Safeguarding
Our focus is on building compassionate communities of support for families. To achieve our vision, Home-Start Kernow believes that every child has the right to protection from all forms of abuse or harm. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
To support this, Home-Start Kernow provides clear, mandatory safeguarding policies and procedures for protecting children and adults at risk.
The purpose of our safeguarding policies and procedures is to:
- Create a safeguarding culture where families and children are valued and their right to safety and respect is upheld;
- Protect children and adults who come into contact with Home-Start Kernow in the course of its work by actively managing risk to minimise circumstances where children engaging with Home-Start Kernow may suffer harm;
- Work collaboratively with other organisations to ensure that children and adults at risk are safeguarded and protected;
- Inform partners, beneficiaries and the general public of the overarching principles in relation to safeguarding and protecting children;
- Provide all staff, volunteers and trustees with the overarching principles and procedures that guide our approach to safeguarding and protecting children.
All staff, trustees, volunteers and third parties (such as consultants) are required sign the Home-Start Code of Conduct each year to demonstrate their understanding and commitment to safeguarding. In addition to this, we undertake an annual audit of our safeguarding practice through completing our Home-Start ‘Safeguarding Checklist’.
Home-Start trustees, staff and volunteers are recruited through our ‘safer recruitment’ procedure. They are well-equipped to protect children and families through attending safeguarding training appropriate to their role, including annual updates.
If you are a member of the public who is concerned or worried about a child, you can contact the NSPCC.
Remember: Always call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger.