Safeguarding Policy
New Springs UK has a number of Christian Churches throughout the UK. This policy is to be adhered to across all of our churches, relevant details contact details for each area are included below.
Purpose and scope of this policy statement:
New Springs UK believes that anyone who walks across the threshold of the building have a right to be completely secure from both the fear and reality of abuse, and we are committed to protecting all in our care from harm. This policy will outline specific safeguarding requirements towards the children and young people in our care.
Details of DSL
The Designated Safeguarding Leads for New Springs UK is Rev. Ellen Lockwood and Rev Nathan Weaver. They are both trained in child protection and are responsible for liaising with the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board across the UK.
In the first instance all incidents regarding allegations against a member of staff/volunteer should be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer. In the event of either DSL not being available their appointed vice DSL is Rev Phil Weaver, who has also received Child Protection training. If at any time either individual is implicated in an issue of child protection then the report must go to the individual not implicated.
At no time will any information be divulged to the implicated individual concerned. If a staff member or volunteer is dismissed for safeguarding reasons or of a staff member or volunteer leaves voluntarily for the same reason the LADO will be contacted.
New Springs UK child protection procedures comply with all relevant legislation and other guidance or advice from the LSCB. We are committed to reviewing our Child Protection policy and procedures at least annually. Our policy and procedures will be available with parents/carers when their child joins any of our projects.
This policy is consistent with the legal duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, as described in the statutory guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children”, 2018.
Staff Support and Training
All staff and volunteers are carefully recruited, have verified references and full and up to date Criminal Record Bureau checks. If they do not have a DBS they will only be allowed to work with and in our activities unless under the supervision of someone who does. Please note volunteers who do not have a DBS will not and must not be with children on their own at any of our activities.
All staff and volunteers are given a copy of the Child Protection policy during their induction, and have its implications explained to them.
All staff and volunteers receive training on child protection issues and are aware of the main indicators of child abuse. This is to be offered to all within a three year period but for some activities this is offered annually as this will be a catchall refresher for our constant volunteers and pull in new volunteers who need to be instructed as to safe procedures and measures here at New Springs UK.
DSL will undertake annual SG training and maintain up to date contact with external agencies specialising in all Safeguarding matters including those that concern vulnerable adults.
All staff and volunteers are aware of their statutory requirements in respect of disclosure or discovery of child abuse and the procedure for doing so. Everyone is instructed to report any disclosure or discovery to the safeguarding officer in their area (detailed below). It is the safeguarding officers responsibility to pass all information onto New Springs UK DSL or deputy DSL if the DSL is not available.
New Springs UK will take appropriate action in relation to the findings of any investigation into allegations of abuse, consistent with its duties to protect the safety of children and uphold fair processes for staff and volunteers.
Any staff or volunteer under investigation for alleged abuse of a child will be suspended immediately.
Safe Caring
All staff understand child protection procedures in the principles of safe caring. To this end:
Every effort will be made to avoid or minimise time when staff or volunteers are left alone with a child. If anyone is left alone with a child the door of the room must be kept open and another member of staff informed.
If a child makes inappropriate physical contact with a member of staff or volunteer then this is fully recorded in the Safeguarding folder.
Staff will never carry out a personal task for a child that they can do for themselves. Where this is essential, one or two staff members will help a child. Staff should not accompany children to the toilet unless the child has a specific requirement. A staff member must always inform another staff member if they are accompanying a child to the toilet, the parent must have given forewarning of this need (in cases of special needs) and female volunteers will be on hand to advise those young ladies that may be experiencing their period for the first time.
Staff will be mindful of how and where they touch children, given their age and emotional understanding. Unnecessary or potentially inappropriate physical contact will be avoided at all times.
All allegations made by a child against a member of staff will be fully recorded, including any actions taken - these are typed up, signed and kept confidentially in a locked office. In the event of a witness to the incident they should sign the records to confirm the details.
Dealing with Allegations
New Spring UK is committed to ensuring that it meets its responsibilities in respect of child protection by treating any allegation seriously and sensitively. New Springs UK will not carry out any investigation itself into a suspected child abuse incident. On discovering an allegation of abuse, the Designated Safeguarding Lead, will immediately refer the case to the Children and Young Peoples services (relevant to the area).
