The DofE recognises that there are many kinds of abuse or harm relating to children, young people and adults at risk. There is no exhaustive list and it is important not to limit our understanding of how a child, young person or adult may experience abuse or be at risk.

Abuse or harm may include one or more of the following categories:

• Physical
• Emotional or psychological
• Sexual
• Financial
• Neglect

A definition of each of these can be found in the Safeguarding Policy Glossary.

The above categories of harm may occur in different ways and contexts including:

• Domestic abuse (including children witnessing it)
• Sexual exploitation
• Criminal exploitation and county lines
• Child on child
• Bullying
• Grooming
• Radicalisation
• Hate crime
• Institutional or organisational

For the most up-to-date information about abuse and harm please see: NSPCC (children and young people) and Ann Craft Trust both of which provide an explanation of different types of abuse with possible signs to be aware of.

Many types of abuse and harm are illegal in the UK, such as female genital mutilation, forced marriage, trafficking and sexual abuse of a child. Abuse and harm may involve acts which are criminal, for example fraud or theft, assault, rape, upskirting or imaged based sexual abuse.

Harm and abuse can be perpetrated in various ways e.g., face-to-face, verbally or physically, online via social media or smart devices, in writing. It may occur through one or a combination of means of contact.

Abuse or harm of a child, young person or adult may be carried out by anyone including:

• A parent or carer
• A spouse, partner or other family member
• Neighbours or residents
• Friends, acquaintances or strangers
• People who deliberately target and groom children or adults in order to exploit or abuse them
• Paid staff, professionals or volunteers e.g., those providing care or support in school, college,
  expeditions or other settings.

Whilst strangers may target children or adults to abuse them, often the abuser is already known to them and / or the family. The abuser may be in a position of trust or power which can make it difficult for the child or adult to tell others or feel that they will be believed.

Information about safeguarding concerns may not always be reported as a safeguarding concern initially. DofE staff, volunteers and in particular the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), will be mindful at all times that any information that leads to concerns about the welfare of a child or wellbeing of an adult, regardless of how it is communicated, may be a safeguarding concern and should be treated as such.

For example, information may initially arise as a comment, casual conversation, a health and safety incident or report, feedback or a complaint. If there is any suggestion that this may involve or lead to a safeguarding concern, it must be reported to the DofE safeguarding team, using these procedures.

DofE staff and volunteers are expected to take an approach of “professional curiosity” regarding safeguarding.

This means that you must:

• Avoid making assumptions
• Be mindful of factors or circumstances that could place a child, young person or adult at greater risk of abuse or harm (e.g., disability, additional learning needs, looked-after child, disadvantaged or under-represented groups)
• Take all concerns, allegations and disclosures seriously, reporting them to the DofE safeguarding team without delay

DofE recognises that mental health issues for children, young people and adults can have a profound impact on the individual and those they live with or care for. Mental health problems may overlap with safeguarding concerns and / or present risk.

It is important for all staff and volunteers to understand that abuse can take place within domestic settings and DofE encourages staff and volunteers to be mindful of such instances.

Safeguarding actions should, wherever possible, not place the child or adult at greater risk. Concerns must be reported to the safeguarding team for a decision without delay. The exception would be where immediate action is needed to safeguard such as calling emergency services. However, this would be followed up by notifying the safeguarding team once the emergency has been responded to.

The DofE recognises the importance of being person-centred. It is essential to treat each child or adult as an individual with views, thoughts and wishes about what they would like to happen and how they would like to be supported to keep safe.

It is far more likely that a child, young person (and their family) or adult who is treated as an equal partner in the safeguarding process will engage meaningfully. DofE will follow best practice at all times to work towards this, whether it is directly in contact with the child or adult or through a Licensed Organisation.

We may have a statutory duty to report issues which may conflict with an individuals wishes and views.

You should never keep safeguarding concerns to yourself. If you have concerns and/or you are told about possible or alleged abuse or neglect or poor practice, you must contact the DofE safeguarding team as soon as you can.

