Moving Minds Dance CIC -  SAFEGUARDING POLICY                       

 

Policy created: February 2025

 

Policy Approval Date: Feb 28th 2025

 

Moving Minds Dance CIC (hereinafter referred to as Moving Minds) is committed to working in ways which promote the freedom and the dignity of those with whom it comes into contact. Fundamental to this is the safeguarding of those who might be vulnerable, no matter whether they are children or adults. As Moving Minds is an adult-focused organisation, this policy outlines our commitment to the safeguarding of adults at risk.

 

Moving Minds commits itself to advocacy for all disability rights and other associated rights which protect the rights of disabled people including but not limited to those rights contained in the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Moving Minds is committed to safeguarding these rights, and the interests and welfare of disabled people and non-disabled people who are involved in our work.

 

Activities

Moving Minds is an adult-focused organisation; it does not work with children and young people.  However, we may become aware of children at risk in our work and must take these concerns seriously.

 

Moving Minds activities include but are not limited to:

 

1. In-person meetings and creative arts classes for participants, partners, care providers and others with a range of purposes, both within community venues and various healthcare settings

2. Online meetings with staff, partners and volunteers

3. Receiving and responding to messages through voicemail and via social media channels

4. Advisory group monthly meetings

5. One off events and taster sessions

6. Volunteer training

 

Organisational Structure

Moving Minds is a registered community interest company and is managed by a team of directors.  Our governing documents are publicly available online or by request.

 

The company directors are responsible for ensuring that Moving Minds has appropriate structure, processes, and resources in place to ensure safeguarding is central to all the organisation does, and for monitoring compliance. As part of fulfilling their duties, directors must take reasonable steps to protect from harm, people who come into contact with the organisation.

 

This includes:

 

• members of the public (including workshop participants and hospital and care home staff)

• Staff

• Volunteers

• Other people who come into contact with the organisation through its work

 

Staff, Volunteers and Contractors

We aim to enable all our staff, volunteers and contractors (hereafter collectively described as ‘staff’) to make informed and confident decisions regarding safeguarding issues and take all suspicions and allegations of abuse seriously. We expect all staff to read, understand and adhere to this safeguarding policy.

 

Moving Minds will take every reasonable step to ensure that adults are protected where any of our staff are directly involved in a Moving Minds project, programme, event or provision of services, and when we work in partnership with other organisations or agencies.

 

We will endeavour to safeguard adults by:

 

a. Valuing them, listening to and respecting them

b. Adhering to our safeguarding principles and policy

c. Providing effective management of our work through peer support, and training

    where possible

d. Sharing any information about safeguarding good practice that we receive with

    our staff and other relevant parties

e. Reviewing this policy and updating as appropriate.

 

Safeguarding Principles

 

Moving Minds will adhere to the six key principles of safeguarding under the Care Act 2014:

 

1. EMPOWERMENT

 

Empowerment enables people to be confident in making their own decisions and giving informed consent. The proper support has to be in place for individuals to have a choice and control over the decisions that they make.

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2. PROTECTION

 

Proper support and representation have to be there should anyone need it. The organisation has to take measures to help stop any abuse from taking place (as well as detecting and reporting abuse) and offer help and support to those who are already at risk.

 

3. PREVENTION

 

It is critical to try and take precautionary actions before any harm ever takes place. The primary objective here is to prevent harm, neglect or abuse.

 

Some of the ways that we can demonstrate prevention measures are:

 

• Raising awareness

• Training staff

• Making information easily accessible

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4. PROPORTIONALITY

 

Any issue that comes up should be dealt with in the least intrusive manner. This means proportionality has to be present to make sure no parties are left stranded to fend for their own. This ensures that services take each person into account when dealing with abuse. They will respect each individual and assess any risks presented.

 

5. PARTNERSHIPS

 

One of the crucial things to do is to form partnerships with local communities so they can coordinate in creating solutions. Their assistance in preventing and detecting signs of abuse cannot be overlooked. Partnerships allow organisations to work together with each other, as well as with the local community.

 

6. ACCOUNTABILITY

 

There should always be accountability and complete transparency in delivering safeguarding practice. Safeguarding is something that every single person takes part in. Accountability ensures that everyone contributes to their role when it comes to safeguarding vulnerable people. Everyone is accountable for their actions as individuals, services, and organisations.

 

Consent, Confidentiality and Information Sharing

 

We must always respect an adult’s right to confidentiality and seek their consent to share information. Confidentiality can be overridden if there is evidence that sharing information is necessary in exceptional circumstances.

 

These are:

1. If an adult lacks mental capacity to protect themselves

2. If a crime has been committed (or is about to be)

3. If there are concerns about abuse in an organisation

4. If there are concerns about any staff, including directors

5. If abuse is occurring in a setting where care takes place

6. If other people are at risk (including children)

7. If someone is in a life-threatening situation and in need of emergency services

 

Record Keeping

Moving Minds is committed to keeping accurate and factual records of all safeguarding concerns that are reported. All safeguarding records will be kept securely and confidentially. Records must be factual, accurate and legible and include a date, time and signature.

