Children & adults at risk safeguarding policy

This policy details the National Football Museum’s commitment to promote wellbeing, prevent harm and respond effectively regarding the safety of children and adults at risk who are engaged with the Museum as visitors, volunteers and staff.

1. About this policy

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees and contractors operating within the Museum and details how the NFM will:

  1. Promote wellbeing, prevent harm and respond effectively if concerns are raised.
  1. Ensure that all children and adults who visit the National Football Museum (NFM) or are involved in the Museum’s activities are safe and free from abuse.
  1. Provide information on roles and responsibilities to ensure that all staff and volunteers understand the part that they play.
  1. Provide a list of sources of expert advice, including information on the channels through which issues should be reported.
  1. Provide information on the kinds of abuse that could take place.
  1. Link this policy with other NFM polices such as: Whistleblowing, Recruitment and Selection, Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, Disciplinary, Harassment and Bullying.

2. Scope

For safeguarding practice to be effective it should reflect the settings, challenges, activities and people that work and connect with the NFM. This policy will help the NFM to develop its practices and procedures and will be reviewed annually to ensure it reflects current best practice.

3. Aims

The aims of this policy are to:

  • Ensure children and adults at risk are kept safe from abuse.
  • Respond appropriately to disclosures, concerns and accusation of abuse.
  • Create a healthy and safe environment for all.
  • Raise the level of awareness of staff and volunteers in relation to forms and signs of abuse.
  • Ensure staff and volunteers who work with children or adults potentially at risk receive appropriate training.
  • Ensure Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are completed as established through risk assessments.
  • Support and encourage teachers, carers and parents to voice their opinions regarding the welfare of children and adults at risk.

4. The legal position

  • The Children Act 2004 and following legislation and guidelines place duties on a range of organisations, agencies and individuals to ensure their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
  • The Care Act 2014 introduced legislation regarding safeguarding adults at risk. The Act sets out a legal framework for how organisations should react to suspicion of abuse or neglect.
  • Other relevant legislation includes the following, although this is not an exhaustive list and other areas may apply depending on circumstance:
  • Mental Health Act 1983
    • Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
    • Sexual Offences Act 2003
    • Mental Capacity Act 2005
    • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the Protection of Freedoms Bill
    • Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015

4.3.6    General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (UK GDPR 2021)

5. Safeguarding children

  • The word ‘children’ refers to anyone under the age of 18. (Children Act 1989)
  • Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
  • The aims of safeguarding children are to (NSPCC 2019):
  • Protect children from abuse and maltreatment.
    • Prevent harm to children’s health or development.
    • Ensure children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
    • Take action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.
  • Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This

includes child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child.

  • The types of abuse children at risk could experience are:
  • Physical abuse
    • Sexual abuse
    • Psychological or emotional abuse
    • Modern slavery
    • Discriminatory abuse
    • Organisational or institutional abuse
    • Neglect or acts of omission
    • On-line / cyber abuse
    • Bullying by other children
    • Abuse by those in positions of trust

6. Safeguarding Adults at risk

  • An adult at risk is someone aged 18 years or over ‘who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation’ (Department of Health, No Secrets, 2000). Safeguarding duties apply to an adult who is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect as a result of those care and support needs.
  • Safeguarding is the process of protecting adults who may have support or care needs from abuse or neglect, the key responsibility sitting with local authorities, the Police and the NHS. It means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, promoting the wellbeing of that adult within this process.
  • The aims of adult safeguarding are to:
  • Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs.
    • Stop abuse or neglect wherever possible.
    • Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live.
    • Promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for the adults concerned.
    • Raise public awareness so that communities as a whole, alongside professionals, play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect.
    • Provide information and support in accessible ways to help people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well-being of an adult.
    • Address what has caused the abuse or neglect.
  • The types of abuse adults at risk could experience are:
  • Physical abuse
    • Domestic violence or abuse
    • Sexual abuse
    • Psychological or emotional abuse
    • Financial or material abuse
    • Modern slavery
    • Discriminatory abuse
    • Organisational or institutional abuse
    • Neglect or acts of omission
    • Self – neglect.
    • On-line / cyber abuse

7. Key Principles

Included in The Care Act of 2014 are the Six Principles of Safeguarding which underpin the safeguarding of children and adults at risk:

