Safeguarding Policy

The Hangout is committed to building a ‘culture of safety’ in which the children in our care are protected from abuse, harm and radicalisation. 

The Club will respond promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns regarding the safety of a child that may occur. The Club’s child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation and with guidance issued by the Essex Safeguarding Children Board.

There is a Designated Safeguarding Lead available at all times while the Club is in session. The DSL coordinates child protection issues and liaises with external agencies (eg Social Care and Ofsted).

The Club’s designated DSL’s are Nikki Leseski and Claire Wederell.

Child abuse and neglect

Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. An individual may abuse or neglect a child directly, or by failing to protect them from harm. Some forms of child abuse and neglect are listed below. 

• Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making the child feel that they are worthless, unloved, or inadequate. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

• Physical abuse can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may be also caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill health to a child.

• Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This can involve physical contact, or non-contact activities such as showing children sexual activities or encouraging them to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

• Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and emotional needs. It can involve a failure to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter, to protect a child from physical and emotional harm, to ensure adequate supervision or to allow access to medical treatment.

Signs of child abuse and neglect

Signs of possible abuse and neglect may include: 

• significant changes in a child's behaviour 

• deterioration in a child’s general well-being

• unexplained bruising or marks

• comments made by a child which give cause for concern

• reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting, eg in the child’s home, or that a girl may have been subjected to (or is at risk of) female genital mutilation, or that the child may have witnessed domestic abuse

• inappropriate behaviour displayed by a member of staff, or any other person. For example, inappropriate sexual comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their role, or inappropriate sharing of images. 

If abuse is suspected or disclosed

When a child makes a disclosure to a member of staff, that member of staff will:

• reassure the child that they were not to blame and were right to speak out 

• listen to the child but not question them

• give reassurance that the staff member will take action

• record the incident as soon as possible (see Logging an incident below).

If a member of staff witnesses or suspects abuse, they will record the matter straightaway using the RED Logging a Concern form, found in the Safeguarding folder. If a third party expresses concern that a child is being abused, we will encourage them to contact Social Care directly. If they will not do so, we will explain that the Club is obliged to and the incident will be logged accordingly.

Child-on-Child abuse

Children are vulnerable to abuse by their peers. Child-on-Child abuse is taken seriously by staff and will be subject to the same child protection procedures as other forms of abuse. Staff are aware of the potential uses of information technology for bullying and abusive behaviour between young people. 

Staff will not dismiss abusive behaviour as normal between young people. The presence of one or more of the following in relationships between children should always trigger concern about the possibility of Child-on-Child abuse: 

• Sexual activity (in primary school-aged children) of any kind, including sexting

• One of the children is significantly more dominant than the other (eg much older)

• One of the children is significantly more vulnerable than the other (eg in terms of disability, confidence, physical strength) 

• There has been some use of threats, bribes or coercion to ensure compliance or secrecy. 

If Child-on-Child abuse is suspected or disclosed

We will follow the same procedures as set out above for responding to child abuse.

Extremism and radicalisation

All childcare settings have a legal duty to protect children from the risk of radicalisation and being drawn into extremism. There are many reasons why a child might be vulnerable to radicalisation, eg:

• feeling alienated or alone

• seeking a sense of identity or individuality

• suffering from mental health issues such as depression

• desire for adventure or wanting to be part of a larger cause

• associating with others who hold extremist beliefs

Signs of radicalisation

Signs that a child might be at risk of radicalisation include:

• changes in behaviour, for example becoming withdrawn or aggressive

• claiming that terrorist attacks and violence are justified

• viewing violent extremist material online

• possessing or sharing violent extremist material

If a member of staff suspects that a child is at risk of becoming radicalised, they will record any relevant information or observations on a RED Logging a Concern form, found in the Safeguarding folder and refer the matter to the DSL.

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child criminal exploitation (CCE) and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Both CCE and CSE are forms of abuse that occur where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance in power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into taking part in sexual or criminal activity, in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or through violence or the threat of violence. CSE and CCE can affect children, both male and female and can include children who have been moved (commonly referred to as trafficking) for the purpose of exploitation. 

Some specific forms of CCE can include children being forced or manipulated into transporting drugs or money through county lines, working in cannabis factories, shoplifting or pickpocketing. They can also be forced or manipulated into committing vehicle crime or threatening/committing serious violence to others. 

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child abuse, which can happen to boys and girls from any background or community. It may occur over time or be a one-off occurrence. In Essex, the definition of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) from the Department of Education (DfE, 2017) has been adopted:

 "Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs when an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology".

It is understood that a significant number of children who are victims of CSE go missing from home, care and education at some point. The Hangout is alert to the signs and indicators of a child becoming at risk of, or subject to, CSE and will take appropriate action to respond to any concerns. The designated safeguarding lead will lead on these issues and work with other agencies as appropriate.

If a member of staff suspects that a child is at risk of CCE or CSE, they will record any relevant information or observations on a RED Logging a Concern form, found in the Safeguarding folder and refer the matter to the DSL immediately.

Domestic Abuse

Domestic abuse Domestic abuse can take many forms, including psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional. The Hangout recognises that exposure to domestic abuse can have a serious, long-term emotional and psychological impact on children. We work with other key partners and will share relevant information where there are concerns that domestic abuse may be an issue for a child or family or be placing a child at risk of harm. The Hangout recognises that exposure to domestic abuse (either by witnessing or experiencing) has a serious impact on a child. It is vital we work with other key partners to share and receive relevant information.