If any staff member or volunteer feels it is appropriate to get in touch direct with the above bodies after informing the DSL or vice DSL, they are free to do so. The necessary phone numbers and contacts are listed at the end of this policy document. There are also ways for individuals to ‘whistleblow’ should they deem it necessary. This is also outlined in this policy.
Further to this, the following principles will govern any suspected or reported case of abuse:
Where actual or suspected abuse comes to the attention of staff or volunteers they will report this in the first instance to Ellen Lockwood at the earliest opportunity.
Full written records of all reported incidents will be produced and maintained. Information recorded will include details of alleged incident, parties involved, evidence or explanations offered by relevant parties, relevant dates, times and locations and any supporting information or evidence from staff or volunteers. Great care will be taken in distinguishing fact and opinion when recording suspected incidents of child abuse.
Records must be dated, signed and kept confidentially.
If an allegation of abuse is made against Ellen Lockwood then Phil Weaver will assume responsibility for the situation and vice versa.
Staff and volunteers will ensure that all concerns and allegations are treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.
Any children involved in alleged incidents will be comforted and reassured.
In circumstances where a child makes an allegation or disclosure the staff or volunteer concerned will:
Listen fully to all the child has to say.
Make no observable judgement
Ask open questions that encourage child to speak in their own words
Ensure the child is safe, comfortable and not left alone
Make no promises that cannot be kept; such as promising not to tell anyone what they are being told.
Procedure
Where a worker becomes concerned about the potential or actual abuse of a volunteer or employed worker, this must be discussed as soon as possible with the safeguarding officer for that church. Action is not possible unless appropriate identifying information is known. The workers concerns, reasons for these and the outcome of discussions with the volunteer or paid worker, CEO, or Project Developer must be recorded in the Incident Log Record.
If a volunteer or paid worker is in a situation which is harmful and he/she feels unable to take action themselves to remove this threat, they can receive support to do this through the Vulnerable Adults Protection Procedures.
If after the discussion, you are still concerned and the service user refuses to take action and does not give consent, any action must comply with the general principles above.
It is worth noting that unless an adult wants to engage in the procedure, any investigation is likely to stop at stage one because the wishes of the adult are held paramount. The exception to this is if the service user is assessed not to have the capacity to make their own decisions and that others are put at risk by the alleged perpetrator.
If an abuse is disclosed or alleged which identifies an adult or another young person connected with New Springs UK as the alleged perpetrator, it is important that this is responded to quickly and seriously. The volunteer or worker will be suspended until all investigations are completed.
NB This is the standard procedure adopted by all New Springs UK employees and volunteers.
Throughout this process the DSL and Vice-DSL recognise the importance of: Recognise, Record, Report and Refer. These 4 R’s are enforced in our safeguarding training. Throughout our procedures we understand the importance of accurately recording at every stage of the process.
Whistleblowing
If someone accuses Rev Ellen Lockwood of misconduct this policy states that Rev Phil Weaver should be contacted to suspend her from all activities and make the necessary contact with external agencies. Likewise, if Rev Phil Weaver is accused this policy instructs that Rev Ellen Lockwood be contacted to take the matter forward and report any incident.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:
Rev Ellen Lockwood – 07850 520734
Rev Phil Weaver – 07956 657207
Rev Nathan Weaver – 07745 166421
Pastor Sarah Weaver – 07807 703517
Pastor Trevor Weaver – 07813 925480
Should an individual feel that any of the DSLs, Vice DSL or Safeguarding officers are not legally complying with ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’ they are encouraged to blow the whistle and report the incident to the Police or the LADO.
Referring Allegations to the ISA or LSCB
If the DSL or vice DSL has reasonable grounds for believing that a child has been – or is in grave danger of being made subject to abuse of any kind, the following procedure will be activated:
Contact will be made at the earliest possible opportunity with the relevant authority and their safeguarding procedure will be followed using the contact details below.
As much information about the allegation and related incidents will be shared and recorded as is consistent with advice given by the appropriate bodies.
At all times, the safety, protection and interests of the person concerned will take precedence.
New Springs UK will assist the appropriate bodies, as far as it is able, during any investigation of abuse or neglect. This will include disclosing written and verbal information and evidence.
