention, accommodation, gifts, or cigarettes, through to very serious organised crime. Both girls and boys are at risk of sexual exploitation, and it is seriously harmful to children both emotionally and physically. Children and young people often find it very hard to understand or accept that they are being abused through sexual exploitation, and this increases their risk of being exposed to violent assault and life-threatening events by those who abuse them. Neglect Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs. It’s dangerous and children can suffer serious and long-term harm. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: • provide adequate food, clothing and shelter including exclusion from home or abandonment. • protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger. • ensure adequate supervision including the use of inadequate caregivers • ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. • ensure access to education Child Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery Child trafficking is a type of abuse where children are recruited, moved, or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold. Modern day slavery is not an issue from history or confined to certain countries. It is a global problem including the UK and is still happening today. The National government passed an act in 2015 and there was an awareness campaign. This was all about slavery and how we can all help stop it. County Lines As set out in the Serious Violence Strategy, published by the Home Office, a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money, and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons. This is now sometimes referred to as Child Criminal Exploitation Physical abuse This is the infliction of pain or physical injury, which is either caused deliberately, or through lack of care. Psychological or emotional abuse These are acts or behaviour, which cause mental distress or anguish or negates the wishes of the adult at risk. It is also behaviour that has a harmful effect on the adult at risk’s emotional health and development or any other form of mental cruelty. Sexual abuse This is the involvement in sexual activities to which the person has not consented or does not truly comprehend and so cannot give informed consent, or where the other party is in a position of trust, power or authority and uses this to override or overcome lack of consent. Neglect, or Act of Omission This is the repeated deprivation of assistance that the adult at risk needs for important activities of daily living, including the failure to intervene in behaviour which is dangerous to the adult at risk or to others. A vulnerable person may be suffering from neglect when their general well-being or development is impaired. Financial or material abuse This is inappropriate use, misappropriation, embezzlement, or theft of money/property/possessions. Discriminatory abuse This is the inappropriate treatment of an adult at risk because of their age, gender, race, religion, cultural background, sexuality, disability, etc. Discriminatory abuse exists when values, beliefs, or culture result in a misuse of power that denies opportunity to some groups or individuals. Discriminatory abuse links to all other forms of abuse. Domestic Abuse Domestic violence and abuse include any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. It also includes so called 'honour’ -based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage. Modern Slavery This includes human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, such as escort work, prostitution and pornography and debt bondage – being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to. Self- Neglect Types of self-neglect include lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings, the inability to avoid self-harm, failure to seek help or access services to meet health and social care needs and inability or unwillingness to manage one’s personal affairs. Radicalisation The government's Prevent Duty Guidance defines radicalisation as "the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups". It defines extremism as 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. Cyber Bullying Cyberbullying is when someone, bullies or harasses others on social media sites. Harmful bullying behaviour can include posting rumours, trolling, threats, sexual remarks, a victims' personal information, or pejorative labels (i.e., hate speech). Forced Marriage Forced Marriage is defined by the UK Government Forced Marriage Unit as a marriage without the consent of one or both parties and where duress is a factor. Sexual Exploitation Sexual exploitation involves someone taking advantage of the adult sexually, for their own benefit through threats, bribes, violence, and humiliation. The perpetrator uses their power to get the adult to do sexual things for the perpetrator’s own or other people’s benefit or enjoyment. SIGNS OF POSSIBLE ABUSE IN CHILDREN Physical abuse Physical signs include: • Unexplained injuries • Injuries that are inconsistent with the explanation • Injuries that reflect an article being used e.g. an iron • Bruising, especially the trunk, upper arm, shoulders, neck or fingertip bruising • Burns/scalds, especially from a cigarette • Human bite marks • Fractures, especially spiral • Swelling and lack of normal use of limbs • Serious injury with lack of / inconsistent explanation • Untreated injuries Psychological/emotional signs include: • Unusually fearful with adults • Unnaturally compliant to parents • Refusal to discuss injuries/fear of medical help • Withdrawal from physical contact • Aggression towards others • Wears cover up clothing • Fabricated and Induced Illness. This is when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes ill-health to a child who they are looking after. • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) A cultural (not religious) procedure whereby parts of female genitalia are removed - also referred to as female circumcision. This is normally undertaken on pre-pubescent girls, who are either taken abroad for procedure or “practitioners” come to the UK. There can be no anaesthetic and no sterile equipment used. Complications include serious infection, septicaemia, numerous gynaecological problems and in some cases, death. It is an offence under UK Law not to report an incident of FGM to the Police (FGM Act 2003). