Safeguarding Policy and Procedures - Pivotal Learning

The purpose and scope of this policy statement

Pivotal Learning works with children and families as part of its activities. These include: Parent workshops, emotional literacy groups, etc….

Pivotal Learning recognises that children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable groups in society and therefore has a duty to ensure that rights of children and young people are represented and without exception. The organisation is responsible for protecting any children and young people who access our services from abuse and harm, and to ensure that they are not harmed in any way through contact with it. 

The purpose of this policy statement is to:

  • Protect children and young people who receive Pivotal Learning services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services

  • To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Pivotal Learning, including senior managers, and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, and students. 

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy, and guidance that seeks to protect children in Wales. Summaries of the key legislation and guidance are available at:

Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance, and other related documents where applicable:

  • Role description for the designated safeguarding officer

  • Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

  • Managing allegations against staff or volunteers

  • Recording concerns and information sharing

  • Child protection records retention and storage

  • Code of conduct for staff and volunteers

  • Behaviour codes for children and young people

  • Photography and sharing images guidance

  • Safer recruitment

  • Online safety

  • Anti-bullying

  • Managing complaints

  • Whistleblowing

  • Health and safety

  • Induction, training, supervision, and support

  • Adult to child supervision ratios.

We believe that:

  • Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

  • We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them. 

We recognise that:

  • The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

  • Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all forms of abuse

  • Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues

  • Extra safeguard may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse. 

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

  • Valuing, listening to, and respecting them

  • Appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy, and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding

  • Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures, and code of conduct for staff and volunteers

  • Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

  • Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures, and behaviour codes confidently and competently

  • Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

  • Recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/for-organisations]

  • Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work, and one-to-one discussions

  • Making sure that children, young people, and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern

  • Using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers appropriately

  • Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

  • Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

  • Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

  • Building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people, and their families treat each other with respect, and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

Definitions of child abuse

An abused child is anyone under the age of 18 years who is being, or is at risk, of being ill-treated. It can be:

  • Physical

  • Sexual

  • Emotional 

  • Neglect

Children may be abused by:

  • Family members

  • Friends

  • People working or volunteering in organisational or community settings

  • People they know

  • Strangers

Allegations of abuse can be reported to either of the two investigative agencies: Social Services or the Police. A designated staff member within the organisation will handle the report. Abuse can also be reported to the NSPCC. Counselling Hub Wales will always consult with the appropriate agency and take action based on their advice and any information provided.