Chalk Newton Geoscience is an outdoor learning business, operating from field locations in south west England and various classroom training locations in Dorset. We recognise some of our learning programs may bring the us in contact with children and vulnerable adults. We have an overarching commitment to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe.
The purpose of this policy statement is:
- to protect children and young people who receive our services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services
- 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 involved with Chalk Newton Geoscience, including senior managers, owners, paid staff, contractors, consultants, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, students, clients and customers.
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England.
Our supporting documents are:
This policy statement should be read alongside our policies and procedures including:
- Anti-bullying and harassment policy
- Safeguarding officer – roles and responsibilities
- Dealing with concerns about a child or venerable person
- Managing allegations against staff and volunteers
- Safeguarding records retention and storage
- Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
- Code of conduct for children and young people
- Photography and sharing images policy
- Complaints policy
- Whistleblowing policy
- Health and safety policy
- Staff induction policy
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 practice 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
- 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
- working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
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 conduct codes confidently and competently
- recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
- recording, 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, group work 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.
Last update: July 2021.