Safeguarding Policy
HDM safeguarding policy for adults, children, online and trustees and volunteers:
1. Guidance and procedure on Safeguarding children or adults at risk and operating online
Whenever HDM works with children or adults at risk, either online or in person, the charity will:
Establish that all trustees/ volunteers/ staff follow our safeguarding policies and procedures that are written aligned with the national guidelines.
Make sure all trustees and volunteers receive regular updates on child protection or working with adults at risk
Appoint a safeguarding lead to create a plan for responding to concerns and work with local authority safeguarding board whenever required.
Manage concerns, complaints, whistleblowing and allegations relating to child protection or adults at risk effectively
Have clear policies when DBS checks are required, how HDM assess the level of check needed and how HDM handles the information
HDM will follow relevant legislation and national guidance and local authority safeguarding children or adult policies
1.1 Safeguarding children
HDM takes responsibility of applying Safeguarding Children duties when working with, or coming into contact with, anyone under the age of 18 and will follow standards from the NSPCC.
The charity will ensure
protect children from abuse and maltreatment
prevent harm to children’s health or development
ensure children get the provision of safe and effective care when in contact with HDM.
take action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes when interacting/ growing/ participating with HDM. To deliver these, the charity will have a procedure in place which incorporates
vigilance: to have adults notice when things are troubling them
understanding and action: to understand what is happening; to be heard and understood; and to have that understanding acted upon
stability: to be able to develop an ongoing stable relationship of trust with those helping them
respect: to be treated with the expectation that they are competent rather than not
information and engagement: to be informed about and involved in procedures, decisions, concerns and plans
explanation: to be informed of the outcome of assessments and decisions and reasons when their views have not met with a positive response
support: to be provided with support in their own right as well as a member of their family
advocacy: to be provided with advocacy to assist them in putting forward their views
protection: to be protected against all forms of abuse and discrimination and the right to special protection and help if a refugee.
HDM will adhere to and follow:
1.2 Safeguarding Adults at Risk:
HDM may have trustees, staff, volunteers, beneficiaries or other connections who are classed as adults at risk. Safeguarding adults at risk means protecting their right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect.
Safeguarding duties for adults at risk apply to us as a charity when we are working with anyone aged 18 or over who:
has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and
is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and
as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect
An adult at risk of abuse may:
have an illness affecting their mental or physical health
have a learning disability
suffer from drug or alcohol problems
be frail
HDM will ensure that their procedures are aligned with care Act and care and support statutory guidance. The charity will work as recommended in the national guidance below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-statutory-guidance/care-and-support-statutory-guidance
1.3 Operating online
Operating online carries specific safeguarding risks connected to protecting people from abuse and protecting sensitive information. HDM will ensure these are managed and reflected in our policies and practices.
Content: The charity will have adequate control over its website and social media accounts. A responsible trustee will monitor who can post information and the suitability of all content posted.
Contact: Will have a procedure to access communication with the charity, how do volunteers/ people talk to each other when using HDM online service and it will be monitored keep users safe. A responsible trustee will have authority to review content and if the content is objectionable or damaging to a person or the charity, then the content will be removed in discussion with other trustees.
Conduct: A responsible trustee and other trustees will monitor what people do, say and share when using HDM services, and whether adhering to the code of conduct prescribed for members and trustees prescribed in the HDM constitution.
A responsible trustee for online services has be satisfied that the charity identifies and manages risks:
and is confident that volunteers, staff and trustees understand how to keep themselves safe online. HDM could use high privacy settings and password access to meetings to support this
is assured that the online services HFM provides are suitable for your users. Such as have age restrictions and offer password protection to help keep people safe
will know the services the charity uses and provides are safe and in line with HDM charity’s code of conduct
will ensure protecting people’s personal data and follow GDPR legislation
will make sure people have permission to display any images on the website or social media accounts. Charity may need individual or parental permission
Will make sure that the charity has a process which clearly explain how users can report online concerns
The charity will work as per the recommended national guidance and recommendation made in
1. Helping parents keep their children safe online: https://www.internetmatters.org/
2. Guidelines for charities: https://www.getsafeonline.org/business/articles/guidelines-for-charities/
2. Checks on trustees, staff and volunteers
HDM will make sure that trustees, staff and volunteers are suitable and legally able to act in their positions.
2.1 Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) – criminal records check
The charity will consider whether to use DBS checks as part of our wide range of checks on trustees, staff and volunteers. They will be used alongside references and interactions to give the charity a broad and informed view to manage the risk of abuse or harm. Trustees will review what checks are needed as the charity evolves or individual roles change.
Some roles are eligible for standard or enhanced level DBS checks, such as those working:
trustee responsible with children or adults at risk in certain circumstances
trustee or a role responsible for maintaining HDM’s accountancy/finance.
Trustees will risk assess all roles taking into account the working environment to determine if they are eligible for a check and if so, at what level. Not all roles working with children or adults at risk are eligible for a standard or enhanced check. HDM will get a basic check if the risk assessment determines it’s appropriate.
2.2 Protect volunteers and staff
HDM will have policies and procedures on:
bullying and harassment
whistleblowing
HDM will ensure to have adequate insurance which covers the individuals and the activities involved.
Designated Safeguarding Contact
Name: Mr Satyajit Dey (Lead Trustee Safeguarding – Adults and Children)
Contact: safeguarding.hdm@gmail.com, +44 7894144699
