Safeguarding Policy

Policy Written: November 2021

Last Reviewed: December 2025

Date of Next Review: December 2026

The Final Straw Foundation Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) is: Bianca Carr
The Final Straw Foundation Deputy Safeguarding Officer (DSO) is: Georgina Maw
LSO contact is 02393 430079 or email bianca@finalstrawfoundation.org
DSO contact is 07913 957420 or email georgie@finalstrawfoundation.org

The Final Straw Foundation Safeguarding Trustee is Wendy Bessant (wendy@finalstrawfoundation.org)

Introduction

Aims and objectives

Everyone who participates in The Final Straw Foundation projects and workshops is entitled to do so in an enjoyable and safe environment. The Final Straw Foundation has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that, when given responsibility for young people and adults at risk, trustees, staff, instructors and volunteers provide them with the highest possible standard of care.

The Final Straw Foundation is committed to devising and implementing policies so that everyone accepts their responsibilities to safeguard children and adults at risk from harm and abuse. This means to follow procedures to protect children and adults at risk and report any concerns about their welfare to appropriate authorities.

The aim of this policy is to promote good practice, providing children, young people and adults at risk with appropriate safety/protection whilst in the care of The Final Straw Foundation and to allow staff and volunteers to make informed and confident responses to specific safeguarding and child protection issues.

Definitions

A child/young person is defined as a person under the age of 18 (Children’s Act 1989). However, our policies and procedures also support working with vulnerable adults. They also apply to all children and young people regardless of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or identity, racial heritage, religious belief or social status.

Safeguarding Adults at Risk (Vulnerable Adults)

The Final Straw Foundation recognises that adults can also be vulnerable and at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Safeguarding adults is equally important and applies to adults who:

• have care and support needs (including physical or mental health needs)
  
• are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
  
• are unable to protect themselves due to those needs
  

This policy applies to all adults at risk who access The Final Straw Foundation services, including staff, volunteers, and members of the public.

The Final Straw Foundation will follow statutory guidance under the Care Act 2014 and work with local safeguarding adult boards and relevant agencies to ensure that concerns are reported and managed appropriately.

Types of adult abuse may include:

• Physical abuse
  
• Sexual abuse
  
• Emotional or psychological abuse
  
• Financial or material abuse
  
• Neglect or acts of omission
  
• Discriminatory abuse
  
• Organisational abuse
  
• Modern slavery
  
• Domestic abuse

Policy statement

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and interns, students or anyone working on behalf of The Final Straw Foundation. Trustees have ultimate accountability and safeguarding is a standing governance responsibility.

The purpose of this policy is:

• to protect all children, young people and adults at risk who are involved with The Final Straw Foundation
• to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation and guidance that seeks to protect children and adults at risk including:

• The Children’s Act 1989
• United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• The Children’s Act 2004
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025)
• Charity Commission – Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees (2017,2022)
• Care Act (2014)
• Equality Act (2010)

The Final Straw Foundation commitments

The Final Straw Foundation commits to the following:

• recognising that the welfare of the child is paramount, as detailed in the Children’s Act 1989.

• believing that all children and adults at risk, whatever their age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or identity, racial heritage, religious belief or social status should be able to participate in the Final Straw Foundation activities in a fun and safe environment.

• recognising that some children and adults at risk are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other factors.
• adopting safeguarding and child protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers and taking all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment.
• to respect the rights, wishes and feelings of all children,young people and adults at risk.

• ensuring all concerns and allegations of unsafe or inappropriate practice or abuse are taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

• ensuring all The Final Straw Foundation employees who work with children are recruited with regard to their suitability for that responsibility and provided with guidance and/or training in good practice and child protection procedures.
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through training, supervision and support.
• understanding that working in partnership with parents, carers and children, adults is essential in promoting and protecting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
• sharing safeguarding and child protection concerns with agencies who need to know and involve parents and children appropriately.
• appointing a board member and member of staff as Lead Safeguarding Officers and a link Trustee for Safeguarding.

Gender Diversity and Inclusion

• The Final Straw Foundation commits to treating all children and adults at risk with respect and acceptance. All staff or volunteers who work with children and adults at risk will never try to provide advice to, or question their gender, but instead support them and adapt to their preferences.

