Groundbreakers recognises that the welfare of the child/young person is paramount and takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children and young people with whom it comes into contact.
When working in school, Groundbreakers staff (which includes both paid and voluntary staff) will familiarise themselves with and adhere to the school’s safeguarding policies and procedures as well as our own. If a disclosure is made on school premises, Groundbreakers staff will liaise with the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead as well as Groundbreaker’s safeguarding co-ordinator. Members of school staff should be present in lessons and collective worship at all times, and while they continue to have overall responsibility for safety and discipline, Groundbreakers staff will support this by their safe working practices and vigilance.
Groundbreakers adopts the definition of Safeguarding as stated in the Department of Education’s ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ guidance:
- protecting children from maltreatment
- preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
- ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe. No single practitioner can have a full picture of a child’s needs and circumstances and, if children and families are to receive the right help at the right time, everyone who comes into contact with them has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.
Safeguarding Principles
Groundbreakers recognises that:
- The welfare of the child or young person is paramount
- All children (regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity) have a right to equal protection from all types of harm and abuse
- Working in partnership with schools, churches and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
In our activities Groundbreakers will:
- Value, listen to and respect children and young people
- Foster and encourage best practice by setting standards for working with children and young people in co-operation with schools, churches, voluntary agencies and other faith communities.
Safeguarding Co-ordinator: Dave Butt (Volunteer)
Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding: Ann Flatman
