Safeguarding Policy

The purpose of this policy statement is:

To safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults who participate in WANA activities from harm.

• Children are people under 14 years of age

• Young people are 14 to 17 years of age

• Vulnerable Adults are people who are 18 years of age or older who are unable to provide for their own needs and protect themselves against abuse or serious exploitation due to impairment of mental, physical and emotional function.

To provide overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of WANA, including volunteers and contractors.

Legal framework:

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults in England.

We believe that:

Children, young people and vulnerable adults should never experience abuse of any kind.

We recognise that:

Everyone, 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 or abuse.

Some people 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 and vulnerable adults, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential.

We will seek to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe by:

•  valuing, listening to and respecting them.

•  appointing a lead for safeguarding.

•  adopting safeguarding best practice through our policies and procedures.

●  always ensuring that a parent, guardian or another nominated adult by the parent is present when children are engaged in WANA activities.

•  making sure that children, young people, vulnerable adults and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern.

•  using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, vulnerable adults, parents, families and carers appropriately.

•  using our procedures to manage any allegations appropriately.

•  ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, vulnerable adults and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

•  building a safeguarding culture where volunteers, children, young people, vulnerable adults and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Contact details:

NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

WANA Lead for safeguarding:  Kim Liggins  email: kimliggins28@gmail.com

Policy Review:

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.