Contact details for safeguarding concerns
New Springs Loughborough
Safeguarding officers – Rev Ellen Lockwood / Rev Phil Weaver
Reporting an allegation of an adult with a child or with another adult please contact:
In an emergency always call 999
Leicestershire County Council LADO Allegations Line: 0116 305 4141
LADO email for Referrals and New Enquiries: [email protected]
Please note that the LADO service is available office hours only: Monday-Thursday, 8.30am-5.00 pm and Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm
Reporting a safeguarding concern of a adult being at risk of harm please contact:
Leicestershire Social Care
https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-safety/report-abuseof-an-adult - complete online referral form
OR
Adult Social Care Telephone: 0116 305 0004 (Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm, Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm)
If it is an emergency or out of hours please call:
Emergency Duty Team Telephone: 0116 255 1606 (Evenings, weekends, Bank Holidays)
Reporting safeguarding concerns regarding a child:
If a child is immediate danger call 999
If a crime has been committed but there is no imminent danger to the child call 101
If the child needs a social worker or police office on the same day call Leicestershire First Response Children’s Duty Team on 0116 305 0005 (24 hr service)
If the child isn’t in immediate risk and they do not require a social worker of police office on the same day completed the Multi Agency Referral Form (MARF) online via https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/community-safety/report-abuseor-neglect-of-a-child
New Springs Sunderland
Safeguarding officer – Rev Nathan Weaver
Reporting an allegation of an adult with a child or with another adult please contact:
Together for Children - Sunderland on 0191 5205560 (available 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday - Thursday, 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday); or the Out of Hours Team on 0191 520 5552 (also available 24 hours Saturday and Sunday)
Reporting a safeguarding concern of a adult being at risk of harm please contact:
Sunderland Council If the concern is not relating to immediate risk please visit the following website:
Professional Safeguarding Form (sunderland.gov.uk)
www.adultsportal.sunderland.gov.uk - complete online referral form
OR
Call 0191 520 5552
New Springs Stoke-on-Trent
Safeguarding officer – Pastor Trevor Weaver
Reporting an allegation of an adult with a child or with another adult please contact:
Stoke on Tent Council
Concerns for a child
Children's advice and duty service (CHAD) on 01782 235100 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm). If you need to contact us out of hours, then please call our emergency duty team on 01782 234234
Concerns for an adult
Contact the adult safeguarding team on 0800 561 0015
New Springs Hartlepool
Safeguarding officers – Rev Nathan Weaver / Pastor Sarah Weaver
Reporting an allegation of an adult with a child or with another adult please contact:
Concerns for a child
Contact the children’s hub on:
Tel - 01429 284284
Email - [email protected]
Website - http://hartlepool.fsd.org.uk/
The Emergency Duty Team provides an out-of-hours response to emergency situations involving child protection, child care, mental health and other adult care service matters.
They provide a point of advice and, where necessary, immediate service to individuals and families who are experiencing problems. They work closely with other emergency services including Health, Warden Call, Police, Women's Refuges and the Benefits Agency.
They are only available outside of normal office hours.
Contact Details:
Tel - 01642 524552
Concerns for an adult
The Integrated Single Point of Access (iSPA)
You can contact the iSPA Monday Thursday 8:30am-5pm, Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tel: 01429 523390
SMS: 078336 72357
Email: [email protected]
If you need urgent help when our offices are closed, you can contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01642 524552
Wider Safeguarding Concerns
Prevent
All organisations, including charities have a duty according to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.
The Government has defined extremism in the Prevent strategy as: “vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs”. (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevent-duty-guidance/revised-prevent-duty-guidance-forengland-and-wales)
This aspect of Safeguarding manifests itself in ensuring others, as suggested above are guaranteed their individual liberty and granted respect and tolerance. New Springs UK is an anti-bullying organisation and maltreatment towards children and adults will not be tolerated.
New Springs UK will be on guard against radicalisation of all but especially children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We recognise we have a duty of care to report illegal or harmful information, pictures or videos and that the government website makes provision for this.
You can report things like:
articles, images, speeches or videos that promote terrorism or encourage violence
websites made by terrorist or extremist organisations
videos of terrorist attacks
Should behaviours be recognised that support a lack of British values, lack respect for those of other faiths or intolerance it will be recorded, monitored and confronted unless unsafe to do so. Should an unsafe level be reached the Police will be called. FGM (female genital mutilation)
(https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/fgm)
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.
FGM is often performed by someone with no medical training who uses instruments such as a knife, scalpel, scissors, glass or razor blade. Children are rarely given anaesthetic or antiseptic treatment and are often forcibly restrained.
The age at which FGM is carried out varies. It may take place:
when a female baby is newborn
during childhood or adolescence
just before marriage
during pregnancy.
