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Everyone has a right to be safe and treated with dignity and respect. Our Safeguarding Policy comes from rights-based approach to protect and support individuals who work with us and who come to us for advice and services.
We support those who work with some of the most vulnerable people in our society and who require the most protection. But for us safeguarding is not just the prevention of harm but ensuring that we create a safe physical and emotional space for everyone involved.
Our work brings us into contact with many vulnerable groups, but specifically those who work with children and young people. Therefore, for the purposes of this Policy, a child is defined in the UNCRC as someone who has not yet reached the age of 18. Adult support and protection can begin at 16 and 17 years old where appropriate. Young People ages 16-18 can be especially vulnerable and SAIA keeps this in focus to ensure no young person can fall through the gaps between adult and children’s services and policy.
SAIA also want to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who work with and alongside us. Anyone who has concern that the impact of work undertaken feels unsafe for their health or wellbeing as a contributor, should speak in confidence to the responsible Trustee.
This policy applies to everyone at Scottish Attachment in Action (SAIA), those who work alongside, and those for whom we provide advice and services.
Legal and Policy Context, includes (this is not an exhaustive list)
Trustees
Trustees are supported to be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act, 2005. Specifically, Trustees are committed to promoting a safe environment and culture for all.
There is a Trustee with responsibility for safeguarding issues.
Staff and Associates
Trustees are supported to be fully aware of their roles and responsibilities under the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act, 2005. Specifically, Trustees are committed to promoting a safe environment and culture for all.
There is a Trustee with responsibility for safeguarding issues.
Assessing and Mitigating Risk: Advisory and Service Provision
To safeguard, SAIA assess and mitigates risks by
If anyone has safeguarding concerns about a young person, a young adult or vulnerable person, there is a procedure to follow for recording and sharing these concerns.
Such concerns may relate to the following (this is not an exhaustive list)
How to record and share concerns
When you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person, or vulnerable adult, it is essential that this information is relayed to the responsible Trustee for both information, advice, and a decision on the necessary action.
The concern will also require to be recorded and shared appropriately by completion of the Shared Concerns Form (Appendix 1).
At all times, be aware of the wishes of the child, young person or adult involved and how much information they would like you to share with them during and after this process.
Behaviour, values and conduct
Providing a safe space is promoted by confidential, positive and respectful behaviours.
Social Media. Facebook, WhatsApp and Snap Chat are common and useful ways of staying in touch. However, the values that underpin what we do must underpin all our interactions, face to face and online.
Those working with or on behalf of SAIA must be mindful of the risks as well as the benefits of social media. You may see pictures or read posts that concern this should be discussed with the responsible Trustee.
Information sharing
In line with confidentiality, sharing the right information at the right time improves outcomes for children, young people and their families and is a vital part of the early intervention approach that is at the heart of GIRFEC.
Privacy and confidentiality are governed by legal provisions that aim to safeguard personal information.