Safeguarding

1. Our Commitment and Statement

Teesside Grieving Hearts is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, and trustees. We believe that nobody who comes into contact with our charity should ever experience abuse, harm, neglect, or exploitation.

This policy sets out the overarching principles and procedures we will follow to ensure all individuals are protected from harm, with a particular focus on adults at risk (e.g., those who may be temporarily or permanently unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation due to their emotional state or life circumstances).

2. Scope and Definitions

2.1 Scope

This policy applies to all Trustees, staff (paid or unpaid), and volunteers of Teesside Grieving Hearts. It covers all of the charity's activities, including group meetings, one-to-one peer support sessions, online communications, fundraising, and events.

2.2 Key Definitions

Safeguarding: Protecting people from maltreatment; preventing impairment of health or development; ensuring safe and effective care; and working to create an environment where all people can live safely.
Adult at Risk: Any person aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and, as a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect. Note: Bereavement can cause significant emotional distress, potentially placing an individual in this category temporarily.
Abuse and Neglect: Includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, financial or material abuse, modern slavery, discriminatory abuse, organisational/institutional abuse, neglect and acts of omission, and self-neglect.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The Trustee Board will appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who will be the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Name: [Insert Name]
Role/Contact: [Insert Contact Details - Phone and Email]

Trustee with Lead Responsibility for Safeguarding:

Name: [Insert Name]
Role/Contact: [Insert Contact Details - Phone and Email]

4. Safer Working Practices and Code of Conduct

All individuals involved with the charity must adhere to a Code of Conduct (a separate, supporting document) which includes:

Treating all beneficiaries with dignity and respect.
Maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring all contact is appropriate to the agreed peer support role.
Never making promises of confidentiality that would prevent reporting a safeguarding concern.
Not using personal social media to connect with beneficiaries.
Never being alone with a vulnerable person in an unobserved or private space for an extended period, unless absolutely necessary for the peer support, and following a full risk assessment.

5. Reporting Concerns Procedure

The process for reporting concerns is crucial for protecting beneficiaries.

5.1 Reporting an Immediate Risk

If a beneficiary is in immediate danger or a crime is in progress, call 999 immediately and then inform the DSL as soon as it is safe to do so.

5.2 Reporting a Non-Immediate Concern

Report to the DSL: Any person who becomes aware of a safeguarding concern (suspicion, disclosure, or allegation) must immediately report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) using the designated form (if available) or by phone/email.
Record the Concern: The person reporting should record the details of the concern factually, noting what was seen or heard, the date and time, and who was present. Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
DSL Action: The DSL will:

Record the concern on the charity's confidential safeguarding log.
Assess the level of risk and consult with statutory agencies (e.g., Local Authority Adult Social Care or the Police) as necessary.
Inform the Lead Trustee for Safeguarding.
Decide on the appropriate action, which may include reporting to the relevant statutory body (e.g., Local Authority Adult Social Care, Police) and the Charity Commission (for Serious Incident Reporting).

5.3 Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns will be handled on a 'need-to-know' basis. Confidentiality will be maintained as far as possible, but the need to protect an individual from harm always takes precedence over the need for confidentiality.

6. Safer Recruitment

Teesside Grieving Hearts is committed to robust safer recruitment practices for all roles involving contact with beneficiaries:

DBS Checks: All staff and volunteers will undergo the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for their role, as required by law.
References: At least two satisfactory references will be obtained.
Interviews: Interview questions will explore attitudes towards safeguarding and professional boundaries.

7. Training and Review

7.1 Training

All Trustees, staff, and volunteers will receive regular mandatory safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This will include recognising the signs of abuse and neglect, and understanding the reporting procedures.

7.2 Policy Review

This policy will be formally reviewed by the Trustee Board at least annually, or immediately following any significant change in legislation or a serious safeguarding incident.

8. Supporting Documentation

This policy is supported by the following internal documents: