Child Protection Policy Statement

Facing the World believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

We recognise that:

• • the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
  • all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
  • working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and their agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. This will include working with hospitals, medical staff at the relevant hospitals in the UK and their home countries.

The purpose of the policy:

• • To provide protection for the children and young people who receive Facing the World services, including the children of adult members or users
  • To provide staff and volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm
  • This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers and sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of Facing the World
  • This policy also applies to all medical staff even those employed by other institutions who are involved in the treatment and care of those treated by Facing the World

We will seek to safeguard children and young people by:

• • valuing them, listening to and respecting them
  • adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
  • ensuring that all medical staff, medical volunteers and other professionals involved in the treatment and care of children treated by Facing the World adopt child protection guidelines
  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
  • sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers
  • sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training.

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.