Safeguarding Children Policy

This web version was checked against the published PDF on 15 September 2026. The document’s original approval and review dates are retained below.

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Statement of Purpose

The introduction of this Child Protection Policy should highlight the fact that members of the Newsome Community Forum are determined to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect from harm those children and young people who participate in any activity organised in the name of Newsome Community Forum including, its subgroups.

This policy establishes the groups’ position, roles and responsibilities and clarifies what is expected from everybody involved within the group. It highlights the importance placed by Newsome Community Forum in the protection of children and young people.

Every child and young person, who participates in the activities delivered in the name of Newsome Community Forum, should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in this organisation. We recognise, however, that child abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject. It is important to understand the feelings involved, but not to allow them to interfere with our judgement about any action to be taken.

Newsome Community Forum recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying. It is determined to meet its obligation to ensure that Newsome Community Forum provides opportunities for children and young people to be so protected, with the highest possible standards of care.

Newsome Community Forum will ensure that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
• All volunteers working in this organisation have a responsibility to report all concerns to the Secretary and Child Protection Officer, Ruth Elliott.

Key Principles

Newsome Community Forum will take responsibility for:

• Respecting and promoting the rights, wishes and feelings of children and young people.
• Train and supervise all volunteers and staff members to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children and young people from abuse.
• Encourage all volunteers to adopt and abide by the appropriate codes of conduct and the Child Protection Policies and Procedures outlined within this document.
• Ensuring volunteers working with children have appropriate checks. (Including DBS checks where necessary.)
• Respond to any allegations appropriately.
• Regularly review the policy.
• Promoting Good Practice.

Note:

• A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 (The Children Act 1989).
• Child abuse, particularly sexual abuse, can arouse strong emotions in those facing such a situation. It is important to understand these feelings and not allow them to interfere with your judgement about the appropriate action to take.
• Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. Some individuals will actively seek employment or voluntary work with young people in order to harm them. There are some people in this organisation who will have regular contact with young people and be an important link in identifying cases where they need protection. All suspicious cases of poor practice should be reported to Ruth Elliott, Secretary and Child Protection Officer, and the guidelines in this policy should be followed.

Good Practice means:

• Always working in an open environment, where possible, avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging open communication.
• Treating all young people equally with respect and dignity.
• Always putting the welfare of each young person first.
• Maintaining a safe and appropriate distance with service users (e.g. it is not appropriate for staff or volunteers to have an intimate relationship with a child or to share a room with them. (However, an encouraging or congratulatory pat on the back or a cuddle to consol an injured or distressed infant shouldn’t be ruled out.)
• Building balanced relationships based on mutual trust and empowering children to share in decision making.
• Involving children/young people/ parents/carers wherever possible.
• Being an excellent role model – this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of young people.
• Giving enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Recognising the developmental needs and capacity of young people.
• Securing parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, in case the need arises to administer emergency first aid and or other medical treatment.
• Keeping a written record of any injury that occurs, along with the details of any treatment given.
• Requesting written parental consent if group volunteers are required to transport young people in their cars.

Named person for child protection

The details of the named contact for Newsome Community Forum is Ruth Elliott, Secretary and Child Protection Officer, email ruthelliott73@gmail.com .

If you are concerned about a child

What should you do if a young person reports abuse to you?

If someone discloses that they are being abused, whether in the home or sport setting, then upon receiving the information you should:

• React calmly.
• Reassure the child that they were right to tell and that they are not to blame. Advise that you will take what the child says seriously.
• Keep questions to an absolute minimum to ensure a clear and accurate understanding of what has happened. Don’t ask about explicit details or ask leading questions.
• Not express feelings or judgements regarding any person alleged to have harmed the child.
• Reassure, but do not promise confidentiality, which might not be feasible in the light of subsequent developments.
• Inform the child/young person what you will do next.
• Make a full and written record of what has been said/heard as soon as possible and don’t delay in passing on the information to your Child Protection Officer.

The report will include the following:

• The child’s name, age and date of birth.
• The child’s home address and telephone number.
• The names and contact details of persons with whom the child normally lives.
• Whether or not the person making the report is expressing their own concerns or those of someone else.
• The nature of the allegation, including dates, times and special factors and other relevant information.
• Make a clear distinction between what is fact, opinion or hearsay.
• A description of any visible bruising or other injuries. Also, any indirect signs, such as behavioural changes.
• Details of witnesses to the incident(s).
• The child’s account, if it can be given, of what has happened and how any bruising or other injuries occurred.
• Whether the parents been contacted.
• If so, what has been said?
• Has anyone else been consulted? If so, record details.
• Where possible, referral to the police or social services should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours and the name of the contact who took the referral should be recorded.

