The following statement was agreed by the board of Trustees on Monday 3rd July 2023. The Board of Trustees will review this statement and the full Safeguarding policy annually.

 

• GTM is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults with care and support needs and ensuring their wellbeing.

 

• We endorse and follow all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, in addition to the international conventions outlined above.

 

• We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.

 

• We recognise that we all have a responsibility to help prevent harm to children and adults with care and support needs in all their recognised forms.

 

• We commit ourselves to responding without delay to every concern, complaint or allegation that a child or young person or adult at risk has suffered harm or is at risk of suffering harm;

 

• GTM fully cooperate with statutory agencies during any investigation they make into allegations of abuse or neglect concerning a GTM trustee, staff member, volunteer or a project that GTM is involved in;

 

We are committed to:

 

• The safeguarding of people who may be vulnerable, ensuring their well-being at all times.

 

• Promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.

 

• Following statutory and specialist guidelines in relation to safeguarding children and adults and will ensure that as an organisation all workers will work within the agreed procedure of our safeguarding policy.

 

• Is committed to establishing safe, caring communities which provide an environment where there is a culture of ‘informed vigilance’ as to the dangers of abuse;

 

• Promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust and undertake to exercise proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable.

 

• Implementing the requirements of all relevant legislation including, but not limited to; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, the Disability Discrimination Acts 1995 and 2005, Equality Act 2010 and referring concerns about adults with care and support needs to the local authority under the Care Act 2014.

 

• Carefully selecting staff and volunteers who work with children and young people and adults at risk, and will undertake safer recruitment procedures, including obtaining criminal record checks as appropriate to the role and task being undertaken, to check the background of each person;

 

• Supporting, resourcing and training those who undertake work with children and adults with care and support needs. 

 

• Ensuring that we are keeping up to date with national and local developments relating to safeguarding.

 

• Supporting anyone in the organisation affected by abuse.

 

We recognise:

 

• Children’s Social Services has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about a child.  Adult Social Care has lead responsibility for investigating all allegations or suspicions of abuse where there are concerns about an adult with care and support needs.

 

• Where an allegation suggests that a criminal offence may have been committed then the police should be contacted as a matter of urgency.

 

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.