Safeguarding Policy

Any pressing concerns about implementation of this policy should be followed up promptly with one or both of the following:

• WEAct’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, by emailing hello@wokingenvironmentaction.com  for their attention
• the Surrey Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.

POLICY STATEMENT

WEAct recognises that the welfare of the individual is paramount and that some individuals are more vulnerable to harm, e.g. as a result of circumstances, prior experiences, communication needs or level of dependency.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, to keeping them safe and to working in a way that protects them. We expect all involved with WEAct, including parents and carers, to share this commitment; preventing the abuse or neglect of children and vulnerable adults in our activities and to report any abuse or neglect discovered or suspected.

PRACTICE

We will seek to keep children, vulnerable adults and other participants in WEAct activities, as well as volunteers at WEAct, safe by:

• Valuing, listening to and respecting them
• Doing all we can to ensure any allegations, disclosures, incidents, near misses or behaviour that might flag up safeguarding concerns inside or outside our activities are appropriately identified, investigated and acted upon
• Ensuring that there is a Designated Safeguarding Lead (at WEAct Board level) who is safeguarding-trained and able to deal with any issues raised regarding safeguarding. If this person leaves the Board then a replacement appointment will be made and training arranged (if needed) within 3 months
• Ensuring that any deficiencies or weaknesses in our safeguarding arrangements, once identified, are remedied without delay and that poor practice is challenged and change is effected
• Ensuring that there is an open policy on reporting anything suspicious
• Recruiting volunteers safely, ensuring that the necessary checks are made, including of references. Note that WEAct does not currently have, or expect to have, any regulated activities which would require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check 
• Providing all necessary induction and further training for volunteers so that they fully understand their roles, responsibilities and procedures for safeguarding
• Recording and storing personal information in accordance with data protection laws
• Sharing concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, involving the individuals and their support networks as appropriate
• Managing any allegations against volunteers appropriately
• Creating and maintaining a positive peer support and anti-bullying environment to help us deal effectively with any actual or perceived bullying that might arise
• Not tolerating any discrimination
• Having a no photo policy:
  • No photos will be taken or published of any child or vulnerable adult attending a WEAct event or activity unless prior written permission is sought from a person with parental responsibility
  • Any concerns regarding the taking of such photos should be raised with a member of the WEAct Board / team immediately
• Providing effective management for volunteers through support, training and the implementation of policies to provide a safe, fair and positive work environment for volunteering
• Ensuring that we have effective complaints, disciplinary, grievance and whistleblowing procedures in place
• Ensuring the adoption of lone-working procedures
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our participants and volunteers by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance, and by ensuring that all first-aid training and equipment is kept up-to-date
• Providing guidance on avoiding situations where a volunteer’s actions may be misunderstood (e.g., protecting children, adults and volunteers from false allegations).