You may be concerned about abuse or harm that has happened (or that may happen) to a child or adult. This might be because of something you have seen or heard, information you have been told by others or because someone has confided in you about things that are happening or have happened to them.

If the Designated Safeguarding Lead is the person you want to report or you think they have a conflict of interest, then report to the DofE CEO.

Where you have concerns about someone, always follow the guidance below:

• It is not your responsibility to prove or decide whether a child or adult has been harmed or abused. It is everyone’s responsibility to respond to and report concerns they have
• If someone has a need for immediate medical attention call an ambulance on 999
• If you are concerned someone is in immediate danger or a serious crime is being committed contact the police on 999 straight away. Where you suspect that a crime is being committed, you must involve the police
• It is important to be person-centred. Provided it will not put a child or adult or you at further risk, discuss your safeguarding concerns with the child (and parents/carers, if possible) or adult and ask them what they would like to happen next. Explain to them that you have to pass on your concerns to your Designated Safeguarding Lead. Do not contact the child, their parents/carers or the adult before talking to the DSL if the person allegedly causing the harm is likely
  to find out
• Remember not to confront the person thought to be causing the harm.

If a child or adult tells you or their behaviour suggests that they are being harmed or abused, or information is received which gives rise to concern, you should:

• Stay calm
• Take it seriously
• Listen carefully to what is said, allowing the person to continue at their own pace
• Be sensitive and non-judgemental
• Keep questions to a minimum and only to clarify what they are telling you. Use TED (tell me, explain to me, describe to me) so that you avoid asking leading questions
• Reassure the person that they have done the right thing in revealing the information
• Ask them what they would like to happen. You cannot make promises but it is important to know someone’s views, feelings and wishes
• Explain what you need to do next
• Explain that you will have to share the information with the DSL
• If they are an adult and it is NOT an emergency, ask if they are willing for the information to be shared outside the organisation (i.e., do they consent to DofE telling the police or local authority)
• Make an arrangement as to how you or the DSL can contact them safely
• Provide relevant information so they know how to get help or contact other organisations for advice and support (e.g., Police, Domestic Abuse helpline, Victim Support – see Appendix 2)
• Act swiftly to report and carry out any relevant actions
• Record in writing what was said using the child or adult’s own words as soon as possible
• Keep the record securely so that no unauthorised person sees it.

It is important not to:

• Promise to keep the information secret – you will have to tell the DSL as they may need to tell the police or local authority
• Dismiss or ignore the concern
• Panic or show shock
• Make negative comments about the alleged perpetrator
• Make assumptions or speculate
• Come to your own conclusions
• Probe for more information than is offered
• Make promises that cannot be kept
• Conduct an investigation of the case
• Confront the person thought to be causing harm
• Take sole responsibility.

• Complete a Safeguarding Report Form (see Appendix 1) and submit to the DofE safeguarding team without delay and within 24 hours where possible
• Staff can also submit reports using the reporting function in the CRM
• You should also phone ahead to make sure they are expecting the form and to discuss any immediate concerns or actions
• Describe the circumstances in which the concern came about and what action you took/advice you gave
• It is important to distinguish between things that are facts, things that have been observed or overheard and opinions, in order to ensure that information is as accurate as possible
• If someone has told you about the harm or abuse, use the words the person themselves used. If someone has written to you (including by email, message) include a copy of this with the form or forward separately if reporting via the CRM.

You must always take care to treat information as confidential at all times and in line with data protection best practice. This means being careful what you share verbally and in writing.

Data protection must never be a barrier to safeguarding. Always share your concerns with the Safeguarding team who will decide what steps need to be taken.

Information must only be shared with those who need to know such as the DSL and safeguarding professionals. The Safeguarding team will provide advice and support regarding this in each case.

Arrangements for information sharing between DofE and other organisations is provided for in the relevant documentation e.g., licensing contract documents (Licensed Organisations) or joint working protocols (joint working).

