CHILD SAFEGUARDING

POLICY
Introduction

We in the Myatt’s Fields Park Project are committed to the belief that children have the right
to be completely secure from harm. Executive Committee members and volunteers in this
organisation accept and recognise our responsibility to develop awareness of the issues
which cause children harm.

Aims

We will aim to safeguard children by:

● Adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for
volunteers.
● Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents
and carers, Group members and volunteers.
● Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving
parents and children appropriately.
● Carefully following the procedures for recruitment and selection of volunteers.

● We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice regularly.

This policy sets out agreed guidelines relating to the following areas:

● Responding to allegations of abuse, including those made against Group members

and volunteers
● Supervision of organisational activities

1. Definitions of abuse
2. These definitions are based on those from ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’
(Department of Health, Home office, Department for Education and Employment, 1999)

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 Physical abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding,
drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing harm to a child.
Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or
deliberately causes ill health to a child whom they are looking after. This situation is
commonly described as factitious illness, fabricated or induced illness in children or
“Munchausen Syndrome by proxy” after the person who first identified this situation.

A person might do this because they enjoy or need the attention they get through having a
sick child.
Physical abuse, as well as being the result of a deliberate act can also be caused through
omission or the failure to act to protect.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe
and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve making
a child feel or believe they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only insofar as
they meet the needs of the other person.
It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on
children. It may also involve causing children to feel frequently frightened or in danger, or
the exploitation or corruption of a child.

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it
may occur alone.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual
activities, whether or not the child is aware of, or consents to, what is happening. The
activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative acts such as rape, buggery or
oral sex, or non-penetrative acts such as fondling.
Sexual abuse may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking
at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or
encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Boys and girls can be sexually abused by males and or females, by adults and by other
young people. This includes people from all different walks of life.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and or psychological
needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may
involve a parent or a carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, leaving a
young child home alone or the failure to ensure that a child gets appropriate medical care
or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic
emotional needs.
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It is accepted that in all forms of abuse there are elements of emotional abuse, and that
some children are subjected to more than one form of abuse at any time. These four
definitions do not minimise other forms of maltreatment.

Note

Recent guidance notes other sources of stress for children and families, such as social
exclusion, domestic violence, the mental illness of a parent or carer, or drug and alcohol
misuse. These may have a negative impact on a child’s health and development and may
be noticed by an organisation caring for a child. If it is felt that a child’s well being is
adversely affected by any of these areas, the same procedures should be followed.

2. Recognising and Responding to Abuse

The following signs may or may not be indicators that abuse has taken place, but
the possibility should be considered.

Physical signs of abuse

● Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them

● Injuries which occur to the body in places which are not normally exposed to falls or
games
● Unexplained bruising, marks or injuries on any part of the body

● Bruises which reflect hand marks or fingertips (from slapping or pinching)

● Cigarette burns

● Bite marks

● Broken bones

● Scalds

● Injuries which have not received medical attention

● Neglect-under nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging

food, untreated illnesses, inadequate care
● Repeated urinary infections or unexplained stomach pains

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate physical abuse:

● Fear of parents being approached for an explanation

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● Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts

● Flinching when approached or touched

● Reluctance to get changed, for example, wearing long sleeves in hot weather

● Depression

● Withdrawn behaviour

● Running away from home

Emotional signs of abuse

The physical signs of emotional abuse may include;

● A failure to thrive or grow particularly if a child puts on weight in other

circumstances e.g. in hospital or away from their parents’ care
● Sudden speech disorders

● Persistent tiredness

● Development delay, either in terms of physical or emotional progress

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate emotional abuse include:

● Obsessions or phobias

● Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration

● Inappropriate relationships with peers and/or adults

● Being unable to play

● Attention seeking behaviour

● Fear of making mistakes

● Self-harm

● Fear of parent being approached regarding their behaviour

Sexual Abuse

The physical signs of sexual abuse may include:

● Pain or itching in the genital/anal area

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● Bruising or bleeding near genital/anal areas

● Sexually transmitted disease

● Vaginal discharge or infection

● Stomach pains

● Discomfort when walking or sitting down

● Pregnancy

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:

● Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour e.g. becoming withdrawn or

aggressive
● Fear of being left with a specific person or group of people

● Having nightmares

● Running away from home

● Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age or development al level

● Sexual drawings or language

● Bedwetting

● Eating problems such as over-eating or anorexia

● Self-harm or mutilation, sometimes leading to suicide attempts

● Saying they have secrets they can not tell anyone about

● Substance or drug abuse

● Suddenly having unexplained sources of money

● Not allowed to have friends (particularly in adolescence)

● Acting in a sexually explicit way with adults

Neglect

The physical signs of neglect may include:

● Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from other children

● Constantly dirty or smelly

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● Loss of weight or being constantly underweight

● Inappropriate dress for the conditions

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate neglect include:

● Complaining of being tired all the time

● Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments

● Having few friends

● Mentioning being left alone or unsupervised

3. What to do if you suspect that abuse may have occurred

1. You must report the concerns immediately to the Chair of the Group.

The role of the designated person is to:

● Obtain information from staff, volunteers, children or parents and carers who have
child protection concerns and to record this information.
● Assess the information quickly and carefully and ask for further information as
appropriate.
● They should also consult with a statutory child protection agency such as the local
social services department or the NSPCC to clarify any doubts or worries.
● The designated person should make a referral to a statutory child protection
agency or the police without delay.

The designated person has been nominated by the Myatt’s Fields Park Project to refer
allegations or suspicions of neglect or abuse to the statutory authorities. In the absence of
the Chair, the matter should be brought to the attention of the park development manager.

2. Suspicions will not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above.

3. It is the right of any individual to make direct referrals to the child protection agencies. If
for any reason you believe that the nominated persons have not responded appropriately
to your concerns, then it is up to you to contact the child protection agencies directly.

4. Allegations of physical injury or neglect

If a child has a symptom of physical injury or neglect the designated person will:

1. Contact Social Services for advice in cases of deliberate injury or concerns about
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the safety of the child. The parents should not be informed by the organisation in these
circumstances.
2. Where emergency medical attention is necessary it will be sought immediately. The
designated person will inform the doctor of any suspicions of abuse.
3. In other circumstances, speak with the parent/carer/guardian and suggest that
medical help/attention is sought for the child. The doctor will then initiate further action if
necessary.
4. If appropriate, the parent/carer will be encouraged to seek help from Social
Services. If the parent/care/guardian fails to act, the designated person should in case of
real concern contact social services for advice.
5. Where the designated person is unsure whether to refer a case to Social Services
then advice from the Area Child Protection Committee will be sought.

5. Allegations of sexual abuse

In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse the designated person will:

1. Contact the Social Service duty social worker for children and families directly. The
designated person will not speak to the parent (or anyone else)
2. If the designated person is unsure whether or not to follow the above guidance then
advice from the Area Child protection Committee will be sought.
3. Under no circumstances is the designated person to attempt to carry out any
investigation into the allegation or suspicions of sexual abuse. The role of the designated
person is to collect and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and to
provide this information to Social Services whose task it is to investigate the matter under
section 47 of the Children Act.
4. Whilst allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse should normally be reported to the
designated person, their absence should not delay referral to Social Services.

6. Responding to a child making an allegation of abuse

● Stay calm, listen carefully to what is being said

● Find an appropriate early opportunity to explain that it is likely that the information
will need to be share with others-do not promise to keep secrets
● Allow the child to continue at his/her own pace

● Ask questions for clarification only, and at all time avoid asking questions that
suggest a particular answer
● Reassure the child that they have done the right thing in telling you

● Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared

● Record in writing what was said using the child’s own words as soon as possible,
note the date, time, any names mentioned, to whom the information was given and ensure
that the record is signed and dated

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7. Helpful statements to make

● I believe you (or showing acceptance of what the child says)

● Thank you for telling me

● It’s not your fault

● I will help you

8. Do not say

● Why didn’t you tell anyone before?

● I can’t believe it!

● Are you sure that this is true?

● Why? Who? When? Where?

