Billington Lodge - Safeguarding policy
Commitment to Safety
Billington Lodge (the 'Organisation') works actively to prevent harm and promote the welfare of all children and adults at risk that we interact with (i.e. as Billington Lodge's clients). This Safeguarding Policy applies to individuals referred to as 'Beneficiaries'.
The Organisation is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all the Beneficiaries, free from discrimination based on age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.
This Safeguarding Policy adheres to the latest safeguarding laws of England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, including relevant government guidance. If there is any conflict between this Policy and these laws, Billington Lodge will always prioritise upholding the legal requirements.
Billington Lodge has implemented this Safeguarding Policy in fulfilment of its obligations as an organisation working with children and adults at risk.
For questions about this policy, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Mark Feerick in the first instance, via e- mail at mfeerick@billingtonlodge.co.uk.
Safeguarding Policy Scope
This Policy applies to everyone volunteering for, or representing Billington Lodge in the UK, regardless of position, employment type (voluntary), or affiliation (direct employee, contractor, intern; collectively 'Staff Members').
This Policy is separate from employment contracts. To ensure its effectiveness, Billington Lodge may revise the Policy at any time. We will communicate any changes transparently.
This Policy outlines Billington Lodge's approach to harm prevention for its Beneficiaries through Staff Member's conduct and practices.
This Safeguarding Policy applies to the organisation and operation of all Billington Lodge activities that involve children and adults at risk (i.e. Relevant Activities). These primarily include:
a. Any and all activities undertaken within the Billington Lodge premises or on its grounds.
b. Any and all activities carried out by Staff Members while representing Billington Lodge in their official capacity off site.
c. Any and all activities carried out by Staff Members off premises and outside their official capacity.
Safeguarding Definition
The term 'Safeguarding' refers to practices and procedures designed to protect vulnerable individuals from harm or potential harm. It also promotes their overall well- being. Safeguarding is particularly crucial for children and adults at risk, with most legal obligations related to their care. This Policy specifically addresses:
Children, who are individuals under 18 years old (in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) or under 16 years old (in Scotland).
Adults at risk, who are individuals 18 years old or over (in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland) or 16 years old or over (in Scotland) who require care and support, and due to this, are unable to protect themselves from harm (e.g. illness, disability). This can be temporary or permanent.
This Safeguarding Policy outlines Billington Lodge's commitment to protecting its beneficiaries from harm caused by:
Billington Lodge activities, practices, and the potential for harm arising from the conduct of its Staff Members, or
People and situations beyond (Billington Lodge) and its Staff Members' control. This includes instances where Staff Members are aware of, ought to be aware of, or reasonably suspect a situation that poses a safeguarding risk.
This policy defines a 'Safeguarding Concern' as any conduct or situation that a Staff Member or someone else suspects might violate the safeguarding commitments above
How Billington Lodge Protects Its Beneficiaries: Key Safeguarding Measures
Prioritising child safety by following local safeguarding arrangements. These comprehensive plans, developed by local authorities, police, and healthcare providers, offer valuable leadership and guidance to ensure children's well-being.
Prioritising safeguarding adults by applying leadership and guidance provided by local Safeguarding Adults Boards.
All Staff Members will receive training on identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns. Also, Billington Lodge encourages them to report any Safeguarding Concerns they identify (set out below under the heading 'Procedures: Reporting').
We create a safe, accessible, fair, and efficient space for all Staff Members to raise safeguarding concerns (colleagues, beneficiaries, or anyone else involved). We expect all staff to listen attentively and professionally. Training will equip Staff Members to support those raising concerns and guide them through Billington Lodge’s established reporting procedures. All reported concerns will be handled by designated individuals and teams following Billington Lodge’s relevant procedures (detailed below under ‘Procedures: Investigation and Response’).
Billington Lodge has fair and objective procedures to address all safeguarding concerns, even when they involve Staff Members. Allegations are taken seriously, with the severity of the claims considered throughout the process. We are committed to protecting all parties involved. This means we will only presume guilt once a thorough investigation is completed.
Reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and following all relevant whistleblowing policies law and Billington Lodge’s whistleblowing policy.
5. Mark Feerick is designated as the lead for safeguarding policies and procedures within Billington Lodge.
6. Following appropriate recruitment processes for all new staff members and volunteers. These include:
a. Conducting pre-employment and pre-volunteering checks following relevant regulations.
b. All new Staff Members must take part in, and understand the content of, all necessary safeguarding training before having contact with Billington Lodge’s Beneficiaries. This training equips them with the knowledge and skills to keep everyone safe.
c. Following Billington Lodge’s recruitment policy.
