Techtivity Bridgend
Safeguarding children policy and procedures 
Techtivity Bridgend acknowledges that children are the most vulnerable group in society. They have no rights to vote or formal avenues to exercise power. Therefore, adults in positions of responsibility and authority have a duty to ensure that the rights of children and young people are represented and protected. The welfare of the child is paramount.
This policy recognises and reflects
•	The UN Convention of the Child
•	The Children Act 1989
•	All Wales Child Protection Procedures
•	Safe from Harm: a Code of Practice for Safeguarding the Welfare of Children in Voluntary Organisations in England and Wales

What is Child Abuse?
The Children Act refers to significant harm and defines harm. From this, the following definition is constructed.
An abused child is a person under the age of 18 years who is suffering significant ill treatment which results in the significant impairment of physical or mental health or of physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development.
A child in need of protection is a child who is suffering from or is likely to suffer significant harm. Case law defines the word likely as meaning
	A real possibility of abuse, this being supported by factual evidence.
This could include a child not yet born who may be at risk of future harm.

Categories of Child Abuse
The main categories are:
•	Neglect
This means persistent or severe neglect or the failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, including cold and starvation or extreme failure to carry out important aspects of care, resulting in the significant impairment of the child’s health or development.
•	Physical Injury
This means actual or likely injury to a child or failure to prevent physical injury (or suffering) to a child. It includes deliberate poisoning, suffocation and Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy.
 •	Sexual Abuse
This means actual or likely sexual exploitation of a child or adolescent. The child may be dependent and/or developmentally immature.
•	Emotional Abuse
Actual or likely severe adverse effect on the emotional and behavioural development of a child caused by persistent or severe emotional ill-treatment or rejection. All abuse involves some emotional ill-treatment. This category is used where it is the main or sole form of abuse.
•	Abuse of Trust
A relationship of trust can be described as one in which one party is in a position of power or influence over the other by virtue of their work or the nature of their activity.
The individual in the position of trust may have the power to confer advancement or failure. The relationship may be distorted by fear or favour.
Techtivity Bridgend believes that where there is a relationship of trust, allowing that relationship to develop into a sexual relationship is wrong. In this case, a sexual activity is defined as any activity that would normally be recognised as sexual in all circumstances without knowledge of the intentions of the parties involved. Obvious examples include sexual intercourse, oral sex and masturbation.

Recognising child abuse
It is very important that any trustee, member or volunteer with the organisation should be alert to the possible indicators of abuse. Anyone who knows or is concerned about or suspects that a child is being harmed or at risk from being harmed must pass on those concerns. Contact details are listed at the end of this policy. 

What signs to look for
•	Frequent or repeated injuries
•	Very low self-esteem
•	Fearful and withdrawn behaviour
•	An adult who has unrealistic expectations of a child
•	Failure to thrive and meet developmental milestones 

Procedures
If someone tells you that they or another child or young person is being abused:
•	Show that you have heard what they are saying, and that you take their allegations seriously.
•	Encourage the child to talk, but don’t prompt them or ask leading questions. Don’t interrupt when the child is recalling significant events. Don’t make the child repeat their account.
•	Explain what you have to do next in a way that is appropriate to the age and understanding of the child.
•	Do not promise to keep what you have been told secret, as you have a responsibility to disclose information to those who need to know. Reporting concerns is not a betrayal of trust.
•	Write down what has been told using the exact words if possible.
•	Make a note of the date, time and place and people who were present at the discussion.

What you must do next:
•	Report your concerns to the trustee in Techtivity Bridgend with designated responsibility for child protection immediately:
 Leanne Toy.  Tel: 01656 782269, or 07942868035
Or the deputy designated person:
Siobhan Davies. Tel 01656451302 or 
If neither of the above are contactable, the third person to refer to is:
Caroline Cleary. 

•	Ensure that your concerns are immediately reported to the duty social worker at the local office. Do not delay. Contact details are at the end of this policy.
•	Do not confront the alleged abuser.
•	Do not worry that you may be mistaken. You will always be taken seriously by Social Services. It is better to have discussed it with somebody with the experience and responsibility to make an assessment.
 If you suspect a senior member of the organisation then ring one of the  independent contacts listed at the end of this policy 
Do not worry about making a mistake.

Permissions
Parents, carers, children and young people will be asked specifically to give or deny permissions in the membership application form for photographic images of their child/ren. Trustees and volunteers will have regard to this.

