Responsible Manager

Debra Cook

Date of Issue

September 2021

Version Number

3.0

Date for Review

September 2022

Distribution list 

Trust and Network

Version Control

NCS Trust is committed to the continuous improvement of its service offerings and underpinning policies and procedures. It will review the functionality of this policy and related procedures on an annual basis unless an incident warrants it being reviewed sooner or if there is new legislation or guidance that must be taken into account.

Version:1.0, Date:24/10/2018, Author and job title: Debra Cook Safeguarding Manager, Date of approval and by whom: Amy Franklin/Board, Next Review due and by whom: October 2019, Debra Cook

Version 2.0, Date: October 2019, Author and job title: Debra Cook Safeguarding Manager, Date of approval and by whom: Amanda Best, Next Review due and by whom: October 2020, Debra Cook

Version 3.0, Date: September 2021, Author and job title: Debra Cook Safeguarding Manager, Date of approval and by whom: Amanda Best, Next Review due and by whom: September 2022, Debra Cook

NCS Safeguarding Policy Statement 

NCS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are fully committed to ensuring that consistent effective safeguarding procedures are in place to support families, children and staff throughout the organisation.  

In line with safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance (Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (2020), our safeguarding policy sets out a clear and consistent framework for paid and unpaid staff and 3rd parties working on behalf of NCS.

This will be achieved by:-

• Promoting and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children and young people at risk with all NCS staff and third party organisations who work directly on our behalf with children and young people at risk
• Adopting safer recruitment procedures for paid and non-paid team members that help deter, reject or identify people who might pose a risk or inappropriate influence to children at risk
• Ensuring that all existing and new team members understand their roles and responsibilities under safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, to be alert to signs of abuse or maltreatment and refer concerns to the appropriate person, using the agreed procedures
• Ensuring that the organisations that work on our behalf ensure that through their operations, policies and procedures, they commit to protecting children and young people at risk from harm
• Ensuring the Safeguarding Policy and its application is overseen through corporate governance arrangement including the Board of Directors
• The designated safeguarding leads will take all concerns and allegations of abuse seriously whether against staff and volunteers or our contractors and third party deliverers
• The designated safeguarding leads for safeguarding will escalate these by referring to the Local Authority or Designated Officer via the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
• The safeguarding policy and supporting procedures will be widely promoted and mandatory for all team members. Failure to comply with the safeguarding policy and procedures will be addressed without delay

NCS acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and guidance as outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018).

The policy recognises that welfare and interests of children and young people are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background, all children have a positive, enjoyable and inclusive experience in a safe environment and are protected whilst participating in NCS activities. Furthermore, issues raised regarding the safety of a young person outside of delivery hours will be responded to with equal concern.

NCS acknowledges that some children in some contexts can be at a higher risk of abuse and we accept responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

As part of our safeguarding policy, NCS will promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns  relating to children and young people. In the event of an incident/concern of abuse, NCS is committed to providing appropriate support and to ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored, prevent the employment of unsuitable individuals  and ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.  The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in NCS. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation. 

The monitoring of the policy will be reviewed annually and will be updated with immediate effect when changes in legislation and/or government guidance is required. 

A copy of our full safeguarding policy is available on request.