Safeguarding Children Policy

Our purpose at Lifecentre is to help those who have been affected by sexual violation: Adults, Under 18s, male or female.

It is of huge importance to us that we offer a safe service to anyone whose life we touch therapeutically or with whom we come into contact through our wider work in schools, Under 18s groups or, indeed, through our website.

"Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions."

Hafiz, 14th century Sufi teacher

download our full safeguarding children policy:

	Our Safeguarding Children Policy sets out the rules by which we operate:

	Part 1: Selection and recruitment of personnel to ensure suitability for working with children • CRB checks • References for all staff and volunteers • Safeguarding Children Training Part 2: Routine monitoring of Lifecentre staff working with children • The role of Supervisors in monitoring Safeguarding Children issues • Lifecentre Policies and Codes of Practice relevant to Safeguarding Children Part 3: Good Practice among Lifecentre personnel to ensure the safeguarding of children • Working within the West Sussex Safeguarding Children Policy • Guiding Principles of Good Practice • Definitions: Significant Harm, Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect Part 4: Making a Child Protection Report: Duty to Refer How to respond in the following situations: • a suicidal child • allegations of harm from under-age sexual activity • disclosure of abuse made in a school context • allegations of abuse Part 5: Referrals How to respond to different situations in which we may be required to make referrals to the Children’s and Young People’s Services, as follows: • Immediate referrals • Non-immediate referrals • Primary Disclosure Part 6: What to do if a child makes a Primary Disclosure This is a step by step guide for what to do if a child makes a Primary Disclosure to you: • Definition of Primary Disclosure • Procedure for Primary Disclosure note-taking • Making a referral • Storing notes correctly Part 7: What to do when making a referral This is a step by step guide to take you through the procedures for making a Safeguarding Children referral: • Numbers to ring for expert advice • Calling the appropriate Direct Reporting line • Contacting Parents • Written confirmation of referral • Storing notes • Direct Reporting telephone numbers to call Part 8: Ensuring Confidentiality Lifecentre works with the notion of Gillick Competency to assess rights and responsibilities of Under18s in regard • consent for counselling • sharing information • confidentiality • client contract This section also covers: • Under18s Educator Good Practice in schools • Further Reading around issues relating to Safeguarding Children Part 9: Helpline Safeguarding Children Protocol

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Lifecentre is a registered charity funded by grants and donations No. 1127779

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