Privacy Policy

Child Protection Policy for MJO Wellbeing Services Ltd, including Mike Ogden & mike Ogden Mentoring.

 

We believe that every child regardless of age has, at all times and in all situations, a right to feel safe and protected from any situation or practice that results in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. In our organisation, if we have suspicions about a child’s physical, sexual or emotional well-being, we will take action. 

 

We recognise that child protection should not be treated in isolation - we will take on board guidance given by Highland Child Protection Committee and will address recruitment and selection of volunteers and paid employees by doing the following: 

 

1.    We accept that it is our responsibility as an organisation to check that all adults in positions requiring disclosure checks are members of the appropriate Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme and have been appropriately vetted

 

2.    We will ensure we have a record of personal details for each member of staff/volunteer

 

3.    We will ensure we have carried out necessary checks in relation to anyone working with children and young people, including requesting references where appropriate

 

4.    We will interview prospective volunteers and staff

 

5.    We will notify Disclosure Scotland if anyone on the Disqualified from Working with Children List applies to work for or volunteer with our organisation 

 

6.    We will ensure that all staff are given Codes of Practice to work to

 

7.    We will remove any member of staff or volunteer whom we know or suspect to have caused harm to a child or to have placed a child at risk of harm and we will notify Disclosure Scotland of our actions and the reasons for them, even if that person has left our organisation

 

All members of staff and volunteers are encouraged to share concerns with the organisation’s Child Protection Lead. If the situation urgent, the child is too frightened to go home or we have very serious doubts about the child’s safety, we will contact Social Work or Police immediately. 

 

 

 

 

 

Child Protection Is Everyone’s Responsibility

 

 

If our concerns are more general about a child’s welfare, then we will discuss these with our organisation’s Child Protection Lead/Designated Person, who would then make a referral to an appropriate professional for assessment of the child’s needs. It is important that all volunteers and staff communicate concerns accurately. 

 

If the situation is clearly an urgent case, the child is too frightened to go home or we have very serious doubts about the child’s safety, we will contact Social Work Services or Police immediately. 

 

To this end, volunteers and staff will follow the procedures below; 

 

1.    Upon the receipt of any information from a child or suspicions, it is necessary to make an accurate and detailed written record of what they have seen, heard or know, at the time the event occurs; 

 

2.    Share their concerns with the Child Protection Lead for the organisation and agree what action to take; 

 

3.    Avoid asking any more questions than are necessary to clarify whether there is a concern. Always REFER to statutory services to undertake in depth INVESTIGATION of any suspicions or allegations about abuse. 

 

If we have concerns we must act - it may be the final piece of the jigsaw that is needed to protect that child - or we may prevent, further children from being hurt.

 

Contact numbers for Local Family Teams and the Police are available at www.hcpc.scot

 

For ease of reference note them below: 

 

Local Family Team (Care and Protection)

 

Police                                                                                     101 (non-urgent)

                                                                                                999 (urgent)

 

Out of hours Social Work Emergency Service:              08457 697284 

 

 

                         

 

Policy Statement for MJO Wellbeing Services Ltd, including Mike Ogden & Mike Ogden Mentoring

We will:

·      Hold a register of every child/protected adult involved with the organisation including relevant medical details and have a contact name and number close to hand in case of emergencies; 

 

·      Treat everyone with respect; 

 

·      Remember that some issues are confidential; 

 

·      Provide an example we would wish others to follow; 

 

·      Where possible consider activities which involve more than one adult being present or at least within sight and hearing of others; 

 

·      Be aware that someone else might misinterpret our actions even if they are well-intentioned; 

 

·      Respect a child’s right to personal privacy; 

 

·      Provide time for children to talk to us; 

 

·      Encourage children and adults to respect and care for others;

 

·      Take action to stop any inappropriate verbal or physical behaviour; 

 

·      Remember to REFER not INVESTIGATE any suspicions or allegations about abuse; 

 

·      Only share concerns and seek support from those identified in the organisation’s child/adult protection policy; 

 

Contact numbers for Local Family Teams and the Police are available at www.hcpc.scot

 

 

Designated Child Protection Lead

 

Name: Mike Ogden

 

Contact Details: mike@mikeogdenmentoring.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Policy on the Secure Handling, Use, Storage and Retention of Disclosure Information.

 

In accordance with the Disclosure Scotland Code of Practice, for registered persons and other recipients of Disclosure Information, we will ensure the following practice. 

 

·      Checks will only be requested when necessary and relevant to a particular post and the information provided on a disclosure certificate will only be used for recruitment purposes. 

·      We will ensure that an individual’s consent is given before seeking a disclosure, and will seek their consent before using disclosure information for any purpose other than recruitment. 

·      Information will only be shared with those authorised to see it in the course of their duties. 

·      Where additional information is provided to our designated signatory and not to the applicant, our designated signatory will not disclose this information to the applicant, but will inform them of the fact that additional information has been provided, should this information affect the recruitment decision. 

·      Information will be stored in a locked non-portable container, for a maximum of 6 months. Only those authorised to see this information in the course of their duties will have access to this container. 

·      Information will be destroyed by shredding. 

·      No image or photocopy of the disclosure information will be made, however the following details may be retained:

o   Date of issue of PVG check

o   Name of subject 

o   Disclosure type 

o   Position for which disclosure was requested 

o   Unique reference number of disclosure 

o   Recruitment decision taken 

·      If the subject of the Disclosure check is found to be on the ‘Disqualified from Working with (Children/Adults) List’ we will notify the Police that an attempt has been made to acquire work with children/adults.

·      We will ensure that all staff with access to information are aware of this policy and have received relevant training and support. 

·      We will make a copy of this policy available to any applicant for a post (paid or voluntary) with us that requires a PVG check.  

 

Further advice and information can be found here: https://www.mygov.scot/pvg-scheme/?via=https://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/disclosureinformation/pvgscheme.htm