Safeguarding Policy

Our Safeguarding Commitment

ParentSkills2Go believes that all people have the right to be protected from abuse and that their welfare should be promoted.

Our safeguarding policy applies to all staff, including the board of directors, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of ParentSkills2Go.

Key Safeguarding Points

  • The welfare of children, young people, and adults is paramount
  • All people have the right to protection from abuse
  • Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility
  • We take all concerns and allegations of abuse seriously
  • Staff/volunteers must report concerns immediately

Categories of Abuse

We raise awareness of the following types of abuse:

Physical Abuse

Physical harm or injury including hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm.

Emotional Abuse

The persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and adverse effects on emotional development, including conveying worthlessness, inappropriate expectations, or serious bullying.

Sexual Abuse

Forcing or enticing participation in sexual activities, whether or not the victim is aware. Activities may involve physical contact or non-contact activities such as involving children in looking at inappropriate material.

Neglect

The persistent failure to meet basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of health or development, including failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or supervision.

Safeguarding Procedures

All staff, volunteers, and directors must:

  1. Refer safeguarding concerns to the designated safeguarding director or Chair of the Board.
  2. Complete mandatory safeguarding training.
  3. Read, understand, and follow this safeguarding policy.
  4. Be aware of symptoms of abuse.
  5. Share concerns with appropriate agencies.
Safeguarding Leads

Our designated safeguarding leads are:

  • Margaret Taribo - Executive Director
  • Kemi Kupoluyi - Director

Reporting Concerns

Emergency Contacts

For immediate concerns about a child:

  • Southwark Children's Services: 020 7525 1921
  • Emergency Duty Social Worker (out of hours): 020 7525 5000
  • NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
  • Police: 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency)

What Staff Must Do If a Child or Young Person Discloses Abuse

DO
  • Listen calmly and reassuringly
  • Give your full attention
  • Document the disclosure thoroughly
  • Affirm that they did the right thing
  • Report to the safeguarding officer only
DON'T
  • Promising confidentiality
  • Investigate yourself
  • Confront the accused
  • Blame the child
  • Report to multiple people
Report any concern immediately to:

Kemi Kupoluyi (Director, Safeguarding Officer) — 07832 881 632

Local Authority Designated Officer (Southwark): Eva Simcock

Email: eva.simcock@southwark.gov.uk

Monitoring & Evaluation

  • The designated safeguarding director will monitor and review safeguarding concerns regularly.
  • The board of directors will review safeguarding policies annually to ensure effectiveness and compliance.

Policy Approval

Reviewed and updated on: Tuesday, 28th June 2022

Signed by:

  1. Bolanle Odogwu-Okonyia – Finance Director
  2. Kemi Kupoluyi – Director
  3. Pamela Simpson – Director
  4. Margaret Taribo – Executive Director