Safeguarding policy
www.theyoungdarwinian.com
Please email us your comments to info@theyoungdarwinian.com
The Young Darwinian (TYD), through The Welston Press Ltd, is committed to safeguarding the welfare of young and/or vulnerable people, who are involved in any way with our work. Everyone who works with TYD has a responsibility for the protection of young people when meet in person, and when in communication on-line. The Young Darwinian is registered under the UK Data Protection Act. All personal information is regarded as confidential, unless we are given permission to publish it, by the student who is over 18, or by the parent or guardian, if the student is under 18.
Child protection policy
The Young Darwinian believes that a young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We are committed to practice in a way that protects young people.
In the event of a young person feeling threatened, either on line or in person, due to activities relating to The Young Darwinian, they must contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer immediately (see below). Appropriate action will be taken.
The Young Darwinian recognises that:
- The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989 in the UK.
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, or country of residence, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
The Young Darwinian will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
- Valuing them, listening to, and respecting, them.
- Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for children and young people, a deputy and a lead board member for safeguarding.
- Adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers.
- Developing and implementing an effective e-safety policy and related procedures.
- Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures.
- Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made. In the UK, this involves using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We recommend registering as a STEM ambassador with your local representative, who will get the DBS check done for you (https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/ambassadors).
- Recording and storing information professionally and securely.
- Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately.
- Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately.
- Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
Help and advice is available on line for young people:
- Childline, on the phone 0800 1111, and online https://www.childline.org.uk/
- https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-bullying/online-bullying/
- https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/staying-safe-online/
- https://www.youtube.com/user/childline/videos
Adult policy
- In the UK, all adults should have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Register as a STEM ambassador with your local representative, who will get the DBS check done for you (https://www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors/ambassadors).
- When you work, or meet, with children always have another adult with you.
- Report any concerns you have to the appropriate authority.
- Report any issues and ask for advice by contacting us on info@theyoungdarwinian.com.
Help and advice is available on line for parents/adults:
- Visit nspcc.org.uk/o2 There is also an NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000
- Net Aware net-aware.org.uk and the app can be downloaded from Google Play/iTunes stores for free.
- Share Aware https://www.nspcc.org.uk/shareaware
- Call the Online Safety Helpline for free 0808 800 5002
- (Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, weekends 10am-6pm, Bank Holidays 10am-4pm) – they can help with some of the technical/practical elements.
- Book a Guru appointment in an O2 store o2.co.uk/help/guru
- CEOP and ThinkuKnow
- UK Safer Internet Centre
Our policy is based on best practice and the legal requirements in the United Kingdom. If you have any questions, or require advice in your own country please contact us via info@theyoungdarwinian, or contact the equivalent organization to the NSPCC or STEM ambassadors in your country.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely (in the UK):
- Children Act 1989
- United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
- Data Protection Act 1998
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Children Act 2004
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
- Children and Families Act 2014
- Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice: O to 25 years – Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014
- Information sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers; HM Government 2015
- Working together to safeguarding children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; HM Government 2015
Contact details
Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) for The Young Darwinian:
Dr Stephanie B Matthews; email: stephanie@theyoungdarwinian.com
This policy was last reviewed in May 2019
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