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Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Statement

The guidance in this section applies equally to the counselling of children and to vulnerable adults (those over 18 years of age, who cannot take care of themselves or protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation). This policy applies to Jakin’s team: Trustees, Counsellors, Staff and Volunteers

The Purpose Of This Policy

  • to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child and vulnerable adults’ protection;
  • to protect vulnerable adults, children and young people who receive Jakin’s services. (this includes the children of clients);
  • to ensure clients who come and share about abuse receive a sensitive, professional and appropriate response.

Jakin believes that all people should be protected from abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare and safety of children and vulnerable adults both in their home/ school/ institution/ work environment & at Jakin. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

We recognise that

  • the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989;
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal 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;
  • vulnerable adults need the same welfare rights and protection as children do;
  • working in partnership with children, young people, vulnerable adults and their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting their welfare.

We seek to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe at Jakin by

  • adopting child/vulnerable adult protection practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers, (abiding by the Fraser Guidelines for Health Professionals).
  • recruiting staff, counselling volunteers and trustees safely, ensuring all necessary checks (including enhanced DBS) are made and probationary periods are satisfactorily completed;
  • not employing (paid or unpaid) staff under the age of 16;
  • providing effective management for staff, and volunteers through supervision, support and training in safeguarding and good practice;
  • using only those counsellors with appropriate training to counsel the young or vulnerable;
  • sharing information about child/vulnerable adult protection and good practice with trustees and with our clients where appropriate

We seek to deal professionally with young people & vulnerable adults disclosing abuse by

  • providing a safe and caring environment for them in our counselling sessions;
  • valuing them and listening to them with respect;
  • taking seriously all concerns and allegations of abuse in accordance with the procedures outlined in our “Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Procedures” (in the appendix);
  • never interrogating them, just listening very carefully to what they want to share;
  • recording & then reporting concerns to the Safeguarding Lead and appropriate agencies;
  • only involving parents and carers if it’s deemed safe for the children or vulnerable adults;
  • offering support and counselling (if agreed by the authorities) whenever needed. We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Reviewed 2019-04-09

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