Safeguarding At Contact, we take safeguarding very seriously and believe that protecting people from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Contact is committed to promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults across the UK, protecting them from abuse or neglect, whether they are receiving services from us, are Contact staff and volunteers, or anyone else we meet through our work. Policy strategy Contact believes that all children and young people and vulnerable adults deserve to live happy, safe, and secure lives, and should be protected from abuse, harm, or neglect. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and vulnerable adults to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects and safeguards children, young people and vulnerable adults. We acknowledge our responsibilities to those who fall under statutory safeguarding definitions. Our safeguarding policies outline the practice and procedures for paid and voluntary staff in Contact so that they can contribute to the prevention of abuse of children, young people, and vulnerable adults through raising awareness and providing a clear framework for action when abuse is suspected. Our safeguarding policies are reviewed annually and are available on request. Please email info@contact.org.uk Our responsibilities are: To notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is identified or suspected. To support and if necessary help secure the safety of individuals and ensure that all referrals to services have full information in relation to identified risk and vulnerability. To check volunteers and employees who have access to or work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults through the official criminal record checking procedures. To ensure all staff and volunteers are aware of the relevant safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures for raising safeguarding concerns. To ensure that staff who are in regular contact or who provide services to parents of disabled children have had adequate training. Responsibilities of Contact employees and volunteers To be familiar with the safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adult’s policies and procedures. To take appropriate action in line with the safeguarding policies. To promote the principles and good practice to other voluntary organisations. To undertake mandatory safeguarding training. To declare any existing or subsequent convictions. Failure to do so will be regarded as gross misconduct, possibly resulting in dismissal. Accountability Contact’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. The Director of Family Support is the senior individual accountable for all aspects of safeguarding across the organisation, including a strong culture of safeguarding. The Designated Safeguarding Officers support the workforce to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns. The safeguarding team are responsible for giving safeguarding advice and guidance across the organisation. To request copies of Contact’s safeguarding children and safeguarding vulnerable adults policies, please email info@contact.org.uk