Once a concern has been passed to the DofE safeguarding team, they will coordinate this procedure (see Flowchart 2 above), having due regard to the facts known. Each case will be treated on a case-to-case basis.

The safeguarding team will keep clear records of decision making, actions taken, and the outcomes achieved. They will track progress and report regularly via case management meetings. They will also collect feedback from the child, their parent/carer or adult concerned and any Licensed Organisation or Approved Activity Provider involved.

The safeguarding team in consultation with others such as DofE DSL, DofE Safeguarding Board chair, police, LADO, social care (as appropriate) will take the following actions:

1. Ensure that all immediate actions necessary to safeguard anyone at risk have been taken. This may mean calling emergency services.

Where the incident or risk is in relation to the behaviour of a DofE staff member or volunteer, use the relevant procedures (e.g. Managing Allegations Against Adults) to prevent that person making contact with the child or adult at risk.

Where the incident or risk is in relation to activities delivered by a Licensed Organisation (LO or AAP), the safeguarding team must ensure that the safeguarding lead of that organisation is made aware (if they are not already) and agree an action plan.

In most circumstances it will be appropriate for the licensed organisation safeguarding lead to be responsible for actions and keep the DofE safeguarding team up-to-date. However, where the safeguarding team, in agreement with the DSL, feels that appropriate action has not been taken, they may (in line with the licensing arrangements and DofE Safeguarding Policy), take action themselves.

The safeguarding team, in agreement with the DSL, will consider all known or reasonable risks when deciding immediate action and next steps. In the case of Licensed Organisations, this will include liaising with the relevant DofE Country team regarding any necessary steps or conditions that should be imposed, monitored and/or recorded regarding that organisation and its delivery of DofE programme.

2. If you have been sent a Safeguarding Report Form check that you can understand what is written and that all the necessary parts have been completed.

If you are being contacted directly by a DofE member of staff or a volunteer or other professional, request that they complete a Safeguarding Report Form if they have not already done so (see Appendix 1) as soon as possible.

If the report is being made by the child or adult themselves or a member of the public, fill in the safeguarding report form yourself, gaining the details with the person contacting you.

3. Inform, reassure, and advise the person making the report e.g. what to do/what not to do. Explain what will happen next. Reinforce the need for confidentiality. It may be hard for people to understand, but make sure they know it is not always possible to let them know the outcome of their report because you must protect the privacy of others. Reassure them that they have done the right thing.

4. Consider what is known about the situation, what the risks are, what is known of the views of the child, their parent/carer (where appropriate) or the adult.

Also think about any known strengths such as support networks or places the child or adult goes (e.g., school, club), relationships or other factors that will be helpful to keep them safe.

It is important that in taking steps to safeguard someone, that this does not place them at greater risk. In some cases, talking to a child’s parent or carer or the adult’s partner for example may increase risk, especially if that person is suspected of either perpetrating or covering up the abuse. If you are unsure, you can contact the children’s social care, NSPCC (children) or adult social services team (adults) for advice.

Decide if you need to contact the LO or AAP, child (and parent/carer) or adult to get more information, determine their wishes, or explain what actions you need to take.

5. Establish whether you need consent to share the information outside of the DofE (see also step 7).

The general principle is that

• Where a serious crime has been committed or where there is imminent and serious risk, the matter must be reported to the police regardless of whether consent has been given by the child’s parents/carers or the adult at risk
• Where there are concerns that a child is at risk of significant harm, a referral to children’s services must be made (police may also need to be informed). This is regardless of whether the child’s parents/carers consents or where there is an adult at risk and they do not consent.

You should seek consent for:

• a referral to children’s social care because you believe a child to be a child in need or requires early help. You can check the local authority child safeguarding guidance and thresholds for information or contact the children’s social care team for advice
• a referral to adult social services in respect of an adult at risk. This is unless one of the above exceptions applies or there is reason to believe the person lacks the mental capacity to make a decision regarding the safeguarding situation.