● Never make false promises

9. What to do after a child has talked to you

about abuse

The procedure

1. Make notes as soon as possible (ideally within 1 hour of being told). You should write
down exactly what the child has said and what you said in reply and what was happening
immediately before being told (i.e. the activity being delivered). You should record the
dates, times and when you made the record. All hand written notes should be kept
securely.

You should use the form “Reporting allegations or suspicions of abuse” This form is
attached at the back of this policy. (Appendix 1)

2. You should report your discussion with the designated person as soon as possible. If
this person is implicated you need to report to the Park Manager. If both are implicated
report to Social Services.

3. You should under no circumstances discuss your suspicions or allegations with anyone
other than those nominated above.

4. After a child has disclosed abuse, the designated persons should carefully consider
whether or not it is safe for a child to return home to potentially abusive situation. On these
rare occasions it may be necessary to take immediate action to contact Social Services to
discuss putting safety measures into effect.
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10. Recruitment and appointment of workers and volunteers

In recruiting and appointing workers we, the Myatt’s Fields Park Project, will be responsible
for the following:

● Identifying the tasks and responsibilities involved and the type of person most
suitable for the job.
● Drawing up the Selection criteria and putting together a list of essential and
desirable qualifications, skills and experience.
● All applicants should apply in writing and their application will cover their personal
details, previous and current work/volunteering experience.
● We will always send a copy of our child protection policy with the application pack
(if relevant to the post).
● We will make sure that we measure the application against the selection criteria

● All applicants need to sign a declaration stating that there is no reason why they
should be considered unsuitable to work with children. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
(1974) requires that people applying for positions which give them ”substantial,
unsupervised access on a sustained or regular basis” to children under the age of 18 must
declare all previous convictions which are then subject to police checks. They can then
only be offered a job subject to a successful police check. This includes potential
employees, volunteers and self-employed people such as sports coaches. They are also
required to declare any pending case against them. It is important that your applicant in
this particular category understands that all information will be dealt with confidentially and
will not be used against them unfairly.
● We will ask for photographic evidence to confirm the identity of the applicant e.g.
their passport.
● We will request to see documentation of any qualifications detailed by the
applicant.
● We will always interview our candidates, ask for two references and a police check.

● We will have at least two people from our organisation on the interview panel.

● We will request two written references from people who are not family members or
friends and who have knowledge of the applicant.

11. Supervisory arrangements for the management of the Myatt’s Fields Park
Project Group’s activities and services.

We will aim to protect children from abuse and our Group members from false allegations
by adopting the following guidelines:
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● Where there are unaccompanied children attending activities organised by the
Myatt’s Fields Park Project, we will keep a register of all those unaccompanied children
attending. If there are unaccompanied children present, we will keep a register of all
Group members (both paid staff members and volunteers).
● Registers will include arrival and departure times and the names of others in the
building at the time.
● We will keep a record of all sessions attended by unaccompanied children,
including monitoring and evaluation records.
● Our team members will record any unusual events on the accident/incident form.

● Written consent from a parent or guardian will be obtained for every

unaccompanied child attending our activities. Where possible our Group members should
not be alone with a child, although we recognise that there may be times when this may be
necessary or helpful
● Group members should escort children of the same sex to the toilet but are not
expected to be involved with toileting, unless the child has a special need that has been
brought to our attention by the parent/guardian.
● We recognise that physical touch between adults and children can be healthy and
acceptable in public places. However our Group members will be discouraged from this in
circumstances where an adult or child are left alone.
● All Group members should treat all children with dignity and respect in attitude,
language and actions.

12. Staff training and induction

All staff will receive training in our child protection policies and procedures before they start
work. If the role requires it, they will undergo a DBS check. They will receive a copy of the
child protection policy and be instructed in how and when this should be used.

13. Adoption of Policy by the Group

This policy was adopted on…8th February 2006……………………….

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13. Reporting allegations or suspicions of abuse

If you have any concerns about a child being abused you should inform the designated
person detailed below.