There are four main types of FGM:
Type 1 (clitoridectomy) – removing part or all of the clitoris.
Type 2 (excision) – removing part or all of the clitoris and cutting the inner and/or outer labia.
Type 3 (infibulation) – narrowing the vaginal opening.
Type 4 – other harmful procedures to the female genitals including pricking, piercing, cutting, scraping or burning (NHS Choices, 2021).
Labia elongation (also referred to as labia stretching or labia pulling) involves stretching the labia minora, sometimes using sticks, harnesses or weights (AFRUCA, 2016).
FGM is child abuse and is illegal in the UK. It can be extremely dangerous and can cause:
severe pain
shock
bleeding
infection such as tetanus, HIV and hepatitis B and C
organ damage
blood loss and infections
death in some cases.
Sometimes religious, social and cultural reasons are given to justify FGM, however it's a dangerous practice and can cause long-lasting health problems that continue throughout a child’s life, including:
incontinence or difficulties urinating
frequent or chronic vaginal, pelvic or urinary infections
menstrual problems
kidney damage and possible kidney failure
cysts and abscesses
pain during sex
infertility
complications during pregnancy and childbirth
emotional and mental health problems (NHS Choices, 2021).
Risks and vulnerability factors
FGM can happen in the UK or abroad. Instances of FGM have been recorded in some African countries, areas of the Middle East, some Asian countries, the Americas, Europe and Australia (Department for Education (DfE), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Home Office, 2020).
The DfE, DHSC and Home Office have identified higher rates of FGM in certain countries, which may put children from these communities at higher risk. A list of these countries is provided in the multi-agency statutory guidance on female genital mutilation (DfE, DHSC and Home Office, 2020).
Children are also considered to be at higher risk if FGM has already been carried out on their mother, sister or a member of their extended family (DfE, DHSC and Home Office, 2020).
Signs and indicators
A child at immediate risk of FGM may ask you directly for help. But even if they don’t know what's going to happen, there may be other signs. You may become aware of:
a relative or ‘cutter’ visiting from abroad
a special occasion or ceremony to 'become a woman' or prepare for marriage
a female relative being cut – a sister, cousin, or an older female relative such as a mother or aunt
a family arranging a long holiday or visit to family overseas during the summer holidays
unexpected, repeated or prolonged absence from school
a girl struggling to keep up in school and the quality of her academic work declining
a child running away from or planning to leave home.
A child or woman who's had female genital mutilation (FGM) may:
have difficulty walking, standing or sitting
spend longer in the bathroom or toilet
appear withdrawn, anxious or depressed
display unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college
be particularly reluctant to have routine medical examinations
ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear.
Assessing risk
The National FGM Centre has produced an assessment tool to help social workers dealing with situations where there are concerns about FGM to decide on the most appropriate action to take (National FGM Centre, 2021).
The Department of Health also provides guidance to help health professionals identify and assess the risk of female genital mutilation (FGM) for patients in their care and talk to patients and family members about FGM (Department of Health, 2017).
Responding to FGM
Providing support
If a child has already undergone FGM, they should be offered medical help and counselling. You should also take action to protect any other children in the family and to investigate possible risk to others in the community.
Reporting
If you think that a child may be at risk of FGM or if you suspect that FGM has already occurred, you must seek help and advice – even if the FGM didn’t happen recently.
If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.
Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
Contact the FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550 or by emailing [email protected].
Apply for an FGM protection order. Anyone can apply on Gov.uk if they are concerned that someone is at risk of FGM.
Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.
Contact the police.
Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales must report ‘known’ cases of FGM in those under age 18 to the police (Home Office, 2016).
Under Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Northern Ireland) Act 1967 it is an offence to fail to report a ‘relevant offence’ to the police. This includes:
knowing or believing that an offence has been committed
having information which could lead to the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of an offender.
This legislation covers offences against children and adults and includes offences related to FGM.
New Springs UK, although not a medical organisation can and will certainly look and listen out for signs and indicators that a girl has been subjected to FGM (or is anticipated to be). We can and will report all cases where a child or older female raises this as an issue. It will be reported to the relevant authority.
County Lines (https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/what-we-do/crime-threats/drug-trafficking/county-lines)
County Lines is where illegal drugs are transported from one area to another, often across police and local authority boundaries (although not exclusively), usually by children or vulnerable people who are coerced into it by gangs. The ‘County Line’ is the mobile phone line used to take the orders of drugs. Importing areas (areas where the drugs are taken to) are reporting increased levels of violence and weapons-related crimes as a result of this trend.