Advice can and should be sought from the local authority adult safeguarding team regarding mental capacity. Further information and guidance about mental capacity can be found in Appendix 3.

6. Explain to the child (and their parent/carer, where appropriate) or adult about the process and what will happen next. Ensure that they have been provided with information about who to contact for help or other organisations that can support them (see Appendix 2).

ONLY do this if you have a way of safely contacting them which does not place them (or yourself) at risk.

7. Consult and decide.

If necessary, consult with relevant persons such as DofE Safeguarding Board chair, the police, LADO and relevant local authority safeguarding team, the safeguarding lead of the Licensed Organisation (where relevant) to decide which of the following actions need to be taken and by whom:

• Contact the police (where the crime took place) if
  • a serious crime has been committed
  • a crime has been committed against someone without the mental capacity to contact the police themselves
  • the child or adult has asked you to make a report to the police on their behalf because they are unable to themselves
• Make a referral to the Children’s Social Care team (in the local authority where they live) where
  • a child is at risk of significant harm. This includes all situations where there is domestic abuse within the household where the child lives
  • a child is in need or requires early help (consent is required)
• Make a referral to the Adult Safeguarding team (in the local authority where they currently live) where
  • the adult is an ‘adult at risk’, AND (where one of the following applies)
    • the adult appears not to have the mental capacity to make decisions about their own safety and well-being
    • the risk is from a person employed or volunteering in work with adults with care and support needs (including within a sports organisations or educational or care establishments)
    • there are other ‘adults at risk’ (e.g. another family member, participant)
    • the adult at risk lives in Wales or Northern Ireland (no consent required)
    • the adult at risk lives in England or Scotland and they have asked you to make a report or have given their informed consent to you making it.

If you are unsure whether or not to make a referral you can ask for advice by contacting Children’s Social Care or Safeguarding Adults team and discuss the situation with them without disclosing the identity of the child or adult.

• Use policy and procedures to stop harm within the DofE or Licensed Organisation
  if the person who may be causing harm is
  • a staff member or volunteer of DofE, follow the Managing Allegations Against Adults Procedures; or
  • a staff member or volunteer of a Licensed Organisation (LO), contact the safeguarding lead to discuss and agree actions that must be taken.

In either case, you must decide what short term arrangements can be put in place to enable the child or adult, who may be being harmed, to be able to continue participating safely, if they wish to do so.

Any arrangements made must also respect the rights of the person of the alleged perpetrator and must be consistent with the relevant policy and procedures.

8. Where statutory agencies are involved work together with them to agree the next steps. E.g. the police may need to interview a staff member before a disciplinary investigation is conducted.

Attend and contribute to any safeguarding strategy or case meetings that are called by the Local Authority.

If statutory agencies say that they will not be taking any action in relation to a referral, this should not stop DofE from taking internal steps to safeguard the child or adult. E.g., the police may decide not to pursue a criminal investigation where there is an allegation against a staff member or volunteer, but the DofE should still follow its disciplinary or managing volunteers procedure or require this of the LO, where relevant.

Decide who in the organisation will maintain contact with the child or adult to consult with them, keep them updated and make sure they are receiving the support they need.

Unless advised not to by the police or Local Authority, and only if there is a safe way to do so, contact the child and parent/carers or adult to let them know about the actions you have taken and the outcomes so far.

For children, you should make sure they have appropriate support with them and that you follow the Digital Safeguarding Policy regarding contacting children. Where possible, the process should involve their parent/carer or other responsible adult.

Find out if the actions taken are working, what matters to them, what they would like to happen next and what outcomes they want to achieve.

9. Discuss the matter at Case Management meeting to coordinate actions internally and track progress:

• share information about what has happened with those within DofE who have a role in safeguarding the child or adult
• share the views of the child (and their family) or adult
• share any actions being taken by the police / Local Authority
• agree who will coordinate between DofE and other agencies
• decide what actions DofE will take

Liaise with operations team where the concern is in relation to activities delivered by an LO to ensure co ordination.

