Wot Wud U Do Safeguarding Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect people, particularly children, at-risk adults, and beneficiaries of assistance, from any harm that may arise due to their contact with Wot Wud U Do. This includes harm resulting from the conduct of staff or personnel associated with Wot Wud U Do or from the design and implementation of our programmes and activities

Scope

This policy applies to all staff contracted by Wot Wud U Do, as well as associated personnel engaged in work or visits related to Wot Wud U Do, including consultants, volunteers, contractors, and program visitors (e.g., journalists, celebrities, politicians)

Policy Statement

Wot Wud U Do believe that everyone we encounter, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin, has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. We will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by staff or associated personnel.

We commit to safeguarding through three pillars: prevention, reporting, and response.

Prevention

Wot Wud U Do will:

• Ensure all staff have access to, are familiar with, and understand their responsibilities within this policy.
• Design and undertake all its programmes and activities in a way that protects people from any risk of harm.
• Implement stringent safeguarding procedures when recruiting, managing, and deploying staff and associated personnel, including DBS checks at the highest level permitted, re-checked every three years.
• Ensure all staff receive regular safeguarding training, with induction training for new staff.

Safer Recruitment

Wot Wud U Do will ensure that all recruitment processes, including for volunteers, staff, and contractors, follow safer recruitment standards. This includes obtaining an enhanced DBS check for those working with children and young people at the highest level permitted, with re-checks completed every three years.

Staff Responsibilities

• Wot Wud U Do staff and associated personnel must not engage in sexual activity with anyone under the age of 18 or subject a child or at-risk adult to any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Staff must not engage in any form of sexually exploitative activities or exploit beneficiaries through the exchange of money, goods, services, or employment for sexual activity.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
Staff members who have a safeguarding concern should report it immediately to the Safeguarding Officer. If they are uncomfortable reporting to the Safeguarding Officer, they may report to any senior manager or a member of the HR Team.

How to Report a Safeguarding Concern
Concerns can be reported to:

• Safeguarding Officer: Dave Clayton
• Email: Dave@wwudes.co.uk
• Phone: 07850043313

Response
Wot Wud U Do will follow up safeguarding concerns promptly according to policy and legal obligations. Disciplinary measures will be applied to staff found in breach of the policy. Survivors of harm will be offered support, regardless of whether a formal internal response is carried out.

Confidentiality
It is essential that confidentiality is maintained at all stages when dealing with safeguarding concerns. Information related to concerns should only be shared on a need-to-know basis and always kept secure.

Safeguarding Training and Induction
All staff will undergo regular safeguarding training, with new staff receiving safeguarding induction training as part of their onboarding process. Training will be conducted annually or bi-annually to ensure all personnel remain informed about safeguarding responsibilities and procedures.

Review and Update
This policy was last reviewed on 10/08/24 The next review will take place in 10/08/25.