Evergreen Safeguarding Policy 1 March 2025


Evergreen Safeguarding and Welfare Policy

Policy Date: 01 March 2025

Next Review Date: 01 March 2026

1. Introduction and Ethos

Evergreen is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children. We are dedicated to building a 'culture of safety' in which children are protected from abuse and harm. We provide a safe, supportive environment where children feel secure, and both children and adults feel confident in sharing any concerns they may have about their own safety or the well-being of others.

This policy is applicable to all on and off-site activities undertaken by children in our care. It is consistent with all other policies and with guidance issued by the Southwark Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP).

2. Responsibilities and Key Personnel

  • Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Bradley Clay 

    • The DSL takes lead responsibility for all safeguarding and child protection matters. The DSL provides advice and support to other staff, liaises with external agencies such as the Local Authority and Ofsted, and coordinates the appropriate response to any concerns.

  • Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Emma Clay

    • The DDSL is trained to the same standard as the DSL and acts as the point of contact in the DSL's absence.

  • All Staff, Volunteers, and Visitors: All adults at Evergreen share this commitment to safeguarding. All staff are required to report instances of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Child Abuse and Neglect

Child abuse is any form of physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment or lack of care that leads to injury or harm. It can be inflicted by an adult or another child.

  • Physical Abuse: Involves causing physical harm to a child through actions like hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, or burning.

  • Emotional Abuse: The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child so as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. This may involve making a child feel worthless or unloved.

  • Sexual Abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This includes both contact (e.g., touching) and non-contact activities (e.g., being made to look at sexual images).

  • Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health or development.

4. Recognising and Responding to Concerns

Indicators of Abuse and Neglect:

Staff should be alert to signs of possible abuse, which may include:

  • Significant changes in a child's behaviour or a deterioration in their general well-being.

  • Unexplained bruising, marks, or injuries.

  • Comments made by a child which give cause for concern.

  • Inappropriate behaviour displayed by a member of staff, another child, or any other person.

Procedure for Disclosures or Suspicions:

If a child makes a disclosure or a staff member suspects abuse, they must:

  1. Listen, Don't Question: Listen carefully to the child but do not ask leading questions or cross-examine them.

  2. Reassure: Reassure the child that they were right to speak out and will be taken seriously. Never promise to keep secrets.

  3. Act Quickly: Report the concern verbally to the DSL or DDSL immediately.

  4. Record: Make a written, factual record of what was said or observed as soon as possible, using the camp's 'Logging a Concern' form. The record must be dated, timed, and signed, and must use the child's own words where possible.

The DSL will assess the concern and decide on the appropriate course of action, which may include a referral to Children's Social Care and/or the police.

5. Specific Safeguarding Issues

  • Peer-on-Peer Abuse: This is abuse between children and can include bullying, physical abuse, and sexual harassment. It will be taken as seriously as any other form of abuse and is not dismissed as "banter" or "part of growing up".

  • Extremism and Radicalisation (The Prevent Duty): We have a legal duty to protect children from the risk of being drawn into terrorism. Staff are trained to recognise children who may be vulnerable to radicalisation and will report any concerns to the DSL.

  • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): FGM is an illegal, extremely harmful practice and a form of child abuse. Any concern that a child is at risk of or has undergone FGM will be reported immediately.

  • Online Safety: Appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place for any devices used at Evergreen. Staff and children are taught how to stay safe online.

6. Allegations Against Staff, Volunteers, or Contractors

  • Any allegation against a staff member, volunteer, or contractor must be reported immediately to the DSL.

  • The DSL will promptly report the allegation to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for advice.

  • For children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), allegations of serious harm or abuse will also be reported to Ofsted as soon as is reasonably practicable, and at the latest within 14 days.

7. Safer Recruitment, Staffing, and Training

  • Recruitment: All staff members undergo Enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and identity verification before employment to deter and reject unsuitable individuals.

  • Staff-to-Child Ratios: Evergreen adheres to a staff-to-child ratio of 6 staff members for every 50 children aged 3-8 years old.

  • Training: All staff receive induction training on safeguarding and child protection. This includes being provided with a copy of this policy. All staff receive refresher training at least annually. The DSL and DDSL will renew their formal safeguarding training at least every two years.

8. Whistleblowing Policy

Evergreen encourages staff and volunteers to report any safeguarding or operational concerns without fear of repercussions. Concerns should be raised internally with the DSL. If this is not appropriate, they can be reported externally to the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline at 0800 028 0285.

9. Operational Policies

  • Policy Accessibility: This policy is provided to all staff via email and is available in printed form upon request. It is also available to parents via the Evergreen website.

  • Photography and Mobile Phones:

    • Staff are not permitted to use personal mobile phones during working hours, except during scheduled lunch breaks away from children.

    • Only camp-owned devices may be used to take photographs of children for work purposes, and only with explicit parental consent.

    • Parents are not on-site during camp hours and are therefore not permitted to take photographs of the children.

  • Intimate Care Policy: All intimate care (e.g., toileting, changing) is handled with dignity and privacy, promoting the child's independence where possible. To ensure the safety of children and staff, care will not be provided in an isolated area, and procedures will be followed to ensure another vetted staff member is in the vicinity.

  • Visitors Policy: All visitors must sign in and out, display ID, and remain accompanied by a member of camp staff at all times.

10. Key Contacts

  • Southwark Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH):

    • To make a referral or for a consultation: 020 7525 1921 (MASH@southwark.gov.uk)

    • Out of hours: 020 7525 5000 

  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO - Southwark):

    • For allegations against staff: 020 7525 3297 (duty line) or 020 7525 0689 (Eva.simcock@southwark.gov.uk)

  • Ofsted:

    • For allegations of serious harm or abuse: 0300 123 1231 

  • NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285