Safeguarding Accountability and Trustee Responsibility

The trustees of The Final Straw Foundation recognise that safeguarding is a core governance responsibility and an essential part of fulfilling the charity’s legal and regulatory duties.

Trustees are collectively responsible for ensuring that the charity:

• provides a safe and trusted environment for all children, young people and others who may be at risk
• has effective safeguarding policies, procedures and systems that reflect current legislation and statutory guidance
• appoints appropriately trained Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Officers and a Safeguarding Link Trustee
  
• ensures safeguarding concerns and allegations are identified, reported, escalated and managed appropriately
  
• complies with Charity Commission guidance, including Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees
  

Trustees understand that while day-to-day safeguarding responsibilities may be delegated to staff, ultimate accountability remains with the board.

Safeguarding is a standing agenda item for trustee meetings. This policy is reviewed at least annually, or sooner where required due to changes in legislation, guidance, or following a safeguarding incident.

Plan for Safeguarding Children

Responsibilities of key personnel for safeguarding

For the purposes of this policy, the Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) is the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO)

The Final Straw Foundation will appoint a Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) and, where possible, a Deputy Safeguarding Officer, who have overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the organisation. A trustee will act as the Safeguarding Link Trustee to provide governance oversight.

The Lead Safeguarding Officer will complete appropriate safeguarding training and ensure this is kept up to date.

The Lead Safeguarding Officer is responsible for:

• Acting as the central point of contact for all safeguarding and child protection concerns, disclosures and allegations
• Receiving, reviewing and overseeing all safeguarding records and ensuring they are stored securely and confidentially
• Assessing safeguarding concerns and deciding on appropriate next steps, in line with statutory guidance and local safeguarding arrangements
• Liaising with external agencies as required, including the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP), the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), children’s social care and the police
• Ensuring that referrals are made promptly where there is a risk of significant harm
• Ensuring that allegations against staff, volunteers or trustees are managed appropriately and in line with LADO procedures, and that internal investigations do not commence without external advice where required
• Providing clear guidance and instructions to staff and volunteers following a safeguarding concern
• Ensuring that parents/carers are informed of safeguarding concerns where appropriate and safe to do so, following professional advice
• Ensuring safeguarding concerns involving senior staff or trustees are escalated appropriately to the Safeguarding Trustee and/or Chair
• Maintaining oversight of safeguarding training, induction and awareness for all trustees, staff and volunteers
• Keeping a central record of safeguarding training completed by trustees, staff and volunteers
• Ensuring safeguarding practice is reviewed regularly and that learning from incidents or concerns is embedded into practice

In the absence of the Lead Safeguarding Officer

• The Deputy Safeguarding Officer will assume the responsibilities outlined above
• If neither the LSO nor Deputy is available, staff must not delay action where there is a risk of harm and should follow the emergency or escalation procedures set out in this policy, ensuring the LSO is informed as soon as practicably

All staff and volunteers are responsible for:

• Being alert to safeguarding concerns and listening calmly and respectfully to any concern or disclosure shared by children, young people, parents/carers or volunteers
• Reassuring the individual that the concern has been taken seriously and explaining that it will be passed on to help keep people safe
• Recording concerns factually and promptly, using the organisation’s safeguarding recording procedures
• Sharing all safeguarding concerns immediately with the Lead Safeguarding Officer (or Deputy), and providing the written record
• Following the guidance and instructions of the Lead Safeguarding Officer in relation to next steps
• Ensuring they know what to do and who to contact in the event of a safeguarding concern or disclosure

Staff with supervisory or project leadership responsibilities are additionally responsible for:

• Ensuring volunteers are appropriately supervised at all times
• Ensuring safeguarding information and reporting routes are clearly communicated within their project area

Trustee Oversight and Reporting

The Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) is responsible for providing regular safeguarding updates to the board of trustees through the Safeguarding Link Trustee. Reports will be anonymised and proportionate, focusing on themes, learning and risk rather than case detail.

The board of trustees will be notified without delay where:

• a serious safeguarding incident has occurred or is suspected
• an allegation is made against a member of staff, volunteer or trustee
• the Lead Safeguarding Officer is the subject of an allegation
• external agencies such as the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), children’s social care or the police are involved

Trustees will not be involved in the day-to-day management of safeguarding cases, but will provide appropriate oversight, challenge and support, ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed and that any learning is embedded into practice.