If there are concerns about sharing the above information with a colleague, you can contact the following bodies directly:

• Kirklees Duty and Advice Team 01484 456848, or dutyandadvice@kirklees.gov.uk
• Kirklees Emergency Duty Service 01484 414933 (outside office hours)

If you have immediate concerns for a child’s safety call the Police at 999.

Alleged Abuse by Volunteers

When an allegation is made against a volunteer of Newsome Community Forum, then the allegation must be passed to the Child Protection Officer or their deputy. Your Child Protection Officer should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for consultation. If the allegation concerns the Child Protection Officer, then you should make direct contact with the Local Authority Designated Officer.

Kirklees Local Authority Designated Officer 01484 221126

What Newsome Community Forum will do next?

It is not our responsibility to decide whether abuse has taken place or not, however we will pass on the information to the appropriate authority.

Write down all of the information so that, if we are asked at a later time, we can produce a written report.

All information will be kept in a secure place and will remain confidential.

All cases of abuse will be reported immediately.

Children’s Social Care have a statutory duty under The Children Act 1989 to ensure the welfare of a child. When a child protection referral is made, they have a legal responsibility to investigate, and all agencies have a duty to co-operate with those investigations. This may involve talking to the child and their family and gathering information from other people who know the child. Enquiries may be carried out jointly with the Police. Clearly then, concerns about children must not be taken lightly.

The protection of children is paramount and if we have any concerns about a child being abused or neglected we will contact the most appropriate body, as listed above.

Types of Abuse and Neglect

Signs/indicators of abuse and neglect are helpful if they are used with some caution. They are not necessarily evidence of abuse or neglect. However, if you are concerned about a child or young person, they can help you think about why you have that concern.

Signs that may suggest physical abuse:

• Any bruising to a baby - pre-walking stage
• Multiple bruising to different parts of the body
• Bruising of different colours indicating repeated injuries
• Fingertip bruising to the chest, back, arms or legs
• Burns of any shape or size
• An injury for which there is no adequate explanation

Signs of possible sexual abuse:

• Something a child has told you
• Something a child has told someone else
• A child who shows worrying sexualised behaviour in their play with other children
• A child who seems to have inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age
• A child who may be visiting or being looked after by a known or suspected sexual offender

Signs which may suggest emotional harm:

The following signs may be present in children whose parents are over-critical and emotionally distant, or who are unable to meet their child’s emotional needs:

• Children whose behaviour is excessive. For example, excessive bedwetting, over-eating, rocking, head banging
• Children who self harm. For example, they may cut or scratch themselves or overdose
• Children who attempt suicide
• Children who persistently run away from home
• Children who show high levels of anxiety, unhappiness or withdrawal
• Children who usually seek out or avoid affection

Signs which may suggest neglect:

• Squalid, unhygienic or dangerous home conditions
• Parents who fail to attend to their children’s health or development needs
• Children who appear persistently undersized or underweight
• Children who continually appear tired or lacking in energy
• Children who suffer frequent injuries due to lack of supervision.

Please note that these lists are possible indicators of abuse, and any signs of abuse have to be considered in context.

Positive ways of protecting children

What do children need?

• To feel safe and secure
• Health and happiness
• Appropriate affection
• Lots of smiles
• Praise and encouragement
• To be able to talk to someone
• To be listened to
• New experiences
• Respect for their feelings
• Rewards and treats.

What to do if you are worried

If you are unsure that a child may be suffering, but are worried about them, please contact your Child Protection Officer to discuss your concerns and set out a plan ensuring you clearly record the discussion and actions to be taken.

If you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please contact your Child Protection Officer immediately or, if they are not available, the most senior person within your organisation and discuss your concerns.

If you cannot contact an appropriate person within the organisation, then do not delay in contacting Kirklees Duty and Advice. If immediate emergency action is required, then call the Police.

Your Child Protection Officer contact is Ruth Elliott on email: ruthelliott73@gmail.com

If Ruth is unavailable, the alternative contact within Newsome Community Forum is Julie Turner on email julie@dtbs.net .

Important Numbers

• Kirklees Duty and Advice Team 01484 456848 (office hours)
• Kirklees Emergency Duty Service 01484 414933 (out of office hours)
• NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
• Childline 0800 1111

If you have an immediate concern for a child’s safety, call the police on 999

Updated: 23rd August 2016 Reviewed: 10th March 2020 Reviewed: 23rd June 2024 Amended and agreed: 12th March 2026

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