Red Road Community Hub

Safeguarding Policy

1. Policy Statement

This policy applies to all staff, including senior managers, trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of Red Road Community Hub.

The purpose of this policy is to protect children and vulnerable adults who receive Red Road Community Hub’s services from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services.

Red Road Community Hub believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults and to keep them safe. We are committed to practice in a way that protects them.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Protect children and vulnerable adults who receive Red Road Community Hub’s services from harm.
  • Provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection.

3. Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children and vulnerable adults, namely:

  • Children (Scotland) Act 1995
  • Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
  • Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
  • The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
  • The Human Rights Act 1998
  • Data Protection Act 2018

4. Roles and Responsibilities

All staff, volunteers, trustees, and anyone working on behalf of Red Road Community Hub are responsible for the implementation of this policy.

Specific roles and responsibilities include:

  • The Board of Trustees: Ensuring that safeguarding is a key governance priority.
  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Having overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection.
  • All staff and volunteers: Being aware of the signs of abuse and neglect, and knowing what to do if they have a concern.

5. Code of Conduct

All staff and volunteers are expected to follow our code of conduct which includes:

  • Treating all children and vulnerable adults with respect.
  • Not engaging in any form of inappropriate behaviour or language.
  • Maintaining professional boundaries at all times.
  • Reporting any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult’s welfare.

6. Procedures for Reporting Concerns

If you have a concern about a child or vulnerable adult’s welfare, you should:

  • Report your concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.
  • If the DSL is not available, report to the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
  • Follow Red Road Community Hub’s procedures for reporting and recording concerns.

 7. Safer Recruitment

Red Road Community Hub is committed to safer recruitment practices to ensure that all staff and volunteers are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults.

This includes:

  • Carrying out appropriate background checks (e.g., PVG checks).
  • Taking up references.
  • Providing safeguarding training as part of the induction process.

8. Training

All staff and volunteers will receive appropriate safeguarding training to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities.

This includes:

  • Induction training for new staff and volunteers.
  • Regular refresher training.
  • Specific training for the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Deputy DSL.

9. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the RRCH Board of Trustees to ensure it remains up-to-date and relevant.