Our safeguarding policy
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Clifftop Projects. Currently Lottie Barker and freelance associates.
All freelance associates will be required to read and sign that they have read this policy before beginning work with the company. If they are to work with young people they will also complete the online NSPCC course in Child Protection in Scotland.
Our designated Child Protection Officer is: Lottie Barker.
The purpose of this policy is:
To protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who receive Clifftop Projects’ services.
To provide overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
Clifftop Projects believes that people should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Children and Young People (Scotland) Act (2014)
Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act (2007)
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018)
Equality Act (2010)
Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC)
We recognize that:
Everyone has the right to express their views on matters that affect them.
All children and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial
heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal
protection from all types of harm or abuse.
Some people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep young people and vulnerable adults safe by:
Valuing them, listening to and respecting them.
Adopting child protection policies through procedures.
Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents, carers
and children appropriately.
Ensuring all employees/freelancers sign our Code of Conduct policy.
Ensuring all employees/freelancers who work with young people complete
NSPCC online safeguarding training.
Ensuring all employees/freelancers receive additional training if requested.
Making sure staff are aware of the whistleblowing policy if they feel an incident
or concern cannot be reported to their manager.
Ensure that staff normally work alongside another unrelated member of staff
(including family, dating, spouses, etc).
Ensuring we always have a minimum two members of staff present at activities
and do not allow lone working.
We will ensure that Clifftop Projects applies for PVG Scheme membership for all employees & freelancers or views their PVG scheme disclosure (Existing) in line with Disclosure Scotland legislation.
Process if a young person/vulnerable adult raises a complaint:
Lottie Barker (Child Protection Officer for the company) to be informed in writing immediately.
Meeting organised with participant and responsible adult if appropriate.
Local Social Work Authorities contacted if concern level raised:
0141 562 8800
Out of Hours - 0300 343 1505
The Police should be contacted and the member of staff/freelances stay with the
young person/vulnerable adult if they are worried for their immediate safety.
Disciplinary meeting if complaint is about member of staff/freelancer.
All details reported to The Board and kept on file.
Breaches of Policy
Failure to comply with our safeguarding policy or Code Of Conduct may be managed in a number of ways, depending on the nature and consequences of any incident. In some cases a combination of responses may be required.
Local authority co-ordinated safeguarding investigation
Police investigation
Referral to Disclosure Scotland
Internal review by Artistic Director and Board.
We are committed to reviewing this policy and good practice annually.