HAPPYMIND CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT POLICY

 

HappyMindFoundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy

 

Introduction

 

HappyMind Foundation has a responsibility to ensure and make provision for children, young people and vulnerable adults and must ensure that:

 

           The welfare of the child, young person or vulnerable adult is paramount

 

all children and vulnerable adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and / or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse

 

The rights, wishes and feelings of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and their families are respected and listened to

 

all suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

 

Happymind Foundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy aims to ensure that the actions of any person in the context of the activities carried out by Happymind Foundation are transparent and safeguard and promotes the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults associated with the organization. The Policy provides guidance on appropriate standards, including reducing any opportunities for abuse, harm or bullying, staff and voluntary recruitment and training, behavioral towards children and vulnerable adults, professional boundaries, ethical behavior, acceptable and unacceptable relationships, how to avoid or better manage difficult situations and how to report suspicions, allegations or incidents.

 

Implementation

This code Happymind foundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy is based on international best practice. All staff and volunteers in our organization working with young people must be trained in, and follow, the Happymind foundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy. The Policy is available on the websitewww.happymindonline.com and provided to all volunteers

 

Framework for communication

 

All happymind foundation staff and volunteers have a duty to report any suspicions, allegations or incidents of abuse. Staff and volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide whether or not they have occurred and should record the details as accurately as possible and refer to any suspicions, allegations or incidents to the executive director in the first instance, who will consider the information and decide upon the next steps.

 

Policy statement

 

Happymind Foundation has a duty of care to safeguard all children and vulnerable adults involved with Happymind foundation from harm. All children and people have a right to protection, and the needs of disabled children and others who may be particularly vulnerable must be taken into account. Happymind foundation will ensure the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults involved with happymind foundation through adherence to the happymind foundation Child and Vulnerable Adults Protection guidelines adopted by happymind foundation and described below.

 

Zero-tolerance statement

 

Happymind foundation maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the sexual abuse of children or vulnerable adults by Happymind staff, contractors, subcontractors and participants in their care. Anyone found guilty of such an offense will be subject to immediate dismissal and prosecution within the law of the relevant jurisdiction.

 

Definitions

 

A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).

 

A vulnerable adult is defined as a person who needs care or community services, or who is incapable of taking care of him or herself, or unable to protect he or she against significant harm or exploitation.

 

Policy aims

 

The aim of the Happymind Foundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy is to promote good practice:

 

providing children and vulnerable adults with appropriate safety and protection while in the care of Happymind foundation.

 

allow and helping all staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific child and vulnerable adults protection issues.

 

 

Promoting good practice

 

Abuse, sexual abuse, can arouse strong emotions in those facing such a situation. It is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgment about the appropriate action to take.

 

Abuse can occur within many situations including home, school, sporting and volunteer environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with children and vulnerable adults in order to harm them. A staff member or volunteer may have regular contact with children and vulnerable adults and an important link in identifying cases where they need protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported following the guidelines in this document.

 

When a child or vulnerable adult enters Happymind foundation activity having been subjected to abuse outside the Happymind foundation environment, the activities can play a crucial role in improving the person's self-esteem. In such instances, if you are past abuse is reported, Happymind foundation must work with the appropriate local agencies to ensure the required local support is received.

 

 

Good practice guidelines

 

All personnel should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behavior in order to promote welfare and reduce the possibility of harm and abuse.The following are common sense examples of how to create a positive culture and climate.

 

Good practice means:

 

All staff and volunteers must work in an open environment and remain visible when working with children and vulnerable adults, eg avoid private or unobserved situations, whenever practical and possible, and ensure that another adult is present when working in the proximity of children and vulnerable adults.

 

Encourage open communication with no secrets.

 

Treating all children and vulnerable adults equally, and with respect and dignity. Always putting welfare first, before winning or achieving goals.

 

Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers children and vulnerable adults to share in the decision-making process.

 

Making Happymind activities fun, enjoyable and promoting fairness

 

All lesson and seminar areas must be smoke and alcohol free.