Actions might include

• Use of internal procedures such as breach of code of conduct / disciplinary or managing volunteers procedures to address any behaviour that may have caused harm
• Reporting any employee or volunteer found to have caused harm to the Disclosure and Barring Service or country equivalent
• Licence is suspended, revoked or other conditions set
• Communication with the child (and parent / carer) or adult about the safeguarding process
• Agreeing how DofE will manage communications, speculations, concerns or gossip in the organisation or wider community
• Offering support to the child (and family) or adult and making any arrangements needed for them to continue their involvement in DofE, if they wish to do so
• Offering support to staff, volunteers and other participants affected by the circumstances
• Ensuring senior managers will are updated as needed

10. Record all decision-making to ensure transparency and that actions agreed are followed. Follow up meetings should be held as necessary until the actions needed are complete.

Ensure records are complete and stored securely. Collate monitoring information, including feedback from the person who was at risk of harm and report to senior management team/the Board as requested.

Consider lessons learned through case review and identify action plan such as updated training, policies or procedures.

Serious matters must be reported to the Charity Commission.

In such cases, where the DSL considers this is a “serious matter” which should be reported to the Charity Commission, the DSL will make the recommendation to the Safeguarding Board or seek their advice as part of the DSL safeguarding report. Where the DSL considers the matter should not wait for the next scheduled Board meeting, they may send a short, confidential email to members of the Safeguarding Board, notifying of intention to file the report within 48 hours. Trustees and CEO will be kept up-to-date through usual reporting processes.

To be completed as fully as possible if you have concerns regarding a child or adult.

Download the Safeguarding Report Form.

Childline

Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.

Tel: 0800 1111
childline.org.uk

Young Minds

Young Minds provides free help, support and advice for young people, professionals and parents where young people are struggling with their mental health.

youngminds.org.uk

Shout

Shout provides free, 24 / 7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.

All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.

Opening times: 24 / 7

Text SHOUT to 85258

Hourglass

A UK wide charity which aims to prevent harm and abuse of older people.

Tel: 0808 808 81141
Email: [email protected]
wearehourglass.org

Ann Craft Trust (ACT)

A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. ACT have a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector.

Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: [email protected]
anncrafttrust.org

Men’s Advice Line

For male domestic abuse survivors.

Tel: 0808 801 0327
Email: [email protected]

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

Tel: 0800 999 5428
Email: [email protected]
galop.org.uk

National 24Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines

England

• Tel: 0808 2000 247
• nationaldahelpline.org.uk/contact-us

Northern Ireland

• Tel: 0808 802 1414
• dsahelpline.org
• facebook.com/dsahelpline

Scotland

• Tel: 0800 027 1234
• Email: [email protected]

Wales – Llinell Gymorth Byw HebOfn / Live free from fear helpline

• Tel: 0808 8010 800
• Email: [email protected]
• Text: 078600 77 333

Rape Crisis Federation

Provides a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups.

England and Wales

• Email: [email protected]
• rapecrisis.co.uk
• Helpline: 0808 500 2222

Scotland

• Text: 07537 410 027
• Email: [email protected]
• Webchat: rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
• Helpline: 08088 01 03 02

Northern Ireland

• Email via website: rapecrisisni.org.uk
  Helpline: 0800 0246 991

Respond

Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities and training and support to those working with them.

Tel: 020 7383 0700
Email: [email protected]
respond.org.uk

Stop Hate Crime

Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.

24 hours service:

Tel: 0800 138 1625
Webchat: stophateuk.org/talk-to-us
Email: [email protected]
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS

Susy Lamplugh Trust

The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.

Tel: 0808 802 0300
Email: [email protected]
suzylamplugh.org

Victim Support

Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.

