Safeguarding

We are committed to ensuring we promote the welfare of children and young people in our care and protect them from harm. 

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility

It is about preventing the risk of harm from abuse or exploitation or having the ability to reduce it by raising awareness and supporting people in making informed decisions.

Safeguarding is defined in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE) as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment;
• Preventing impairment of children's health and development;
• Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

Our commitment to safeguarding is underpinned by relevant legislation, statutory guidance and good practice guidance. In order to fulfil our commitment, we abide by the 6 Principles of Safeguarding. Although these were originally produced for the safeguarding of adults they can be applied to the safeguarding of children and are important across the board, for individuals of all ages, in all workplaces.

1. Empowerment 

Ensuring children and young people are supported and confident in making their own decisions and giving informed consent. Empowerment gives individuals choice and control over decisions made.

2. Protection 

Providing support and representation for those in greatest need. We have put measures in place to help stop abuse from occurring and offer help and support to any child or young people who makes a disclosure.

3. Prevention

It is crucial to try and take action before harm occurs, preventing neglect, harm or abuse is our primary objective. 

As an organisation, we work hard and consciously to stop abuse before it happens. By raising awareness, training and making information easily accessible and encouraging individuals to ask for help.

4. Proportionality

We take a proportionate and least-restrictive response to the issue presented.

Proportionality ensures that we take each person into account when dealing with abuse. We respect each individual and assess any risks presented.

5. Partnerships

Forming partnerships with local communities can create solutions as they can assist in preventing and detecting abuse. 

We value our partnerships with local authorities, police and schools, seeing them as an opportunity to work together, as well as with the local community to safeguard children.

6. Accountability

Being accountable and having complete transparency in delivering safeguarding practice. 

Safeguarding is everyone’s business and we expect everyone to play their part when it comes to safeguarding children and young people. Whilst our colleagues are accountable for their role on an individual level, we, as a service are accountable for training, policies and support we provide.  

Safer recruitment, selection & retention

To succeed in our commitment to safeguarding children in our care, TiM has clear systems in place for reporting and whistleblowing, with regular monitoring and reviews in place.  

We've also adopted a rigorous safer recruitment process, giving consideration to safeguarding arrangements at every step. Every successful candidate is required to provide proof of identity, detailed employment history with extensive reference details, as well as undertaking an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Once appointed, everyone is expected to undertake safeguarding training before commencing any direct work with children, with at least a one yearly mandatory refresher course and regular support through 1:1 sessions and team meetings. Depending on the needs of the home, there is an expectation that teams will undertake additional safeguarding training and supervision. For example, in areas such as contextual safeguarding, radicalisation and extremism, child sexual exploitation, bullying including cyber and text bullying, self-harm and suicidal behaviour.