 

Being an excellent role model - this includes following local laws, not smoking and drinking alcohol inappropriately in the company of children and vulnerable adults.

 

Removing inappropriate piercing and covering tattoos, whenever possible, when in the company of children.

 

Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.

 

Recognizing the developmental needs and capacity and avoiding excessive training or competition and not pushing them against their will.Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance (eg it is not appropriate for staff or volunteers to have an intimate relationship with a child or vulnerable adults).

 

Happymind staff and volunteers should not enter a child or vulnerable adult's room or invite them into their rooms unless accompanied.

 

Ensuring that if any form of manual / physical support is required, it should be provided openly.

 

Involving local partner staff and parents wherever possible. For example, encouraging them to take responsibility in the changing rooms. If groups have to be supervised in the changing rooms, always ensure people work in pairs.

 

Ensuring that young people have access to both a male and female member of staff. However, remember that same gender abuse can occur, as can be a problem.

 

Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to administer emergency first aid and / or other medical treatment.

 

Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.

 

Practices to be avoided

 

The following should be avoided except in emergencies. If cases arise where these situations are unavoidable it should be with the full knowledge and consent of some of the local partners, the happymind foundation staff or the child's parents or next of kin.For example, a child or vulnerable adult sustains an injury and needs to go to the hospital, or a parent / carer fails to pick up a child at the end of a session.

 

Avoid spending time alone with children or vulnerable adults away from others. Avoid taking or dropping off to vulnerable child or adult to an event or activity.

 

Practices never to be sanctioned

 

The following should never be sanctioned. You should never:

 

Cause direct physical, including purposely hitting, hurting, or physically assaulting a child or vulnerable adult. Cause direct emotional harm, including acting in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children or vulnerable adults, or otherwise perpetrate any form of emotional harm.

 

Use language that could be abusive, offensive or inappropriate.

 

Engage in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay. Share a room with a child or vulnerable adult.

 

Allow or engage in any form of inappropriate touching.

 

Allow children to use inappropriate language unchallenged. Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even in fun.

 

Reduces a child or vulnerable adult to tears as a form of control.

 

Condone or participation in behavior which is illegal, unsafe or abusive.

 

Discriminate against, show differential treatment or please to the exclusion of others. Fail to act upon and record any allegations made by a child or vulnerable adult.

 

Do things of a personal nature for children or vulnerable adults, that they can do for themselves.

 

Spend anytime outside specified program hours with a child or vulnerable we work with; Invite or allow children or vulnerable adult to stay with you at your home unsupervised.Sexually exploit any child, vulnerable adult or any person Non-consensual sexual contact.

 

This list is not exclusive to our staff and volunteers should avoid any other activities that may be considered to be poor practice.

 

NB It is necessary for staff or volunteers to do things of a personal nature .This is particularly so if you are involved in any dressing or undressing of outerwear, or where there is physical contact, lifting or assisting a child or vulnerable adult to carry out particular activities. Avoid taking on the responsibility for tasks for which you are not appropriately trained and wherever possible, children and vulnerable adults, particularly if they are young or are disabled. These tasks should only be carried out with the full understanding and consent of parents, care workers and local partner staff, happymind executive director and staff and any other relevant parties and should be avoided wherever practical. There is a need to respond to a person's reactions. If a person is fully dependent on you, talk with him / her about what you are doing and give choices where possible.

 

Incidents that must be reported / recorded

 

If any of the following occur, you should report this immediately to the appropriate officer and record the incident. You should also ensure the local partner staff and parents are informed:If you accidentally hurt a child or vulnerable adult If he / she seems distressed in any manner.If a child, vulnerable adult or any other person appears to be sexually aroused by your actions.

 

 

iIf a child, vulnerable adult or any other person misunderstands or misinterprets something you have done.

 

Use of photographic / filming equipment

 

There is evidence that some people have used volunteering as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of children and vulnerable adults in vulnerable positions. All staff and volunteers should be vigilant and any concerns should be reported to the executive director.