Tel: 0808 168 9111
victimsupport.org.uk

Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales

Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs a domestic violence online help service.

womensaid.org.uk/information-support

Scottish Women’s Aid

womensaid.scot

Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland

womensaidni.org

Source: some information used and adapted from Ann Craft Trust.

The following information and guidance is provided by Ann Craft Trust.

We make many decisions every day, often without realising. UK Law assumes that all people over the age of 16 have the ability to make their own decisions, unless it has been proved that they can’t. It also gives us the right to make any decision that we need to make and gives us the right to make our own decisions even if others consider them to be unwise.

We make so many decisions that it is easy to take this ability for granted.

The Law says that to make a decision we need to

• Understand information
• Remember it for long enough
• Think about the information
• Communicate our decision

A person’s ability to do this may be affected by things such as learning disability, dementia, mental health needs, acquired brain injury and physical ill health.

Most adults have the ability to make their own decisions given the right support however, some adults with care and support needs have the experience of other people making decisions about them and for them.

Some people can only make simple decisions like which colour T-shirt to wear or can only make decisions if a lot of time is spent supporting them to understand the options. If someone has a disability that means they need support to understand or make a decision this must be provided. A small number of people cannot make any decisions. Being unable to make a decision is called “lacking mental capacity”.

Mental capacity refers to the ability to make a decision at the time that decision is needed. A person’s mental capacity can change. If it is safe/possible to wait until they are able to be involved in decision making or to make the decision themselves.

For example

• A person with epilepsy may not be able to make a decision following a seizure.
• Someone who is anxious may not be able to make a decision at that point.
• A person may not be able to respond as quickly if they have just taken some medication that causes fatigue.

Mental capacity is important for safeguarding for several reasons.

Not being allowed to make decisions one is capable of making is abuse. For example, a disabled adult may want to take part in an activity but their parent who is their carer won’t allow them to and will not provide the support they would need. Conversely the adult may not seem to be benefiting from an activity other people are insisting they do.

Another situation is where an adult is being abused and they are scared of the consequences of going against the views of the person abusing them. It is recognised in the law as coercion and a person can be seen not to have mental capacity because they cannot make ‘free and informed decisions’.

Mental capacity must also be considered when we believe abuse or neglect might be taking place. It is important to make sure an ‘adult at risk’ has choices in the actions taken to safeguard them, including whether or not they want other people informed about what has happened, however, in some situations the adult may not have the mental capacity to understand the choice or to tell you their views.

Each home nation has legislation that describes when and how we can make decisions for people who are unable to make decisions for themselves. The principles are the same.

• We can only make decisions for other people if they cannot do that for themselves at the time the decision is needed.
• If the decision can wait, wait – e.g. to get help to help the person make their decision or until they can make it themselves.
• If we have to make a decision for someone else then we must make the decision in their best interests (for their benefit) and take into account what we know about their preferences and wishes.
• If the action we are taking to keep people safe will restrict them then we must think of the way to do that which restricts to their freedom and rights as little as possible.

Many potential difficulties with making decisions can be overcome with preparation. A person needing support to help them make decisions whilst taking part in a sports organisation will ordinarily be accompanied by someone e.g., a family member or formal carer whose role includes supporting them to make decisions.

It is good practice to get as much information about the person as possible. Some people with care and support needs will have a ‘One page profile’ or a ‘This is me’ document that describes important things about them. Some of those things will be about how to support the person, their routines, food and drink choices etc. but will also include things they like and don’t like doing. It’s also important to have an agreement with the person who has enrolled the adult in the sports activity about how different types of decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis.

If a person who has a lot of difficulty making their own decisions is thought to be being abused or neglected you will need to refer the situation to the Local Authority, and this should result in health or social care professionals making an assessment of mental capacity and/or getting the person the support they need to make decisions.

There may be times when a sporting organisation needs to make decisions on behalf of an individual in an emergency. Decisions taken in order to safeguard an adult who cannot make the decision for themselves could include:

• Sharing information about safeguarding concerns with people that can help protect them.
• Stopping them being in contact with the person causing harm.