Where required, the trustees will ensure that serious incidents are reported to the Charity Commission in line with regulatory requirements.

Procedure for responding to an arising concern, disclosure or allegation

It is the responsibility of all those involved in The Final Straw Foundation to act on any concern or disclosure in relation to safeguarding by following the procedures within the organisation. It is not the responsibility of anyone working with The Final Straw Foundation (paid or unpaid) to decide whether abuse has taken place. This applies both to allegations relating to abuse taking place elsewhere and any allegation made within The Final Straw Foundation.

Receiving Evidence of Possible Abuse

If a child is in immediate danger call 999.

If there is an immediate concern about a child or their family any member of staff can phone the 999. If in exceptional circumstances, the LSO OR Deputy Safeguarding Officer is not available, this should not delay appropriate action being taken. Staff should consider speaking to a member of the local authority Safeguarding Board (see appendix 2 for regional contact details). In these circumstances, any action taken should be shared with the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy) as soon as is practically possible.

If you are unsure, you can contact the Local Safeguarding Children Board for advice and guidance. When contacting the LCSB or making a referral ensure that you have as much factual information about the child as possible when you phone include:

• Full name
• D.O.B
• Address
• Family composition details (including names of parent(s) and siblings)
• Any key professionals working with The Final Straw Foundation
• Factual information about the concerns you have

Trustees, staff and volunteers may become aware of possible abuse in various ways. They may see it happening, they may suspect it happening because of signs of abuse (as detailed in Appendix 1 & 4) or it may be disclosed by someone else or directly by the child or young person affected.

In the event of a disclosure by a young person (who is not deemed to be in immediate danger), it is particularly important to respond in a specific way. If a young person or adult at risk says or indicates that they are being abused, you should:

• stay calm so as not to frighten them.
• reassure the person that they are not to blame and that it was right to tell.
• listen to the person, showing that you are taking them seriously.
• keep questions to a minimum so that there is a clear and accurate understanding of what has been said. The law is very strict and child abuse cases have been dismissed where it is felt that the child has been led, or words and ideas have been suggested during questioning. Only ask questions to clarify.
• inform the child or adult at risk that you must inform other people about what they have told you. Tell the child/adult this is to help keep them safe.
• safety of the child/adult is paramount. If the child/adult needs urgent medical attention, call an ambulance, inform the doctors of the concern and ensure they are made aware that this is a child protection issue.
• write down exactly what the child/adult has said without adding any interpretation.
• report the incident to the deputy safeguarding officer/Lead Safeguarding officer as soon as possible.

Asking questions is fine to help understand what the issue is BUT you must ensure the questions are open and give the child the ability to clarify.

• It is important NOT to ask leading questions e.g. Did —– Was it ——?.
• It is important to know when to stop asking questions and listen.
• It is important not to interrogate.

Types of Questions you can ask:

• Tell me? (tell me what happened)
• Explain? (explain what you meant by)
• Where did this happen/where were you?
• When did this happen?

Remember you are only clarifying with the child/adult if something concerning did happen or could have happened from the information, they give you.

Recording Information

To ensure that information is as helpful and factual as possible, a detailed record in the child’s / young person’s own words should always be made at the time of the disclosure/concern. When recording this information, the individual should only note facts and distinguish what is personal knowledge and what others have said. Own opinions should not be included.

This should be recorded on the standard The Final Straw Foundation safeguarding ‘Record of Disclosure’ form (see Appendix 3) and shared immediately with the LSO.

Information should include the following:

• the child’s full name, age and date of birth (correct spelling)

• the child’s home address and telephone number

• whether or not the person making the report is expressing their concern or someone else’s

• the nature of the allegation, including dates, times and any other relevant information

• a description of any visible bruising or injury, location, size etc. Also, any indirect signs, such as behavioural changes

• details of witnesses to the incidents

• the child’s account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising/injuries occurred

• have the parents been contacted? If so, what has been said?

