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SAFEGUARDING

Introduction

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The Flourish Group CIC is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all individuals, especially children and vulnerable adults, who engage with our services and community activities. This policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding and protecting against harm in compliance with the Children Act 1989, the Care Act 2014, and the Charity Commission’s guidelines for safeguarding within charities. All trustees, staff, volunteers, and stakeholders are expected to be aware of and comply with this policy.

 

Scope

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This policy applies to all employees, trustees, volunteers, beneficiaries, and community members involved with The Flourish Group CIC. The Flourish Group CIC will not tolerate abuse of any kind and will act to protect and support any individual affected.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

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  • Directors retain overall responsibility for safeguarding within The Flourish Group CIC, ensuring that policies are in place and effectively implemented.

  • Safeguarding Officer: A designated Safeguarding Officer will oversee adherence to safeguarding protocols, act as the first point of contact for any concerns, and report to trustees.

  • Staff and Volunteers are required to understand and follow the safeguarding procedures, report concerns, and undergo any necessary training and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks.

 

Recognising and Responding to Concerns

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  • Identifying Abuse: All individuals within the organisation will receive guidance on recognising signs of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

  • Reporting: All concerns should be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Officer, who will document and assess the issue and, if needed, report to appropriate authorities such as social services or the police.

  • Confidentiality and Record Keeping: All safeguarding records will be stored securely, accessible only to designated individuals. Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis in compliance with GDPR.


 

Safer Recruitment and Training
 

  • Recruitment: All staff, trustees, and volunteers will undergo DBS checks as appropriate for their roles. We will verify references, employment history, and gaps in employment.

  • Training: Regular training on safeguarding procedures will be provided to ensure everyone understands their responsibilities. This includes guidance on identifying abuse, recording incidents, and handling disclosures.

 

Preventing Harm

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  • Policies and Codes of Conduct: Clear policies on acceptable behaviour and codes of conduct will be enforced. This includes online conduct to protect individuals from cyberbullying or online abuse.

  • Risk Assessments: Regular risk assessments will be conducted to identify potential safeguarding risks in activities, events, and partnerships.

 

Handling and Reporting Incidents

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  • Immediate Action: Any reported incidents will be handled promptly to mitigate further harm.

  • Reporting: The Safeguarding Officer will manage all incidents and liaise with appropriate external bodies, including local authorities and the Charity Commission, in cases of significant harm or repeated issues.

  • Whistleblowing: A whistleblowing policy protects individuals who report concerns about misconduct or abuse from retaliation.

 

Policy Review

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The Flourish Group CIC’s safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or as needed in response to updates in legal requirements or after any significant safeguarding incident. 

 

This safeguarding policy aims to ensure a robust safeguarding environment, with clear guidelines and channels for reporting and handling concerns. For more information on safeguarding best practices, see the [Charity Commission’s guidelines on safeguarding](12) and [NSPCC’s safeguarding resources](10). 

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