Policies

Russian Edinburgh Policy on the Protection of Children and Young People

Russian Edinburgh provides services to a wide range of individuals throughout Edinburgh and the south part of Scotland and by nature of our work our clients are families with young children.

In the context of this policy a young person is defined as anyone aged under 18.

All staff members and volunteers of Russian Edinburgh can play an important part in promoting the safety and protection of the young people with whom the organisation works. The aim of this policy is to ensure that any children and young people are protected and kept safe from harm while they are in receipt of services from Russian Edinburgh. In addition to this policy, Russian Edinburgh has a framework of policies which are designed to ensure the emotional and physical safety of service users, staff and volunteers which includes:

• Recruitment and Selection Policy

• Confidentiality Policy

• Grievance and Disciplinary Policy

• Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy

• Сomplaints Procedure

Recruitment, Selection & Training of Staff & Volunteers

1. Russian Edinburgh will ensure that its recruitment and selection procedures will take account of the need to protect children and young people. Two references will be taken up for all successful candidates prior to a formal offer of employment, and where appropriate referees will be asked to comment on the applicant’s suitability to work with children and/or young people.

2. Where relevant to the post, the successful applicant will be asked to agree to an appropriate Disclosure Scotland check. Disclosures will be requested prior to the applicant taking up post.

3. Induction for new staff and volunteers will include information on all relevant policies and procedure, including the protection of children and young people, and on-going training will be provided if necessary. All staff and volunteers will have a designated supervisor who will provide appropriate ongoing support and supervision.

Reporting Procedure

1. Abuse of children and young people can take many forms including physical, emotional, sexual and financial. It is not the responsibility of anyone working within Russian Edinburgh, in a paid or unpaid capacity to decide whether or not abuse has taken place. It is therefore vital that staff raise all cases of suspected or alleged abuse in line with the procedures identified in this policy. It is important to do this, as there may already have been concerns expressed by other members of staff and failure to report concerns may put a young person or vulnerable adult at risk.

2. Any disclosure or suspicion of abuse should be reported to the staff member/volunteer’s line manager as soon as possible.

3. The line manager, in consultation with the Chair Person, will gather further information and details by interviewing the person making the report or the service user directly.

4. The Chair Person (or staff member so instructed by the Chair Person) will then devise an appropriate plan of action. The exact nature of the action taken will be determined by the individual circumstances, but it may include the involvement of external authorities, such as Social Work, referral organisations and the Police.

5. In the case of a disclosure or suspicion of abuse concerning a young person aged under 18, Russian Edinburgh will always refer the matter to the appropriate external authorities, which in the first instance is likely to be Social Work.

6. All staff and volunteers (where appropriate) of Russian Edinburgh will be familiar with good practice guidelines on the immediate action to be taken following a report of abuse (see appendix 1).

7. Any allegation made against a member of staff or volunteer should be reported to the Chair Person who will investigate and take action as per the Disciplinary Policy. In the event of an allegation being made against the Chair Person, this should be reported to the Board of Management or their nominated representative.