NPCC definition of a County Line
The 2018 Home Office Serious Crime Strategy states the NPCC definition of a County Line is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas [within the UK], using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move [and store] the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.
If a child or young person is becoming drawn into county lines drug dealing these are signs we can look out for:
An increase in visitors and cars to a house or flat
New faces appearing at the house or flat
New and regularly changing residents (e.g different accents compared to local accent
Change in resident's mood and/or demeanour (e.g. secretive/ withdrawn/ aggressive/ emotional)
Substance misuse and/or drug paraphernalia
Changes in the way young people you might know dress
Unexplained, sometimes unaffordable new things (e.g clothes, jewellery, cars etc)
Residents or young people you know going missing, maybe for long periods of time
Young people seen in different cars/taxis driven by unknown adults
Young people seeming unfamiliar with your community or where they are
Truancy, exclusion, disengagement from school
An increase in anti-social behaviour in the community
Unexplained injuries
As Loughborough, and our building, are on the county lines between Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire we are uniquely positioned to be vulnerable to county line drug issues. We will be vigilant and look out where possible for the signs that a child or young person has become connected to drug trafficking and should the matter arise, will report and record accordingly involving the Police and any other necessary organisations.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of sexual abuse In return for gifts, money, drugs, affection, and status, children and young people are coerced, manipulated and deceived into performing sexual activities.
It is not just something that affects teenage girls or specific groups and can happen in and out of school, in community groups, clubs and religious organisations. Children and young people can be tricked into believing they are part of a loving and consensual relationship that could be framed as friendship, mentoring or romantic. Child sexual exploitation can happen in schools, in the community and online.
Child sexual exploitation can affect any child. Sometimes there are indicators, sometimes there are none, and professionals we engage with can dismiss these as simply the behaviour associated with children and young people growing up.
Children and young people are more vulnerable to abuse when they:
have a prior experience of neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse;
lack a safe/stable home environment, now or in the past (due to domestic abuse or parental substance misuse, parental mental health issues or criminality, for example);
experience a bereavement or loss;
are socially isolated or have social difficulties;
don’t have a safe environment to explore their sexuality;
Are economically vulnerable;
are homeless or in insecure accommodation;
have connections with other children and young people who are being sexually exploited;
have family members or other connections involved in adult sex work;
have a physical or learning disability;
are in care (particularly those in residential care and those with interrupted care histories).
Child sexual exploitation is never the victim’s fault. Avoid suggesting young people might be making ‘lifestyle choices’ to be abused, or minimising concern because they have ‘agreed to’ or received something for the abuse. These are indicators of heightened vulnerability.
If we have reasonable cause to suspect abuse, the local authority must investigate.
Warning signs include
a child or young person who:
acquires money, clothes, mobile phones etc, without plausible explanation;
has gang association and/or isolation from peers/social networks;
is excluded or has unexplained absences from school, college or work;
leaves home/care without explanation and persistently goes missing or returns late;
is in excessive receipt of texts/phone calls;
returns home under the influence of drugs/alcohol;
undertakes inappropriate sexualised behaviour for their age/develops sexually transmitted infections;
displays evidence of/suspicion of physical or sexual assault;
has relationships with controlling or significantly older individuals or groups;
has multiple callers (unknown adults or peers);
frequents areas known for sex work;
has concerning use of the internet or other social media;
displays increasing secretiveness around behaviours;
self-harms or displays significant changes in emotional well-being.
What To Do…
Always take young people seriously.
Build and use your relationships with children and young people to understand what is happening in their community (in school, locally and online) and be a safe person for them to come to if required.
Share information at an early stage about concerns. You may be preventing CSE by working with children and young people who experience neglect, domestic abuse or a breakdown in their relationship with their parents.
PACE is committed to helping children, young people and vulnerable adults and will as much as possible, create a safe environment for play, receive supportive services or anything else that PACE provides.
Should CSE come to light the DSL will report directly to the LADO, the Police or any other connections within the LSCB that will ensure the safety of the child and the required investigation. PACE will ensure correct and adequate reporting and recording.
Online Safety
nspcc.org.uk/learning [email protected]
The policy statement applies to all staff, volunteers, children and young people and anyone involved in PACE’s activities.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England.
