Safeguarding policy

Introduction

This policy sets out our approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who comes in contact with us, and includes all aspects of our work. This policy will be followed by our board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, agency or temporary staff, contractors and self-employed contracted persons, or anyone working with or on behalf of Good Things Foundation, including our network members .

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, a child is a person under the age of 18. This is in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which defines a child as everyone under 18 unless, "under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier" (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 1989). The UK has ratified this convention.

As defined by the NSPCC Adult at Risk Policy, an adult at risk of harm is:

is a person aged 18 or over, whose exposure to harm through abuse, exploitation or neglect may be increased by their:

a) Personal characteristics which may include, but are not limited to, age, disability, special educational needs, illness, mental or physical frailty or impairment of, or disturbance in, the functioning of the mind or brain. and/or

b) Life circumstances which may include, but are not limited to, isolation, socio-economic factors and environmental living conditions

Our Commitment

Good Things Foundation is committed to protecting from harm all individuals without exception, regardless of age, gender, marital status, family or caring responsibilities, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, class or social background, political or trade union membership.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of relevant law and guidance, namely:

Children Act 1989, 2004
Data Protection Act 2018
Human Rights Act 1998
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Purpose

This policy sets out to:

Protect children, young people, adults at risk of harm and all other individuals from harm
Provide staff and volunteers with the principles that guide our approach to safeguarding;
Set an organisational culture that prioritises safeguarding, so it is safe for people to report incidents and concerns in the knowledge they will be dealt with appropriately.

We will aim to keep individuals safe by:

Providing a safe and trusted environment;
Providing effective support and training for all staff and volunteers;
Using safe recruitment best practice, completing any necessary background checks;
Working together with our network delivery partners and sharing information and best practice with them
Sharing concerns with relevant agencies;
Informing all visitors of Good Things Foundation of policies and safeguarding expectations.