So-called ‘honour-based violence’ (including Female Genital Mutilation and forced marriage) 

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs. It is illegal in the UK and a form of child abuse. 

As of October 2015, the Serious Crime Act 2015 (Home Office, 2015) introduced a duty on teachers (and other professionals) to notify the police of known cases of female genital mutilation where it appears to have been carried out on a girl under the age of 18. The Hangout will operate in accordance with the statutory requirements relating to this issue, and in line with local safeguarding procedures. 

Signs that FGM might be about to happen include:

• A ceremony is arranged where the girl will transition to womanhood and be prepared for marriage.

• The girl is going on a holiday to a country with high FGM prevalence, for an extended period of time.

• The girl has long, unexplained periods of absence from school.

• A relative or someone with a history of performing FGM procedures is visiting from abroad.

• The girl begins to show changes in her emotional behaviour, such as showing anxiety or stress, or she becomes withdrawn.

• The girl runs away, or plans to run away, from home.

• The girl begins to show reluctance to go home or a reluctance to go abroad.

• The girl’s mother or sisters underwent FGM at a similar age.

Signs of FGM may include, but are not limited to:

• Difficulty walking, standing or sitting.

• Difficulty performing their usual daily tasks.

• Spending longer than normal in the bathroom.

• Complaining of pain but not going into more detail.

• Refusing to go to a doctor or speak to a medical professional.

• Long periods of absences from school or repeated absences.

• Refusing or unable to take part in physical activities.

• Showing changes in behaviour or their emotional state, such as appearing anxious, tearful, depressed, stressed or withdrawn.

• Struggling to concentrate in class.

• Asking for help but not being explicit about the problem.

• Making indirect disclosures to friends or other trusted individuals, for example saying that something has happened to them, but they are not able to give more information.

• Showing physical symptoms such as bleeding, discharge, infections and pain.

• Having unusual menstrual issues or frequent menstrual problems

A forced marriage is one entered into without the full consent of one or both parties. It is where violence, threats or other forms of coercion is used and is a crime. Our staff understand how to report concerns where this may be an issue. 

Logging a concern

All information about the suspected abuse or disclosure, or concern about radicalisation, will be recorded on the Red Logging a Concern form, found in the Safeguarding folder; as soon as possible after the event. The record should include:

• date of the disclosure, or the incident, or the observation causing concern

• date and time at which the record was made

• name and date of birth of the child involved

• a factual report of what happened. If recording a disclosure, you must use the child’s own words

• name, signature and job title of the person making the record.

The record will be given to the Club’s DSL, who will then decide on the appropriate course of action. 

For concerns about child abuse, the DSL will contact Social Care. They will follow up all referrals to Social Care in writing within 48 hours. If a member of staff thinks that the incident has not been dealt with properly, they may contact Social Care directly.

For minor concerns regarding radicalisation, the DSL will contact the Essex Safeguarding Children Board. For more serious concerns the DSL will contact the Police on the non-emergency number (101), or the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. For urgent concerns the DSL will contact the Police using 999.

Allegations against staff 

If anyone makes an allegation of child abuse against a member of staff:

• The allegation will be recorded on a Orange Incident record form, found in the Safeguarding folder. Any witnesses to the incident should sign and date the entry to confirm it.

• The allegation must be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and to Ofsted. The LADO will advise if other agencies (eg police) should be informed, and the Club will act upon their advice. Any telephone reports to the LADO will be followed up in writing within 48 hours.

• Following advice from the LADO, it may be necessary to suspend the member of staff pending full investigation of the allegation.

• If appropriate, the Club will make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Promoting awareness among staff

The Club promotes awareness of child abuse and the risk of radicalisation through its staff training. The Club ensures that:

• the designated DSL has relevant experience and receives appropriate training in safeguarding and the Prevent Duty, and is aware of the Channel Programme and how to access it

• designated person training is refreshed every three years 

• safe recruitment practices are followed for all new staff

• all staff have a copy of this Safeguarding policy, understand its contents and are vigilant to signs of abuse, neglect, radicalisation, CCE/CSE, FGM and Domestic Abuse.

• all staff are aware of their statutory duties with regard to the disclosure or discovery of child abuse, and concerns about radicalisation

• all staff receive basic safeguarding training, and safeguarding is a permanent agenda item at all staff meetings

• all staff receive basic training in the Prevent Duty

• the Club’s procedures are in line with the guidance in ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)’ and staff are familiar with ‘What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused (2015)’.

Use of mobile phones and cameras

Photographs will only be taken of children with their parents’ permission. Only the club camera will be used to take photographs of children at the Club, except with the express permission of the manager. Neither staff nor children nor visitors may use their mobile phones to take photographs at the Club. For more details see our Mobile Phone Policy.

Contact numbers

Social Care: 0345 603 7627

LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer): Carole Fuller, Jacquie Wilkes, Mechelle de Kock, Rebecca Scott 03330 139 797

The Essex Safeguarding Children Board: 0345 603 7627

Local Authority Prevent Co-ordinator: Seema Moules seema.moules@essex.gov.uk

Police: 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)

Anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321

NSPCC: 0808 800 500

Ofsted: 0300 123 1231

Written in accordance with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2017): Safeguarding and Welfare requirements: Child Protection [3.4-3.8] and Suitable People [3.9-3.13].