The Lighthouse Centre Haverigg

Safeguarding Policy

The purpose of this policy is to define how the Lighthouse Centre Ltd (LCL) operates to safeguard children in order to;

  • protect them from harm.
  • provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding. 

We recognise we have a duty of care and we are committed to the protection and safety of everyone who comes into contact with our organisation; including children involved as visitors and as participants in all of our activities both on and off site. We also have a duty to safeguard and support our staff and volunteers.

The Lighthouse Centre has strong links with Haverigg Primary School and Haverigg Nursery and Clubbers and as such works alongside staff from both of these organisation to ensure the safety of children is paramount. The DSL at Haverigg School is the main point of contact for all LCL safeguarding concerns.

This policy is a fundamental part of our governance responsibilities and priorities to ensure that the organisation provides a safe environment and protects staff, volunteers, and anyone who comes into contact with it from abuse or maltreatment of any kind.

We are committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects our legal responsibilities, government guidance and the Cumberland Safeguarding Partnership requirements.  The organisation recognises that it has responsibilities for the safety and care of children under the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Working Together 2023. The organisation will act in accordance with all relevant legislation including the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the Terrorism Act (2000) and the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

This policy needs to be read in conjunction with the safeguarding procedures and the wider policies and procedures for the organisation which when combined develop a comprehensive and more robust framework for safeguarding including:  

  • Code of Conduct 
  • Safer recruitment
  • IT and Social Media
  • Whistleblowing, 
  • Complaints
  • Health and Safety
  • Photography
  • Engaging public speakers

Definitions

 Children are defined as those persons aged under 18 years old.

 Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in Working Together 2023 as:

  • providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
  • protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
  • 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
  • promoting the upbringing of children with their birth parents, or otherwise their family network through a kinship care arrangement, whenever possible and where this is in the best interests of the children
  • taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes in line with the outcomes set out in the Children’s Social Care National Framework.

Persons affected

This policy applies to everyone working/volunteering on behalf of The Lighthouse Centre Ltd including paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, contractors and agency staff.

Safeguarding policy

We believe everyone has a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that while it is the responsibility of the relevant statutory agencies to determine whether or not abuse has taken place it is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns and all staff, volunteers and contractors will know how to recognise and report safeguarding concerns. We have a zero tolerance approach to abuse. There are no excuses for not taking all reasonable actions to protect children at risk of abuse, exploitation, radicalisation and mistreatment. We recognise that all children whatever their age, ability, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have equal rights to protection from abuse. We are committed to inter agency collaboration and information sharing to safeguard children. We recognise the need to protect children from harm both in person and/or from cyber/ virtual risks. We ensure all of the organisation’s operations and activities are designed and delivered with effective safeguarding in mind to protect children from abuse.

We will keep children safe by;

  • Valuing, listening to and respecting them
  • Recognising; The welfare of the child is paramount, All children have the right to protection from abuse and safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. 
  • Providing effective management, induction training, regular refresher training and support for all staff and volunteers to know about and follow our safeguarding policy and procedures for safeguarding children.
  • Using our safeguarding policies and procedures to share and report all safeguarding concerns to the relevant internal staff and external authorities swiftly and appropriately.
  • Making a clear distinction between an allegation, a concern about the quality of care or practice or a complaint. An allegation may relate to a person who works/volunteers with children who has behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child; possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child or behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children.
  • Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely; ensuring all necessary checks are made, including on when to obtain a DBS check.
  • Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance and out IT policies and procedures
  • Creating a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting welfare to be addressed, and for staff/volunteers to feel able to raise concerns and feel supported in fulfilling their safeguarding role.
  • Implementing effective safeguarding systems where the child’s needs are paramount: and staff and volunteers use their professional judgement to put the child’s needs at the heart of the safeguarding system so that the right solution can be found for each individual.
  • Practicing Professional Curiosity, understanding what life is like for the individual and being alert to the needs of children and any risks of harm that individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose to children.
  • Having a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for the organisation. Contact details in the Safeguarding procedures and on display.
  • Making our safeguarding children policy and procedures available on our website, and or on demand, for anyone using our services to know what to do if they have a concern.
  • Ensuring that we have effective complaints, grievances and whistleblowing policies and procedures.

Recognising types of abuse and neglect and significant harm

The Children Act 1989 introduced the concept of significant harm as the threshold that justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of children and gives local authorities a duty to make enquiries to decide whether they should take action to safeguard or promote the welfare of a child who is suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. This includes where there are concerns about maltreatment, including all forms of abuse and neglect, or other so-called honour-based abuse (including Female Genital Mutilation and 

Forced Marriage), and extra-familial threats like radicalisation and sexual exploitation. All staff should consider whether children are at risk of abuse or exploitation. All setting staff are made aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely standalone events 

and cannot be covered by one definition or one label alone. In most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another, therefore staff should always be vigilant and always raise any concerns with their DSL or a deputy.

