Safeguarding Policy for Youvia

Introduction

Youvia is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for all children and young people who participate in our activities. We believe that all children have the right to be protected from harm and abuse, and we are committed to taking all reasonable steps to safeguard their welfare.

This Safeguarding Policy sets out our commitment to safeguarding children and young people, and outlines the procedures that we will follow to prevent abuse, identify concerns, and respond to allegations of abuse.

Policy Statement

Youvia is committed to:

• Protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect.
• Promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Providing a safe and positive environment for children and young people to participate in our activities.
• Creating a culture of openness and transparency, where children and young people feel safe to report any concerns they may have.
• Working in partnership with parents, carers, and other agencies to safeguard children and young people.

Procedures

Prevention

Youvia will take all reasonable steps to prevent abuse from happening. This will include:

• Developing and implementing a code of conduct for all staff, volunteers, and coaches.
• Providing all staff, volunteers, and coaches with safeguarding training.
• Developing and implementing risk assessment procedures.
• Having clear supervision arrangements in place for all staff and volunteers who work with children and young people.
• Creating a safe and open environment where children and young people feel comfortable reporting any concerns they may have.

Identification

Youvia will have procedures in place to identify concerns about the welfare of a child or young person. This will include:

• Having a designated safeguarding lead officer.
• Ensuring that all staff, volunteers, and coaches are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse.
• Having a clear process for reporting concerns about the welfare of a child or young person.

Response

Youvia will have procedures in place to respond to allegations of abuse. This will include:

• Taking all allegations of abuse seriously.
• Following a clear and consistent process for investigating allegations of abuse.
• Working with the police and other statutory agencies, as appropriate.
• Providing support to children and young people who have been abused.

Reporting

Youvia will encourage all children and young people to report any concerns they may have about their safety or well-being. We will also have a clear process for staff, volunteers, and coaches to report concerns about the welfare of a child or young person.

Confidentiality

Youvia will keep all information about safeguarding concerns confidential, except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary to protect a child or young person from harm.

Training

Youvia will provide all staff, volunteers, and coaches with safeguarding training. This training will cover the following topics:

• The definition and different types of abuse
• The signs and symptoms of abuse
• How to identify concerns about the welfare of a child or young person
• How to report concerns about the welfare of a child or young person
• Youvia’s safeguarding procedures

Review

Youvia will review this Safeguarding Policy on a regular basis to ensure that it remains up-to-date and effective.

These Safeguarding were approved by the Board of Directors on 01 September 2024 and signed on behalf  of the Board of Directors  by:

VUMIRIYA Naome

Chairperson