SAFEGUARDING

Raise a concern.
If you’re worried about the safety or wellbeing of someone we work with, contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead, Jodi Harford, using our contact form. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

Safeguarding Policy

1. Introduction

This policy defines how Tech-Takeback Foundation operates to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect. It is about stopping abuse where it is happening, and preventing abuse where there is a risk that it may occur.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out Tech-Takeback Foundation's approach to safeguarding, the responsibilities of staff and volunteers, and the process for raising and responding to concerns

3. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, visitors, contractors, customers, beneficiaries and participants who come into contact with Tech-Takeback Foundation's activities, on or off site.

4. Principles

Anyone can become vulnerable in certain situations and circumstances, and everyone has the right to work in safety and without fear of harm. Safeguarding is a fundamental part of Tech-Takeback Foundation's work, and we take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and customers, from the recruitment and vetting of staff and volunteers through to ongoing training, support and supervision.

We have a duty of care and are committed to the protection and safety of everyone who comes into contact with Tech-Takeback Foundation, including staff, volunteers, visitors, contractors, customers and participants in all of our activities.

5. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy:

● Children and young people are defined as persons aged under 18.

● Adults at risk are defined as someone over 18 who has care and support needs and/or is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.

An allegation may relate to a person who works with children or adults at risk who has behaved in a way that is harmful, potentially harmful, or a criminal offence, or that indicates they may pose a future risk of harm.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Every individual at Tech-Takeback Foundation, whatever their role, is responsible for helping to keep children and adults at risk safe from abuse. All staff and volunteers should familiarise themselves with this policy.

Line managers are responsible for ensuring that they, and the staff they supervise, are aware of this policy, and for promoting discussion of safeguarding at team meetings and supervision sessions. They may be required to make decisions relating to complex or serious safeguarding concerns, and can seek advice from the Designated Safeguarding Lead or, where the Designated Safeguarding Lead is conflicted or unavailable, the Chair of Trustees.

Jodi Harford, Founder and Director, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Tech-Takeback Foundation, responsible for developing and quality-assuring safeguarding activity. The Board of Trustees provides oversight of safeguarding practice and receives regular reports on safeguarding activity and concerns.

7. Partnership Working

Tech-Takeback Foundation will work in partnership with statutory, regulatory and other relevant organisations, to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to appropriately.

8. Prevention and Response

● All suspicions and allegations of abuse must be properly reported to the relevant internal and external authorities, and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

● We put reasonable measures in place to help prevent abuse, including safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working practice, and raising awareness of safeguarding.

● Through training and supervision, we aim to build a culture in which all staff and volunteers are aware of this policy and their role within it, and feel able and supported to raise concerns.

● We will be person-centred and uphold individual rights in our safeguarding work.

● Responses to risk will be reasonable and proportionate; we will aim to take the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

9. Breaches of Policy

Failure to comply with this policy may be managed in a number of ways, depending on the nature and consequences of the incident. A combination of responses may be required, including:

● internal safeguarding investigation;

● police investigation;

● referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS);

● reporting to the Charity Commission, where a safeguarding incident meets the threshold of a serious incident, in accordance with Tech-Takeback Foundation's regulatory obligations as a registered charity;

● disciplinary process under the TTF-HR-001 Human Resources Policy;

● internal review, or co-operation with an external review.

10. Policy Compliance

All employees, volunteers and relevant workers are expected to comply with this policy and associated procedures.

Failure to follow this policy may result in appropriate action, in accordance with the Discipline and Grievance provisions of the TTF-HR-001 Human Resources Policy.

11. Policy Review

This policy and related guidance will be monitored by the Designated Safeguarding Lead on a regular basis for compliance, with oversight from the Board of Trustees, and will be reviewed at least annually, or following:

● Significant operational changes.

● Significant safeguarding incidents or concerns.

● Changes to relevant legislation or statutory guidance.

● Changes to organisational requirements.

Approval

This policy has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees of Tech-Takeback Foundation.

Approved by:

Chair of Trustees

Board of Trustees