Abuse

A form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Harm can include ill treatment that is not physical as well as the impact of witnessing ill treatment of others. This can be particularly relevant, for example, in relation to the impact on children of all forms of domestic abuse. They may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others. Children may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children. Abuse can take place wholly online, or technology may be used to facilitate offline abuse.

Physical abuse

A form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness in a child. 

Emotional abuse

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child’s developmental capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another – for example where there is domestic abuse, fighting or violence in the home. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying, prejudiced-based and discriminatory bullying), causing children to frequently feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, although it may occur alone.

Sexual abuse

Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. 

Neglect

The 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. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or being unresponsive to, a child’s basic emotional needs. 

Specific safeguarding issues

Expert and professional organisations are best placed to provide up-to-date guidance and practical support on specific safeguarding issues. For example, NSPCC offers information for settings on its website https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/.

What staff should do if they have concerns about a child

If staff have concerns about a child, they should raise these with the DSL or a deputy. In situations of alleged abuse involving staff members (including staff, volunteers, contractors and other external providers using the premises for the purposes of running activities for children). Wherever possible, there should be a conversation with the DSL (or a deputy), who will help staff decide what to do next.

All staff are required to report any concerns in writing. On occasions, a referral is justified by a single incident such as an injury or report of abuse. More often however, concerns accumulate over time and are evidenced by building up a picture of harm; it is crucial that staff record and pass on their concerns in accordance with these procedures to allow the DSL to build up a picture and access support for the child at the earliest opportunity. A reliance on memory without accurate and contemporaneous records of concern could lead to a failure to protect.

The DSL will decide whether to make a referral to the Cumberland Safeguarding Hub, but it is important to note that where a staff member feels that their genuine concerns are not being addressed, they may refer their concerns to the Cumberland Safeguarding Hub directly. Alternatively, the NSPCC have a whistleblowing advice line for professionals who have concerns over how child protection issues are being handled in either their or another organisation. Call 0800 028 0285 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk.

It is important for children to receive the right help at the right time to address risks and prevent issues escalating. Research and Serious Case Reviews have repeatedly shown the dangers of failing to take effective action. Poor practice includes: failing to act on and refer the early signs of abuse and neglect, poor record keeping, failing to listen to the views of the child, failing to re-assess concerns when situations do not improve, sharing information too slowly and a lack of challenge to those who appear not to be taking action.

Induction and training

All staff are required to undertake an appropriate level of safeguarding training at induction. This training, which will be in line with advice from the safeguarding partners, will be updated regularly. In addition, all staff members will receive regular safeguarding and child protection updates (including online safety) (for example, via email, e-bulletins, staff meetings/briefings etc.), as required, but at least annually, to continue to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively. Appropriate training and regular updates will enable staff to identify signs of possible abuse and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way.

Training is organised by the DSL in line with local and national guidance. We will ensure that regular staff appraisals are carried out to identify any training needs, and secure opportunities for continued professional development for staff. We will support our staff to improve their qualification levels wherever possible. 

The DSL will attend all required safeguarding training which will be updated every two years. In addition to formal training, as set out above, their knowledge and skills will be updated, (for example via e-bulletins, meeting other DSL’s, or taking time to read and digest safeguarding developments) at regular intervals, but at least annually, to keep up with any developments relevant to their role.  The DSL will ensure that all new staff, volunteers and other adults are appropriately inducted as regards the setting’s internal safeguarding procedures, including those for Child Protection, communication lines and whistleblowing. This will also be a regular agenda item at staff meetings.

Record keeping

Staff will record any welfare concern that they have about a child on a Child Report/Concern Record, to be passed to the DSL. Records must be completed as soon as possible after the incident/event and must be signed and dated. It is good practice to also note the day of the week. Staff must be aware that their records might have to be used as evidence in court and must therefore be mindful of the need to distinguish fact from opinion. However, staff must not attempt to investigate a situation themselves. Safeguarding records are kept centrally and securely by the DSL and are shared on a ‘need to know’ basis only. If the record relates to a child from Haverigg this will also be entered onto an electronic safeguarding system to ensure all concerns, no matter how small, are recorded to identify any patterns or bigger concerns that may emerge over time.

Records will include: 

  • a clear and comprehensive summary of the concern;
  • details of how the concern was followed up and resolved;
  • a note of any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome.