Organisation Myatt’s Fields Park Project

Name
Eliza Infante

Job/Role
Park Manager

Address
The Old Depot, Office 3, Myatt’s Fields Park, Cormont Road, SE5 9RA

Tel no 0207 7376097

Email. manager@myattsfieldspark.info

Important contacts outside the organisation

Area Child protection Committee

Social services office

Address

Tel no 0207 926 1000

Emergency no

Police station Kennington Police Station,

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Address
Kennington Road, London SE11
Tel no

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000

Other numbers

Reporting Suspected Abuse

Confidential Recording Sheet

Organisation Myatt’s Fields Park Project Group

Name of person reporting

Name of child

Age and date of birth

Ethnicity

Religion

First language

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Disability

Parent’s/Carer’s name (s)

Home address/Tel no

Are you reporting your concerns or reporting someone else’s. Please give details.

Brief description of what has prompted the concerns: include date, time, and
specific incidents.

Any physical signs? Behavioural signs? Indirect signs?

Have you spoken to the child? If so, what was said?

Have you spoken to the parent(s)? If so, what was said?

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Has anybody been alleged to be the abuser? If so, please give details?

Have you consulted anybody else? Please give details

Person reported to and date of reporting

Signature of person reporting

Today’s date

Action taken

Notes

Declaration Form

Confidential: Declaration from all staff and volunteers working with unaccompanied
children and young people

Name of organisation: Myatt’s Fields Park Project

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Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence or been the subject of a Caution or of a
Bound Over Order?

Yes ⬜ No ⬜

If yes, please state below the date(s) and nature of the offence (s)

Signed Date

Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms First name Surname

Any surname previously known by

Address

Telephone no

Date of birth

Place of birth

You are advised that under the provisions of the rehabilitation of Offenders Act (UK
wide) (1974)(Exceptions) Order 1975 as amended by the Rehabilitation of Offenders
Act 1974 (Exceptions) (Amendments) Order 1986 (UK wide) you should declare all
convictions including “spent” convictions.

Developing Your Child Protection Policy

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Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS – previously CRB)

Disclosure and Barring Service provides eligibility, workforce and supervision guidance for
those working with children and adults. A DBS check may be needed for certain jobs or
voluntary work, eg working with children or in healthcare, or applying to foster or adopt a
child
The new definition of regulated activity (i.e. work that a barred person must not do) in
relation to children comprises, in summary: (i) unsupervised activities: teach, train, instruct,
care for or supervise children, or provide advice/ guidance on well-being, or drive a vehicle
only for children; (ii) work for a limited range of establishments (‘specified places’), with
opportunity for contact: e.g. schools, children’s homes, childcare premises. Not work by
supervised volunteers; Work under (i) or (ii) is regulated activity only if done regularly:
“regularly” is defined in detail on the following pages under items (a) to (f). HM Government
is publishing statutory guidance on supervision of activity that would be regulated activity if
unsupervised. (iii) relevant personal care, e.g. washing or dressing; or health care by or
supervised by a professional; (iv) registered childminding; and foster-carers.

1. How to get a DBS check

2. The employer gets an application form from DBS or an umbrella body (a registered
body that gives access to DBS checks).
3. The employer gives the applicant the form to fill in and return to them along
with documents proving their identity.
4. The employer sends the completed application form to DBS or their umbrella body.
5. DBS sends a certificate to the applicant. The employer has to ask the applicant
to see the certificate.
If the applicant has subscribed to the DBS update service, the employer can check their
certificate online.

6. How long a DBS check is valid

A DBS check has no official expiry date. Any information included will be accurate at the
time the check was carried out. It is up to an employer to decide if and when a new check
is needed.
Applicants and employers can use the DBS update service to keep a certificate up to date
or carry out checks on a potential employee’s certificate.

7. Types of criminal records check

There are 3 types of check. The employer or organisation running the check should
provide the applicant with more information about the level of check required.
DBS check applicants must be 16 or over.
The time it takes to process a DBS check depends on:

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● the level of check

● if the details given for the check are correct

● what police forces need to be involved in the check

Generally, it can take around 8 weeks to get a DBS check.

8. Standard (£26)
This checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings.

9. Enhanced (£44)
This includes the same as the standard check plus any additional information held by local
police that’s reasonably considered relevant to the workforce being applied for (adult, child
or ‘other’ workforce).
‘Other’ workforce means those who don’t work with children or adults specifically, but
potentially both, eg taxi drivers. In this case, the police will only release information that’s
relevant to the post being applied for.

