North Devon Baby Bank – Child Protection & Safe Guarding Policy.
If you have concerns about a child`s safety and welfare please contact:
Devon`s Multi Agency Safe Guarding Hub on 0345 155 1071 or Call the police.
Statement of Intent. It is the policy of North Devon Baby Bank (NDBB) to safeguard the welfare of all children by protecting them from all forms of abuse including physical, emotional and sexual harm. North Devon Baby Bank does not undertake activities with children in the absence of their parents/carers but may have the opportunity to observe the young person’s/children’s welfare within their family setting when making deliveries to the family home. This policy applies to all volunteers and trustees. Trustees and volunteers in this organisation accept and recognise their responsibilities to develop awareness of issues which cause children and young people harm. A copy of NDBB’s Child Protection Policy is made available to all volunteers and any other appropriate body. It is also on our website. This Child Protection Policy has been drawn up in recognition that all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse. Individuals within NDBB need to be alert to the potential abuse of children both within their families and also from other sources including abuse by members of NDBB. There is a responsibility for all members of the organisation to respond to any suspected or actual abuse of a child. NDBB will endeavour to safeguard children and young people by: Adopting a code of behaviour for volunteers and trustees that ensures everyone in the organisation is aware that the nature of the volunteering role could result in a member of NDBB becoming aware of something that is a child safe-guarding concern, and that the volunteer knows what to do to safe guard the child. NDBB will achieve this by sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents and volunteers, and by sharing information about concerns with agencies who safe guard children and involving parents and children appropriately. NDBB will review this policy at regular intervals in the light of new legislation, guidance (statutory and non-statutory) and best practice in safeguarding and child protection. Safe Recruitment. Trustees for NDBB are asked to undergo a Disclosure & Barring Service (“DBS”) check as part of this policy. Volunteers who speak to families directly and deliver items to homes will also be asked to have a DBS check, following best practice guidelines of the Baby bank Alliance. Induction - Each new volunteer is made familiar with NDBB’s policies and procedures including the Child Protection Policy and Procedures. Internal communication. It is the responsibility of the project lead to ensure that information is available to and exchanged appropriately between all those involved in the organisation and its activities. Where information is confidential it is shared on a strictly need-to-know basis. Extremism/Radicalisation/Prevent Policy and Procedures. The government has defined extremism as follows: Extremism is the vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. We also regard calls for the death of our armed forces as extremist. NDBB does not tolerate the expression or promotion of extremist views of any kind from any member of our charity or any external agencies or visitors. NDBB Child Protection Procedures. All volunteers at NDBB receive a copy of this policy and a discussion about safe guarding & child protection as part of their induction. No employee or volunteer is permitted to be alone with a child at any time. Responsible Persons. Designated Safeguarding Lead is Karen Jarmarkier, who is also the project lead and trustee for North Devon Baby Bank. Trustee and volunteers’ responsibilities are: To be vigilant in order to identify potential incidents of abuse. It is not the individual volunteer or trustee’s role to investigate suspected abuse, but to recognise it and call the Multi Agency Safe Guarding Hub on 0345 155 1071 to discuss your concerns with Devon County Council Social Care professionals, or, call the police. Contacting Social Services or the police about concerns relating to an individual child or family means that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action. Confidentiality: The legal principal is that the ’welfare of the child is paramount‘, which means that taking action to safeguard the child is most important. Privacy and confidentiality should be respected, but if doing this leaves a child at risk of harm, the child’s safety must come first. When a concern or worry is raised, not everyone needs to know about it. This respects the child’s family and the volunteer`s rights to privacy. Only people who need to know should be told about it. North Devon Baby Bank. May 2025.
North Devon Baby Bank Volunteer Policy.
NDBB aims to have a mutually beneficial relationship with our volunteers. Their involvement also informs and develops our work, and hopefully enables those individuals to thrive through their own personal development and sense of well-being.
1. Practical guidelines. Each volunteer will be sent a copy of all policies and NDBB objectives when they commence their volunteering. In addition to reading these documents, each volunteer is given a verbal introduction to the work they will be doing, and the tasks expected of them. Simple, written guidelines of processes are also available upon request.
2. Induction and training. All volunteers will receive support to settle in and get to know NDBB. Volunteers will be provided with an initial induction covering core policies, health and safety, safeguarding and an introduction to their role. We provide or organise the provision of any training that is needed.
3. Support. Every volunteer has a buddy volunteer assigned as their main point of contact. That person is available to the volunteer to provide support and mentoring and to answer any questions they may have. Volunteers will never be expected to work alone on our premises.
4. Being part of NDBB. We believe it is important for everyone to feel part of NDBB – our volunteers as well as people who donate items and the families who use our services. We encourage volunteers to provide feedback on any ideas that will help improve what we do and how we do it and to raise any issues they feel are important or are concerned about.
5. Expenses. We currently have no income to pay travel expenses. Any refreshments, petrol and miscellaneous expenses not pre agreed with the trustees cannot be reimbursed.
6. Health and Safety. Volunteers must read NDBB’s Health and Safety Policy and adhere to the procedures and guidance outlined in the policy. They will also be given health and safety training, where relevant to their role.
7. Equal Opportunities. NDBB is an inclusive organisation. NDBB will not condone, accept or ignore any forms of discrimination or unacceptable behaviour by volunteers, the partners or families we work with.
8. Complaints. NDBB will help volunteers resolve any grievances or complaints they have. Volunteers have the right to discuss any concerns with their named contact person at any time.
9. Volunteering and receiving support from NDBB. We encourage those who have had support from NDBB to join our volunteer team; their direct experience is hugely valuable to the improved running of our service. If a volunteer continues to require support whilst being a member of the NDBB team, we expect that support to be provided through the standard channel, that is, by another referral being made by a referring agency.
10. Confidentiality and Data Protection. Volunteers must respect the confidentiality of service users, fellow volunteers, and NDBB matters and business. Any data about volunteers or service users will comply with the Data Protection Act 2018. Data will not be shared with any third parties other than in the event of a safeguarding concern. NDBB aims to prepare and pack items required within 2 weeks of a referral being made. NDBB does not store personal details about service users once a referral has been delivered, and then address and contact details are removed from electronic systems within 5 working days. NDBB creates a data collection of items donated only, to show evidence of need on a national level.
11. Insurance. NDBB has public and employee liability insurance that covers all volunteers while they are on site or doing work for NDBB.
12. Accompanying children. No young person or child under 18 years of age is permitted to volunteer for NDBB unless accompanied and supervised by their responsible adult, at all times.
Signed: Karen Jarmarkier – Trustee October 2024
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