• has anyone else been consulted? If so, record details

• has anyone been alleged to be the abuser? Record detail

Reporting a Concern

If you become aware of a safeguarding concern involving a child, young person or adult at risk, you must act immediately. First, ensure the person is safe and any immediate danger is addressed. You should then report the concern without delay to the Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO) or Deputy Safeguarding Officer (DSO). Do not attempt to investigate or question the person further. Record the facts accurately, including what was said or observed, who was involved, when it happened, and any actions taken. You must share this written record with the LSO/DSO as soon as possible. If the concern is urgent and the LSO/DSO is unavailable, contact the local authority (appendix 2) or emergency services as required, and inform the LSO/DSO as soon as you are able. You must not discuss the concern with anyone other than those who need to know in order to keep the person safe.

Confidentiality

The Final Straw Foundation’s approach to confidentiality is set out in its Confidentiality Policy.

Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Confidentiality needs to be discussed and fully understood by all those working with children, particularly in the context of child protection. No employee or volunteer must ever guarantee confidentiality to any individual including parents, children, colleagues. Staff should make children/adults aware that if they disclose information that may be harmful to themselves or others, then certain actions will need to be taken.

Wherever possible, consent should be obtained before sharing personal information with third parties. In some circumstances, obtaining consent may not be possible or in the best interest of the child or adult at risk, e.g., where safety and welfare of that child or adult necessitates that the information should be shared. The law permits the disclosure of confidential information necessary to safeguard a child or adult at risk. Disclosure should be justifiable in each case, according to the particular facts of the case, and legal advice should be sought if in doubt.

Information should be shared on a need-to-know basis only. This may include the following persons:

• The Lead Safeguarding Officer / Deputy Safeguarding Officers

• The parents or carers of the child/young person/adult at risk

• The person(s) making the allegation

• Local area safeguarding board if appropriate

• The alleged abuser (and parents or carers if the alleged abuser is a child)

• School Headteacher or Designated Safeguarding Leads of organisation

DPA and UK GDPR do not prevent the sharing of information for the purposes of keeping children safe and promoting their welfare. If in any doubt about sharing information, staff should speak to the designated safeguarding lead (or a deputy). Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children

Managing complaints, allegations, grievances, incidents and bullying

The Final Straw Foundation recognises its duty to act on any safeguarding or child protection concerns raised by service users and their parents/carers and maintains a complaints procedure to address these. It also recognises its’ duty to report any concerns or allegations against its staff (paid or unpaid) within the organisation and provides procedures on whistleblowing for staff, interns or volunteers to feel safe to raise any concerns.

Managing complaints

Should a service user, parent/carer or referrer wish to report a concern and seek a resolution:

1. If a complaint is made verbally or in writing to a volunteer or outreach officer, they should raise this promptly to Bianca Carr.
2. Should the complaint involve the outreach officer, the volunteer, parent/carer should contact a member of the management board.
3. All discussions and documentation should be recorded along with agreed actions towards resolution.

Managing allegations Against Staff, Volunteers or Trustees

Any allegation, concern or suspicion that a member of staff, volunteer or trustee has:

• harmed or may have harmed a child or young person
• possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
• behaved towards a child or young person in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm
  must be reported immediately to the Lead Safeguarding Officer (LSO).

All staff, volunteers and trustees have a duty to report such concerns. It is not their responsibility to investigate or decide whether the allegation is substantiated.

Role of the Lead Safeguarding Officer

On receipt of an allegation, the Lead Safeguarding Officer will:

• Take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the child or young person involved
• Contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice and guidance at the earliest opportunity and before any internal investigation takes place
  
• • information sharing
  • contact with parents/carers
  • suspension, redeployment or interim safeguarding measures
  • any internal disciplinary processesFollow LADO guidance regarding:
• Ensure a written record is made of the allegation, decisions taken, actions agreed and the rationale for those decisions
• Inform the Safeguarding Trustee and Chair of Trustees as appropriate, while maintaining confidentiality

Allegations involving the Lead Safeguarding Officer

If the allegation concerns the Lead Safeguarding Officer, it must be reported directly to the Safeguarding Trustee or Chair of Trustees, who will:

• Contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice
• Ensure appropriate safeguarding measures are put in place
• Maintain oversight of actions taken in line with statutory guidance

Confidentiality and support

• Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis
  
• All parties involved will be treated with respect and fairness
  
• Appropriate support will be offered to the child or young person, the person raising the concern, and the individual subject to the allegation

Managing grievances

Should a member of staff, volunteer or person related to the organisation raise a concern and wish to seek a resolution:

1. The individual is to contact The Final Straw Foundation either in person or via written communication
2. Should the concern involve the member of staff the individual should contact Bianca Carr to arrange a meeting or telephone discussion about their concerns.
3. Any discussion should be documented in accordance with data protection procedures and the Final Straw Foundation’s Confidentiality Policy. Agreed actions towards resolution are also documented and signed by all those involved in the discussion.