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mandatory-reporting-of-female-genital mutilationprocedural-information Emotional abuse Signs include: • Physical, learning and emotional developmental delay • Acceptance of punishments, which appear excessive • Over reaction to mistakes • Continual self-depreciation • Sudden speech disorders • Fear of new situations •Anxious behaviour (such as rocking, hair twisting, thumb sucking) • Self harm • Extremes of passivity or aggression • Drug/solvent abuse • Running away • Bullying/Aggression • Overly compliant behaviour • Overeating or loss of appetite • Clingy • Fearful/withdrawn • Sleep disorders Neglect Physical signs include: • Tired/listless • Poor personal hygiene • Poor state of clothing • Emaciation, potbelly, short stature • Poor skin tone and hair tone • Untreated medical problems • Failure to thrive with no medical reason Psychological/emotional signs include: • Constant hunger • Constant tiredness • Frequent lateness/non-attendance at school • Destructive tendencies • Low self-esteem • No social relationships • Running away • Compulsive stealing/scavenging • Multiple accidents/accidental injuries Sexual abuse Physical signs include: • Damage to genitalia, anus or mouth • Sexually transmitted disease • Unexpected pregnancy, especially in very young girls • Soreness to genitalia area, anus or mouth • Repeated stomach aches • Loss of weight • Gaining weight • Unexplained recurrent urinary tract infections, discharges or abdominal pain • Unexplained gifts/money Psychological/emotional signs include: • Sexual knowledge inappropriate for the child’s age • Sexualised behaviour in young children • Sexually provocative behaviour/promiscuity • Hinting at sexual activity • Sudden changes in personality • Lack of concentration, restlessness • Socially withdrawn • Overly compliant behaviour • Poor trust in significant adults • Regressive behaviour, onset of wetting – day or night • Suicide attempts, self-mutilation, self-disgust • eating disorders Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. SIGNS OF POSSIBLE ABUSE IN ADULTS Physical • A history of unexplained falls, fractures, bruises, burns, minor injuries • Signs of under or overuse of medication and/or medical problems unattended Psychological • Alteration in psychological state e.g. withdrawn, agitated, anxious, tearful • Intimidated or subdued in the presence of the carer • Fearful, flinching or frightened of making choices or expressing wishes • Unexplained paranoia Sexual • Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse • Unexplained change in behaviour or sexually implicit/explicit behaviour • Torn, stained or bloody underwear and/or unusual difficulty in walking or sitting • Infections or sexually transmitted diseases • Full or partial disclosure or hints of sexual abuse • Self-harming Neglect or Omission • Malnutrition, weight loss and /or persistent hunger • Poor physical condition, poor hygiene, varicose ulcers, pressure sores • Being left in wet clothing or bedding and/or clothing in a poor condition • Failure to access appropriate health, educational services, or social care • No callers or visitors Financial or Material • Disparity between assets and living conditions • Unexplained withdrawals from accounts or disappearance of financial documents • Sudden inability to pay bills • Carers or professionals fail to account for expenses incurred on a person’s behalf • Recent changes of deeds or title to property Discriminatory • Inappropriate remarks, comments, or lack of respect • Poor quality or avoidance of care Institutional • Lack of flexibility or choice over meals, bedtimes, visitors, phone calls, etc. • Inadequate medical care and misuse of medication • Inappropriate use of restraint • Sensory deprivation e.g. denial of use of spectacles or hearing aids • Missing documents and/or absence of individual care plans • Public discussion of private matter • Lack of opportunity for social, educational or recreational activity. THE ROLE OF A DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD/DEPUTY Context We believe that children and adults at risk deserve the best possible care that dh Dance can provide, and that dh Dance should be a safe place for everyone involved. Purpose of the role: • To coordinate safeguarding policy and procedure in the Association. • To be the first point of contact for safeguarding issues. • To be an advocate for good safeguarding practice. Responsibilities To coordinate safeguarding policy and procedure. • To familiarise themselves with policies and procedures and good practice guidelines in safeguarding and to keep abreast of any changes and developments. • To ensure input is made into dh Dance Schools policies and procedures annually, kept up to date, and are fit for purpose. • To ensure safer recruitment practices are operated in the recruitment of all helpers’ volunteers have up to date Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. To be the first point of contact for safeguarding issues • To be a named departmental person that children / adults at risk, colleagues and outside agencies can talk to regarding any issue to do with safeguarding, including MARAC/PPN notifications • To be aware of the names and telephone numbers of appropriate contacts within Social Care and the Police in the event of a referral needing to be made. • To be aware of when to seek advice, and when it is necessary to inform Social Care, the Police, or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) of a concern or incident. • To take appropriate action in relation to any safeguarding concerns which arise within dh Dance School • To cooperate with Social Care or the Police in safeguarding investigations relating to people at dh Dance School • To ensure that appropriate records are kept by dh Dance School, and that information in relation to safeguarding issues is handled confidentially and stored securely. • To inform dh Dance School Safeguarding Lead at the time of any referrals made to the statutory authorities, or of any information received from the statutory authorities. • To report summary safeguarding information periodically to the Safeguarding Lead to enable them to monitor safeguarding across dh Dance School To be an advocate for good safeguarding practice at dh Dance School • To promote sensitivity within dh Dance School towards all those affected by the impact of abuse. • To promote positive safeguarding procedures and practice and ensure procedures are adhered to. • To arrange and/or promote opportunities for training