Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

● To ensure that no child associated with the RMTGB comes to any harm. ● To Safeguard the RMTGB’s staff and volunteers, particularly Case Almoners from any misplaced allegation or suspicion of wrongdoing. ● To protect the reputation of the RMTGB.

Comprising: • • •

Policy Statement Code of Conduct Guidance

July 2008 Reviewed July 2011 Reviewed August 2012 Revised Nov 2012 1

POLICY STATEMENT For safeguarding and protecting children and those adults working on behalf of the RMTGB To help to create a safe and positive environment for children and those adults who carry out duties on behalf of the RMTGB to show that the RMTGB takes its duty and responsibility of care seriously. DEFINITIONS • For the purpose of this Policy, ‘child’ means any beneficiary of the Trust, irrespective of their age. • ‘Others’ means those adults working on behalf of the RMTGB

RATIONALE All organisations working with children directly or indirectly have a moral and legal responsibility to protect those children from both intentional and unintentional harm. This is known as a duty of care. We fulfil this by: • • •

minimising risks of harm; creating safe environments; and taking appropriate steps to respond to any concerns raised.

AIMS OF THE POLICY STATEMENT This is a statement of intent that demonstrates a commitment to safeguard children from harm. It sets out what is required in relation to the protection of children and people working on behalf of the RMTGB. Implementation of the policy and guidance promotes best practice and protection for all. The aims are to: • • •

ensure that no child associated with the RMTGB comes to any harm. protect the RMTGB’s staff and volunteers, particularly Case Almoners from any misplaced allegations or suspicions of wrongdoing; and protect the reputation of the RMTGB.

WHAT WE WILL DO We will meet our duty to protect children and others through the following means: • • • • •

Awareness - we will ensure that all staff and others are aware of the policy and guidance and potential risks. Prevention - we will ensure through awareness that staff and others minimise risks to children and others. Reporting - we will ensure that staff and others are clear what steps to take where concerns arise regarding protection issues. Responding - we will ensure that appropriate action is taken where concerns arise. Recruitment - we will ensure policy and procedures for staff/volunteers are sufficiently rigorous and robust for safeguarding and child protection.

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DESIGNATED PERSON Mrs Julia Young (Welfare Manager) is the RMTGB’s Designated Person responsible for dealing with any concerns about safeguarding and Child Protection of children and others. Any expressions of concern whether from a benefiting child, family or Case Almoner should be referred to Mrs Young ([email protected] Tel: 020 7405 2644),

RESPONSIBILITIES The Designated Person is responsible for: • • • • • • •

acting as a source of advice on safeguarding and child protection matters; keeping abreast of changes in legislation and guidance, disseminating information to ensure best practice; co-ordinating action within the RMTGB; liaising with Health, Children’s Services and other agencies about causes for concern; implementing child protection training; monitoring the implementation of the policy; and ensuring the policy, practices and guidance are kept up to date in accordance with legislation, official guidance and standards. These include: The Children Act 1989 The Children Act 2004 Human Rights Act 1998 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Care Standards Act 2000 Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 Protection of Children Act 1999 Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Data Protection Act 1998 Mental capacity Act 2005 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 Developing Policy and Practice under the guidance of SAFE cic. This list is not exhaustive

The Designated Person will respond to any concerns raised. She may seek guidance in the local context or from local services, including Local Authority Designated Officers (L.A.D.O.). Her response will be guided by concern for the welfare of the child with decisions made in the best interests of the child. In the event of her absence, Julia Young has nominated Sam Maddocks (Senior Welfare Adviser) as her designated deputy.

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SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND OTHERS. New legislation - Protection of Freedoms Act (2012) The key changes brought about with this legislation are: • • • • • • •

Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) registration ceases. Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and ISA will be merged and become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). A new portable and updated system for CRB /DBS disclosure. Barring will only apply to regulated activity roles or to individuals working with vulnerable adults in regulated activities. It will continue to be an offence for a barred person to apply for a regulated activity role or for an employer to appoint a barred person. Introduction of basic checks except for some regulated activity roles, when enhanced checks will be made. Only the applicant will receive the DBS disclosure.

All members of the Welfare Team hold enhanced CRB disclosures. In line with the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 the CRB and the ISA merged in November 2012 to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The DBS has confirmed that only those who are involved in regulated activities or close contact with children and vulnerable adults will be required to apply for an advanced DBS disclosure. The CRB advised the RMTGB that disclosures are not required for Case Almoners on the basis that ‘the child may not be present at the home visit and that they are usually accompanied by a parent’. This position has been strengthened with the recent changes in legislation. The RMTGB took Legal advice concerning the implementation of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (SVGA), which included a new definition of a ‘regulated activity’ in Schedule 4. This definition was further amended in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. A relevant example is ‘any form of advice or guidance wholly or mainly for children, if the advice or guidance relates to their physical, emotional or educational wellbeing’. However, an activity is only a ‘regulated activity’ if it is carried out ‘frequently’ or on four or more days in any 30-day period and by the same person. Although Case Almoners may provide advice or guidance for children (although it may be for parents), they are unlikely to provide such advice on a frequent basis or on four or more days in any 30-day period. The RMTGB’s guidance, which takes account of advice received from the CRB, the NSPCC, our advisers, Safechild and our legal advisers, Stone King, emphasises that Case Almoners must not have or seek to have unsupervised access to children in the course of their duties. Access in this context includes indirect access by telephone, email etc. These measures are intended to safeguard children and also to protect those working in association with the Trust from actions that could be misconstrued and lead to false accusations.