We recognise that:
the online world provides everyone with many opportunities; however it can also present risks and challenges
we have a duty to ensure that all children, young people and adults involved in our organisation are protected from potential harm online
we have a responsibility to help keep children and young people safe online, whether or not they are using [name of organisation]’s network and devices
working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare and in helping young people to be responsible in their approach to online safety
all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
Ensuring that where applicable online safety is mentioned in our training and induction e.g. PACE volunteers are not to engage with children or young people online either on Facebook as friends, through snap chat or instagram, in fact they are asked to make their accounts invisible so that children cannot find them and approach them online.
Those who have a connection with young people or children online are only in groups where parents are also present and can see all online conversations e.g. the PACE youth
Supporting and encouraging the young people using our service to use the internet, social media and mobile phones in a way that keeps them safe and shows respect for others. This is particularly supported in our PACE camp where children and young people are actively encouraged not to bring their phones. We are also strict with volunteers at CAMP that they should not be using their phones during the day - they are absolutely forbidden from taking photos and videos of children. It is only certain key team leads that are allowed to have their phone with them this is to: take permitted photos and videos for publicity purposes following confirmation from a parent/guardian, contact parents/ambulance re first aid, connect with the CEO or other key leads across a large site.
Developing clear and robust procedures to enable us to respond appropriately to any incidents of inappropriate online behaviour, whether by an adult or a child or young person
ensuring personal information about the adults and children who are involved in our organisation is held securely and shared only as appropriate, e.g. at camp all information is kept by a key person at the first aid desk or kept in a locked office by the volunteer coordinator.
providing supervision, support and training for staff and volunteers about online safety, this is always mentioned in our in house safeguarding training.
Peer on Peer abuse (https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexualbehaviour)
Peer-on-peer sexual abuse is a form of HSB (Harmful Sexual Abuse), where sexual abuse takes place between children of a similar age or stage of development. Child-onchild sexual abuse is a form of HSB that takes place between children of any age or stage of development.
Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people which is harmful or abusive.
Problematic sexual behaviour (PSB) is developmentally inappropriate or socially unexpected sexualised behaviour which doesn’t have an overt element of victimisation or abuse.
Peer sexual abuse can happen in a range of settings, including:
at school;
at home;
in public spaces;
at parties;
at a friend’s house; and
online.
Church
PACE Camp / Youth activities
Young people can be confused about whether or not they have experienced peer sexual abuse. Reasons for this include:
they are confused about what constitutes ‘normal’ sexual activity;
they don’t know whether they gave consent;
they were drunk when the abuse took place;
the abuse was carried out by a friend or partner;
the abuse took place online; and/or
they blame themselves for what happened.
Young people are often reluctant to tell anybody about peer sexual abuse. They may:
worry that they won’t be taken seriously;
fear they will be blamed or bullied about what happened;
be frightened of what the other young person will do to them if they speak out; and/or
not think that what happened was serious enough to report.
Experiencing peer sexual abuse can have a long lasting impact on a young person. In some cases it can result in symptoms associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
We recognise that children and young people typically display a range of sexualised behaviours as they grow up. However some may display problematic or abusive sexualised behaviour. This is harmful to the children who display it as well as the people it's directed towards. This is something that should and will be looked out for, recorded and reported, first of all to the DSL and or Vice DSL. Then to the appropriate authorities, LADO, possibly the police and LSCB.
Everyone who works or volunteers with children should be able to distinguish developmentally typical sexual behaviour from sexual behaviours that are problematic or harmful. This will help you respond appropriately and provide children and young people with the right protection and support.
In general, typical sexual behaviour should be:
playful and curious, not aggressive or angry (National Sexual Violence Resource Centre, 2013)
displayed towards children of a similar age, stage of development and physical size, who know each other well (National Sexual Violence Resource Centre, 2013; National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), 2009)
voluntary and consensual (NCTSN, 2009).
So, volunteers and staff members here at PACE will be on the look out or listening out for any suggestions of aggressive or angry sexual play, particularly if it is directed towards an age range that is vastly different or towards a child, young person or adult that has a disability, it should also be described as voluntary and consensual.
Any incidents of Peer on Peer abuse will follow the same process in that once it has been recognised it will be recorded (and stored away confidentially), reported and then referrals made where appropriate.
July 2023 / updated 5.01.23 NEW SPRINGS UK Charity number: 1068899