1. Introduction and purpose

This policy sets out how Mind Over Matter Arts CIC operates to keep adults at risk of abuse or neglect and children safe from abuse.

The policy is about stopping abuse where it is happening and preventing abuse where there is a risk that it may occur.

We have a Duty of Care to our volunteers and service users. We are committed to the protection and safety of adults at risk and children whether they are volunteers and/or participants in our activities. We will protect and support the volunteers who work with us as well as users of our services.

All citizens of the United Kingdom have their rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. Children’s legislation includes the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. For our safeguarding policy to be effective everyone involved with our organisation will play their part in keeping people safe.

2. Terminology

This policy applies both to children and young people, and adults at risk. 

2.1. Children & Young People

The Children’s Act, 1989 defines a child or young person as being up to the age of 18 years old. Extensions of this exist for children who have special needs and for those in local authority care settings. In legislation and for the purposes of this policy the term ‘child’ shall be used.

2.2. Adults at Risk 

An adult at risk is a person who is 18 years of age or over, and who is, or may be, in need of community care services by reason of mental or physical disability, age or illness, including mental illness, and who is or may be unable to take care of him/herself, or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm or serious exploitation. This includes those living with mental illness.

The Care Act 2014 provided a legal footing for adult safeguarding: it sets out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the system should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect. This is in addition to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Human Rights Act 1998.

2.3. Concern and Types of Abuse 

For the purposes of this policy ‘concern’ may include abuse and welfare. 

Abuse is any behaviour towards a child, young person or adult at risk which has a serious and negative effect on their emotions, behaviour or development, or which physically harms them. It has 10 forms:

• Physical abuse
• Domestic violence or abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse
• Financial or material abuse
• Modern slavery
• Discriminatory abuse
• Organisational or institutional abuse
• Neglect or acts of omission
• Self-neglect

Abuse may manifest itself through self-harm (though this is not the only cause of self-harm) and is not limited to harm done by another party.

Concerns about the general welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk may arise and may include but are not limited to:

• a specific incident
• a pattern or behaviour
• a deteriorating set of symptoms

3. Persons affected by this policy

• All staff, including volunteers
• All visitors and external partners

4. Our Policy

• Mind Over Matter Arts CIC has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.

• There are no excuses for not taking all reasonable action to protect adults at risk and children from abuse, exploitation, radicalisation and mistreatment.

• Mind Over Matter Arts CIC recognises that under the Care Act 2014 it has a duty for the care and protection of adults who are at risk of abuse. It is committed to promoting wellbeing, harm prevention and to responding effectively if concerns are raised.

• The welfare of the child and/ or adult at risk is paramount and all adults have the right to protection from abuse.

• We are committed to working with appropriate local authority agencies including Southwark Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Southwark Adult Social Care and Safeguarding Southwark (including Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership and Southwark Safeguarding Adults Board)

• We are committed to working with other appropriate local agencies such as the police and health services to ensure the reporting of abuse is appropriate and in line with local and national requirements

• We will create an environment where everyone feels able to raise safeguarding concerns and feel supported with their safeguarding responsibilities

• All volunteers and staff are given an induction to the organisation; which includes awareness of their safeguarding responsibilities and procedures to be followed if they have a safeguarding concern

• Appropriate Safeguarding training is provided to volunteers and staff as part of their induction; and have a safeguarding refresher course every three years.

• All volunteers and staff are required to report any suspected abuse and be aware of the appropriate reporting and support procedure for safeguarding including the reporting of people at risk of radicalisation and extremism.

• All volunteers and staff must be clear on appropriate behaviour and responses and follow our agreed Code of Conduct / Behaviour. Where appropriate, failure to maintain standards will be dealt with using Mind Over Matter Arts CIC Procedures.

• All volunteers and staff who come into contact with adults at risk of abuse, and children and their families as part of their duties will be alert to possible signs of abuse and consider whether there may be safeguarding concerns.

• Appropriate recruitment of volunteers and staff is in place including policies on when to obtain a DBS check

• A senior board level member will have leadership responsibility for Mind Over Matter Arts CIC’s safeguarding arrangements

• This policy will be reviewed annually by the Board.

Date: 01/11/2022

Review Date: 01/11/2023

CONTACT DETAILS:

Safeguarding Lead: Anna Sinski

Email: anna.m.sinski@gmail.com

Tel: +44 7376041102