 

There is no intention to prevent staff or volunteers from taking photos of volunteer activities, however, local partner organization staff should be made aware of the reasons for the photographs, the intended use of the photos, and their consent obtained. There should be project guidelines for volunteers and staff regarding photography of people on the project, which should be managed and enforced by happymind foundation staff. All happymind foundation photos should be stored and used appropriately.

 

 

Recruitment and training of staff and volunteers

 

Happymind foundation recognizes that anyone may have the potential for abuse in some way and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure potential offenders are prevented from working with children and vulnerable adults.

 

Through all stages of recruitment, for all staff and volunteers, including promotion, application, interview, acceptance and booking and pre-departure, Happymind foundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy should be referred to, including reference to identity and checks as appropriate, as barriers to application from potential offenders.

 

All staff and volunteers should be referred to the Policy.

 

Safer recruitment practices during the selection process for all Happymind foundation staff and volunteers, including background checks for all happymind foundation staff, and additional enhanced criminal record bureau checks or equivalent, wherever possible, for all staff and volunteers working on community development projects must be applied .

 

Avoid use of promotional materials including text, photos and videos that suggest opportunities for offenders.

 

All staff must supply contacts for two confidential references. These referees must be approached directly by happymind foundation and asked questions to the applicant's suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults.

 

For staff working on specifically on community development programs, the references should include, where possible, at least one regarding previous work with children or vulnerable adults.

 

If given the opportunity to call for further information, the referee must be phoned directly as sometimes people may be willing to expand on information over the phone or give more direct information or suspicions over the phone.

 

All staff must supply evidence of their identity (passport).

 

A check should be made that the application form has been completed in full (including sections on criminal records and self-disclosures).

 

They need to agree Happymind foundation Terms and Conditions, which includes agreeing to follow our safety procedures, Risk Assessments and Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy.

 

Training

 

In addition to pre-selection checks, the safeguarding process includes training after recruitment to help staff and volunteers to:

 

     Understand their requirements and responsibilities.

 

Understand Happymind foundation Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and identify areas where further explanation or training is required.

 

Analyze their own practice against established good practice, and to ensure their practice is not likely to result in allegations being made.

 

Recognize their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse.

 

Respond to concerns expressed by a child or vulnerable adult. Work safely effectively with children and vulnerable adults.

 

 

Responding to allegations or suspicions

 

It is not the responsibility of anyone working in Happymind foundation, in a paid or unpaid capacity to decide whether or not abuse has taken place. However, there is a responsibility to act on these concerns, and to the Happymind Foundation executive director who will decide the next steps.

 

Happymind foundation will assure all staff / volunteers that it will be fully support and protect anyone, who in good faith reports his or her concerns that a colleague is, or may be, abusing a child or vulnerable adult.

 

Where there is a complaint against a member of staff or volunteer, there may be three types of investigation:

 

a criminal investigation.

 

a child protection investigation.

 

a disciplinary or misconduct investigation.

 

The results of the police and child protection investigation may well influence and inform the disciplinary investigation, but all available information will be used to reach a decision.

 

Reporting concerns about poor practice

 

If, following consideration, the allegation is clearly about poor practice as opposed to a suspicion, allegation or incident of abuse, the happymind executive director will deal with it as a misconduct issue.

 

If the allegation is about to be made by the executive director, or if the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported to the Trustees who will decide how to deal with the allegation and whether or not to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

 

Reporting concerns about suspected abuse

 

Any suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused by either a member of staff or a volunteer should be reported to the executive director, who will take such steps as considered necessary to ensure the safety of the child or vulnerable adult in question and any other person who may be at risk.

 

All suspicions, allegations and incidents should be recorded.

 

If after consideration, the executive director is concerned, he / she will refer the allegation to the local social services department.

 

If the executive director is the subject of the suspicion / allegation, the report must be made to the trustees.

