Safeguarding Policy Statement

We take our responsibility to safeguard children and vulnerable young people very seriously. Our Safeguarding policy and practices are aligned to Keeping Children Safe in Education (2019) and NSPCC guidelines in Safeguarding and Child protection (2022). We believe that every child and young person deserves to live a safe and happy life regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Our approach to safeguarding ensures we are:

• protecting children and young people from abuse and maltreatment
• preventing harm to children and young people’s health or development
• ensuring children and young people grow up with the provision of safe and effective support
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Where there is a possibility of abuse, harm or neglect by a person or persons, everyone has a responsibility to report their concerns to the appropriate person.

If you have concerns related to the safety and/or wellbeing of children, young people or vulnerable adults accessing our services, please contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead:

Kelly Headen – Head of Fostering & Supported Lodgings

07809 340638 

Kelly.Headen@stepbystep.org.uk

Management of Concerns

We take all reported concerns, suspicions or allegations of abuse and/or poor practice seriously and will respond swiftly and appropriately. We will support people who report their concerns in good faith and will investigate the concern promptly, referring to the appropriate people and external agencies where necessary.

It is not the responsibility of anyone working/volunteering at Step by Step Fostering to decide whether or not abuse had taken place, however, we will act on any concerns by reporting them to the appropriate external agencies.

We will take appropriate actions within our power to enable any child, young person or vulnerable adult to have the best outcomes.