Safeguarding Summary
Providing a safe and caring environment for everyone
Hannah – Designated Safeguarding Lead
Steve – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Dave Gilkerson – Safeguarding Trustee
Recognising and responding to abuse
What are the signs of child abuse?
The signs of child abuse aren’t always obvious, and a child might not feel able to tell anyone what’s happening to them. Sometimes, children don’t even realise that what’s happening to them is abuse.
Common signs
Some common signs that there may be something concerning
happening in a child’s life include:
- unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
- becoming withdrawn
- seeming anxious
- becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
- lacks social skills and has few friends, if any
- poor bond or relationship with a parent
- knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for age
- running away or going missing
- always choosing to wear clothes covering their body.
These signs don’t necessarily mean that a child is being abused, there could be other things happening in their life which are affecting their behaviour. You may also notice some concerning behaviour from adults who you know have children in their care, which makes you concerned for the child/children’s safety and wellbeing.
Types of abuse in adults:
- Domestic abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Emotional or Psychological abuse
- Financial or material abuse
- Modern slavery
- Discriminatory abuse
- Organisational abuse
- Neglect and acts of omission
- Self-neglect
Reporting concerns:
Report your concerns to Hannah Johnson or one of the other members of the safeguarding team.
To report your concerns directly to the Local Authority, call Nottinghamshire County Council on 0300 500 8080 if the adult you are concerned about lives within Nottinghamshire County boundaries. For those living in Nottingham City boundaries, call Nottingham City Council Access Duty Team for adults on 0300 1310 300 and select option 2, offices are open from 8.30am to 5pm. N.B Strict criteria must be met for referral.
Reporting a concern
Any worries, concerns or questions then contact Hannah Johnson in the first instance or contact the Safeguarding Team via the safeguarding email. In an emergency, and if the safeguarding team are unavailable, contact children’s social care and/or the Police directly and leave a message for the RCC safeguarding team. This leaflet provides an overview of the full safeguarding policy but please refer to the full policy and guidance for more information.
Christian Safeguarding Services Advice line: 0116 218 4420
Direct referrals to Children’s Social Care:
Nottinghamshire County Council’s Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 0300 500 80 90
Nottingham City Child and Family Direct Team: Tel: 0115 876 4800 or Email: [email protected]
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) – On-line reporting form via NSCP website or Tel: 01158041272
Practice guidelines for youth and children’s ministries
Behaviour Management:
Clear instruction should always be given, so that children and young people know what is expected of them. Expectations should be enforced in a consistent and positive way, with children and young people being reminded of expectations where required, and given time and responsibility to respond to these. All children and young people must be treated with respect and dignity, and must not be disciplined in a punitive manner. Our goal is to encourage children and young people to develop respect, self-control, self- confidence and sensitivity during the sessions. Group leaders should discuss persistent difficult behaviour with parents / carers in a constructive way.
Toilet trips:
Parents/carers should encourage their children to use the toilet before groups begin. A group leader may escort a child/children to the toilet and wait outside.
Physical contact
Physical touch must be related to a child’s needs and not the adult’s. Touch must therefore be age appropriate and initiated by the child and it must always be in public:
- If an infant or toddler leans against you for a story or grabs hold of your hand to go to the toilet there is no problem.
- If a small child is distressed you could ask “would you like a hug?”
- With older children / young people a high five or hug may be the way they greet people… but should be at their
instigation as others may feel very uncomfortable with this. - Any touch that could be misunderstood or misconstrued should be avoided.
First Aid
- Consideration must be given for how to respond to a child who becomes ill or needs medical attention for all activities.
- Group leaders must be familiar with any medical issues or allergies of children present at activities.
- All leaders should be familiar with the first aid facilities.
- All first aid treatment should be recorded in the accident book located with the first aid kit. Serious incidents (requiring
hospital treatment) must be reported to the DSL within 24 hours. - Parents must also be informed of any incidents or first aid given and these should be recorded on an incident form and
submitted to the safeguarding team – [email protected]
Meeting in homes
Private dwellings can raise particular issues in relation to safeguarding: for example the presence of bedrooms and bathrooms; the potential for individuals to use private spaces within the venue unobserved; and the presence of other people not part of the activity. Private dwellings can raise issues of accessibility and health and safety. Private dwellings can also raise issues around maintaining professional and personal boundaries for children’s, family and youth workers and ministers among others. Therefore, any activity that is part of the life of the church which is hosted in private dwellings or and their gardens or outbuildings, (for example a home group, children’s group, youth group, coffee morning etc) comes under the church’s Safeguarding Policy. Whoever is responsible for the activity needs to know, understand and comply with this policy, and ensure the steps below are in place:
- A separate risk assessment is required for all venues and activities. This needs to include, health and safety
and safeguarding risks for those who live in the dwelling and those visiting for the activity. - Whoever is responsible for the activities must have the appropriate level of safeguarding training if under 18s
or adults at risk are involved.
Photo & Videos
- Parents’ permission should always be sought in advance (usually on consent forms).
- Photos should not be stored on personal computers / phones and should not be uploaded to social media.
What to do:
- Set a good example
- Praise good behaviour
- Look for the positives – encourage good behaviour
- Instruct wanted behaviours
- Instead of saying ‘Don’t…’ or ‘Stop…’, tell the children what you want them to do.