  • Empowerment – People are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and that they are not pressured to give consent.
  • Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.
  • Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented. This might range from simply noting suspicious bruising through to calling the police.
  • Protection – Safeguarding is designed to protect everyone from harm—at home, at work, at school, or anywhere else that they might be placed at risk. It is everyone’s responsibility to look out for the wellbeing of others.
  • Partnership – It is important to work in partnership with your local authority and all services or organisations in your community who might be able to assist in detecting and reporting abuse or neglect.
  • Accountability – Transparency is important when it comes to safeguarding. In the event of a disclosure, if a child, young person, or vulnerable adult entrusts you with information that you know could be indicative of abuse or maltreatment, you must be clear with the individual that you need to report what you have heard.

8. Definitions of abuse

  • It is not always easy to recognise a situation where abuse may occur or has already taken place, but indications that a child or adult at risk may be being abused include:
  • Unexplained or suspicious injuries or where the explanation seems inconsistent.
    • Description of what appears to be an abusive act.
    • Someone else expresses concern about the welfare of another child or adult at risk.
    • Unexplained changes in behaviour of a child or adult at risk.
    • Inappropriate sexual awareness.
    • Distrust of adults.
    • Difficulty in making friends.
    • Reaching for food in unexpected circumstances.
    • Changes in hygiene / appearance.
  • Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child or adult at risk. Somebody may abuse or neglect someone by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children or adults at risk may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults or a child or children.
  • Physical abuse:

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, restraint, misuse of medication, inappropriate physical sanctions, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness.

  • Domestic violence:

Domestic violence and abuse is any incident or pattern or incident of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. It can include: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse, and so called ‘honour’ based violence.

  • Sexual Abuse:

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or adult at risk to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the individual is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape, anal penetration or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non- contact activities, such as: indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, watching sexual activities, or encouraging children or vulnerable adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

  • Psychological Abuse:

Psychological abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and persistent adverse effects on the individual’s emotional development and can include: emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation, unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks. It may involve conveying to the individual that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed. These may include interactions that are beyond the individual’s

developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing participation in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing a young person or vulnerable adult frequently to feel frightened or in danger. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment, though it may occur alone.

  • Financial or Material Abuse:

Financial abuse applies specifically to adults at risk and is defined as parents/carers, friends or casual acquaintances seeking to restrict access to money by the adult at risk. This can involve: 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, the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

  • Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery can include: slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude, traffickers and slave masters using whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.

  • Discriminatory Abuse

Discriminatory abuse can include forms of harassment and slurs or similar treatments because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion and socio-economic status.

  • Organisational Abuse

Organisational abuse can include 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 that meet the needs of the organisation rather than the individual.

  • Neglect and Acts of Omission

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a person’s basic physical and/or

psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of health or

development. Neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food and clothing, shelter including exclusion from home or abandonment, failing to provide protection from physical and emotional harm or danger, failure to ensure adequate supervision including the use of inadequate care-takers, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate access to or ignoring medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, basic emotional needs.

  • Self Neglect

Self-neglect can include neglecting to care for one’s own personal hygiene, health or surroundings and could include behaviour such as hoarding. Self-neglect may not prompt an official safeguarding response, the decision often depends on the adult’s ability to protect themselves by controlling their behaviour.

9. Extremism

  • The counter-terrorism and security Act 2015 describes extremism as the vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs. It also includes in the definition calls for the death of members or the armed forces, whether in this country or overseas.
  • Extremism goes beyond terrorism and includes people who target the vulnerable by:
  • Seeking to sow division between communities on the basis of race, faith or denomination.
    • Justifying discrimination towards women and girls.
    • Persuading others that minorities are inferior.
    • Arguing against the primacy of democracy and the rule of law in our society.
  • Those vulnerable to extremism may demonstrate some of the following psychological hooks:
  • Feelings of grievance and injustice.
    • Feeling under threat.
    • A need for identity, meaning and belonging.
    • A desire for status.
    • A desire for excitement and adventure.
    • A need to dominate or control others.
    • Susceptibility to indoctrination.
    • A desire for political or moral change.
    • Opportunistic involvement.
    • Family or friends involved in extremism.
    • Being at a transitional time in life.
    • Being influenced or controlled by a group.
    • Relevant mental health issue.
  • Prevent is one of the 4 elements of CONTEST the Governments’ counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming a terrorist or supporting terrorism, safeguarding people and communities from the threat of terrorism.