in safeguarding to any relevant members of the team, including both helpers’ volunteers and student Teachers. • To attend dh Dance School meetings and read and share updates with their team. • To make arrangements for a suitable person to carry out this role when they are on leave, and to publicise who this is and the dates of the alternative arrangements. INFORMATION SHARING Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 states that: “Effective sharing of information between professionals and local agencies is essential for effective identification, assessment and service provision. Early sharing of information is the key to providing effective early help where there are emerging problems. At the other end of the continuum, sharing information can be essential to put in place effective child protection services. Serious case reviews (SCRs) have highlighted that missed opportunities to record, understand the significance of and share information in a timely manner can have severe consequences for the safety and welfare of children. Practitioners should be proactive in sharing information as early as possible to help identify, assess and respond to risks or concerns about the safety and welfare of children, whether this is when problems are first emerging, or where a child is already known to local authority children’s social care (e.g. they are being supported as a child in need or have a child protection plan). Practitioners should be alert to sharing important information about any adults with whom that child has contact, which may impact the child’s safety or welfare. Fears about sharing information cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the need to promote the welfare and protect the safety of children.” (Working Together 2018) There are seven golden rules set out in the government guidance for information sharing: 1.Remember that the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR do not prohibit the collection and sharing of personal information, but rather provide a framework to ensure that personal information is shared appropriately. In particular, the Data Protection Act 2018 balances the rights of the information subject (the individual whom the information is about) and the possible need to share information about them. 2. Be open and honest with the person and/or their family, where appropriate, from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could, be shared and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so. 3.Seek advice if you are in any doubt, without disclosing the identity of the person where possible. 4.Share with consent where appropriate. Share with consent where appropriate and, where possible, respect the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still share information without consent if, in your judgement, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest. You will need to base your judgement on the facts of the case. 5.Consider safety and well-being. Base your information sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the person and others who may be affected by their actions. 6.Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure. Ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those people who need to have it, is accurate and up to date, is shared in a timely fashion and is shared securely; 7.Keep a record. Keep a record of your decision and the reasons for it, whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose. PREVENT Prevent is about safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism. Prevent is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. DEFINTIONS AND INDICATORS Radicalisation happens when a person’s thinking and behaviour become significantly different from how members of their society and community view social issues and participate politically. Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and respect and tolerance for different faiths and beliefs. We also regard calls for the death of members of our armed forces as extremist. (Source: Counter Extremism Strategy, October 2015) There are a number of behaviours within families or in the child themselves which may indicate a child is at risk of being radicalised or exposed to extreme views. These include. • Spending increasing time in the company of other suspected extremists. • Changing their style of dress or personal appearance to accord with the group. • Day-to-day behaviour becoming increasingly centred on an extremist ideology, group or cause. • Loss of interest in other friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause. • Possession of materials or symbols associated with an extremist cause. • Attempts to recruit others to the group/cause. • Communications with others that suggests identification with a group, cause or ideology. • Using insulting to derogatory names for another group. • Increase in prejudice-related incidents committed by that person – these may include. o physical or verbal assault o provocative behaviour o damage to property o derogatory name calling o possession of prejudice-related materials o prejudice related ridicule or name calling o inappropriate forms of address o refusal to co-operate o attempts to recruit to prejudice-related organisations o condoning or supporting violence towards others. It is important be constantly vigilant and remain fully informed about the issues which affect the local area, city, and society. Staff are reminded to suspend any ‘professional disbelief’ that instances of radicalisation ‘could not happen here’ and to be ‘professionally inquisitive’ where concerns arise, following the appropriate procedures for recording and passing on information. Protection and Action to be Taken Anyone who has concern that a child, parent, helper, or visitor is displaying radical or extreme behaviour must report them to the designated safeguarding lead in their organisation. The concerns will be referred to the Safeguarding and Referral Unit of Dorset Police, along with other information we may have to assist decision making within the Police and to ensure appropriate measures are taken to support the family concerned. Consideration should be given to the possibility that sharing information with parents may increase the risk to the child and therefore may not be appropriate. However, experience has shown that parents are key in challenging radical views and extremist behaviour and should be included in interventions unless there are clear reasons why not.