 

Confidentiality

 

Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only. This includes the following people:the executive director, the parents of the person who is alleged to have been abused the person making the allegation.

 

The executive director should be contacted in the first instance and they will advise as to who needs to know and who should inform them, normally through liaison with local social services.

 

Social services will decide who should approach the alleged abuser (or parents if the alleged abuser is a child).

 

Information should be stored in secure place with limited access to designated people, in line with data protection laws (eg that information is accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure).

 

Inquiries and further action

 

Internal inquiries and possible suspension

 

The executive director will make a decision about whether any individual accused of abuse should be temporarily suspended pending further police and social services inquiries.

 

Irrespective of the findings of the social services or police inquiries the executive director will assess all individual cases to decide whether a member of staff, volunteer or any person working on behalf of / representing happymind foundation should be re-instated and if so how can be sensitively handled.

 

This may be a difficult decision; particularly where there is insufficient evidence to uphold any action by the police. In such cases, the executive director must reach a decision based on the available information which could suggest that on a balance of probability, it is more likely that the allegation is true. The welfare of the child or vulnerable adult should remain of paramount importance throughout.

 

Support to deal with the aftermath of abuse

 

Consideration should be given to the kind of support that children, parents, volunteers and members of staff may need. Use of helplines, support groups and open meetings will maintain an open culture and help the healing process.

 

Consideration should be given to what kind of support may be appropriate for the alleged perpetrator. Allegations of previous abuse

 

Allegations of abuse may be made some time after the event (eg by an adult who was abused as a child or by a member of staff or volunteer who is currently working with children or vulnerable adults within happymind foundation or elsewhere).

 

Where such an allegation is made, procedures as outlined above should be followed, the matter should be reported to the executive director who will decide the next steps and, if relevant, report the matter to the social services or the police. This is because other children or vulnerable adults may be at risk from this person. Anyone who has a previous criminal conviction for offences related to abuse is automatically excluded from working with children. This is reinforced by the details of the Protection of Children Act 1999.

 

Bullying

 

Every child and vulnerable adult has the right to experience a safe environment free from abuse and bullying.

 

Happymind foundation plays an important role in creating a positive ethos that challenges bullying by empowering people to understand the impact of bullying, how best to deal with it and agree standards of behavior.

 

Reporting concerns outside the immediate Happymind foundation environment (eg a parent or carer)

 

Report your concerns to happymind foundation executive director, who should after consideration, contact social services or the police as soon as possible.

 

If executive director is not available, the person being told of the discovery or the abuse should contact social services or the police immediately.

 

Social Services and the executive director will decide how to involve the parents / carers.

 

Maintain confidentiality on a need to know basis only.

 

Providing information to police or social services

 

Information about suspected abuse must be accurate and a detailed record should always be made at the time of the disclosure / concern. It should ideally include the following, where possible:

 

The child's or vulnerable adult's name, age and date of birth of the child. The child's or vulnerable adult's address and telephone number.

 

Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else.

 

The nature of the allegation. Include dates, times, any special factors and other relevant information.

 

     Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.

 

A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also any indirect signs, such as behavioral changes.

 

     Details of witnesses to the incidents.

 

     The child's and vulnerable adult's account, if it can be given, of what has                     happened and how any bruising or other injuries occurred. Have the parents or           next of kin been contacted? If so what has been said?

     Has anyone else been consulted? If so record details.

 

If the child or vulnerable adult was not the person who reported the incident, has the child or vulnerable adult been spoken to? If so what was said?

 

Has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record details.

 

Where possible referral to the police or social services should be confirmed in writing and the name of the contact who took the referral should be recorded.

 

It is important to remember that as a happymind foundation staff and volunteers- our responsibility is to report all suspicions, allegations and incidents to the executive director, to advise as to the next steps to be taken.

 

If you have any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, volunteer, staff member, or local partner staff, contact our executive director below.

 

Bamijoko-Okungbaye Abiola.

 

Executive Director

 

Happymind foundation.

aokuns@happymindonline.com