Congregation of Jesus Charitable Trust
Safeguarding Policy Statement
We believe that all people should be valued, supported and protected from harm and recognise that we have a special responsibility to protect the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults.
The purpose of this policy statement is:
- To protect all children, young people and adults who have involvement with the Charity from harm, and to promote their well-being at all times.
- To provide staff and volunteers, as well as persons at risk and their families with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
Our policy applies to anyone working on behalf of the Congregation of Jesus Charitable Trust, including; the Trustee board, Congregation of Jesus members, senior managers, staff and volunteers.
This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults in England and Wales in line with the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency and Charity Commission guidance.
Supporting Documents
The Charity’s Safeguarding Policy is supported by related policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents, including:
- Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a person at risk
- Code of conduct
- Recruitment and selection policy
- Information sharing arrangements
- Equal opportunities and dignity at work
- Managing complaints
- Disclosures in the public interest (Whistleblowing)
- Health and safety
- Induction, training, supervision and support
We recognise that:
- the welfare of children, young people and adults who interact with the Charity is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
- all of the people we support, 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 individuals are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
- working in partnership with the people we support and other agencies is essential in promoting people’s welfare
We will seek to keep the people we support safe by:
- valuing, listening to and respecting them
- appointing Designated Safeguarding Leads within the Charity and Congregation of Jesus and a lead trustee board member for safeguarding
- adopting child protection and adult safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
- 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 behaviour 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
- making sure that the people we support and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
- using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, adults, 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
- ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for people who use our services, 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, persons at risk and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
Contact details for Designated Safeguarding Leads
Anyone contacting the Designated Safeguarding Leads needs to know that they will be listened to promptly, attentively, and sympathetically.
The Bar Convent
17 Blossom Street, York, YO24 1AQ
Trust designated safeguarding lead – Philippa Smith (St Joseph’s)
Tel: 01904 643 238 (9am to 5pm Monday to Friday)
Email: CJTsafeguarding@barconvent.co.uk
Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) is the regulatory body for Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The CJ Trust is a member of the CSSA.
www.catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
Advice line: 0207 901 1902
Email: admin@catholicsafeguarding.org.uk
Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) is the Service Provider for advice, training, case management, DBS checks and other safeguarding services for Religious Groups in the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The CJ Trust is a member of the RLSS.
www.religioussafeguarding.org
Advice line: 01515 562311
Email: Admin@religioussafeguarding.org