Safeguarding Children & Adults Policy

This policy sets out how SEN Families Unite CIC protects children, young people and adults from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and how we respond appropriately when concerns arise. We recognise that everyone who works with or on behalf of the organisation shares responsibility for keeping people safe.

This policy applies to all services and activities delivered by SEN Families Unite CIC and to all interactions with children, young people, adults and families. It applies to committee members, staff, volunteers and anyone representing the organisation.

We work within the relevant legislation and statutory guidance, including:

• Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory guidance)
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Care Act 2014
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Equality Act 2010
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
• Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent duty)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education, where applicable

Abuse can take many forms and may include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Exploitation
• Online abuse

Abuse may be a single act or repeated over time, and may occur in any setting, including online and within families or trusted relationships.

Everyone involved with SEN Families Unite CIC is expected to:

• Treat the welfare of children and adults at risk as the highest priority
• Be alert to signs that someone may be at risk of harm
• Act promptly on any concern rather than assuming someone else will
• Record concerns accurately, factually and without delay
• Follow this policy and any instructions given by the appropriate safeguarding authority

Disclosures are always taken seriously. If someone tells us they are being harmed, or we have reason to believe they may be, we will:

• Listen carefully, calmly and without judgement
• Avoid leading questions or promising to keep the information secret
• Reassure the person that they were right to speak up
• Record what was said as soon as possible, using the person's own words where we can
• Take steps to keep the person safe and seek immediate help where there is danger

Concerns are reported to the appropriate safeguarding authority when required. Where there is a risk of significant harm, we may contact the relevant local Children's Services safeguarding team, the local Adult Safeguarding Team, or the emergency services.

If you are worried about a child or adult in connection with our work, please contact us at senfamiliesunite@senfamiliesunite.uk. If someone is in immediate danger, always call the emergency services first.

Safeguarding concerns will not be ignored.

Safeguarding information is handled sensitively and shared only with those who need to know in order to protect the person concerned. Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where a child or adult may be at risk of harm: in those circumstances, relevant information may be shared with the appropriate authorities, in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We seek to reduce risk through safer working practices, including:

• Appropriate recruitment and induction of those working with children and adults at risk
• Clear expectations of conduct and professional boundaries
• Avoiding unnecessary unsupervised one-to-one contact
• Considering safety when planning activities, venues and online spaces
• Encouraging an open culture where concerns can be raised without fear

This policy is reviewed periodically and updated when our practice, our services or the relevant law changes. Review and approval details are recorded internally by SEN Families Unite CIC and can be requested by emailing us.