 

Safer Recruitment

Moving Minds aims to do everything possible to minimise the risk of involving unsuitable people in our work. All staff members will have clear role descriptions which will be assessed for regulated activity. Staff members involved in the delivery of workshops will require an enhanced DBS check.  Staff members dealing with finance and voicemail/social media messages will require an enhanced DBS check.

The Safeguarding Lead will require an enhanced DBS check.

 

Training

All volunteers are offered appropriate safeguarding training in line with their role and

responsibilities which will include basic awareness training as a minimum requirement.

 

Reporting a Concern

Anyone who becomes aware that an adult or child is being abused or is at risk serious harm or who has any other safeguarding concern must raise the matter immediately with the Moving Minds Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or, in their absence, with the deputy lead (you can find their contact details at the end of this document).

 

Whistleblowing

All staff and volunteers should feel able to raise concerns about poor safeguarding practice within Moving Minds and concerns will be taken seriously by the management team.

 

Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually and amended when necessary. It may also be reviewed should any new, relevant legislation require this.

 

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Appendix 1

 

Moving Minds Safeguarding Procedure

 

Moving Minds is committed to ensuring that safeguarding is paramount when conducting or delivering any activity that involves working with adults at risk.

 

It is the responsibility of the management team to ensure that the safeguarding procedure is adhered to and to support staff and volunteers in upholding their professional conduct.

 

What to do if you suspect abuse

 

Discuss your concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as you can.

 

What to do if someone discloses abuse to you

 

 

Please note:

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- You must write down what was said as soon as possible and as accurately as possible, then sign and date your account.

 

- Do not investigate or ask probing questions, you could affect the outcome of a legal case. It is not for you to decide whether or not an allegation is true. All allegations must be taken seriously and dealt with according to this procedure.

 

- It is your duty to report disclosure of abuse.

 

 

Moving Minds is not a statutory agency and has no right to undertake investigations into safeguarding concerns.

 

 

Safeguarding Procedures – All Volunteers

 

1. In an emergency, where there are significant immediate concerns about the safety of a child or adult, you should contact the police on 999

 

2. The safeguarding report form should be used to record any safeguarding concerns. All the information provided must be treated as confidential and reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within one working day

 

3. If you are unable to contact the DSL, contact the deputy lead or another member of staff. If nobody is available, contact the child or adult safeguarding team yourself. The contact details are listed at the end of this policy

 

4. The form should be completed at the time or immediately following any disclosure. Please complete the form as fully as possible

 

5. Remember staff must make clear to the adult at risk if they cannot guarantee confidentiality

 

Safeguarding Procedures – Designated Safeguarding Lead

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1. Engage in discussion with any staff who raise a concern around safeguarding an adult or child.

 

2. Make a decision and record actions agreed on the safeguarding report form.

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3. If decision is made to refer to social care, make contact with the local

safeguarding team and share the safeguarding report.

 

Details of safeguarding contacts in York

 

In an event where the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Deputy is unavailable you can contact the relevant authorities independently.

 

In an emergency call the police on 999

 

If a person is not in immediate danger call the police on 101.

 

York Adult Safeguarding Team

Phone: 01904 555111

Online report form: https://www.safeguardingadultsyork.org.uk/raise-concern

Hearing impaired customers can use a text facility: 07534437804

Out of hours phone: 01609 534527

 

 

York Children’s Safeguarding Team (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub)

Phone: 01904 551900

Out of Hours Emergency Duty Team: 01609 780780

MASH referral form: https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/

 

Categories of Abuse

 

Physical abuse – including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.

 

Domestic violence – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence.

 

Sexual abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.

 

Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.

 

Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

 

Modern slavery – slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. People are bought and sold for sexual exploitation, forced labour, street crime, cannabis cultivation, grooming and pimping, domestic servitude, forced marriage or even the sale of organs and human sacrifice.

 

Discriminatory abuse – including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

 

Organisational abuse – including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.

 

Neglect and acts of omission – including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

 

Self-neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. It involves no other perpetrator.

 

Other Safeguarding Considerations

 

Channel/Prevent General Awareness

Prevent is supporting people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation. Radicalisation is when someone starts to believe or support extreme views. They could be pressured to do things illegal by someone else. Or they might change their behaviour and beliefs.

 

Further resources, training and guidance

 

https://www.safeguardingadultsyork.org.uk/

 

https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/

 

Free e-learning training courses are available via the City of York Council. Training should be updated every three years.

 

https://york.learningpool.com/login/index.php

 

NCVO – national guidance tools and tips for the third sector on safeguarding:

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations: Safeguarding

 

 

Government guidance on handling a safeguarding allegation within a charity:

Gov.uk: Guidance on handling safeguarding allegations

 

Moving Minds Safeguarding Contacts:

 

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):

Hilary Conroy

Email: conroyhm@gmail.com

Phone: 07400 850941

 

Deputy Safeguarding Lead:

Elaine Harvey

Email: hello@movingmindsdance.co.uk

Phone: 07881 922343

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