Procedure if abuse is suspected/alleged to have occurred

Whenever a situation occurs where a child is at risk or there is suspicion/allegation of abuse the following action must be taken:-

·        Parents should normally be consulted and their agreement sought prior to any contact with Social Services.  However, this should not be done if to do so would place the child at risk of increased harm (e.g. where a parent may be responsible for the abuse or not able to respond to the situation appropriately).  In these situations any suspicion, allegation or incident of abuse must be reported to the Social Services Child Protection Officer and the Club Child Protection Adviser as soon as possible.  Parent’s lack of agreement to contact with Social Services should not prevent a referral to Social Services about possible harm to a child at the earliest opportunity.

·        Contact Details

Newark Social Services       01636 682700 in office hours

Emergency Duty Team         0115 8447333 at other times

Or contact the Police            999

Child Protection Adviser      (Mary Poole 01636 813621)

·        You will be required to give the following details:-

Your name and Your position i.e. Volunteer at the Sailing Club

Name of child and Child’s age or date of birth

Child’s address

Child’s ethnic origin

·        You will be asked to give details of your concerns.  These might be what you have actually witnessed/observed, suspicious remarks or what has been disclosed to you.

·        You must record the date and time Social Services were contacted, the name of the Social Worker and the information given.

·        Every effort should be made to ensure that the child feels secure

·        The person discovering the allegation or suspicion must report the fact to the Training Principal or a Club Officer.

·        The Training Principal will consult with the club’s Child Protection Adviser (Mary Poole 01636 813621) and a Club Officer to consider what further action should be taken.

·        Action taken in response to this consultation should be recorded which is particularly important in case a Child Protection Investigation takes place.