Child Protection and Safeguarding
DVACT-PAI is committed to protecting children and keeping them safe from harm.
We believe every child has the right to feel safe, be protected and have their needs taken seriously. The safety and wellbeing of children is always important in our work and decision-making.
This page sets out our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.
Our Commitment
DVACT-PAI is committed to protecting children and keeping them safe from harm.
We believe every child has the right to feel safe, be protected and have their needs taken seriously.
Our work includes providing domestic abuse assessments and programmes for parents and families. We also operate a Voluntary Register.
Through our work, we may become aware of children who are experiencing, or may be at risk of, abuse, neglect or domestic abuse.
We take these responsibilities seriously.
What Does Safeguarding Mean?
Safeguarding means protecting children from harm and making sure they are safe and well.
A child is anyone under the age of 18.
Abuse and harm can happen to any child, whatever their age, background, disability or family circumstances. Safeguarding includes:
• Protecting children from abuse and neglect.
• Recognising when a child may be at risk.
• Taking action to protect children.
• Listening to children and taking their views seriously.
• Working with other professionals to keep children safe.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
Types of Abuse and Harm
There are different ways a child can experience abuse or harm. These include:
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Physical abuse: When someone physically hurts a child, for example by hitting, kicking, shaking or burning them.
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Emotional abuse: When a child is repeatedly frightened, threatened, humiliated, rejected or made to feel worthless.
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Sexual abuse: When a child is forced, persuaded or encouraged to take part in sexual activity. This can happen with or without physical contact.
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Neglect: When a child's basic needs are not met, such as food, clothing, medical care, supervision or emotional support.
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Domestic abuse: When a child sees, hears or experiences abuse between adults in their family. Children can be harmed by domestic abuse even if they are not physically hurt.
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Online abuse and exploitation: When children are groomed, threatened, bullied or exploited through the internet, social media or other online services.
We take all concerns about possible abuse or harm seriously.
The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Children
We recognise that domestic abuse can have a serious impact on children.
Children may experience fear, anxiety, confusion and emotional distress when they live with domestic abuse. They may be affected by:
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Seeing or hearing arguments, threats or violence.
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Living with controlling or frightening behaviour.
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Seeing the impact of abuse on a parent.
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Being used to threaten or control a parent.
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Abuse continuing after parents have separated.
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Feeling unsafe or uncertain about what may happen next.
We will consider the safety and wellbeing of children when carrying out our work with parents and families.
We will not assume that a child is safe simply because they have not been physically hurt.
How We Protect Children
We are committed to making safeguarding part of our everyday work. We will:
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Take concerns about children's safety seriously.
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Listen to children and families respectfully.
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Recognise possible signs of abuse and neglect.
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Make appropriate safeguarding referrals.
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Work with children's social care, the police and other professionals where necessary.
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Keep accurate and secure records.
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Make sure staff and relevant contractors receive appropriate safeguarding training.
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Review our safeguarding arrangements regularly.
We will always consider the safety and welfare of children when making decisions.
When we have a safeguarding concern
If we become concerned that a child may be at risk of harm, and those concerns relate to a risk outside of those already under assessment, we will take appropriate action. This may include contacting:
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Children's social care.
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The police.
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A child's social worker.
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Other professionals involved in protecting the child.
We will not ignore a concern because we do not have all the information. We understand that it is not our role to investigate allegations of abuse. Our responsibility is to report concerns to the appropriate people so that they can be considered.
If a child is in immediate danger, we will contact the police on 999.
Confidentiality and Sharing Information
We respect people's privacy and understand that safeguarding information can be sensitive. However, keeping children safe may mean that we need to share information with other professionals or safeguarding organisations.
We will only share relevant information when it is lawful and necessary to protect a child. We will handle personal information carefully and in line with our Data Protection Policy, UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
We cannot promise to keep information confidential if sharing it is necessary to protect a child from harm.
Safeguarding and our Voluntary Register
We operate a Voluntary Register of expert domestic abuse risk assessors.
We expect professionals on our register to understand their responsibility to protect children.
Registered professionals are expected to:
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Recognise signs of abuse and neglect.
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Take safeguarding concerns seriously.
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Report concerns to the appropriate authorities (outside of those already known and under assessment).
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Follow relevant safeguarding guidance.
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Maintain professional boundaries.
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Complete appropriate safeguarding training.
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Put the safety and welfare of children first.
If we receive concerns about a registered professional's conduct or suitability, we will consider these in line with our registration and Professional Conduct procedures.
Our register does not replace children's social care, the police or other statutory safeguarding services.
Raising a Safeguarding Concern
If you are worried that a child may be experiencing abuse, neglect or harm, we encourage you to tell us.
You can contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Tracey Boylan
Email: traceyboylan.pai@dvact.org
Telephone: 0203 967 8368
If the concern relates to our Designated Safeguarding Lead, you can contact Claire Verney.
You do not need to be certain that abuse has taken place before raising a concern. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
You can also contact:
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NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
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Childline: 0800 1111
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Police (non-emergency): 101
Our responsibilities
Our Company Director and management team are responsible for making sure that appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place.
We appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead to oversee safeguarding concerns, support staff and make sure concerns are dealt with appropriately.
Everyone working for or representing our organisation has a responsibility to recognise and report safeguarding concerns.
We will not tolerate behaviour that puts children at risk.
Our Commitment to Improvement
We recognise that safeguarding is an ongoing responsibility. We will regularly review our safeguarding arrangements, training and procedures. We will learn from concerns and incidents and make improvements where needed.
We are committed to working responsibly with families, professionals and other organisations to help protect children.
Every child has the right to be safe, protected and listened to.
For further information, please contact us or refer to our full Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.