Managing incidents

Should an incident occur during a Final Straw Foundation club session, workshop or litter pick whereby a young person is harmed:

1. Emergency procedures should always be followed wherever required. Where emergency services are in assistance their advice and guidance should be followed by staff, volunteers and service users.
2. There should be access to a qualified first aider available at each Final Straw Foundation session and they should be called upon to address any minor injuries not requiring emergency support.
3. For any incident, a report form should be recorded by the coordinator overseeing the session and a copy given to parents/carers and a copy sent to the central Final Straw Foundation office for records.

Addressing bullying

Service users are given clear guidance about the code of conduct expected within The Final Straw Foundation clubs and workshops. This includes rules that all service users are asked to agree to, and they are reminded of these during each session.

If a service user has a concern related to bullying, they are encouraged to raise this with either a volunteer or member of staff they are comfortable with.

That volunteer or member of staff is then expected to discuss this and then seek to find a resolution on the matter with those involved.

Personnel working with children and adults at risk

Safer recruitment process

Safe recruitment processes apply to The Final Straw trustees, staff, and volunteers, both full and part time. The following steps are taken when recruiting to ensure appropriate protection within the organisation. Volunteers are recruited to contribute to the project under the direct supervision of staff, or a designated lead volunteer, at all times. Any volunteer working in a supervising capacity will have been subject to the same recruitment practices and safeguarding training as The Final Straw Foundation staff.

Trustees and Staff:

• All new trustees and staff complete an application process. The application process elicits information about the applicant’s past and includes a self-disclosure about any criminal record.
• Two confidential references, including one involving previous work with children are obtained. These references are taken up, confirmed through telephone contact and held on central record.
• Evidence of identity (passport or driving licence with photo) is obtained and held on central record.

Volunteers:

• All Volunteers work under the direct supervision of The Final Straw Foundation staff. They are expected never to be alone with any child, young person or vulnerable adult. Clear information on this is provided during induction and in the volunteer handbook.

Young Volunteers:

• Some young people may wish to volunteer to support the Final Straw Foundation. This is permitted for volunteers over the age of 14.
• Where young people are acting as volunteers, they are considered as under the care of the Final Straw Foundation. Therefore, all parts of this policy apply to the volunteer as a young person, to ensure appropriate safety/protection of the young person.
• For volunteers under the age of 16, written consent from parents must be gained or supervised by the parent/guardian.

DBS Checks and Regulated Activity

The Final Straw Foundation is committed to ensuring that all staff and volunteers working with children, young people and adults at risk are appropriately vetted through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

DBS checks required:

• Enhanced DBS check with barred list check is required for all staff and volunteers who undertake regulated activity, including unsupervised work with children or adults at risk.
• Enhanced DBS check (without barred list) is required for staff or volunteers who work with children or adults at risk but are not in regulated activity.
• Standard DBS checks will be applied only where required for specific roles.

Regulated activity includes any work with children or adults at risk that is frequent, unsupervised, or involves personal care, teaching or supervision.

DBS renewals and updates:

• DBS checks will be renewed every 3 years, or sooner if there is a change of role or a concern arises.
• Staff and volunteers are encouraged to join the DBS Update Service to allow regular status checks.

Start date and supervision:

• No staff or volunteer may work unsupervised with children or adults at risk until the DBS check has been received and cleared.
• Where necessary, individuals may begin work under direct supervision while DBS checks are pending.

Disclosure handling:

• Any disclosures or relevant information revealed through DBS checks will be reviewed by the Lead Safeguarding Officer and the Chair of Trustees, and suitability will be assessed in line with our safeguarding and recruitment policies.

Record keeping:

• DBS certificates and related information will be stored securely and confidentially, in line with GDPR, and accessed only by those with a legitimate need.

Induction

The Final Straw Foundation commits resources for induction, training of staff (paid and unpaid) effective communications and support mechanisms in relation to Safeguarding and Child Protection.