10. Risk Assessments

  • The safeguarding group conduct 2x risk assessments: A. children, B. adults at risk to understand potential risk areas including the types of possible abuse in the context of the NFM.
  • Actions to minimise the risk to acceptable levels will be identified and put in place through procedural instructions.
  • The assessment will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are significant changes

to the Museum’s operation involving children or adults at risk.

11. Roles and responsibilities

  • The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for the delivery of the safeguarding policy and will provide support through a nominated Trustee.
  • The Senior Leadership Team are accountable for the production and adherence to the safeguarding policy and the procedures it describes and will be represented by the COO.
  • Safeguarding Leads. Two suitably trained Safeguarding Leads have been appointed: Community and Public Programme Manager (children) and Visitor Operations Manager (adults at risk). The Safeguarding Leads are responsible for:
  • Receiving information from staff, volunteers, CVA or parents and carers who have safeguarding concerns, acting upon it (as appropriate) and recording it.
    1. Assessing the information promptly and carefully, clarifying or obtaining more information about the matter as appropriate.
    1. Consulting initially with a statutory safeguarding protection agency such as Manchester’s Contact Centre for Children, Families and Adult Social Care or the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline, to test out any doubts or uncertainty about the concerns.
    1. Making a formal referral.
  • Safeguarding Group. The group will consist of suitable persons who will support the Safeguarding Leads in the implementation of actions as outlined above. The group will meet at least quarterly to review and update procedures or actions and will as a minimum include:
  • Trustee lead
  • Chief Operating Officer
    1. Visitor Operations Manager
    1. Community and Public Programme Manager
    1. A Visitor Experience Coordinator
    1. A Communities Programme Coordinator

12. Recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers who work with Children or Adults at risk

  • In line with the Museum’s recruitment and selection procedure, two references should be taken up and, where relevant, references should include the person’s suitability to work with children and / or vulnerable adults.
  • For any roles where a risk assessment suggests a standard or enhanced DBS check should be completed, a Safeguarding Lead must make sure the job role is eligible using government on line resources.
  • Once it is clear that a DBS check is required for a role it will be actioned without delay. All DBS checks will be processed by a Safeguarding Lead using the appropriate government agency. The cost of the DBS check will be met by the NFM.
  • Should a DBS check return an adverse response, a risk assessment involving the nature, timescale of its content etc will be completed and shared with the COO and the Trustee safeguarding sponsor only. The trustee, COO and Safeguarding Leads will then decide whether the individual can take up the post. Information regarding the rehabilitation of offenders will also be considered in the decision-making process.
  • Volunteers may also be required to complete a DBS check, where the role undertaken requires this as highlighted through the Museum’s safeguarding risk assessment.
  • In general safeguarding training will be given to new staff as part of their initial induction, with refresher training being offered annually. Staff will be required to sign a training register to confirm their attendance and understanding.
  • Staff who are part of the NFM safeguarding group will be offered advanced training as required in their role.

13. Procedure when delivering activities to pre-arranged children’s groups

  • Staff must always work in conjunction with the group’s organiser who is responsible for the supervision of the children in the group throughout the activity. Schools and other organisations have responsibility for providing adequate levels of staffing for their groups, Museum staff must be in addition to any school or group staff.
  • The group visit risk assessment should be consulted prior to an activity and include any safeguarding related risks.
  • Group organisers will receive a copy of our visit guidelines before the day of the visit.
  • Staff should not spend time alone with children away from the group.
  • Staff should not do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves.
  • Staff should discourage contact such as hugs and hand-holding, without causing offence to the child.
  • Staff should not let children use inappropriate language unchallenged.
  • Staff must never use sexual imagery or language, even in an historical context, that is inappropriate to the age group.
  • Staff must never allow allegations made by a child to go unrecorded or not acted upon. If there is an allegation or suspicion of abuse, report this as soon as possible to the Safeguarding Lead (see section 17).
  • If there is a concern regarding a child or adult at risk who is on site with another organisation, e.g. a school, the staff member should contact the Safeguarding Lead in the first instance. The Safeguarding Lead will then alert the organisation concerned and also the relevant local authority contact. The Safeguarding Lead will record the reported incident and the course of action taken.
  • If there is an incident that requires First Aid, a trained first aider will attend to any sick or injured members of the group. The supervising teacher / group leader must be present when any first aid is administered.
  • If a group activity is being conducted by video link, the member of NFM staff should do this where possible from the Manchester Museum and not from their home. Should they only be able to deliver from home it is advisable to blur the background. They should also be mindful that they may gain insight into a child’s home environment (if participants are joining from home) and should therefore be vigilant to signs of abuse or neglect.

