Safeguarding at Lion Farn Action Centre.
Lion Farm Action Centre is committed to ensuring that we offer a safe environment for all who work or access our services.
Ensuring a safe environment means that we pay particular attention and take special measures to protect those who are particularly vulnerable such as Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults. We have policies for each of these groups and our safeguarding policies can be found here.
We take the safety of everyone very seriously and expect that everyone will work within the church’s safeguarding policy.
Though particular people bear formal responsibility for Safeguarding, each of us also shares a common and general responsibility for ensuring that we maintain a safe environment.
Contact information
Safeguarding Officer
Sharon Offley
0121 544 3094 | Sharon.lfac@yahoo.co.uk
Safeguarding Assistant
Victoria Jones
0121 544 3094 | vicky.lfac@yahoo.com
People with Responsibilities.
Sharon Offley – Safeguarding Officer
Sharon holds formal responsibility for safeguarding at Lion Farm Action Centre. Sharon is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and liaises with the Local Authority and other Statutory authorities as appropriate.
Vicky Jones – Safeguarding Assistant
Vicky provides support to Sharon to ensure that all activities are undertaken safely and in accordance with Lion Farm Action Centres safeguarding policies. Safeguarding concerns and incidents are to be raised with the DSL
Kate Cross – Centre Coordinator
As Centre Coordinator Kate has a duty of care to ensure that all Safeguarding procedures are in place, and that a suitably trained DSL is recruited and supported in that role. Safeguarding concerns and incidents are to be raised with the DSL
Chris Sale – Chair of Trustees
As Chair of Trustees, Chris has a duty of care to ensure that all Safeguarding procedures are in place, and that a suitably trained DSL is recruited and supported in that role. Safeguarding concerns and incidents are to be raised with the DSL
Lion Farm Action Centre Trustees
Have a duty of care for the protection of the vulnerable by ensuring that safeguarding processes and actions are in accordance with the published policies. Safeguarding is an agenda item at every trustee meeting.
Volunteers and helpers
Provide information so that the DSL can obtain a DBS (Disclosure and Barring) Certificate prior to their taking up their role. They are also required to attend Safeguarding Training at a minimum every three years, to report any safeguarding concerns or incidents to the DSL and to maintain a safe setting for their work.
Everyone’s responsibility
Although we have put robust safeguarding policies with specified responsibilities and procedures in place, everyone has a part to play in keeping one another safe and protecting others from harm and accidents.
Firstly, that means that we are mindful of the possible effect on others of our actions, behaviour or words. What we intend for good or may seem innocuous to us, may be interpreted or received differently by others. Developing a sensitivity to others in this way is a value we want to encourage.
Secondly, if we see or hear something that causes us safeguarding concern, either for ourselves or for others, then we have a responsibility to raise that and to seek clarification or advice or, if necessary, for others to take action. Here’s how you do this and who you should go to:
What to do if you have a concern:
URGENT CONCERN ABOUT A CHILD, YOUNG PERSON OR ADULT AND IMMEDIATE RESPONSE IS REQUIRED
Refer to Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately, if they are not available directly contact the emergency services (999) AND inform and discuss your concerns with the DSL (unless subject to concern), or speak directly to the Sandwell Safeguarding Team.
CONCERN ABOUT SOMEONE IN NEED OR AT RISK OF HARM
Inform and discuss your concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (unless subject to concern), or speak directly to the Sandwell Safeguarding Team.
CONCERNS ABOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING THAT MAY PUT SOMEONE ELSE OR YOU AT RISK OF HARM
Inform and discuss your concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (unless subject to concern), or or speak directly to the Sandwell Safeguarding Team.
Confidentiality and Openness
Although we share a common commitment to ensuring that lion Farm Action Centre is a safe place for all, in the interests of justice and of honouring one another, many safeguarding matters are sensitive and need to be dealt with confidentially. That said, we want safeguarding to be as transparent and open as possible and as is appropriate.
Together we want Lion Farm Action Centre to be a safe and vibrant community hub where everyone can thrive and that personally and corporately, we can feel safe in our learning, training and time togather. We invite you to take your place and play your part