News
Barnham Broom Parish Council adopts Child and Vulnerable Adult Poilcy
At the recent meeting of the Council it was agreed to adopt a Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Policy.
A copy of the policy is below :
Barnham Broom Parish Council
Child Protection and Vulnerable Adult Policy
This policy was approved by the Council on 8th July 2009 Date of Review January 2010
General Statement
Barnham Broom Parish Council is a Local Authority that promotes, support and works with the community through active partnerships to sustain and improve quality of life for the people of Barnham Broom. It does this through developing partnerships, providing information and support to voluntary and community groups in rural Norfolk.
BBPC has a duty of care towards children and vulnerable young people under the age of eighteen, to protect them from physical, emotional and sexual abuse or harm and ensuring their well-being.
Please refer to the SAFE pack for Acts of Parliament and other references. It is a requirement that any member of the Council staff or any volunteer working on behalf of BBPC has a responsibility to pass on information and concerns to Norfolk Social Services and Norfolk Police.
1. Checks and Training The Parish Council is not an organisation that provides direct activities to children and young people. It may have project and development workers who do have direct access to children through their work with communities. These staff will be subject to the proper recruiting procedures and CRB checks. They must in addition have access to appropriate training to make them aware of child protection issues and proper reporting procedures. If the role of any staff employed by the NRCC changes and brings them into direct contact with children and young people then they too should have CRB checks and training. The Parish Council has a designated person responsible for all matters relating to child protection whose responsibility it is to:
- Provide a single point of contact for staff on child protection issues
- Provide internal consultation to staff and volunteers
- Ensure that good working practice is followed by NRCC staff and volunteers
- Contact the social care services
The BBPC child protection officer is Further information on Child Protection good practice is available in the SAFE (Safer Activities for Everyone – which includes a CD version)
2. Code of Conduct for workers If working with communities remember to:
- Treat all adults, children and young people with respect and dignity
- Avoid being alone with children/young people at all times
- Encourage groups to adopt safe practices and sign post to relevant support for help on child protection (see the Child Protection checklist for voluntary groups on the NRCC website)
3. Additional Information
3.1 Types of abuse - for information about signs of abuse please refer to the SAFE website or the Safe information pack.
3.2. What to do if a child approaches you with information:
- Do treat any allegations extremely seriously and act at all times towards the child as if you believe what they are saying.
- Do tell the child that they are right to tell you.
- Do reassure them that they are not to blame.
- Do be honest about your own position, who you have to tell and why.
- Do tell the child what you are doing and when, and keep them up to date with what is happening.
- Do take further action – you may be the only person in a position to prevent future abuse – tell your nominated person immediately.
- Do write down everything said and what was done.
- Do seek medical attention if necessary
- Do inform parents/carers unless there is suspicion of their involvement.
- Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
- Don’t interrogate the child- it is not your job to carry out an investigation – this will be up to the police and social services, who have experience in this.
- Don’t cast doubt on what the child has told you, don’t interrupt or change the subject.
- Don’t say anything that makes the child feel responsible for the abuse.
- Don’t do nothing – make sure you tell your nominated child protection representative immediately – they will know how to follow this up and where to go for further advice.
- Talk to the designated child protection person who will know the appropriate action to take and observe confidentiality.
- If this is not appropriate or if they are unavailable contact the deputy, (if neither is available nor appropriate any person can contact social care services directly – Social Services 0844 800 8014, Norfolk Police 01603 276332).
- It is unlikely that a member of staff will be involved with record taking but if this is required please refer to the SAFE pack for guidance.
- If a child is clearly at risk and immediate action is necessary contact Social Services and in an emergency call 999.
3.4 The BBPC has appropriate procedures for recruitment including CRB checks on staff that have direct involvement with children as part of their work.
3.5 The BBPC has a complaints procedure – please refer to this for further information.
3.6 Councillors and volunteers who may have direct involvement with children and young people as a part of their role as a will be CRB checked.
3.7 It is unlikely that the BBPC will have to record information but if this is the case it will be kept securely in an appropriate place.
4. Child Protection Information and Procedures for the Norfolk Rural Community Council To include:· Child Protection Policy· Legislation relating to the protection of children and other references – see SAFE pack.· NRCC policy for the recruitment of staff· Additional relevant or updated information e.g. safe use of internet· An up-to-date SAFE pack, ( Safe Activities for Everyone – a resource pack designed for all those who work directly with children, young people and their families in voluntary organisations, groups and clubs)· SAFE pack II – covering trips and outside activities. For additional information on Child Protection Procedures access the Norfolk County Council Website for further information.
Barnham Broom Parish Council welcomes youngest Councillor in Norfolk as new member