14. Procedure when delivering children activities to the general public

  • As per our admissions policy children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian when visiting the Museum, children should not be left unattended at any time whilst on site.
  • An activity risk assessment must be created prior to the activity and include any safeguarding related risks.
  • Staff should not spend time alone with children, they should always be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
  • Staff should discourage contact such as hugs and hand-holding, without causing offence to the child.
  • Staff should not let children use inappropriate language unchallenged.
  • Staff must never use sexual imagery or language, even in an historical context, that is inappropriate to the age group.
  • Never allow allegations made by a child to go unrecorded or not acted upon. If there is an allegation or suspicion of abuse, report this as soon as possible to the Safeguarding Lead (see section 17).
  • If there is an incident that requires First Aid, a trained first aider will attend to any sick or injured members of the group. The parent / guardian must be present when any first aid is administered.
  • Activities should always take place in full view of the adult or guardian accompanying a child on their visit.

15. Procedure when working with work placement students or volunteers aged 16 and 17

  • As described in section 5.1 A child is described as anyone below the age of 18, hence the risk to work placement students or volunteers aged 16 and 17 must be assessed and managed.
  • A robust recruitment process is in place and is managed by the Community & Public Programme Manager and relevant dept manager for each individual placement.
  • A consent form must be completed by a parent / carer that includes information that the young person will be unsupervised with adults.
  • The NFM will only work with reputable organisations regarding work placements who have suitable and robust processes in place, can provide suitable pastoral support for vulnerable individuals, and help us to assess their needs.
  • Placement students are given a full induction process including safeguarding procedures.
  • A Visitor Experience supervisor is on front of house duty areas at all times and will be made aware of the presence of a student on work placement.
  • Vulnerable volunteers will be allocated a buddy to volunteer with whist they are on duty, who will have been DBS checked if the assessment requires it.

16.  Procedure for working with adults at risk

  • The generic volunteering assessment template includes safeguarding and must be completed for each individual prior to starting. Should it become clear that the volunteer could be considered an adult at risk, reasonable mitigating actions and procedures will be put in place to reduce risk.
  • Staff should discourage contact such as hugs and hand-holding, without causing offence to the adult at risk. If unwanted contact becomes problematic report the issue to the Safeguarding Lead.
  • There may be times when the challenging behaviour of an adult at risk may present a risk for other participants and staff. In this case, it is essential the following procedure is followed:
  • An additional risk assessment is undertaken and signed off by the Safeguarding Lead and COO.
    1. The level of risk determined by this additional risk assessment may necessitate a requirement for further support or an exclusion of the adult at risk.
    1. Further support requirements should be shared with staff who may be directly affected by them.
    1. A detailed log of any actions relating to this procedure are to be kept.
    1. The Safeguarding Lead must be kept aware of the case to ensure risks are kept at an acceptable level.
    1. A regular review of the risk assessment should be undertaken by the Safeguarding Lead with input from other staff and any partners involved.
  • Museum staff may, over time, develop relationships of a professional nature with adults at risk. This contact can lead to what is known as a ‘relationship of trust,’ i.e. a relationship that exists between a staff member and the adult at risk, through which the staff member has power / influence over the adult at risk due to the nature of their role. It is essential that such power is not abused in any way.
  • Staff should never deal with someone’s money and never take cash from someone, even if it is offered.
  • If a staff member feels that someone is developing an inappropriate attachment to them, this must be reported to the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible.
  • Vulnerable volunteers will be allocated a buddy to volunteer with whist they are on duty, who will have been DBS checked if the assessment requires it.
  • If a group activity is being conducted by video link, the member of NFM staff should do this where possible from the Manchester Museum and not from their home. Should they only be able to deliver from home it is advisable to blur the background. They should also be mindful that they may gain insight into an adult’s home environment (if participants are joining from home) and should therefore be vigilant to signs of abuse or neglect.