All employees receive formal induction during which:

• A check is made that the application form has been completed in full, including sections on criminal records and self-disclosures.
• Their qualifications are substantiated.
• The job requirements and responsibilities are clarified.
• Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures are explained, and training is undertaken.

Each member of staff and volunteer is expected to read the Safeguarding policy and understand the process to follow if a concern is raised.

Induction for staff and volunteers includes:

• Discussion of the Safeguarding Policy and confirmation of understanding.
• Ensuring familiarity with reporting processes the roles of designated child protections officers and who acts in their absence.
• Initial training on safeguarding.

Training

• LSO and DSO complete safeguarding training with an approved body every 2 years
• All staff and volunteers receive advisory information outlining good practice and informing them what to do if they have concerns about the behaviour of an adult towards a young person
• All staff have an up to date to date first aid qualification
• All staff who, through their role, are in contact with children and /or vulnerable adults will have access to online safeguarding training at an appropriate level.

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

• Analyse their own practice against what is deemed good practice, and to ensure their practice is likely to protect them from false allegations
• Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice and/or abuse
• Respond to concerns expressed by a child
• Work safely and effectively with children

Communicating the policy

The Final Straw Foundation is committed to ensuring that all staff, volunteers, trustees, participants, and families understand our safeguarding expectations and procedures.

How we communicate the policy

• The safeguarding policy is provided to all staff, volunteers and trustees during induction and is available on request at any time.
• All staff and volunteers must confirm they have read and understood the policy.
• The policy is available on the Final Straw Foundation website for participants and families.
• A summary of safeguarding responsibilities is shared at the start of each project and during participant onboarding.
• Any significant updates to the policy are communicated promptly via email and during staff meetings.

Training and awareness

• Safeguarding training is provided at induction and refreshed annually.
• Safeguarding is a standing item on staff meeting agendas to ensure ongoing awareness.

Access to support

• Staff, volunteers, participants and families are informed about who to contact if they have a concern, including the Lead Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Officer.

Ongoing Support

Safeguarding issues and practices will be a standing item for staff team meetings in order to address any arising matters relating to this area.

We recognise that involvement in situations where there is risk, or actual harm can be stressful for staff concerned. The mechanisms in place to support staff include:

• Debriefing support for paid and unpaid staff so they can reflect on the issues they have dealt with.
• Staff who have initiated a safeguarding concern will be contacted by the lead safeguarding officer within one week.

Online Sessions

The Final Straw Foundation may facilitate live online sessions with children and adults at risk. Keeping children and staff safe during these sessions is essential. Staff delivering remote sessions should be aware that the same principles set out in the code of conduct apply.

• It is the outreach officer’s responsibility to make sure that parents, carers and children understand the benefits and risks of online sessions and get written consent for children to be involved.
• Outreach officers should try to find a quiet or private room or area to facilitate any online session from and should consider what will be in the background. This includes checking that nothing personal or inappropriate can be seen or heard on screen
• Online sessions can be facilitated using Microsoft Teams and staff must use Final Straw Foundation accounts for all sessions/correspondence, and must not use personal accounts.
• It’s best practice to ask children to be in a common space during an online session, rather than a personal space such as a bedroom. Ask parents and carers to be within earshot of the session so that the child is not completely alone with you.

• Outreach officers can offer children the option to turn their cameras on but should be aware that some children may not feel comfortable doing so, for a variety of reasons.
• Make a record of the session once it’s finished

• If staff have any concerns about anything they have seen or heard during online sessions, staff will follow the procedures outlined in section 2.2.3 ‘Reporting a concern’.
• If volunteers are attending online sessions, it is the staff members responsibility to ensure that they do not have access to any child’s personal information or contact details (such as an email address) and that all activity is fully supervised by the staff member (i.e. no unsupervised ‘break out rooms’).
• If volunteers need to use a personal email address to join a session, it is the project coordinator’s responsibility to ensure the session is set up as such that this is not accessible to any of the children or young people joining the session.

Code of Conduct

Whether in position as a trustee, member of staff, volunteer or client, all members have a responsibility to ensure that everyone involved in The Final Straw Foundation are protected from harm and are free to enjoy and participate in all activities safely.