Code of behaviour
Trustees and volunteers have the same duty of care to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm. This applies to all the organisation’s activities and events. Trustees and volunteers are expected to demonstrate appropriate behaviour as a person associated with FYDTC at all times. They must ensure that their own behaviour does not cause a child or young person distress or to be misinterpreted by others. These guidelines will help ensure that neither of these things can happen.

•	Use appropriate language when working in an environment where children or young people are likely to hear e.g. no swearing, no explicit talk of sexual acts or violent behaviour.

•	It is a strict rule that no one is to come to events, activities or meetings intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances. If there are any obvious signs that this is the case you will be asked leave for the remainder of the day.

•	Respect the children and young people - do not use condescending language, humiliate them or use inappropriate innuendos.

•	When greeting children and young people be very mindful of having only limited and socially appropriate physical contact with them.

•	You must not be alone with a child or young person unless you have a completed DBS check for TECHTIVITY.

•	When a child or young person is distressed be especially mindful to have only limited and socially appropriate physical contact with them.

•	If the need ever arises to administer discipline to them you should not shout at them, talking to them sternly is enough. You should never hit, grab or be forceful with children under any circumstances. 

To minimize the risk of misinterpretation of your behaviour
 Sometimes false accusations are made and therefore it doesn’t make sense to 
•	Spend an excessive length of time with one child away from other people and/or close doors to rooms when with an individual. See above  - you must not be alone with a child or young person unless you have a completed DBS check for TECHTIVITY 
•	Take a child or young person on a car journey with less than 2 adults, however short, (if its unavoidable, use a mobile phone/ask another person to time your journey, and back)
•	Take children or young people to your home
•	Engage in horseplay, rough physical games except in structured sport
•	Allow or engage in inappropriate touching, tickling
•	Allow children or young people to use inappropriate suggestive language unchallenged
•	Make suggestive remarks or tease, even in fun
•	Do things of a personal nature that the child or young person can do for him/her self
•	Do not exchange gifts with children or young people in a preferential or exclusive manner
Volunteers do not take children or young people to the toilet. Parents may only take their own child/ren to the toilet.

Discipline 

When working in an environment where children or young people are present, it is essential that these procedures are followed when dealing with unacceptable and disruptive behaviour.

•	Keep calm. Remember it is the behaviour that is unacceptable – not the child or young person.

•	Explain to the child or young person why their behaviour is unacceptable and ask them not to do it again.

•	If the child or young person carries on displaying unacceptable behaviour warn them that if they continue to be disruptive, they will be asked to leave.

•	If the behaviour still does not improve contact the parents or carer and explain the situation requesting that they remove the child or young person.

Responsibility within Techtivity
It is the responsibility of all trustees, members, volunteers and service users of TECHTIVITY to be aware of child protection issues and this policy. TECHTIVITY recognises that a designated officer is required to ensure that good practice is maintained. To this end, TECHTIVITY has designated and DBS checked
Leanne Toy. Tel: 01656 782269/ 07953868035 as the Designated Person
Siobhan Davies. Tel 07383443955  as the Deputy Designated Person 
in their roles as trustees to take lead responsibility in child protection. This involves
•	Writing and monitoring this policy
•	Keeping up to date with legislation and other guidance on child protection
•	Keeping up to date in local procedures and processes as set out the Area Child Protection Committee Procedures and the Framework for Assessment of Children in Need and In Need of protection
•	Attending training
•	Ensuring that all trustees and volunteers know the policy and procedure and are able to access external training
•	Developing and maintaining a protocol with other voluntary agencies
•	Making referrals to the appropriate authorities if there is a disclosure, an incident or suspicion of child abuse or abuse of trust.

In order to avoid the occurrence of child abuse Techtivity  will:
•	Arrange whatever level of check is currently required and appropriate for all trustees, members and volunteers who will have direct access to children or young people
•	Ensure that each trustee and volunteer has a role description and a copy of this policy
•	Provide opportunities for training in safeguarding procedures.

