Safeguarding

Safeguarding Policy

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 could result in a child being physically or psychologically damaged. 

The Trekking Company is a Registered Body with the Criminal Records Bureau and our checks are carried out via Atlantic Data Ltd.

 The recruitment and selection of employees

We recognise that child protection should not be treated in isolation -

we will take on board guidance given by client schools, County Councils, DfE and AALA and will address the recruitment and selection of employees by doing the following:

1) We will interview prospective staff;

2) We accept that it is our responsibility to check that all adults with access to children have been appropriately vetted;

3) We will ensure that as a first step every new member of staff will complete a Disclosure & Barring Service form online. Returning members of staff confirm that DBS checks are still up to date and we will check the Update Service.

4) We will note at interview all previous experience of staff in working with children;

5) Subsequently all employees must hold a DBS check carried out within the last 3 years (or 3.5 years if renewal is mid-season). Once the initial period has lapsed, either the check is renewed or the person will be checked via the DBS Update Service.

Possible Incidents

- If we have suspicions about a child’s physical, sexual or emotional well being, we will take action.

- All staff are encouraged to share concerns with the appointed senior member of staff who monitors child protection issues.

-       All such cases must be referred immediately to the teacher in charge of the school visit. TrekCo staff must realize that there may be other information/background of which we are not aware, and acting without the involvement of school staff would be wholly inappropriate.  The only exception would be the highly exceptional circumstance where school staff are for some reason not available.

-       Visiting teaching staff should hold a register of every child involved with the visit including relevant medical details, and have a contact name and number close to hand in case of emergencies;

- 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 consider contact with Social Work Services or Police immediately. This would follow a consultation with the school staff, and should in all cases be actioned by school staff only.

-       Should our concerns not be shared by the school staff we would consider independent action. However this would be a serious and unprecedented step, and should only be taken in consultation with the appointed Child Protection person within TrekCo.

Adult Protection

TrekCo staff should always be aware that their actions, no matter how well intentioned, could be misinterpreted.

-       Staff training will be given covering how staff should behave and protect themselves from getting into potentially difficult situations regarding child protection.

-       In general, staff should avoid at all times being left alone with a student – for example, accompanying a student who is lost/ has parted from the group back to the campsite. However, it is clear that at times such events cannot be avoided and in this situation staff members should be careful to: seek another adult as quickly as possible to accompany them; not say or do anything which could be misconstrued; don’t seek to comfort or reassure with any physical contact; and in general use common sense to safeguard themselves.

-       Some outdoor activities may require physical contact – for example, helping students with a push to get up a boulder at the rocks; helping to adjust a climbing harness; rescuing from several situations (stuck in a hole, whilst canoeing, from a height when frightened, etc.). In such situations staff must take care to show the student and others present that they are not handling the student inappropriately. For example, shoving someone from behind to get up a short section of a climb is far more acceptable if the forearm is used rather than the hand; pushing/pulling by grabbing the harness is much better than a body part. Usually an overt action with the instructor’s body not shielding the hands from the view of others will be sufficient to allay any concerns and protect the instructor.

-       Should any concerns or accusations arise, these will be treated in accordance with other sections of this policy.

Reporting 

 It is important that all staff communicate concerns accurately.

To this end, staff will follow the procedures below:

1) Upon the receipt of any information from a child or suspicions, it is necessary to record what they have seen, heard or know accurately at the time the event occurs;

2) Share their concerns with the teacher in charge of the group and agree action to take;

3) Always REFER never INVESTIGATE any suspicions or allegations about abuse.

Points to Remember:

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;

Encourage children 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;

Do not share any concerns or information with persons extraneous to the implementation of this policy.