7. Every Staff Member should be provided with, and required to undertake, training that is appropriate to their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. This should, if appropriate, include training on:
a. Identification and responses to abuse by recognising the signs of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
b. Learn active listening skills and how to navigate disclosure of safeguarding concerns, including confidentiality.
c. Follow reporting procedures by understanding when and how to report concerns using Billington Lodge’s established procedures.
d. Stay informed by discovering additional resources like policies, documents, and external training to stay up-to-date on safeguarding best practices.
e. Adult Safeguarding.
f. Child Safeguarding.
g. Anti-bullying and Harassment.
8. Treating all safeguarding information with the utmost confidentiality and security.
This involves:
a. Complying with the UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and data protection act 2018.
b. Following Billington Lodge’s data protection policies and procedures, including Billington Lodge’s data protection and data security policy.
c. Providing Staff Members with training on data protection and privacy, if appropriate.
d. Sharing safeguarding information internally ONLY on a strict need-to-know basis to ensure the best possible care for the Beneficiary involved.
9. Building a safe environment by creating a culture of transparency and awareness to prevent harm. For example:
a. Encourage open communication by informing Beneficiaries about Billington Lodge’s safeguarding procedures and how to report any concerns.
b. Acknowledgement by the Staff Members of safeguarding laws, Billington Lodge’s safeguarding commitments and procedures, and Staff Members responsibilities concerning these.
10. Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-to-date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for Billington Lodge’s relevant activities and workforce, and meeting any review and evaluation requirements specific to Billington Lodge’s industry and organisation type.
Staff Members’ Responsibilities
1. All Staff Members are responsible for promoting the safety and well-being of all of Billington Lodge’s Beneficiaries by following all of Billington Lodge’s policies and procedures relevant to safeguarding and all UK laws relevant to safeguarding. Specifically:
a. All Staff Members at Billington Lodge play a role in keeping Beneficiaries safe and every role will be covered in detail during training. In case of doubt it is important to contact Mark Feerick to clarify any aspect of roles and responsibilities.
b. Encourage all Staff Members to actively participate and ask questions if anything is unclear.
c. Do not risk the safety or well-being of any of Billington Lodge’s Beneficiaries by avoiding any and all of the following situations:
i. Subjecting them to or facilitating abuse of any kind.
ii. Engaging in any sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18
iii. Participating in or facilitating any activities that may commercially exploit Beneficiaries. For example; failing to report suspected child labour or trafficking.
d. Staff Members must report all Safeguarding Concerns that they have regarding Beneficiaries’ safety, regardless of whether the concerns relate to potential wrongdoing by other Staff Members, other Beneficiaries, or external parties (e.g. parents, teachers, other organisations, or members of the public).
Procedures: Reporting
To ensure the safety of Billington Lodge Beneficiaries, Staff Members will be trained to recognise potential safeguarding concerns like abuse, neglect, and threats to well-being.
Staff Members who identify a safeguarding concern should report it following the next steps:
a. Listen attentively, reassure the person but do not promise confidentiality
b. Record factual, detailed information (what was said, heard, and seen) using the standard Safeguarding Report Form (DOC-001)
c. Report immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
3. Staff Members unable to follow the standard reporting steps above should still report the concern in another alternative way. This may be the case if, for example:
a. Contacting someone potentially involved in the concern, or someone the Staff Member feels uncomfortable approaching, or
b. In emergencies involving risk of serious harm, contact emergency services (e.g. police, ambulance, mental health crisis line) directly, or, if appropriate, report the concern to a Trustee of Billington Lodge.
Procedures: Investigations and Response
1. All reported safeguarding concerns and Billington Lodge are treated seriously and addressed promptly by trained personnel following the established procedures and relevant laws. For more details about these procedures, please contact Mark Feerick.
2. We aim to keep Staff Members who report safeguarding concerns informed about its progress as much as possible, depending on the nature of the concern and the confidentiality of the investigations.
3. In case of breach of this Safeguarding Policy or safeguarding law in general by a Staff Member, they will be treated fairly and will only be dismissed if appropriate in the circumstances.
4. External referrals or notifications (e.g. to police services, local authorities, or regulatory bodies) will only be made when deemed necessary and strictly following applicable laws, including data protection regulations, to ensure the safety and well-being of Beneficiaries.
Supporting Documents and Other Protections
1. Other documents that support Billington Lodge’s Safeguarding Policy:
a. Safeguarding training resources
b. Documents for safeguarding in recruitment procedures
2. While this Safeguarding Policy outlines key procedures, Billington Lodge has additional policies to safeguard Beneficiaries, Staff Members, and others. These include:
a. An anti-bullying and harassment policy (POL-002)
b. Whistleblowing policy (POL-003)
c. A health and safety policy (POL-004)
d. An equal opportunities policy (POL-005)
e. A safer recruitment policy (POL-006)
f. A data protection and data security policy (POL-007)
3. Contact a Trustee of Billington Lodge or the Designated Safeguarding Lead to obtain a copy of this policy or any of those listed above.