17. Receiving a Disclosure

  • Everyone has a responsibility to report a disclosure where there are concerns or allegations. If an adult or child is in immediate danger they must ring the emergency services or contact the police on 999.

17.2         If a child or adult at risk approaches a staff member with a request to tell them something in confidence and what that individual then discloses raises concerns, they must explain that they have a duty to report what they have said confidentially to professionals who can help them.

  • It is important to remember that it is not the responsibility of staff or volunteers to decide whether or not abuse is taking place, but it is their responsibility to report where there are any concerns or allegations.
  • Staff members must never put themselves in a position where they are alone with a child or adult at risk in this circumstance. If someone asks to speak confidentially, this should take place in sight of other representatives of the Museum.
  • Children and adults at risk who are being abused will only tell people they trust and with whom they feel safe. It is important to listen to them and take seriously what they are saying. Brief guidelines as to how a staff member should respond are:
  • Remain calm, demonstrated through your facial expressions, tone of voice and body language, remember your reaction will have an impact on the person disclosing.
    • Show compassion whilst maintaining a professional relationship.
    • Reassure the person that thy have done the right thing by telling someone.
    • Don’t press the person for details: only ask questions to clarify.

information. Avoid using leading questions.

  • Listen carefully to what is being said, taking care to note the words and language used.
    • Let them know that you are taking this seriously and that you need to share this information confidentially with the NFM safeguarding lead who will in turn contact local safeguarding authorities for help. Reassure them that information will only be shared with people who can help them.
  • If you are asked to keep the disclosure a secret explain that this

is the kind of secret which shouldn’t be kept as their safety or that of someone else is at risk (see 17.2).

  • Let them know what you can do at this point, be very clear not to make promises that you cannot keep.
  • If the person receiving the disclosure is not the Safeguarding Lead they must escalate the disclosure to them. Should they not be on site a member of the safeguarding group will take over.

17.8 If the person or anyone related to the disclosure is in immediate danger or the allegations are very serious the Police must be called immediately on 999.

  • The person who received the disclosure should complete the reporting disclosures template with the safeguarding lead in order for the lead to refer to local authorities.
  • Recording information – safeguarding referrals must be made as soon as abuse or neglect is suspected, by a telephone call to, or a meeting with staff from Manchester Safeguarding Children’s or Adult’s Boards.
Manchester Contact Centre: 0161 234 5001 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

and must be followed up in writing within 48 hours on the form for reporting disclosures by adults at risk or children.:

  •  Reporting abuse or a concern.
  • The guidelines below are split into two distinct areas: reporting a concern in respect of a child or adult at risk, and reporting an adult behaviour concern or allegation. However, it is unlikely that any concerns you may have will split distinctly into a clear category and therefore procedures may overlap.
  • Reporting a concern in respect of a child or vulnerable adult. Concerns about a child or vulnerable adult may arise in the following ways:
  • If someone reports that a child or vulnerable adult has told them they are being abused.
  • If someone strongly suspects that a child or vulnerable adult has been or is being abused.
  • If there are concerns about a child or vulnerable adult’s welfare, where there

are no specific disclosures or allegations of abuse.

