Safeguarding Children and Young People

1. Our commitment

Rhyl Education and Community Centre (registered charity 1193328) works directly with children and young people through our supplementary school, homework club, language classes and youth activities. We believe every child has the right to be safe, and safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone involved with the centre — trustees, staff and volunteers alike.

This policy applies to all trustees, employees, volunteers, sessional workers and anyone else working on behalf of the centre.

2. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The trustees have appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for handling safeguarding concerns and for making referrals to statutory services where necessary.

3. Safer recruitment

Everyone working directly and unsupervised with children at the centre is required to hold a current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In addition:

• References are sought for anyone taking on a role involving children.
• New volunteers complete an induction that covers this policy before working with children.
• No one begins unsupervised work with children before their DBS check has been received.
• A record of checks and their dates is kept securely by the trustees.

4. Recognising a concern

Concerns may arise from something a child says, something observed, a change in behaviour or an allegation about an adult. Everyone at the centre should be alert to the possible signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, and other forms of harm including bullying, exploitation and radicalisation.

Staff and volunteers are not expected to decide whether abuse has taken place. Their responsibility is to report the concern promptly.

5. What to do if you have a concern

1. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
2. Listen carefully. Do not promise to keep a secret, and do not investigate or ask leading questions.
3. Record what was said or seen as soon as possible, using the child's own words where you can, with the date, time and your name.
4. Report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead the same day.
5. The DSL will decide whether to refer the matter to the local authority safeguarding team, and will do so without delay where a child may be at risk.

If the concern is about the DSL, or if you feel a concern has not been acted on, report directly to the trustee with safeguarding responsibility or contact the local authority yourself. Anyone may make a referral — you do not need permission from the centre.

6. External contacts

• Denbighshire County Council — Children's Social Services (Single Point of Access)
• Out of hours emergency duty team — Denbighshire County Council
• NSPCC Helpline — 0808 800 5000 · help@nspcc.org.uk
• Childline — 0800 1111
• North Wales Police — 101, or 999 in an emergency

7. Code of conduct

Everyone working with children at the centre agrees to:

• Treat all children with respect, and avoid favouritism.
• Avoid being alone with a child where possible; keep doors open and stay within sight of others.
• Not give out personal contact details or communicate privately with children through social media or messaging apps.
• Not take photographs or video of children on personal devices.
• Use no physical punishment or humiliating treatment of any kind.
• Report any concern about a colleague's conduct.

8. Photography and images

We ask for written parental consent before using any photograph of a child in our materials or online. Consent is recorded at enrolment and can be withdrawn at any time by contacting the centre. Where consent has not been given, we take care that the child is not identifiable.

9. Records and information

Safeguarding records are kept securely and separately from general records, and are shared only with those who need to know. Information about a child's health or additional needs collected at enrolment is handled in line with our Privacy Notice.

10. Allegations against staff or volunteers

Any allegation against someone working at the centre is reported to the DSL and to the trustees immediately, and referred to the local authority designated officer. The person concerned will not be involved in decisions about the case. Where a person is removed from work with children because of a safeguarding concern, the trustees will consider a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

11. Review

This policy is reviewed by the trustees at least once a year, and sooner if guidance changes or an incident indicates a need. Questions about this policy can be sent toinfo@rhylecc.org.uk or raised by calling +44 7543 625216.