How to report a Safeguarding concern 

Tone Tellefsen Hughes is the Designated Safeguarding Lead

If you suspect someone is being abused, someone confides in you, someone has a concern or complaint about any adult or about you, it is your duty to report it.

You also need to report when a teen doesn’t attend a session (without prior notice) and you aren’t able to connect with their emergency contacts. This gives us the opportunity to follow up in the following days.

For reference, a copy of the most up-to-date Safeguarding Policy can be found here>>

Raising a Safeguarding Concern – online form

  • Complete the Raising a Safeguarding Concern online form, with your detailed notes. 
    • This is immediately distributed to the DSL and Deputy DSL.
    • One of them will make contact with you to ask you more about your report. 
    • The link to the form is here>>

Safeguarding in specific scenarios

What to do if a teen doesn’t attend (without notice)

ASAP after the start of the session:

  • Call ‘emergency contact 1’ – if you can’t get through, leave a message.
  • Call ‘emergency contact 2’ – if you can’t get through, leave a message.
  • If the teen does not arrive at all during the session, call ‘emergency contact 1’ again and leave a message explaining that they did not attend.
  • Complete a Safeguarding Incident Report so it is recorded.
  • Add to garden report so that Parent Liaison can follow up in the following days.

If you see or hear something

If you see something, or overhear a teen speaking about something potentially harmful.

The only instance where you should approach the teen for more information, is if you believe they are in imminent danger.

  • Tell the Manager of the session you are attending and/or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • In all cases, so that the concern is properly recorded, complete the online form, detailing your notes of what was said, using the actual words wherever possible.
  • Where relevant, you / the Garden Leader should also add a comment to the weekly online Garden Report, so that the Parent Liaison team are immediately aware of a possible concern.
  • Make sure that the activity you are involved in poses no further risk to the welfare of the people taking part in it.

Disclosure

If a teen or adult discloses something to you.

  • Where someone reports information to you that you consider to be a concern:
    • Allow them to speak without interruption and accept what they say.
    • Be understanding and reassuring but do not give your opinion.
    • Tell them that you will try to offer support but that you must pass the information on.
  • Tell the Manager of the session you are attending and/or the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • In all cases, so that the concern is properly recorded, complete the  online form, detailing your notes of what was said, using the actual words wherever possible.
  • Where relevant, you / the Garden Leader should also add a comment to the weekly online Garden Report, so that the Parent Liaison team are immediately aware of a possible concern.
  • Make sure that the activity you are involved in poses no further risk to the welfare of the people taking part in it.
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