Principles
• PXI recognises that everyone has different levels of vulnerability and that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives.
• We commit ourselves to respectful care for all children or adults involved in or serviced by the organisation.
• It is the responsibility of leaders, workers and volunteers to prevent the physical, emotional, sexual, financial or spiritual abuse of children or vulnerable people and to report any such abuse that is discovered or suspected.
Policy Aims
• To provide a safe meeting place for all
• To promote equality of opportunity for all
We are committed to:
• The safeguarding of children and adults at risk, ensuring their well-being in the activities run by the organisation.
• Promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust.
• Promoting the inclusion and empowerment of people who may be vulnerable.
• Exercising proper care in the appointment and selection of those who will work with people who may be vulnerable, through safer recruitment.
• Supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who undertake work amongst people who may be vulnerable.
Application of the Policy
All new workers, whether paid or voluntary, working for PXI, will be informed of the policy by the person responsible for safeguarding. They will be expected to accept the policy and guidelines and work according to their requirements. The policy will displayed in a prominent place in all rooms used by the organisation. The policy will be reviewed annually.
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
An accepted definition of a vulnerable adult is:
“Any adult aged 18 or over who, due to disability, mental function, age or illness or traumatic circumstances, may not be able to take care or protect themselves against the risk of significant harm, abuse, bullying, harassment, mistreatment or exploitation.”
Some of the factors which may increase vulnerability include:
• Sensory or physical disability or impairment
• A learning disability
• A physical illness
• Mental ill health (including dementia), chronic or acute
• Addiction to alcohol, drugs or other substances
• The failing faculties in old age
• A permanent or temporary reduction in physical, mental or emotional capacity brought about by life events, eg bereavement, previous abuse, trauma or family breakdown
Safeguarding Children
The organisation accepts the statutory definition of a child as:
“Anyone who has not yet reached their eighteenth birthday. The fact that a child has reached 16 years of age, is living independently or is in further education, a member of the armed forces, in hospital or in custody in the secure estate, does not change their status or entitlements to services or protection.” (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.)
Good Practice in Safeguarding
We believe that good practice means:
i) All people are treated with respect and dignity.
ii) No one should meet or work alone with a child or vulnerable adult where the activity cannot be seen unless this is necessary for pastoral reasons, in which case a written record will be made and kept noting date, time and place of visit.
iii) The organisation will ensure that any health and safety concerns are reported to the PXI trustees, (contact details to be found on the notice board in the entrance to the building and website)
iv) Activity risk assessments will be undertaken before any activity takes place to minimise the risk of harm to those involved.
Our Activities
Recruitment
PXI will follow safe recruitment practices when appointing staff and volunteers. Appointment to any post, paid or voluntary, will not be made until these processes are complete. This will include taking up references and a Disclosure and Barring Check (DBS) if necessary. All appointments will be made on a conditional basis until the completion of a satisfactory probationary period.
Registration & Parental Consent
All activities will keep a register of those attending each session. Parental consent forms, including emergency contact details, must be completed for all participants in children/young people’s activities, and must be available to group leaders whenever the group meets. Consent to photographs and videos must be obtained from the parent/carer of under 18s and from any adult or child over the age of 13, and kept as a record.
Insurance
PXI will ensure that there is adequate insurance cover for all activities.
Fire Regulations & Security
All group leaders will be aware of fire regulations and the positions of fire extinguishers at any location where PXI conducts activities. They will be vigilant as to the presence of anyone on the premises during the meetings of the groups. They should know who to contact in an emergency relating to the building.
Food & Hygiene
If any group is involved in the preparation or selling of food, at least one leader should have completed the food hygiene and food safety course to ensure good practice is followed, and certificates should be displayed.
First Aid & Accidents
Accidents should be recorded in the accident report book, located in the online document repository. There should be a properly stocked first aid kit accessible at every location where PXI conduct activities.
Training
oup leaders and helpers are expected to complete safeguarding training appropriate to their role
Contact
Please send any safeguarding concerns to us: