Safeguarding policy

At Scope we take safeguarding seriously and believe that protecting people from harm is everyone’s responsibility. The following has been agreed as Scope’s corporate statement on its commitment.

Policy statement

"Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Scope is committed to promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults protecting them from abuse or neglect, whether they are receiving services from us, are Scope staff and volunteers, or anyone else we meet through our work.”

Scope acknowledges its responsibilities to those who fall under statutory safeguarding definitions.

Purpose

This policy is to protect anyone that we become aware of, who is at risk of abuse or neglect. This is not restricted to those we have a legal responsibility or duty of care towards. In this policy, we describe:

• responsibilities for safeguarding
• responding to or reporting concerns
• our commitment to safeguarding

Definitions

Safeguarding

Safeguarding means protecting peoples’ health, wellbeing and human rights. It enables people to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. Safeguarding means taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm or abuse occurring. To protect from that harm. And respond appropriately when harm does occur.

Child

A child is anyone under 18 years old. A Child becomes an adult on the day of their 18th birthday.

Adult at risk

The Care Act (2014) describes an adult at risk as anyone over 18 years who:

• has care and support needs (even if these are not met)
• and is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
• and is unable to protect themselves.

Workforce

Workforce refers to all staff and volunteers a Scope. This includes:

• employed staff
• unpaid staff or volunteers
• those on full, part time, temporary and zero hours contracts
• casual workers

Our workforce may work:

• in the Scope office
• our retail shops
• at events
• on the telephone and online

Safeguarding children

Under Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) we have a responsibility to all children in contact with our workforce. It states that our workforce must:

• recognise and respond to any concerns of a child being neglected or abused
• share information internally and to external agencies to keep children safe.
• The local authority where the child is located must:
• respond to concerns of abuse or neglect
• investigate these in time

Safeguarding adults

Under the Care Act (2014) we must work together to promote wellbeing and prevent risk of abuse and neglect.

The law says the local authority where the adult resides must:

• investigate, and
• if needed, act to protect the individual

At Scope, if we have a concern about anyone over 18. We treat them as an ‘adult at risk’, while paying careful consideration to their wishes and rights.

Expectation of our workforce

Training and compliance

Our workforce is expected to:

• complete the mandatory safeguarding training and attend refresher sessions
• adhere to this policy
• contribute to creating an environment that promotes wellbeing and reduces the risk of harm
• Value, listen and respect everyone they come in to contact with

Acting on concerns

If any of our workforce have concerns about customers, colleagues, or volunteers, we expect them to:

1. identify the concern
2. respond to and report their concerns
3. follow our safeguarding procedures and maintain appropriate boundaries

Accountability for Safeguarding

Trustees

Scope’s Board of Trustees are accountable for ensuring that the organisation has appropriate structure, processes, and resources in place to ensure safeguarding is central to everything it does. The board also monitor compliance.

Chief Executive

The Chief Executive is the senior individual accountable for all aspects of safeguarding across the organisation, including a strong culture of safeguarding.

Executive Leadership Team (ELT)

Each member of ELT is accountable for embedding safeguarding in their directorate. This includes making sure that employees are adequately trained.

Head of Safeguarding

The Head of Safeguarding is strategically and operationally accountable for safeguarding across Scope. They are accountable for making sure safeguarding policy and practice is developed, implemented, managed, and monitored.

Safeguarding team

The safeguarding team are responsible for giving expert safeguarding advice and guidance across the organisation. They are also responsible for ensuring safeguarding training is available and can be accessed by all staff.

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Designated Safeguarding Leads support the workforce to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns. They are designated to a department.

Investigating your concerns

We will put your needs first and respect your experiences as genuine. We will listen and treat you with dignity.

We will fully investigate any reported concerns. Including:

• recent incidents
• incidents from the past
• incidents you may have been involved in or witness to.

If you have concerns about someone using our services or activities. Or, if you have concerns about non-recent abuse or neglect (incidents before May 2018). Please contact the safeguarding team. Details below.