Child Safety Policy

.1.       Policy Statement

 Quality Heating Services Limited recognises that all children have a right to protection from abuse and is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. The policy applies to all staff who act on behalf of the organisation and who come directly into contact with children. The policy is based on the following principles:

·         The welfare of the children is paramount;

·         All children without exception have the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs;

·         All concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately;

·         Every member of staff who during their work have any kind of contact (direct or indirect) with children and their families has a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children;

·         A commitment to safe recruitment, selection and vetting;

 2.       Definitions of Abuse

 The term ‘child abuse’ is a generic term encompassing all maltreatment of children. Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. Abuse can happen to a young person regardless of their age, gender, race or ability.

·         Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

·         Emotional abuse is the regular emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.

·         Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

·        Neglect is the deliberate and persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.

 3.       Policy Aims

 We will aim to safeguard children by:

·         Adopting children protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff;

·         Safe recruitment, selection and vetting procedures that include checks into the eligibility and the suitability of all staff who have direct or indirect contact with children;

·         All staff or contractors will be appropriately trained and managed to ensure their skills and knowledge match the level of contact they have with children through their work;

·         All members of staff that come into contact of any member of the public will subject to a DBS check.

·         We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice regularly.

 4.       Action to be taken

·         It is the duty of all members of staff (including contractors) to be vigilant and watch out for any indications of child abuse. Any member of staff who knows or suspects that abuse may be happening should report their suspicions immediately to their Contract Manager who is nominated by Quality Heating Services Limited to act on their behalf in referring allegations of suspicions of neglect or abuse to the statutory authorities.

·         Suspicions should not be discussed with anyone, other than the persons named above.

·         All incidents should be reported immediately.

·         If the situation is an emergency (i.e. where the immediate safety of a child is at risk) then staff members should call for assistance immediately (by calling 999 and/ or getting help from another responsible adult) and intervene to protect the child from further harm if it is safe and possible to do so.

·         On discovery of, or suspicion of, abuse staff should inform the person in charge or their Contract Manager who will decide on the course of action to be taken.

·         All reports of abuse should immediately be investigated and acted upon by the person in charge. All cases will be referred to social services without delay by the Manager. In situations where there is evidence of a criminal act the case should be reported immediately to the police.

·         All staff should ensure that they co-operate with police or social services investigations.

·         All facts, incidents, assessments and discussions related to the suspicions should be recorded clearly and accurately.