Spectrum Connections NI

Registered with the

Charity Commission for Northern Ireland:

NIC110779

Spectrum Connections Northern Ireland: Safeguarding Policy

Spectrum Connections NI provides a safe space for autistic children, teenagers and young adults and their families where they can attend youth clubs, family groups, receive mental health support and develop social skills and friendships. We provide training to support mental health and parenting autistic children and use activities such as arts and crafts and cooking to engage with autistic children, developing communication and social skills. Our youth clubs are an inclusive space where children can relax and be themselves. Family groups are an opportunity for autistic children, alongside their parents and siblings, to enjoy activities together – something which can be challenging for families with autistic children. All activities we offer require the presence of a parent/caregiver on the premises at present.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

• to protect children and young people who receive Spectrum Connections NI’s services from harm.

• to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Spectrum Connections NI including committee members, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers and students.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Northern Ireland.

Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:

• role description for the designated safeguarding officer

• dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

• managing allegations against staff and volunteers

• recording concerns and information sharing

• child protection records retention and storage

• code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• behaviour codes for children and young people

• photography and sharing images guidance

• safer recruitment

• online safety

• anti-bullying

• managing complaints

• whistleblowing

• health and safety

• induction, training, supervision and support

• adult to child supervision ratios.

We believe that:

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

Safeguarding children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them

• appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding

• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers

• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

• recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance.

• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters and one-to-one discussions

• making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern

• using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately

• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

• building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.