1.    POLICY STATEMENT

Future Generation Mentors (FG Mentors) believes all Children and Young People have the right for protection from harm, abuse and exploitation. While giving each person the freedom to speak freely and receive support and guidance. This document establishes FG Mentors commitment to protect every individual participating in our Mentoring program online and face to face, and how it aims to meet that commitment.

 

This policy applies to all FG Mentors employees, volunteers and any representatives of Future Generation Mentors.

This Safeguarding Policy will be shared with all new starters to FG Mentors as part of the “onboard training” process along with ““Code of Behaviour”” which provides clear guidance on the behaviour expected of all staff, volunteers and other representatives in any online or face to face activities with Children and Young People.

The responsibility for this Safeguarding Policy rests with Future Generation Mentors.

 

 

2.   BACKGROUND

Future Generation Mentors works online and in person within the UK with Children, Youth and Young adults aged 4-30. It accomplishes this through online programmes and activities, or through its network of partners including education, counselling services, NHS support services and various businesses.

The Children and Young People FG Mentors works with, may need guidance, support and advice in relationships, self-worth, career, health, mental health, faith, education, pregnancy and so forth.

 

In addition to these challenges, some Children and Young People FG Mentors work with may have a background of criminal offending, therefore we as FG Mentors will strive to support each person while they participate in a Programme as well as sign post them to the correct organization which can further help guide and support them.  

 

 

3.    KEY DEFINITIONS

• 'Programme' or ‘Activity’ Means any event organised or delivered by FG Mentors or the delivery partners for Children and/or Young People. Programmes and Activities can be face to face or online, in a group or as a 1 -2-1 session.

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• 'Safeguarding' is the steps taken by FG Mentors to protect and promote the welfare of Children and Young People.

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• The term 'Vulnerable' describes a spectrum of issues, complexities and risks being faced by a Child or Young Person at any given time.

 

 

4.    LEGISLATION AND REGULATION

Legislation, regulation and guidance for protecting Children, Young People and Adults at Risk differs across the four nations of the UK. Below provides an overview.

•  The Children’s Act 1989 and 2004

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (regulated activity)

• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

• The CC’s Safeguarding and Protecting People guidance

• The Care Act 2014

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005

• Modern Slavery Act 2015

• Keeping Children Safe in Education 2019

• Sexual Offences Act 2003

• Serious Crime Act 2015

• The Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)

 

 

5.     KEY SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE

This Policy is supported by the following procedures and guidance:

• Procedure for reporting Safeguarding Concerns, Incidents and Allegations.

• “Code of Behaviour” for all members of staff, volunteers and representatives.

• Safeguarding Operating Procedures which sets out how safeguarding concerns, incidents and allegations are responded to, and case managed by the Safeguarding Team.

Information and resources to support staff and volunteers can be found on our website under “Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.”

 

 

6.     OUR SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT AT FG Mentors

Our safeguarding commitment to Children and Young People is built on the following principles:

 

• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. We recognise our duty to promote and protect the safety and welfare of Children and Young People and we recognise that working in partnership with other organisations, Children and Young People, their parents and carers is essential to this.

• Children and Young People’s safety and welfare is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.

• All Children and Young People have the right to be protected from abuse, exploitation or harm, regardless of their age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origins, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.

• All safeguarding concerns and allegations of abuse must be taken seriously and responded promptly and appropriately.

 

 

7.     PUTTNG OUR COMMITMENT INTO PRACTICE

Safeguarding Children and Young People is everyone’s responsibility, and everyone has a role in ensuring that FG Mentors is a safe environment for Children and Young People.

 

To support this, FG Mentors will ensure that there are effective measures in place to build a safe and inclusive environment for Children and Young People participating in our programmes and activities.

This will be achieved through:

 

• Safe recruitment and selection processes to assess the suitability of staff, volunteers and delivery partners to work safely with Children and Young People.

• The provision of a mandatory safeguarding induction to all members of staff and volunteers, with a more in-depth safeguarding training for staff and volunteers with additional safeguarding responsibilities.

• A clear, accessible reporting structure that supports all staff, volunteers, Children and Young People to safely report safeguarding concerns or allegations.

• “Code of Behaviour” for all staff, volunteers and other representatives of FG Mentors that sets out clear guidance on the behaviour expected on any Programme and Activity with Children and Young People.

 

 

7.A    ROLE AND DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC REPSONSIBILITIES

The following departments, teams and roles have specific area of safeguarding

responsibility:

• The CEO manages Safeguarding in matters relating to the strategic direction of safeguarding across FG Mentors and has the leadership responsibility for safeguarding arrangements within FG Mentors.

•  The Head of Safeguarding is responsible for strategic development of FG Mentors safeguarding arrangements and provides oversight of the Safeguarding team’s response to safeguarding concerns, incidents and allegations including liaison with relevant statutory authorities.

• Line Managers ensure their staff and team are fully aware of the requirements of this Policy and the “Code of Behaviour” and provide appropriate supervision and support to their members of staff, and volunteers.

 

 

7.B   YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

It is FG Mentors commitment to create a safe and inclusive environment for Children and Young People online and in person, including all members of staff, volunteers and other representatives.

This means:

• Supporting and following the internal procedures and processes in place at FG Mentors that protect Children and Young People from abuse, harm and exploitation.

• Attending and participating in safeguarding training provided, including refresher training.

• To always act in the best interests of Children and Young People.

• Reporting any concerns, you may have which involves a Child or Young Person, or the behaviour of an FG member of staff or volunteer towards a Child or Young Person to the Safeguarding Team.

• Ensuring your behaviour is consistent with the “Code of Behaviour” in any online or face to face Programme or Activity with Children and Young People.

• Seeking advice and guidance from the Safeguarding Team if in any doubt about what action to take, including sharing information about Children and Young People.

• Staff and volunteers working directly with Children and Young People must communicate the main principles of this policy to any person participating in our program, including how to raise any concerns that they may have.

 

 

 

8.      DEALING WITH BREACHES OF THIS POLICY AND THE “CODE OF BEHAVIOUR”

Failure by members of staff or volunteers to meet the obligations set out in this Policy and the “Code of Behaviour”, will lead to disciplinary proceedings for members of staff or suspension from volunteering duties for volunteers. The decision to undertake this action will be informed by any recommendations or relevant information provided by the Safeguarding Team. In some cases, breaches of this Policy and “Code of Behaviour” may require a referral to the relevant statutory authorities including the police. This will be led and managed by the Safeguarding Team. Appropriate support to Children and Young People involved in any breaches of this Policy or “Code of Behaviour” will also be led and managed by the Safeguarding Team.

 

 

9.     EVALUATION AND REVIEW OF THIS POLICY

We will regularly assess the implementation and effectiveness of this Policy which will be reviewed annually, or whenever there are changes in legislation, key functions or persons within the FG Mentors, following new or revised government or statutory guidance, or after dealing with a significant safeguarding concern or allegation. The most current version of this Policy will always be available to view or download from our website here.

 

 

CONTACTS

The Safeguarding Policy is owned by FG Mentors Safeguarding Team.

Any queries about the policy should be sent to the following email address: fgmentors@outlook.com

• Author: CEO – Head of Safeguarding

• Next review date: This policy will be reviewed to incorporate and include specific recommendations and guidance set by the safeguarding team in November 2024.

 

January 2022