Statement of commitment 

We are aware that many children and young people are victims of different kinds of abuse. This includes children who live or access activities in LBC. We are also aware that many families in LBC experience hardship and various difficulties and they need support in order to provide adequate care for their children. 

At LBC we aim to create an environment that is safe, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to protect children, promote their welfare and support their families. 

Purpose of this policy 

The purpose of this policy is to:
Effectively safeguard children and promote their rights and welfare.
Provide all staff and volunteers with clear rules to follow.
Make all staff and volunteers aware of what is expected of them in terms of their approach, behaviour and actions.
Evidence to  clients, members, parents and carers, the local community, partner organisations, the Local Authority and funding and commissioning bodies that Luton Irish Forum is committed to safeguarding. 

Scope of this policy 

This policy applies to all Luton Irish Forum staff and volunteers, including trustees, sessional workers, students on work placements and anyone working on behalf of Luton Irish Forum. 

Definitions 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is the process of: 

• Protecting children from maltreatment. 
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development. Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. 
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances. 
• Protecting children from the risk of extremism and radicalisation.

Child protection is the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm as a result of abuse of neglect. 

Legislative Framework
At Luton Irish Forum we recognise our legal responsibility to safeguard children and promote their welfare. We will therefore act within the framework set by the Children Act 1989 and The Children Act 2004. We will also follow the working together to safeguard children 2013 guidance and the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015. 

As our safeguarding procedures we adopt the LBC’s Safeguarding Children Guidance 2013 (the Green Book). 

Underlying principles 

At Luton Irish Forum we will endeavour to safeguard children by: 

• Following the Green Book guidance in our day-to-day work. 
• Listening to children and young people and respecting and valuing them at all times. 
• Challenging discrimination and promoting the right to equal protection regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, faith, gender, sexual orientation, disability, social or 

immigration status or any other element of diversity. 

• Protecting vulnerable people from extremist ideology and intervene to prevent those at risk of radicalisation being radicalised.
• Providing effective management to staff and volunteers through support, supervision and training. 
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring that all necessary checks are made and safe recruitment good practice guidelines are followed. 
• Responding to both child protection and non-child protection concerns immediately. 
• In cases of doubt, questions or need for guidance, always seek advice by calling the MASH number (01582 547654/0300 3008123), or, in cases involving staff/volunteers, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) via MASH, in cases of radicalisation, contact the Channel team ‘What if line’ number (01582 548658) or ChannelBeds@luton.gov.uk
• Working in partnership with children, their parents and carers, members of the local community and local statutory and voluntary organisations. 
• Adhering to the attached Code of Behaviour for staff at all times. 

Details of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and their Deputy

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Luton Irish Forum is: 

Name: Noelette Hanley
Job/Role Title: Chief Officer
Contact Tel: 01582 720447, Email: noelette@lutonirishforum.org

The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead for Luton Irish Forum is: 

Name: Fiona Martin
Job/Role Title: Youth and Heritage Officer
Contact Tel: 01582 720447, Email: fiona@lutonirishforum.org

Review Arrangements:
Luton Irish Forum will review this policy annually. In cases of relevant legal or local procedures changes, we will review this policy accordingly. 

 

 

Last Review Date: November 2019

Next Review Date: November 2020