  • If someone has seen a child or vulnerable adult abusing another.
  • Should any Museum representative have a safeguarding concern regarding a child or adult at risk attending with another organisation, (school etc.), he or she must inform the Safeguarding Lead of any concerns. The Safeguarding Lead will then work with the visiting organisation to follow safeguarding procedures.
  • If there are concerns for a child or vulnerable adult’s welfare, they must be reported to the Safeguarding Lead. It is the responsibility of the Safeguarding Lead to inform Children’s or Adult Social Services. If the Safeguarding Lead is not available, escalate to a member of the safeguarding group.
  • Staff should be mindful that they may gain insight into a child or adult’s home environment (if participants are engaging in an activity remotely from home) and should therefore be vigilant to signs of abuse or neglect.
  • The Safeguarding Lead must record the concern, in a factual and accurate manner, on the same day it was brought to their attention. The person making the referral should complete the safeguarding concern form.
  • If the person or anyone related to the disclosure is in immediate danger or the allegations are very serious the Police must be called immediately on 999.
  • Recording information – safeguarding referrals must be made as soon as abuse or neglect is suspected, by a telephone call to, or a meeting with staff from Manchester Safeguarding Children’s or Adult’s Boards.
Manchester Contact Centre: 0161 234 5001 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

and must be followed up in writing within 48 hours on the safeguarding concern form.

  •  Managing allegations against staff or volunteers
  • Where allegations against a staff member or volunteer are made, the Safeguarding Lead must be notified immediately. In the event that this person is not available, or the allegation concerns them, then a member of the Senior Leadership Team should be contacted.
  • A referral to the Manchester City Council Designated Officer (formerly the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) must be made within 24 hours, where a staff member or volunteer in close contact with a child has:
  • Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed a child or adult at risk.
    1. Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child or adult at risk.
    1. Behaved towards a child or adult at risk in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm.
  • The NFM should not attempt to:
  • Investigate the allegation.
    1. Interview the child(ren) or adult at risk.
    1. Interview the subject.
    1. Interview potential witnesses.
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 places responsibilities on the employer to address issues of suitability and as a consequence the MCC Designated Officer is no longer responsible in the following instances:
  • Where an employee or volunteer is being investigated for an offence against an adult, or
    1. Their behaviour in their personal life brings into question their suitability to work with children.
  • The Safeguarding Lead must record the concern, in a factual and accurate manner, on the same day it was brought to their attention. The person making the referral should complete:
  • If the person or anyone related to the disclosure is in immediate danger or the allegations are very serious the Police must be called immediately on 999.
  • Recording information – safeguarding referrals must be made as soon as an allegation has been made, by a telephone call to, or a meeting with staff from Manchester Safeguarding Children’s or Adult’s Boards.

Manchester Contact Centre: 0161 234 5001 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

and must be followed up in writing within 48 hours on the:

  • The Safeguarding Lead should record as much detail as possible about the initial disclosure but should not take statements or investigate the matter further as this will be done by the MCC Designated Officer. The NFM needs to ensure that the staff member is made aware that an allegation has been made, but the staff member should not be provided with any further details initially. They should be advised of the procedures regarding allegations and they should have appropriate support.
  • Responding to the allegation in a timely and fair manner is essential. The Museum will consider what immediate actions are required to reduce any risk. This may include the staff or volunteer member being moved to a different position in the organisation or could include that the person is suspended from duty (with pay) whilst an investigation is undertaken.

20. Confidentiality

  • In dealing with any case/suspicion/allegation relating to children and adult at risk abuse, all staff should be made aware that any breaches in confidentiality can be very damaging to the child or adult at risk, their family and any investigations which may take place and should be treated as such.
  • Any individual under suspicion, including Museum staff, has a right to be notified of the cause of concern. This requires careful consideration and should only be undertaken in consultation with a statutory agency. The statutory agency will provide advice as to who should be told, when they should be told, and the kind of information it is appropriate to share.
  • The legal principle that the ‘welfare of the child or adult at risk is paramount’ means that usual considerations of confidentiality within the NFM should not be allowed to override the right of the child or adult at risk to be protected from harm. However, every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned when an allegation has been made and is being investigated.
  • Where the Museum holds contact details of children or adults at risk, access must be restricted to relevant staff using password protection.

21. Useful telephone numbers

If a situation does not require emergency assistance, report concerns to:

Manchester Safeguarding Adults Board (MSAB) and the Manchester Safeguarding Children Board (MSCB):

Manchester Contact Centre: 0161 234 5001 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

To have an informal conversation with the MCC Designated Officer before making a referral, call 0161 234 1214.

Greater Manchester Police non-emergency: 101

In an emergency always call the police on 999

The NSPCC has an advice line for anyone concerned about how child protection issues are being handled in their own or another organisation: 0800 028 0285.