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RIGOROUS RECRUITMENT Rigorous recruitment will be especially important with the scaling back of CRB checks and the introduction of the new, DBS checks for all those who work with children. Enhanced DBS checks will only be required for those who lead on or supervise regulated activities. There will be no legal obligation to check support workers and they will only be eligible for standard checks. We will need to be vigilant during the recruitment process to ensure no one is appointed who may seek to harm children It is an offence for an employer to employ a person who has received a disqualifying order. A disqualifying order would be made when a person was charged, or subsequently convicted of an offence against children. Offences include murder, manslaughter, rape other serious sexual offences, GBH and or other serious acts of violence. It is an offence to ask for a DBS check on anyone not involved in a regulated activity.

APPOINTMENT OF CASE ALMONERS Case Almoners are usually appointed by the Provincial Grand Almoner or the Lodge Secretary in the case of a Metropolitan Lodge. The nominated Freemason must not be a close relative of the family or a present or past petitioner. It is expected that in selecting a Case Almoner the Lodge will have regard for the following qualities: • • • •

Caring, sympathetic and friendly; by nature of the RMTGB’s work, family circumstances are often very distressing. Thorough in carrying out tasks to ensure the interests of the RMTGB and its beneficiaries are protected. Careful about preserving confidentiality. Consistent; ideally the position should be long term so that a ongoing relationship is built between family and Case Almoner.

All potential Case Almoners are required to sign a personal declaration confirming that: •

• • •

No children’s services department, any organisation or the police has ever conducted an enquiry or investigation about any allegations or concerns that they may pose an actual or potential risk to children or young people. N.B. It is an offence for a Barred individual to work or volunteer with children and Vulnerable Adults or seek to do so. They have never been convicted of any offence relating to children or young people. They have never been the subject of disciplinary procedures or been asked to leave employment or voluntary activity due to inappropriate behaviour towards a child. They have received a copy of “Guidance Notes for Case Almoners” together with the RMTGB’s Policy Statement on Safeguarding and Child Protection and associated Code of Conduct. It is a requirement they have read and understood the contents.

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CODE OF CONDUCT This sets out guidance on appropriate behaviour of staff and others in carrying out their duties on behalf of the RMTGB. It applies to Welfare Advisers, Case Almoners and others carrying out duties on behalf of RMTGB. The guidance should be interpreted in a spirit of transparency and common sense, with the best interests of the child as the primary consideration.

PURPOSE • • •

To clarify what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behaviour towards children. To ensure that everyone understands and abides by behaviours that promote / create a “child-safe” environment. To avoid potential misunderstandings which may lead to false allegations.

WHAT TO DO It is expected that you will: • treat all children with respect; • provide an example of good conduct you would wish others to follow; • respect a young person’s right to privacy; • recognise that special caution is required if discussing sensitive issues; • be aware that physical contact with a child may be misinterpreted; • remember that someone else may misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned; • discuss any concerns with the designated person, Mrs Julia Young; and • challenge unacceptable behaviour and report all allegations / suspicions of harm in accordance with RMTGB guidance. You must not: • place yourself in a vulnerable situation; • be alone with children; • rely on your good name to protect you; • believe “it could never happen to me”; • take a chance when common sense, policy or practice suggests another more prudent approach is advisable.

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GUIDANCE “Guidance - Case Almoners and Children Protection” was last reviewed in August 2012 and revised in Nov 2012. The role of Case Almoner for the RMTGB involves regular contact with Petitioners and Beneficiaries. To safeguard children and those adults who carry out duties on behalf of the RMTGB the Council of the RMTGB has stated that Case Almoners must adhere to the following guidance:

Safeguarding petitioners, beneficiaries and Case Almoners • • •

When visiting petition families, especially single parent families, take someone with you, for example your partner or another member of the Lodge. Never be alone with children or young people. For example, if you are invited into the family home when there is no responsible adult there, you should politely decline and return at another time. Do not put yourself in a vulnerable position, for example by offering to take a child somewhere in your car.

What to do if you’re worried about a child being abused • •

Contact the RMTGB’s designated member of staff, Mrs Julia Young. She will provide advice and where appropriate consult with the relevant professional bodies. If a concern is viewed as an emergency it is advised that the ‘out of hours’ Child and Family team at the local social services be contacted directly.

If you have any questions at all about what you should do to protect yourself or the children you come into contact with while acting in your role as Case Almoner for the RMTGB, please contact: Julia Young, Welfare Manager [email protected] Tel: 020 7405 2644 In her absence, please ask for Sam Maddocks, Senior Welfare Adviser

Forms/PSC

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