Our Safeguarding Policy Statement explains how The Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association intends to keep children and young people safe. We have safeguarding procedures in place to support the policy statement, including the actions to be taken when safeguarding concerns and allegations arise.
Purpose and Aim of the Policy Statement
The Boys’ Brigade is a Christian Youth Organisation and a registered Charity. It provides opportunities for children and young people aged from 4 to 18 years, of any faith and none, and any background, to learn, grow and discover in a safe, fun, and caring environment which is rooted in the Christian faith.
The Boys’ Brigade is committed to prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Leaders and staff are responsible for this and to support them we have a range of procedures, guidance, policies, and training for leaders, which is regularly reviewed. This ensures that The Boys’ Brigade remains a safe space for children and young people, leaders, and staff, free from harm and abuse, and where concerns arise they are appropriately responded to.
The Boys’ Brigade takes safeguarding seriously. It is constantly working hard to ensure that safeguarding is embedded throughout the organisation and does this in partnership with Churches.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of The Boys’ Brigade, including Trustees, staff, and volunteers.
The Boys’ Brigade policy statement has been drawn up taking account of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. Each area has their own child protection system and laws to help protect children from harm. This is supported by a framework of legislation, guidance, and practice to identify children who are at risk of harm, take action to protect those children and prevent further abuse occurring. Although the child protection systems are different in each area, they are all based on similar principles.
A summary of key legislation and guidance for England, Wales, Scotland is available here and for the Republic of Ireland here.
Policy Statement
It is the responsibility of all staff and volunteers throughout The Boys’ Brigade to promote the welfare of children and young people, to keep them safe and to protect them from harm. Children and young people have a right to live free from abuse, exploitation, harm, and fear and to participate in an organisation that respects and supports them as they develop physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. All volunteers and staff have a responsibility to ensure that at all times their behaviour and actions are appropriate and compatible with their role as a youth leader in a position of trust.
- We recognise that working in partnership with children and young people, their parents and carers and other agencies is essential in promoting their welfare and wellbeing.
- We recognise that some children and young people may be more vulnerable because of previous experiences, communication and/or learning needs, individual support needs, disabilities, and that extra safeguards may be needed to keep them safe from harm.
- We recognise that all children, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm and abuse.
- We recognise that children and young people thrive in environments that are fun, caring and safe and we are committed to ensuring they have a positive and enjoyable experience whilst participating in all BB events and activities.
Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
This is how we keep children and young people safe and respond to safeguarding concerns and allegations.
As part of our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures we will:
- promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- value, listen and respect children and young people.
- adopt safeguarding and child protection best practice through our policies, procedures, leader development and training, guidance and leaders code of conduct.
- ensure all staff and volunteers understand their safeguarding responsibilities in the context of their role, and they receive training and development so they appropriately recognise, respond to, report and record safeguarding concerns and allegations.
- record and store information professionally and securely in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
- provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about our policies, procedures, and leaders code of conduct, and that they follow them confidently and competently.
- use our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with statutory agencies and child protection services involving parents, families, carers, children and young people where appropriate.
- ensure that staff and volunteers are recruited safely and complete any mandatory training that is required before appointment.
- aim to provide a safe physical environment for our children and young people, staff and volunteers.
- ensure we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.
- make sure children and young people, and their parents know where to go for help if they have a concern.
- create and maintain an anti-bullying environment supported by procedures to help deal effectively with any bullying that arises.
- build and maintain a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children and young people, parents and carers trust us and feel comfortable and confident to report safeguarding concerns and allegations knowing they will be dealt with appropriately in line with legislation, statutory guidance, and procedures.
- regularly review our safeguarding policies and procedure to continually improve them, ensure they remain up to date and that we learn from any near miss or serious incidents
And embed safeguarding throughout the organisation, in everything we do.
Supporting Documents
We have a detailed Safeguarding Policy and Procedures document which explains the action that adults in our organisation must take to keep children and young people safe. We are currently reviewing this and will be launching the updated policies, procedures, and guidance early in 2024. They will be available to staff and volunteers within a Safeguarding Hub on our website.
Our Safeguarding Policy Statement should be read alongside these policies, procedures, and our guidance – including but not limited to:
- Recognising, responding to, reporting, and recording a safeguarding concern or allegation about a child or young person
- Recognising, responding to, reporting, and recording a safeguarding concern or allegation about a leader or staff member
- Safeguarding records, retention and storage
- Managing safeguarding concerns or allegations about a child or young person
- Managing safeguarding concerns or allegations, or a significant conduct concern about a leader or staff member
- Leaders Code of Conduct
- Safer Recruitment
- Safeguarding Good Practice
- Online safety
- Managing Complaints
- Preventing and Responding to Bullying
- Whistleblowing
- Managing Risk
Nominated lead for safeguarding and child protection
Debbie Moore, Safeguarding Manger
safeguarding@boys-brigade.org.uk
Senior lead for safeguarding and child protection
Natalie Whipday, Director for Operations
natalie.whipday@boys-brigade.org.uk
On 23rd June 2022 this policy statement was implemented by the Trustees of The Boys’ Brigade. The next review is due by 23rd June 2025.