Safeguarding concerns or allegations against adults working with children

Sometimes allegations of inappropriate treatment of children are made against members of staff which includes volunteers, contractors or other external providers using the premises for the purposes of running activities for children, rather than members of the child’s family or other adults known to the child. If staff have a safeguarding concern or an allegation is made about another adult harming or posing a risk of harm to children, then this should be referred to the Lighthouse Centre Ltd. Allegations are those which relate to members of staff, volunteers, contractors who are currently working alongside Lighthouse Centre ltd in any setting regardless of whether the setting is where the alleged abuse took place. Allegations against a Practitioner or who is no longer facilitating will be referred to the Police. Historical allegations of abuse will also be referred to the Police. Such allegations are dealt with in accordance with specific procedures published on the Cumbria SCP website.

The member of staff to whom the concern or allegation is reported will:

  • treat the matter seriously;
  • ensure that, where necessary, the child receives appropriate medical attention;
  • make a written record of the information using the child’s/parent’s own words, including when the alleged incident took place; who was present; and what happened;
  • sign and date the written record;
  • Report the matter immediately to the Manager or deputy in his/her absence. Where the manager is the subject of a concern or allegation, or in a situation where there is a conflict of interest in reporting the matter to the manager, the concern or allegation will be reported to the Chair of Directors. In all instances, the most senior person will be allocated the role of ‘Case Manager’. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.

There are two aspects to consider when an allegation is made: 

  • Looking after the welfare of the child – the DSL is responsible for ensuring that the child is not at risk and referring cases of suspected abuse to the LA Children’s Social Care. 
  • Investigating and supporting the person subject to the allegation – the Case Manager will discuss with the Cumberland SCP, the nature, content and context of the allegation, and agree a course of action. 

When dealing with allegations, we will: 

  • apply common sense and judgement;
  • deal with allegations quickly, fairly and consistently; and,
  • provide effective protection for the child and support the person subject to the allegation.

Initial action by the Case Manager

Before contacting the Local Authority appointed Designated Officer (LADO) the Case Manager or other senior leader will conduct basic enquiries in line with local procedures to establish the facts and to help them determine whether there is any foundation to the allegation, being careful not to jeopardise any future Police investigation. Following the completion of basic enquiries, the Case Manager will discuss the concern or allegation with the LADO and within 1 working day. The purpose of an initial discussion is for the LADO and the Case Manager to consider the nature, content and context of the concern or allegation and agree on a course of action. To inform the initial course of action, the following may be required:

  • written details of the concern or allegation – signed and dated by the person receiving the initial concern or allegation report;
  • any other information and names of any potential witnesses, surveillance systems etc.;
  • A chronology of significant events
  • information already known about those involved, including previous history, other concerns or allegations made by the child or family and the individual’s current contact with children;
  • checks on any historic incident(s) or logbooks.

There may be situations when the Case Manager will want to involve the Police immediately, for example if the person is deemed to be an immediate risk to children or there is evidence of a possible criminal offence. Where there is no such evidence, the Case Manager should discuss the concern or allegation with the LADO to help determine whether Police involvement is necessary. To report a concern in writing to the LADO, the notification form (available from the Cumbria SCP website) must be used. 

Cumberland LADO contact details: 

Phone: 0330 3033892

Email: lado@cumberland.gov.uk

Please note if you are worried that a child is at risk of immediate harm, please contact the Cumberland Children Advice & Support Service (CCASS) on 0333 240 1727

Allegations are managed in accordance with Cumbria SCP Procedures Manual. The Case Manager will contact the LADO if an allegation is made against a member of staff or another adult (including volunteers, contractors or an individual or organisation using the premises for the purposes of running activities for children e.g. community groups where their actions may have met the ‘harm threshold’ and the individual is alleged to have:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child, and/or
  • possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child, and/or
  • behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates s/he may pose a risk of harm to children, and/or behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

The advice of the LADO can also be sought if there is uncertainty as to whether a referral should be made or for example there are concerns about the staff member’s conduct outside work which may raise concerns about their suitability to work with children, this is known as transferrable risk. When to inform the individual of the allegation will be considered carefully on a case-by-case basis with guidance as required from the LADO, and if appropriate LA Children’s Social Care and the Police. The Case Manager will inform the accused person about the concern or allegation as soon as possible after consulting with the LADO. However, where a strategy discussion is needed, or Police or the LA Children’s Social Care services need to be involved, the Case Manager will not do that until those agencies have been consulted and have agreed what information can be disclosed to the accused. 

The welfare of a child is paramount, and this is the prime concern in terms of investigating an allegation against a person in a position of trust. However, when an allegation or safeguarding concern is being investigated it is likely to be a very stressful experience for the adult subject of the investigation, and potentially for their family members. We will offer appropriate welfare support at such a time and recognise the sensitivity of the situation. Information is confidential and will not ordinarily be shared with other staff or parents who are not directly involved in the situation.