Electronic communication
With the world of electronic communication changing so rapidly, it is not possible to issue guidance that covers all eventualities. However, there are general principles that Techtivity is adopting for the well-being of the children and young people. 
Trustees and volunteers should not request electronic contact details from  children or young people.
However where a young person in need or at a point of crisis uses electronic communication as a way of communicating with a trustee or volunteer:
•	significant conversations should be saved as a text file if possible, and 
•	a log kept of who and when they communicated. 
Trustees and volunteers should not share any personal information with children and young people, and should not request or respond to any personal information from the child or young person other than that which is necessary and appropriate as part of their role. 
Social networking sites
•	When trustees or volunteers communicate via social networking sites they should ensure that all of the content on the site is appropriate for children and young people to see.  
•	Where lower age limits of social networking sites apply they should be adhered to.  
•	Be aware of the content of photos that may be uploaded on to your site.  
•	Ideally all communication with children and young people should be kept within public domains. The only exception would be if the child or young person has requested help in a time of need or crisis.
•	Trustees and volunteers should ensure that all communications are transparent and open to scrutiny. Copies of communications should be retained and where possible other trustees and volunteers should be copied in on communication.
Use of images
On the TECHTIVITY  website only images taken by those people currently appropriately DBS checked and authorised in writing by the board of trustees and with the permission of the parent or carer, may be displayed. The list of these people is in the minutes of the board meetings.
The TECHTIVITY membership form will offer the opportunity to choose not to appear in such images and the photographing trustee or volunteer will have regard to this. 
Volunteers should not retain images of children and young people on their mobile phone or other electronic devices.

Staffing ratios: the minimum number of volunteers and/or trustees for any activity or event involving children or young people is always two. The following minimum ratios apply:
Age range	Minimum	
	Indoor activities	Outdoor activities	
0 -2 years	1:3	1:3	
3 years	1:4	1:4	
4 -7 years	1:8	1:6	
8 – 12 years	2 adults for up to 20 children (preferably one of each gender) with an extra adult for every 10 additional children 	2 adults for up to 15 children (preferably one of each gender) with an extra adult for every 8 additional children	
13 and over	2 adults for up to 20 children (preferably one of each gender) with an extra adult for every 10 additional children	2 adults for up to 20 children (preferably one of each gender) with an extra adult for every 10 additional children	

Please note that FYDTC prefers there to be 2 volunteers per room wherever possible.
Recruiting safely 
The definitions of regulated activity (activity which is regarded as requiring enhanced levels of checks) have been subject to change in the past and this policy recognises that these definitions may change in the future. The board will ensure that trustees and volunteers who engage in any activity deemed to be regulated at the time MUST undergo the legal checks that are required at the time before undertaking any such activity with any child or young person connected to TECHTIVITY Trustees will contact WCVA Criminal Records Unit (contact details at the end of this policy) to establish what checks are appropriate.

Guidance for trustees or volunteers attending case reviews, case conferences and court proceedings
•	A volunteer should be accompanied by a trustee. A trustee should be accompanied by a second trustee. 
•	Volunteers and trustees should prepare for the meeting and discuss which information must be shared with statutory workers
•	In certain situations a discussion with the family beforehand might be counterproductive and cause unnecessary stress to the family, resulting in increased risk to the child or young person and may be an embarrassment or liability if court proceedings are a possibility.
•	TECHTIVITY needs sufficient notice of impending reviews/case conferences here they need to become involved, this should be agreed with the appropriate agency.
•	TECHTIVITY would wish to be informed of the decisions made.

Guidance for TECHTIVITY trustees in the case of having to dismiss a trustee or volunteer.
If the activity engaged in by that person is deemed to be regulated at the time (contact WCVA CRU to establish), the board has a legal duty to inform the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) upon the dismissal of that person (or if they would have been dismissed had they not already left) because they harmed or pose a risk of harm to vulnerable groups including children. FYDTC is legally required to forward information about that person to the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is a criminal offence not to do so. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service 

Contacts
Designated Person - Leanne Toy 01656 782269/ 07943868035
Deputy Designated Person  - Siobhan Davies. Tel: 07383443955

(In their absence you should contact Liz Whittaker of Follow Your Dreams charity. Tel 01443218433)
Social Services
Child Protection Co-ordinator		01656 642356
Duty Social Worker				01656 642349
Emergency Duty Team			01443 849944
Out of office hours                                    01443 204010

Police
Family Support Unit				 01443 743743
Divisional Police				 01656 655555
Child exploitation and online protection centre -  www.ceop.police.uk/Contact-Us  
0870 000 3344
NSPCC
National Helpline				 0800 800500

Health
Pediatrician						01656 752752  
Clinical Nurse Specialist Child Protection           01656 752991

Education
Child Protection Co-ordinator                	01656 722571

WCVA Criminal Records Unit		0800 0197 391 
Email: cru@wcva.org.uk

This policy will be reviewed annually a month prior to the Annual General Meeting.

Adopted on 								Date 
Signed by trustees
Leanne Toy			   				JULY 2015.            
Siobhan Davies.                                                            UPDATED JULY 2019
Ceri Chatham
Caroline Cleary