The Final Straw Foundation is a small charity in which everyone works together to provide the best outcomes for clients and their families. The Final Straw Foundation commits to providing a happy, safe environment for all its trustees, staff and volunteers. All are therefore expected to adhere to the following code of conduct:

It is the responsibility of each adult working at The Final Straw Foundation to ensure that:

• their behaviour is always appropriate.
• they observe the rules established for the safety and security of children, young people and vulnerable adults and provide a role model for these.
• they follow the procedures following any disclosure or safeguarding concern (as detailed in this policy).
• they recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed and, in every respect, the relationships they form with the children, young people and vulnerable adults in their care are appropriate.
• they follow the data protection guidance including the policy on photographic images and the storage of these.

Code of Conduct for all adults

• DO put this code into practice at all times.
• DO treat everyone with dignity and respect.
• DO set an example you would wish others to follow.
• DO treat all young people equally.
• DO respect the right to personal privacy of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
• DO allow children, young people and vulnerable adults to talk about any concerns they may have.
• DO encourage others to challenge any attitudes or behaviours they do not like.
• DO take any allegations or concerns of abuse seriously and refer immediately (procedures found in this safeguarding policy).
• DO NOT form a relationship with a child, young person or vulnerable adult that is an abuse of trust.
• DO NOT engage in inappropriate behaviour or contact – physical, verbal, sexual.
• DO NOT make suggestive remarks or threats to a young person, even in fun.
• DO NOT use inappropriate language via any medium including verbally, in writing, by telephone, on email or the internet.
• DO NOT let allegations, suspicions, or safeguarding concerns go unreported.
• DO NOT give out personal details including addresses and mobile telephone numbers to children and vulnerable adults.

Code of Conduct for all participants of the Final Straw Foundation

To follow the agreed rules for all Final Straw Foundation activity sessions:

• We must look after each other
• We must stay safe
• Follow the group leader instructions
• Use the equipment and resources safely
• Use kind hands and kind words with leaders, each other, other children and parents
• We must listen to people who are helping us

The expected code of conduct is made accessible to all members of The Final Straw Foundation and through the initial letter to clients and their families. The code of conduct is shared in each project location during all Final Straw Foundation project events and activities.

Running a safe session

All staff follow the following procedures for running a safe session.

The outreach officer has the responsibility for overseeing each session and is responsible for the following duties:

• Signing service users in and out of each session.

• Ensuring that service users are reminded of the code of conduct.
• Providing clear direction to service users about the expectations for the sessions.
• Organising staff and volunteers to provide adequate ratios in relation to the individual needs of service users.
• Familiarising and sharing what to do in the event of a fire
• Sharing information as appropriate with staff and volunteers about the individual needs of service users to support the session e.g. best form of communication, specific strategies to support inclusion.
• Completing an incident form following any incident and sharing this with parents/carers and the central Final Straw Foundation Office.

An adult with appropriate and up to date first aid training is present at each session and is on hand to deal with any minor injuries. The procedures for reporting incidents are to be followed at each session.

Lone Working

FSF Leaders, Outreach Officers and volunteers have varied roles and work with groups of children or adults at risk. In most situations FSF follows best practice to have at least two adults present when working with children and young people.

Choosing a Venue

Choosing a suitable venue for working alone with children is an important part of making them feel safe and protecting yourself.

• Work in a room that has windows and make sure curtains are open
• Keep any doors to the room open. If you must close the door for privacy, make sure it’s kept unlocked
• Make sure you can always access a working phone in case of emergency.
• Choose somewhere easily accessible for the children or young people and yourself
• Never drive children without a parent or carer, even on short journeys, unless you are a registered driving instructor teaching a lesson
• Choose a public place or the work office to meet any volunteers in person.

Online Sessions

If you’re doing an online session, you still need to take safeguarding measures, just as if you were meeting with a child face-to-face.

• Make sure you are in a suitable location. This includes checking that nothing personal or inappropriate can be seen or heard on screen
• It’s best practice to ask children to be in a common space during an online session, rather than a personal space such as a bedroom. Ask parents and carers to be within earshot of the session so that the child is not completely alone with you
• Make a record of the session once it’s finished

Risk Assessments

FSF are aware of the risks to children and carry out risk assessments to manage and mitigate any risks you or the child/children may encounter. You will need to do an assessment for each child or group you work with.

