Policies

"Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child-centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child."
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(KCSIE 2021, p.5)

Purpose

Many Chapters provides one-to-one art therapy, group art therapy sessions, staff CPD sessions, one-to-one staff support sessions and parent workshops to mainstream primary and secondary schools. Many Chapters is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all the children, young people, families and staff we work with. This safeguarding policy outlines the steps we take to protect all individuals and ensure that we comply with all relevant safeguarding legislation and regulations.

Legal Framework

This policy has been created with due regard to all relevant legislation including, but not limited to, the following legislation:

Children Act 1989
Children Act 2004
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Data Protection Act 2018
The Childcare (Disqualification) and Childcare (Early Years Provision Free of Charge) (Extended Entitlement) (Amendment) Regulations 2018
Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 Statutory Guidance 3
HM Government (2013) ‘Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling cases of Forced Marriage’
DfE (2018) ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’
DfE (2015) ‘The Prevent Duty’
DfE (2020) ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’
DfE (2018) ‘Disqualification under the Childcare Act 2006’
DfE (2017) ’Statutory Framework for EYFS’ Non-statutory Guidance
DfE (2015) ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’
DfE (2018) ‘Information Sharing’
DfE (2017) ‘Child Sexual Exploitation’
DfE (2018) ‘Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Between Children in Schools and Colleges’
NPCC – When to Call the Police
Extremism and Radicalisation Policy

Terminology

It is important to use appropriate terminology when discussing safeguarding and child protection. The following definitions are provided to clarify some key terms:

Child: A person under the age of 18 years
Safeguarding: The process of protecting children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and ensuring that they have the best outcomes in life.
Child protection: The process of protecting children who have been identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, harm.
Abuse: The intentional or unintentional harm or mistreatment of a child, including physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Neglect: Failing to provide for a child's basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or education.
Exploitation: Using a child for personal or financial gain, such as forced labour, sexual exploitation, or involvement in criminal activity.
DSL: Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Types of safeguarding

There are several types of safeguarding that are relevant to children and young people:

Child protection: The process of protecting children who have been identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, harm.
Online safety: Protecting children from harm and exploitation on the internet and social media, including online grooming and cyberbullying.
Radicalisation and extremism: Protecting children from being drawn into terrorism, extremism or radicalisation.
Mental health: Supporting children who may be at risk of harm due to their mental health, including self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Physical health: Supporting children who may be at risk of harm due to physical illness or disability, including safeguarding around medication, medical procedures and hygiene.
Sexual health: Supporting children who may be at risk of harm due to sexual behaviour, including safeguarding around sexual education and sexual health services.

Recognising Cultural Diversity in Safeguarding

FGM:

For the purposes of this policy, FGM refers to the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or any other injury to the female genital organs. It is considered a form of abuse and is illegal in the UK. If our therapists and volunteers suspect that a child is at risk of FGM or has already been a victim, they are required to share this information with the school, social care services and/or the police.

Forced Marriage:

Forced marriage is defined as a marriage that is entered into without the full and free consent of one or both parties and where violence, threats, or any other form of coercion is used to cause a person to enter into the marriage. Forced marriage is considered a crime in the UK. If our therapists have any concerns regarding a child who may have undergone, is currently undergoing, or is at risk of forced marriage, they will speak to the DSL of the school and safeguarding procedures will be followed, which could include referral to CSCS, the police, or the Forced Marriage Unit.

Supporting those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND):

CHAPTERS recognises that pupils with SEND can face additional safeguarding challenges and understands that further barriers may exist when determining abuse and neglect in this group of children.

Therapists who work with children and young people with SEND to ensure they have the appropriate support they need to access our services. We will always consider their individual needs and make reasonable adjustments to ensure their safety and welfare.

Therapists will work collaboratively with school staff, parents/carers, and other relevant professionals to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the appropriate support and protection they need. We will follow the relevant school's policies and procedures, including the school's SEND policy, and will share any concerns regarding the welfare of children with SEND with the DSL and MANY CHAPTERS.

Staff Responsibilities

Asia Scott (Founder of Many Chapters) is the Designated Safeguarding Lead for MANY CHAPTERS and all concerns regarding safeguarding should be reported to her.

Staffing

All of our staff undergo a thorough DBS background check before being employed, and we ensure that all staff members working with vulnerable individuals have the appropriate qualifications and training.

