SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Introduction:
The Tees & Hartlepool Port Users’ Association (THPUA) abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people 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 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
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

Purpose:
The THPUA will:
• Protect children and young people who are involved with the THPUA. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
• 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 representing or working on behalf of the THPUA, including the board of trustees, employees, volunteers 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 are in hospital.

Adult at Risk:
• An 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.

Child and Adult Abuse:
Children and 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 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
• Female genital mutilation
• Grooming
• Historical abuse
• Online abuse

Safeguarding children:

Safeguarding children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 as:
• protecting children from maltreatment.
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development.
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

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 nspcc.org.uk/learning.

Through this policy, the THPUA has put in place arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people as well as 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 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 organisations may also have Prevent duties if they perform delegated local authority functions.

Children 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.

Training and Awareness:
The THPUA will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its directors, employees, volunteers and any relevant persons linked to or representing the organisation who require it.

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.
• Recognise a child potentially in need of safeguarding and take action.
• Understand how to report a safeguarding alert.
• Understand dignity and respect when working with children.
• Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy.

Awareness is achieved predominantly through ensuring all representatives have access to and understand this policy. Further training and information can then be considered if required by the individual. The policy is published on the THPUA website so it is accessible to all internal and external stakeholders.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing:
The THPUA expects all employees, volunteers and directors 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.
Safe Recruitment & Selection:
The THPUA is 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.

The THPUA has policies and procedures that cover the recruitment of all directors, employees, volunteers and representatives of the organisation. This includes the THPUA Code of Conduct.

Social Media:
Directors, employees and volunteers should not post any content on social media that references children or young people without written approval from the Secretary. As part of the approval process, the Secretary will seek permission from the relevant parties, eg. the parents or the school.

Use of Mobile Phones and other Digital Technology:
All directors, employees and volunteers should be aware of procedures regarding the use of mobile phones and any digital technology and should understand that it is unlawful to photograph children and young people without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities. THPUA representatives should consult with the Secretary, who, as part of the approval process, will seek permission from the relevant parties, eg. the parents or the school.

Whistleblowing:
It is important that people within the THPUA 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 director, employee or volunteer. There is also a requirement by the THPUA to protect whistleblowers.

Important Contacts: Director/Trustee/ Designated Officer for Safeguarding
Name: Charlie Nettle
Email address: charlie.nettle@av-dawson.com
Telephone number: 07525 268520

Police
Emergency – 999
Non-emergency – 101
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000