Risk assessments must consider:

• the type of activity
• the behaviour and abilities of the child
• any special medical needs
• the suitability of the location
• Make sure you know where the fire exits are and the evacuation plan for the building

Monitoring and Reviewing arrangements

This policy (which is locally tailored with individual region details) is reviewed by the board of trustees annually or in the following circumstances:

• Changes in legislation and/or government guidance.
• As required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board and/or guidance for sports councils.
• As a result of any other significant change or event.

Acceptance of Policy

Policy signed and approved at a trustee board meeting held on:

Appendix 1: Understanding Abuse

Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm, it commonly occurs within a relationship of trust or responsibility and is an abuse of power or a breach of trust. Abuse can happen to a young person regardless of their age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or identity, racial heritage, religious belief or social status.

Abuse can take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. The abuser may be a family member, someone the young person encounters in residential care or in the community, including sports and leisure activities. Any individual may abuse or neglect a young person directly or may be responsible for abuse because they fail to prevent another person harming the young person. Abuse in all of its forms can affect a young person at any age. The effects can be so damaging that if not treated may follow the individual into adulthood

Young people with disabilities may be at increased risk of abuse through various factors such as stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination, isolation and a powerlessness to protect themselves or adequately communicate that abuse had occurred.

Signs and Indications of abuse

Even for those experienced in working with child abuse, it is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place. Most people are not experts in such recognition, but indications that a child is being abused may include one or more of the following:

• unexplained or suspicious injuries such as bruising, cuts or burns, particularly if situated on a part of the body not normally prone to such injuries.
• an injury for which an explanation seems inconsistent.

• the young person describes what appears to be an abusive act involving them.

• another young person or adult expresses concern about the welfare of a young person.

• unexplained changes in a young person’s behaviour e.g. becoming very upset, quiet, withdrawn or displaying sudden outbursts of temper.

• inappropriate sexual awareness.

• engaging in sexually explicit behaviour.

• distrust of adults, particularly those whom a close relationship would normally expect.

• difficulty in making friends.

• being prevented from socialising with others.

• displaying variations in eating patterns including overeating or loss of appetite.

• losing weight for no apparent reason.

• becoming increasingly dirty or unkempt.

• Signs such as stomach aches, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, bed wetting, scratching and bruising, damaged clothes.

• a shortage of money or frequent loss of possessions.

Bullying / Peer on Peer Abuse

Bullying (including cyber bullying) may come from another young person or an adult. Bullying is defined as deliberate hurtful behaviour, usually repeated over a period of time, where it is difficult for those bullied to defend themselves. There are three main types of bullying. It may be physical (e.g. hitting, kicking, slapping), verbal (e.g. racist or homophobic remarks, name calling, graffiti, threats, abusive text messages), emotional (e.g. tormenting, ridiculing, humiliating, ignoring, isolating form the group), or sexual (e.g. unwanted physical contact or abusive comments) and including sexting.

Signs of bullying / peer on peer abuse can include:

• behavioural changes such as reduced concentration and/or becoming withdrawn, clingy, depressed, tearful, emotionally up and down, reluctance to go training or competitions.

• an unexplained drop off in performance.

• physical signs such as stomach aches, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, bed wetting, scratching and bruising, damaged clothes.

• a shortage of money or frequent loss of possessions.

It must be recognised that the above list is not exhaustive, but also that the presence of one or more of the indications is not proof that abuse is taking place. It is NOT the responsibility of those working in The Final Straw Foundation to decide that child abuse is occurring. However, it IS their responsibility to act on any concerns.

Appendix 2: Key contacts for the local area safeguarding board

Area	Contact
West Sussex	Child Safeguarding Telephone: 01403 229900 Out of hours enquiries (weekends, bank holidays) :033 022 26664. http://WSChildrenservices@westsussex.gov.uk/
	Adults Safeguarding Referral Form Telephone: 01243 642121
Hampshire	Child Safeguarding 0300 555 1384 (Monday to Friday: 8:30 – 5pm) Out of hours: 0300 555 1373 Referral Form
	Adult Safeguarding 0300 555 1386 (Monday to Friday: 8:30 – 5pm) out of hours:0300 555 1373 Referral Form

Appendix 3: The Final Straw Foundation– Record of Disclosure Form

The Record of Disclosure form can be found here.