The Albion Foundation Safeguarding Policy Statement
Due to the nature of the work undertaken by The Albion Foundation (TAF), it is required by law to have in place a robust safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the protection of children, young people and adults at risk. To ensure that The Albion Foundation meets that duty and as part of a proactive, integrated and consistent approach to safeguarding the organisation has developed a Safeguarding Handbook.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, maltreatment, neglect, harms and/or exploitation. Through The Albion Foundation setting up and following good safeguarding policies and procedures, it means that children, young people and adults at risk, that come into contact with our organisation are protected from those that might pose a risk. All organisations that work with (or come into contact with) children, young people and adults at risk are required to have safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that everyone, regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity can be protected from harm.
The Albion Foundation’s Safeguarding Ethos
The Albion Foundation will always seek to provide protection to any person that receives our services. To this end TAF will provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a person may be experiencing or be at risk of harm. The Albion Foundation believes that no one should ever experience abuse of any kind. The Albion Foundation have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk to keep them safe. The Albion Foundation are committed to work in a way that protects them, This Safeguarding Policy Statement applies to everyone that comes into contact with The Albion Foundation including as applicable, the Board of Directors & Executive Team, Senior Managers, Staff, Agency Staff, Contractors, Suppliers, Volunteers, Students on work experience, as well as anyone else working on behalf of The Albion Foundation. This policy also applies to any other person that engages with the work of The Albion Foundation and includes parents, carers, families and other visitors to The Albion Foundation premises.
Safeguarding at The Albion Foundation
The Albion Foundation places the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk as its prime focus and has developed full safeguarding policies and procedures. To underpin the approach, The Albion Foundation ensures all of its management team, staff members, volunteers have been fully trained in safeguarding to enable the organisation to live and breathe its approach. In developing The Albion Foundation’s safeguarding policies and procedures, the organisation has adopted the following three – part safeguarding strategy which focuses on:
- Getting the right people involved with The Albion Foundation
This is achieved through adherence to The Albion Foundation Safer Recruitment Policies and Procedures.
- Creating a safe environment for children, young people and adults at risk
This is achieved by providing all the required safeguarding training, support and best practice advice and further guidance by the effective communications of The Albion Foundation’s Codes of Conduct.
- Promoting clear systems to deal with any safeguarding concerns
This is achieved through implementation of all Albion Foundation policies and procedures relating to safeguarding.
A full copy of The Albion Foundation’s Safeguarding Handbook is available by speaking with or contacting The Albion Foundation person responsible for safeguarding
Any person with a safeguarding concern or compliant or who requires safeguarding support and advice should not hesitate to contact the appropriate member of The Albion Foundation’s designated Safeguarding Team as detailed below.
Lisa Reynolds – Head of Safeguarding
lisa.reynolds@wbafc.co.uk | 0796 647 8941
Andrew Wheeler – Safeguarding Manager
andy.wheeler@wbafc.co.uk | 07816 126120
If you are worried about the immediate safety or welfare of a child, young person or adult at risk you can also contact:
Police/Ambulance: 999
Childline: 0800 1111
Contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (free service, lines open 24 hours a day). They will listen to your concerns, offer advice and support and can take action on your behalf if a child is in danger. You can also report concerns anonymously. For further information or to report your concerns online visit: www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/report-abuse/
Sandwell Safeguarding Team on 0121 569 3100
If you have concerns regarding someone who works with a child these should be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). This applies to all paid, unpaid, volunteers, casual, agency employees or anyone working in a self-employed capacity.
What must be reported?
As outlined in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ the LADO must be informed of all allegations against adults who work with children.
The LADO should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child
- possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
If you wish to make contact with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
Please call 0121 569 4770