Safeguarding

Wild Pets is a project of Wild Tiverton CIC and operates under the safeguarding policies, procedures and governance of Wild Tiverton CIC. This Safeguarding Policy sets out how those safeguarding principles and responsibilities are applied specifically to the delivery of the Wild Pets programme and our work with children, young people and their families.

Wild Tiverton CIC

This policy for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults has been adopted by Wild Tiverton to signify its commitment to the welfare of children and adults. It applies to directors, staff and volunteers.

Wild Tiverton recognises it has a responsibility, along with others, to promote the welfare and safety of children and vulnerable adults through its support for families and as part of that responsibility, to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected from harm.

Where there are concerns about the wellbeing of a child or vulnerable adult, this policy and procedures will be followed and information will be shared with the relevant agencies, in order to protect them.

Wild Tiverton recognises that Ill-treatment to children and vulnerable adults can occur in all cultures, religions and all social classes. All children and vulnerable adults have the right to be protected. Everyone who has been abused deserve care, respect and sensitivity.

Wild Tiverton is committed to working in partnership with children, young people, parents and carers in all circumstances, including where there are concerns or suspicions that a child or vulnerable adult is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.

Wild Tiverton will take all possible steps to ensure that children and vulnerable adults with whom it works are kept safe through:

1. Safe recruitment processes for all committee members, staff and volunteers.
2. Planned induction of all committee members, staff and volunteers, to include signed and dated confirmation of their understanding and acceptance of the safeguarding policy and procedures.
3. Clear safeguarding procedures to inform all members of the team about the appropriate action to take in the event of concerns about a child or vulnerable adult.
4. Procedures to structure the management of any allegations of abuse against staff and volunteers.
5. Effective training and support for volunteers and staff to ensure they are able to work within these procedures.
6. Identified personnel to hold strategic lead and designated safeguarding responsibilities within Wild Tiverton.

Any safeguarding child protection and vulnerable adults concerns are passed to our nominated child protection lead. This person will share the information with the appropriate agencies, contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice to report concerns or seek reassurance.

Wild Tiverton has clear expectations of all staff and volunteers for sharing information about families, parents, children, young people and vulnerable adults:

1. Everyone is made aware of our policy and procedure on safeguarding and confidentiality.
2. A factual dated record of concerns about a child(ren) or vulnerable adults in families supported will be kept in line with Wild Tiverton record keeping guidelines.
3. Wild Tiverton recognises the importance of sharing information to protect children and vulnerable adults and normally the disclosure of the confidential information to any other person may only be undertaken with the expressed permission of the parents for the purpose of assisting the family.
4. However where it is considered necessary for the welfare and protection of the child or vulnerable adult information will be shared with the appropriate authority and families will be kept informed of Wild Tivertons actions unless to do so would put the individual at greater risk of harm.
5. Protecting children and vulnerable adults from significant harm is a shared responsibility. In order to fulfil its responsibilities in promoting the welfare and safety of all, Wild Tiverton will maintain effective partnerships with organisations working with children and vulnerable adults and their families within the community.
6. Wild Tiverton takes part in local multi-disciplinary training as available and appropriate.