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Safeguarding Policy
The purpose of the policy statement is to:
- Protect children, young people, and adults from harm.
- Provide staff and volunteers, as well as children, young people, and adults, with the fundamental principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Menter Iaith Gwynedd, including the Management Board, officers, subcontractors, and users.
Legal Framework
This policy has been developed based on legislation, policy, and guidance aimed at protecting children and adults in Wales.
Key sources:
- Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
- Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2020
- Children Act 1989
Supporting documents
This policy statement should be read alongside our organisation’s policies, procedures and guidance, and other relevant documents including: -
- Designated safeguarding officer role description
- Handling disclosures and concerns about a child, young person or adult
- Managing allegations against staff
- Recording concerns and sharing information
- Safer recruitment
- Guidance on photography and image sharing
- Anti-bullying
- Complaints management
- Whistleblowing
- Health and safety
- Induction training, supervision and support.
We believe that: -
Children, young people, and adults should never experience abuse of any kind.
We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of every child, young person, and adult, to keep them safe, and to work in a way that protects them.
We acknowledge that: -
- The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and all the decisions we make.
- Every child, young person, and adult—regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation—has an equal right to protection from all forms of abuse and harm.
- Some people are more vulnerable due to the impact of past experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs, or other issues.
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their carers, and otheragencies is essential to promoting people's welfare.
We will seek to keep children, young people, and adults safe by:
- Valuing, listening to, and respecting them.
- Appointing a designated safeguarding lead and deputy, and a lead Board Member responsible for safeguarding.
- Adopting best safeguarding practices through our policy and associated procedures.
- Providing effective staff management through supervision, support, training, and quality assurance measures, ensuring all staff are aware of our policies and procedures and follow them confidently.
- Recruiting and selecting staff safely, ensuring all necessary checks are carried out.
- Conducting regular DBS checks in accordance with national guidelines.
- Recording, storing, and using information professionally and securely, in compliance with data protection legislation and guidelines.
- Sharing information regarding safeguarding and good practice with children, young people, and adults.
- Ensuring children, young people, and adults know where to seek help if they have a concern.
- Using our safeguarding procedure to share concerns and relevant information with agencies that need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families, and carers as appropriate.
- Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff appropriately.
- Create and maintain an anti-bullying environment and ensure we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that occurs.
- Ensure we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.
- Ensure a safe physical environment by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidelines.
- Build a safeguarding culture where staff, children, young people, and their families treat each other with respect and feel comfortable sharing concerns.
Contact Details
Designated Safeguarding Officer:
Meirion Owen, Language Development Officer
01248 370050
Meirion@menteriaithgwynedd.cymru
Deputy Safeguarding Officer:
Iwan Hywel, Chief Officer,
Iwan@menteriaithgwynedd.cymru
Nominated Board Member:
Rhys Glyn
Rhysmglyn@gmail.com
This Policy first came into effect on 5/12/2023
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practices annually.
Signed (Gareth Thomas)
Chair of the Management Board