Hampshire Mentoring Service delivers a range of mentoring services to children, young people and young adults with the aim of helping them take steps towards fulfilling their potential. As such we believe that everyone has a duty of care to promote the wellbeing of all clients and protect them from harm.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

·       To protect children and young people who receive Hampshire Mentoring Service’s services from harm. This includes all clients.

·       To provide staff and volunteers as well as children and young people and their families/carers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection

This policy applies to everyone working on behalf of Hampshire Mentoring Service.

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/childprotection.

Supporting documents

This policy should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:

·       Role description for the designated safeguarding officer

·       Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

·       Managing allegations against staff

·       Code of conduct for staff

·       Behaviour policy for children and young people

·       Photography and sharing images guidance

·       Managing complaints

·       Health and safety

·       Supervision and support

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 practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

·       The welfare of children and young people is paramount in all the work we do and all the decisions we take

·       Working in partnership with children, young people, their families and professionals in essential in promoting young people’s welfare

·       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 and abuse

·       Some children are additionally vulnerable due to the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other challenges

·       Extra safeguards may be needed to keep those who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

·       Valuing, listening to and respecting them

·       Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct

·       Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance

·       Sharing information about safeguarding good practice with those we work with

·       Sharing information with families, carers, children and young people about what to do 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, families and carers appropriately

·       Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for those we work with by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law

·       Building a safeguarding culture where all treat each other with respect and are comfortable sharing concerns

·       Considering and identifying relevant risks that could occur as part of ordinary delivery of services

Boundaries

1.         No contact should occur between clients and HMS staff outside of professional interactions. No social contact should occur unless reason for this has been firmly established and recorded. In the event of coincidental contact HMS staff should use professional judgement and record the interaction.

2.         Gifts received by HMS staff will be declared and gifts which are deemed inappropriate will not be accepted

3.         No photographs will be taken of clients, any photographs will only contain images of the activities completed during sessions

Weapons in sessions

A weapon is defined as anything which could be interpreted for this use.

If a client has or is thought to have a bladed weapon the police will be contacted immediately via 999 and the session will be ended with immediate effect.

In the event a client has a non-bladed weapon the situation will be dynamically risk assessed and appropriate action taken.

If at any point HMS staff feel threatened or at risk they will contact the police immediately via 999.