Parents of a child or children involved will be told about the concern or allegation as soon as possible if they do not already know of it. However, where a strategy discussion is required, or Police or the LA Children’s Social Care services need to be involved, the Case Manager will not do so until those agencies have been consulted and have agreed what information can be disclosed to the parents. Parents will also be kept informed about the progress of the case, only in relation to their child – no information can be shared regarding the staff member and informed of the outcome where there is not a criminal prosecution, including the outcome (in confidence) of any disciplinary process. Parents will also be made aware of the requirement to maintain confidentiality about any concern or allegation made against teachers or other staff whilst investigations are ongoing. Where parents wish to apply to the court to have reporting restrictions removed, they will be advised to seek legal advice.

The LADO will establish, in discussion with the Case Manager that the allegation is within the scope of the Cumbria SCP procedures and may require further investigation. There may be up to 3 strands considered as part of this process and the discussion will centre upon whether there is a need for:

  • a Police investigation because a crime has or may have been committed;
  • enquiries and assessment by social care to determine if services or emergency actions are required;
  • consideration by the employer of disciplinary action in respect of the individual.

If agreement is reached that the criteria for action by the Police or Children’s Services has been established, the LADO will contact the LA Children’s Social Care to ensure a formal ‘strategy meeting’ is set up involving Children’s Services Social Care and the Police. Where the Police are involved, wherever possible the setting will ask the Police to obtain consent from the individuals involved to share their statements and evidence for use in the employer’s disciplinary process. If only the last criterion is met the LADO will provide advice to the 

Case Manager on the subsequent management of the case to a satisfactory conclusion within the framework of the setting’s procedures for discipline and conduct.

The LADO’s role is not to investigate the allegation, but to ensure that an appropriate investigation is carried out, whether that is by the Police, LA Children’s Social Care, the setting or a combination of these.

Suspension

Suspension will never be an automatic step for staff subject to allegations; each case will be dealt with on its merits taking into consideration factors such as the seriousness of the allegation, the potential risks to children and whether it is possible to investigate the allegation whilst the person is still at work. The strategy meeting will make a recommendation to the setting if one is required but the ultimate decision rests with the Case Manager. The decision to suspend will be taken on a case-by-case basis having undertaken a risk assessment about whether the person poses a risk of harm to children. All options to avoid suspension will be considered prior to taking that step. The decision on suspension/transfer to alternative duties of the staff member subject to the allegation is the responsibility of the Case Manager having consulted a HR adviser and the LADO. Setting leaders will ensure that they provide effective support for anyone facing an allegation and provide them with a named contact if they are suspended.

If the Case Manager is concerned about the welfare of other children in the community or the individual’s family, those concerns will be reported to the LADO, LA Children’s Social Care or the Police as required.

Subsequent actions

The detailed procedures that need to follow this initial consideration are available on the Cumbria SCP website.  The following definitions will be used when determining the outcome of allegation investigations:

  • Substantiated: there is sufficient evidence to prove the allegation;
  • Malicious: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation and there has been a deliberate act to deceive or cause harm to the person subject of the allegation;
  • False: there is sufficient evidence to disprove the allegation;
  • Unsubstantiated: there is insufficient evidence to either prove or disprove the allegation. The term, therefore, does not imply guilt or innocence; or
  •  Unfounded: to reflect cases where there is no evidence or proper basis which supports the allegation being made.

A referral must also be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) when concerns are raised that a person has caused harm or poses a future risk of harm to children/vulnerable adults . If a member of staff or a volunteer is removed or dismissed because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or the setting would have done so if the individual had not left, the Disclosure and Barring Service must be informed.

Resignations and settlement agreements

If the accused person resigns, or ceases to provide their services, this will not prevent an allegation being followed up. ‘Settlement or compromise agreements’ will not be used in cases of refusal to cooperate or resign before the person’s notice period expires. Such an agreement will not prevent a thorough police investigation where that is deemed appropriate.

Non-recent allegations

Where an adult makes an allegation to a setting that they were abused as a child, the individual will be advised to report the allegation to the Police. Non-recent allegations made by a child, will be reported to the LADO in line with the local authority’s procedures for dealing with non-recent allegations. The LADO will coordinate with the LA Children’s Social Care and the Police. Abuse can be reported no matter how long ago it happened.

Safeguarding Procedure

If the concern involves immediate risk to the safety or wellbeing of an infant, parent or carer, please contact emergency services and appropriate local authorities immediately.

If the concern does not involve immediate risk to the safety or wellbeing of an infant, parent or carer:

Contact Details

The Lighthouse Centre Ltd Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Name: Mel Narongchai (head @ haverigg.cumbris.sch.uk) 01229 772502

Deputy DSL

Name: Vic Musgrave 01229 772502

NSPCC helpline

0808 800 5000