Taking all reasonable measures to safeguard and promote the welfare of each child or vulnerable person in our care. 

The practice of safe recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children and vulnerable people. 

Protecting everyone from any form of abuse, whether from an adult or another child. 

It is also important to note that within a community organisation / volunteering environment children or other vulnerable persons may be moved to disclose information which they might have otherwise kept to themselves. Any volunteer, or member of staff, who finds that someone is telling them something that concerns them should follow the procedure set out in this document. 

Ensure awareness of individual staff and volunteers as to their responsibilities in identifying and reporting possible cases of abuse. 

Provide guidance on when to be concerned / recognising possible child abuse. 

Provide a procedure for recording and reporting of disclosures or concerns. 

Ensure that safe recruitment procedures are operated by taking up references and ensuring all staff and volunteers have an up-to-date DBS registration where appropriate. 

Design and operate procedures which promote this policy and which, so far as possible, ensure that staff and others who are innocent are not prejudiced by false allegations. 

To have regard to and be consistent with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and guidance. 

Ensure that any deficiencies or weaknesses in child protection arrangements are remedied without delay. 

Have a separate Behaviour policy that specifically addresses racist incidents and bullying. 

Have a separate Health and safety policy. 

Listen to the child but ask NO leading questions. Allow the child to lead the discussion but do not press for details. 

Keep calm and offer reassurance. Accept what the child says without challenge. 

Make NO promises. You cannot ‘keep a secret’. You should make it understood that there are limits to confidentiality at the start of the disclosure. 

Inform the appropriate authority (Redcar and Cleveland social services). 

Keep an accurate, written record of the conversation, including the date, the time, the place the conversation occurred in and the essence of what was said and done by whom and in whose presence. Keep the record secure and hand it to social services.