At Imagen Insights, we primarily work with 16-26 year olds. However, there may be occasions in which we engage with children between the ages of 11-15 when working with education providers and organisations...
This engagement is through webinars, presentations or similar means, and serves the purpose of discussing opportunities available to those young people when they turn 16, and to share our experiences with them in a way that may help to inspire their future career aspirations.
Note: The terms ‘child’ and ‘young person’ describe any person under the age of 18. References to ‘parents’ should be read as parents and carers inclusively.
Our Statement
Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and regulatory body requirements.
This policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children:
- Have a positive and enjoyable experience whilst engaging with Imagen Insights in a safe and child entered environment
- Are protected from abuse whilst engaging with Imagen Insights
We acknowledge that some children, including disabled children or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
All action taken by Imagen Insights will be in accordance with:
Current legislation:
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Children and Social Work Act 2017
Statutory guidance:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
Our Policy
As part of our safeguarding policy we will:
- Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
- Value, listen to and respect children
- Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation
- Adopt safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
- Ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people
- Provide effective management for staff through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about our policies, procedures and behaviour codes and follow them confidently and competently
- Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents or concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual(s) who raise or disclose the concern
- Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
- Record and store information securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance [more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office]
- Prevent the employment or deployment of unsuitable individuals by recruiting and selecting staff safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
- Appoint a nominated safeguarding lead for children and young people [See ‘Contact Details’ section for details]
- Always have a presence from the host for under 16’s
- Develop and implement an effective online safety policy and related procedures in relation to our web based practices such as webinars
The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved in Imagen Insights. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal or exclusion from the organisation.
Our Procedure
When dealing with a disclosure of abuse, Imagen Insights will adhere to these guidelines:
- Do not ask any leading questions and do not cross-examine the child
- Ask simple and open-ended questions – Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?
- Check that you have correctly understood what the child is trying to tell you
- Do not promise to keep ‘secrets’/promise confidentiality. Assure the child that you will try to help but inform them that you may have to tell other people in order to do so. State who this will be and why.
- As soon as possible, make a detailed record of the conversation using the child’s own language. Include any questions that you may have asked. Do not add any opinions or interpretations.
- Do not physically examine the child (other than in an emergency capacity when no first aider is available)
- Be discreet – do or say nothing that may place the child or yourself at risk
- Act quickly and share information with the Designated Person for Safeguarding
- If the disclosure or your concern relates to a member of staff, this must be shared as soon as possible with the Designated Person and nothing should be said to the staff member involved, or any other staff member
- Do not discuss any situation with anyone other than the Designated Person
Monitoring
This policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances:
- Changes in legislation and/or government guidance
- As a result of any other significant change or event
Contact Details
Our Lead Safeguarding Contact: Cat Agostinho – hello@imageninsights.com