Safeguarding

Updated August 23rd, 2024. 

Introduction

Code Your Future (CYF) is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all individuals involved in its activities. This policy aligns with the Charity Commission's definition of safeguarding and exceeds statutory requirements to address all potential harms. Our safeguarding policy is essential to our mission and reflects our organisational values.

Policy Statement 

Safeguarding is integral to CYF's mission, and our organisational values underpin all our safeguarding efforts:

Kind and honest: We are generous, friendly and compassionate. We help each other by giving and receiving genuine feedback to help us grow as individuals and as a community.

Supportive: We are a team. We create an inclusive space where we belong and build relationships to support each other. We are grateful for the help we receive.

Empower and represent: We encourage and trust each other to promote autonomy, independence and initiative. Our community represents us.

Challenge: We push each other outside our comfort zones to enable our professional development. We embrace challenges that fulfil our potential.

Long-term impact: We promote social mobility by creating meaningful change in people's lives. We make a tangible and positive impact on the individuals, companies, and communities we serve.

Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to all CYF staff, contractors, volunteers, trustees, and partners:

  • Staff and Contractors: Compliance with this policy is mandatory.
  • Trustees: Expected to act in CYF’s best interests and comply with this policy.
  • Partners: Expected to align with safeguarding principles and appoint a designated staff member for reporting concerns.

Guiding Principles

  • Everyone's responsibility:  All CYF members are responsible for ensuring a safe and inclusive environment and adhering to measures and practices that protect the health, well-being, and human rights of all individuals, especially the vulnerable.
  • Prevention: Implementing safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working environments, and raising awareness about safeguarding.
  • Protection: Providing policies, procedures, information, and training to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
  • Partnership: Collaborating with statutory, regulatory, and relevant organisations to address safeguarding issues.
  • Empowerment: Being person-centred and upholding the rights of adults at risk
  • Accountability: Ensuring transparency and recognising the importance of continuous learning and improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • All staff and volunteers: Required to undertake training and familiarise themselves with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
  • Trustees: Approve the Safeguarding Policy and ensure the charity's duty of care, managing risks, and protecting the organisation's reputation.
  • Directors: Integrate safeguarding into strategic plans, risk assessments, and quality assurance processes.
  • Heads of Department and Managers: Ensure their teams understand and follow safeguarding policies and access relevant training.
  • Head of Safeguarding: Acts as the Designated Person for Safeguarding, overseeing the development and quality of safeguarding activities.
  • CYF Partners: Establish their safeguarding arrangements aligned with CYF Quality Standards.

Understanding Risks

  • Unintentional Harm: May result from organisational negligence.
  • Deliberate Harm: May be caused by individuals with malicious intent.
  • Risk Management: CYF maintains a comprehensive risk register, regularly reviewed to manage associated risks.

Statement of Commitments

CYF commits to:

  1. Creating an environment where safety is a top priority and any form of unsafe behaviour or practices are not tolerated.
  2. Emphasising safeguarding measures in the recruitment process.”
  3. Ensuring staff and board members are knowledgeable in safeguarding best practices.
  4. Raising awareness of safeguarding risks.
  5. Taking appropriate action for non-compliance.
  6. Maintaining adequate insurance.
  7. Conducting due diligence on partners. 
  8. Integrating safeguarding considerations into all activities.
  9. Ensuring staff and trustees know their reporting responsibilities.
  10. Promptly addressing safeguarding concerns.
  11. Reporting incidents to external authorities when appropriate.
  12. Regularly updating privacy notices.
  13. Regular policy and practice reviews.

Reporting & Responding to Concerns

  • Recognising Signs of Abuse: Abuse can manifest as oppression, exploitation, and power manipulation of an adult at risk.
  • Reporting Concerns: Mandatory for all CYF members to report concerns confidentially.
  • Oversight: The Designated Safeguarding Officer and Safeguarding Lead Trustee oversee safeguarding matters.
  • External Reporting: Incidents reported to relevant authorities if the concern involves an adult at risk - following a risk assessment.
  • Policy Implementation: Developing strategies and tools for effective monitoring and evaluation.
  • Whistleblowing and Complaints Policy: Promotes openness and accountability.

Reporting Breaches

Any suspected or actual breaches of the safeguarding policy should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Officer. Reports can be made via email at safeguarding@codeyourfuture.io or by phone at +44 7918 693873. Confidentiality will be maintained to the highest degree possible.

Investigation Procedures

Upon receiving a report of a breach, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Initial Assessment: The Designated Safeguarding Officer will conduct an initial assessment to determine the severity and validity of the breach.
  2. Formal Investigation: If warranted, a formal investigation will be launched. This may involve gathering statements, reviewing documentation, and consulting with relevant authorities.
  3. Findings Report: A detailed report of the findings will be compiled, outlining the nature of the breach, the investigation process, and the conclusions reached.
  4. Recommendations: Appropriate actions and recommendations will be made based on the findings.

Consequences of Breaches

Consequences for breaches of the safeguarding policy may include, but are not limited to:

  • Mandatory retraining on safeguarding policies and procedures.
  • Formal warnings or reprimands.
  • Suspension or termination of employment or volunteer status.
  • Referral to external authorities, such as the police or safeguarding boards.
  • Reporting to the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Appeals Process

Individuals who are subject to disciplinary action as a result of a breach of the safeguarding policy have the right to appeal. The appeals process is as follows:

  1. Notice of Appeal: Submit a written notice of appeal to the Head of Safeguarding within 14 days of the decision.
  2. Review Panel: An independent review panel will be convened to assess the appeal.
  3. Hearing: The appellant will be given the opportunity to present their case at a hearing.
  4. Decision: The review panel will make a final decision on the appeal, which will be communicated in writing to the appellant.

Equality Statement

CYF is committed to diversity and equality, ensuring everyone accessing our services or working with us is safe, empowered, and free from abuse, irrespective of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or belief.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or prompted by changes in law, best practices, or incidents.

Other Relevant Policies

The following Code Your Future policies relate to safeguarding and welfare incidents:

Contact Information

  • Designated Safeguarding Officer: Alec McCrindle
  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer: Claire Bickley
  • Safeguarding Lead Trustee: Ieva Kajokaite
  • Email: safeguarding@codeyourfuture.io
  • Phone: +44 7918 693873

Publishing This Policy

CYF commits to ensuring this policy is accessible on its website.