10. Enhanced with list checks (£44)

This is like the enhanced check, but includes a check of the DBS barred lists.
An employer can only ask for a barred list check for specific roles. It’s a criminal
offence to ask for a check for any other roles.

11. Volunteers
Checks for eligible volunteers are free of charge. This includes anyone who spends time
helping people and is:

● not being paid (apart from for travel and other approved out of pocket expenses)

● not only looking after a close relative

An employer can only apply for a check if the job or role is eligible for one. They must tell
the applicant why they’re being checked and where they can get independent advice.

Helping to improve recruitment practices

Nonetheless, it should be stressed that all checks are simply another tool to supplement
best recruitment practice. It should not be considered a substitute for any other recruitment
checks.

Note

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It is recommended that you seek information directly from the DBS Disclosure website or
helpline for the specific needs of your organisation.

For further information

Useful Contacts
South East London Community Foundation
6 Winchester House
11 Cranmer Road
London
SW9 6EJ
Telephone: 020 7582 5117 www.selcf.org.uk

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Child Protection
Helpline
This is a free 24-hour service, which provides counselling, information and advice to
anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse.
Telephone: 0808 800 5000
E-mail: help@nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC Asian Child Protection Helpline

(Monday-Friday 11am-7pm)
Telephone: 0800 096 7719

Criminal Records Bureau

PO Box 91
Liverpool
L69 2UH
Helpline: 0870 90 90 811
Web: www.crb.gov.uk

National Children’s Bureau

8 Wakley STREET
London
EC1V 7QE
Web: www.ncb.org.uk

4 Children (formerly Kids Club Network)

Bellerive House
3 Muirfield Crescent
London
E14 9SZ
Web: www.4children.org.uk
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National Early Years Network
77 Holloway Road
London
N7 8JZ
info@neyn.org.uk

A list of registered organisations that are willing to undertake voluntary DBS checks
for other organisations for an administrative charge is available at
www.disclosure.gov.uk

Useful Contacts for Community Organisations Working with Children and Young
People

Lambeth

Lambeth Voluntary Action Council

95 Acre Lane
Lambeth
SW2 5TU
Contacts: Denise Brown, Small Groups Worker
Tel: 020 7737 1419
E-mail: info@lambethvac.org.uk
Web: www.lambethvac.org.uk

Lambeth Area Child Protection Committee

392-394 Brixton Road
SW9 7AW
Contact: Jane Pell, Policy Planning and Development Officer
Tel: 0207 926 4760
E-mail: dssacp@lambeth.org.uk

Connexions
Directions Building
1-5 Acre Lane
Brixton
SW2 5TB
Contact: Averil Ledsham, Connexions Manager
Tel: 020 7926 9620
Web: www.centrallondonconexions.org.uk

Southwark

Southwark Action for Voluntary Organisations (SAVO)

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64 Camberwell Road
SE5 OEN
Contact: The Area Network Team
Tel: 020 7703 8733
E-mail: info@savo.org.uk
Web: www.savo.org.uk

Southwark Youth and Connexions Service

15 Spa Road
SE16 3Q
Contact: Berna Casey, Office Administrator
Tel: 020 7525 3402

Area Child Protection Committee

Mabel Goldwin House
Level 2
49 Grange Walk
SE1 3DY
Contact: Tina Gosbee, ACPC Administrator
Tel: 020 7525 3308
E-mail: acpc@southwark.gov.uk

This Child Protection Policy is based upon the example provided by South
East London Community Foundation, 6 Winchester House, 11 Cranmer Road, London SW9
6EJ. Tel 020 7582 5117, Fax 020 7582 40020. Web: www.selcf.org.uk Email:
enquiries@selcf.org.uk

Adopted by the Executive Committee of Myatt’s Fields Park Project Group, on 8 th February, 2006.

MFPP, The Old Depot, Myatt’s Fields Park, Cormont Road, London SE5 9RA

Tel: Eliza Infante (PArk Manager) 0207 376097 Email: manager@myattsfieldspark.info

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