MANY CHAPTERS Safeguarding attitudes

We value each child and young person
We listen to what a child or young person is saying
We treat children and young people with respect and dignity
We recognise the unique contribution each individual can make
We aim to never exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
We aim to never draw any conclusions about others without checking the facts
We are aware that someone might misinterpret our actions no matter how well intentioned

Good Practice - Advice on Disclosure

Never guarantee absolute confidentiality, Child Protection always takes precedence
Listen to the child rather than question them directly. Offer them reassurance without making promises and take what the child says seriously.
Allow the child to speak without interruption. Accept what is said – it is not your role to question or investigate. Do not overreact.
Advise you will try to offer support, but that you must pass the information on. Explain what we will have to do and whom you will have to tell.
Record the discussion accurately, as soon as possible after the event. Use the child’s words or explanations – do not translate into your own words in case you have misconstrued what the child was trying to say.
If the child has made a serious disclosure, or you believe they are about to, ask the child if they would like to go with you to tell the Designated Safeguarding Officer within the school so that the child can deliver the disclosure directly to this person. This removes the therapist from needing to escalate further and can remove any barriers that are associated with multiple professionals being involved at disclosure stage.
Contact Asia and school DSL for advice.
Record any discussions / actions taken within 24 hours.
Discuss any disclosures in clinical supervision.
Alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement.

Safeguarding and Arts Psychotherapy

Art Psychotherapy is particularly well placed to observe signs indicating potential safeguarding issues. In an Art Therapy session, a therapist may become aware of concerns expressed verbally and non-verbally (through imagery, symbols and themes in art and play) within the context of the therapeutic relationship.

Explaining Confidentiality to Children

MANY CHAPTERS regards children’s safety and wellbeing as the most important aspect of the therapeutic intervention. As therapy sessions are confidential, it is important that we are able to explain the boundaries and limits of confidentiality in a way that children understand. This helps to create an atmosphere of trust and safety within the therapeutic relationship. All children will complete a contract with their therapist before starting and be reminded of this to ensure their continual understanding of therapeutic confidentiality and its boundaries.

What to do if concerned about a child’s welfare

If a staff member at MANY CHAPTERS has any safeguarding concerns at all, they must act immediately
All staff members should understand their individual school’s safeguarding policies and procedures, and follow them appropriately. In most cases, this will include taking accurate notes, filling out a Raising Concerns Form and informing the DSL, in person, immediately
Staff members will also inform Asia Scott at MANY CHAPTERS and complete the MANY CHAPTERS Raising Concerns Form
MANY CHAPTERS management may be in contact with the school DSL and senior management team to liaise on a case if needed and appropriate
MANY CHAPTERS therapists may be required to follow up safeguarding queries with parents in person or on the phone. They may need to be present in multi-agency meeting, if appropriate
Depending on the type of safeguarding at hand, the DSL may inform parents, GP, social services, local authority (MASH referral), police or other professionals
If DSL or MANY CHAPERS has not heard from MASH referral within 72 hours they must follow up

GDPR and note taking

MANY CHAPTERS uses an encrypted email system to securely send emails. All electronic records, information and confidential notes will be kept only in electronic serves that are committed to complying with the EU General Data Protection (GDPR) such as Google, Protonmail Drive or Dropbox. In addition, all hard copies of records, information and confidential notes will be kept in separate files in a locked drawer or filing cabinet. Only authorised personnel will have access to these files. Alternatively, files will be password protected and saved in encrypted format. Careful records must be kept for all relevant sessions, and stored in accordance with GDPR requirements. Notes regarding any disclosure should be factual, as verbatim as possible and non-interpretative.

MANY CHAPTERS acknowledges that a safeguarding amendment (85) to the Data Protection Bill adopted by the House of Commons Public Bill Committee on 13 March 2018, allows for the processing of special category personal data – without consent if the circumstances justify it – where it is in the substantial public interest, and necessary for the purpose of protecting an individual from neglect or physical, mental or emotional harm or protecting the physical, mental or emotional well-being of an individual where that individual is a child or an adult at risk.

Safeguarding Allegation against MANY CHAPTERS

If there is a safeguarding complaint against a MANY CHAPTERS employee, this should be reported immediately to MANY CHAPTERS Designated Person and school DSL. It will be investigated with all parties concerned. Actions to be put in place to address the address the concern may include:

Further investigation
Immediate cessation of the therapeutic intervention
Escalation involving the authorities including: police, local education authority and/or social services MASH team (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub)
Reporting of the incident to Independent Safeguarding Authority and HCPC.

Safeguarding and child protection policy