Mountains For All CIC

Safeguarding Policy
At Mountains For All CIC, we take safeguarding seriously and believe that protecting people from harm is everyone’s responsibility. The following has been agreed as Mountains For All CIC’s corporate statement on its commitment.

Policy Statement
"Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Mountains For All CIC is committed to promoting the welfare and wellbeing of children and adults, protecting them from abuse or neglect, whether they are receiving services from us, are part of our workforce, or anyone else we meet through our work."

Mountains For All CIC acknowledges its responsibilities to those who fall under statutory safeguarding definitions.

Purpose
This policy is designed to protect anyone that we become aware of, who is at risk of abuse or neglect. This is not restricted to those we have a legal responsibility or duty of care towards. In this policy, we describe:

• Responsibilities for safeguarding

• Responding to or reporting concerns

• Our commitment to safeguarding

Definitions

Safeguarding
Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights. It enables people to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. Safeguarding means taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm or abuse from occurring, protecting people from that harm, and responding appropriately when harm does occur.

Child
A child is anyone under 18 years old. A child becomes an adult on the day of their 18th birthday.

Adult at Risk
The Care Act (2014) defines an adult at risk as anyone over 18 years old who:

• Has care and support needs (even if these are not being met)

• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

• Is unable to protect themselves

Workforce
The workforce refers to all staff and volunteers at Mountains For All CIC, including:

• Employed staff

• Unpaid staff or volunteers

• Those on full, part-time, temporary, and zero hours contracts

• Casual workers

Our workforce may work in the following areas:

• Our office

• Outdoor and community events

• Online and via telephone

Safeguarding Children
Under Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), we have a responsibility to all children in contact with our workforce. It states that our workforce must:

• Recognise and respond to any concerns of a child being neglected or abused

• Share information internally and with external agencies to keep children safe

The local authority where the child is located must:

• Respond to concerns of abuse or neglect

• Investigate these concerns in a timely manner

Safeguarding Adults
Under the Care Act (2014), we must work together to promote wellbeing and prevent the risk of abuse and neglect.

The law states that the local authority where the adult resides must:

• Investigate concerns

• If necessary, act to protect the individual

At Mountains For All CIC, if we have a concern about anyone over the age of 18, we treat them as an ‘adult at risk’, while respecting their wishes and rights.

Expectations of Our Workforce

Training and Compliance
Our workforce is expected to:

• Complete mandatory safeguarding training and attend refresher sessions

• Adhere to this policy

• Contribute to creating an environment that promotes wellbeing and reduces the risk of harm

• Value, listen to, and respect everyone they come into contact with

Acting on Concerns
If any member of our workforce has concerns about customers, colleagues, or volunteers, we expect them to:

• Identify the concern

• Respond to and report their concerns

• Follow our safeguarding procedures while maintaining appropriate boundaries

Accountability for Safeguarding

Directors
All Directors at Mountains For All CIC are accountable for ensuring that the organisation has appropriate structures, processes, and resources in place to ensure safeguarding is central to everything we do. The Directors also monitors compliance.

Chief Executive
The Chief Executive is the senior individual accountable for all aspects of safeguarding across the organisation, including promoting a strong culture of safeguarding.

Executive Leadership Team (ELT)
Each member of the ELT is accountable for embedding safeguarding in their directorate. This includes ensuring that employees are adequately trained.

Head of Safeguarding
The Head of Safeguarding is strategically and operationally accountable for safeguarding across Mountains For All CIC. They are responsible for ensuring safeguarding policies and practices are developed, implemented, managed, and monitored.

Safeguarding Team
The Safeguarding Team is responsible for providing expert safeguarding advice and guidance across the organisation. They are also responsible for ensuring that safeguarding training is available and accessible to all staff.

Designated Safeguarding Leads
Designated Safeguarding Leads support the workforce to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns. They are designated to specific departments.

Investigating Your Concerns
We will prioritize your needs and respect your experiences as genuine. We will listen and treat you with dignity.

We will fully investigate any reported concerns, including:

• Recent incidents

• Historical incidents

• Incidents you may have been involved in or witnessed

If you have concerns about someone using our services or activities, or if you have concerns about non-recent abuse or neglect (incidents before May 2018), please contact the safeguarding team. Contact details can be provided upon request.