Safeguarding Policy – DiveInclusive

Statement of Purpose

DiveInclusive(the Organisation, we, our or us) is committed to preventing and responding to risks of harm to and promoting the welfare of all children that we work with (i.e. as DiveInclusive?s service users). These individuals are referred to as the ?Beneficiaries? of this Safeguarding Policy.
We recognise the importance of this commitment to safety and welfare and, further, are committed to safeguarding all Beneficiaries without discrimination due to an individual?s age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity leave status, marriage or civil partnership status, or sexual orientation.
This Safeguarding Policy is based on the safeguarding laws of England, Wales, and Scotland, including related guidance issued by the UK Government and relevant governmental departments, agencies, and public bodies. If this Policy is at any time inconsistent with this body of law, DiveInclusivewill act to meet the requirements of up-to-date safeguarding laws in priority to the requirements set out in this Policy.
DiveInclusivehas implemented this Safeguarding Policy in order to meet its obligations as a charity regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales (DiveInclusive is registered with the Charity Commission with charity number 1210680).
Any questions in relation to this Policy should be referred to Timi Alabiin the first instance, by emailing timi@diveinclusive.com.

Scope of this Safeguarding Policy

This Policy explains key aspects of how DiveInclusiveprevents harm in relation to its Beneficiaries via its practices.
This Safeguarding Policy covers the organisation and operation of all of DiveInclusive?s activities involvingchildren (i.e. our Relevant Activities). These primarily include:
1. Providing scuba diving training sessions to underrepresented youth.
This Policy?s guidelines and obligations apply to all individuals working for or acting on behalf of DiveInclusivein the UK at all levels.
This Policy does not form part of any contract of employment or similar and DiveInclusivemay amend it at any time at our absolute discretion.

Defining Safeguarding

?Safeguarding? is an umbrella term that refers to work (e.g. practices and procedures) aimed at preventing or responding to harm or risks of harm posed to vulnerable individuals, and at promoting these individuals? wider welfare. Safeguarding is particularly important for children and adults at risk. Most safeguarding legal obligations relate to the care of these groups.This Safeguarding Policy specifically deals with safeguarding children. For safeguarding purposes, children are individuals younger than 18 years old.
The commitments and practices contained in this Safeguarding Policy apply to the safeguarding of DiveInclusive?s Beneficiaries from harm caused by either:
1. The activities and practices of DiveInclusiveand any conduct of its contractors, or
2. People and situations outside of DiveInclusive?s and its contractors? control, where DiveInclusive?s contractors are aware of, ought to be aware of, or reasonably suspect the risks posed by a situation.
For the purposes of this Policy, a ?Safeguarding Concern? is any conduct or situation that is known or reasonably suspected by an instructor or another party that risks violating the safeguarding commitments set out above.

Key Measures that DiveInclusive is Committed to Implementing and Maintaining to Safeguard its Beneficiaries

Following applicable local safeguarding arrangements when safeguarding children. These arrangements include leadership and guidance issued by the safeguarding partners for a local area (i.e. the local authority, chief officers of police, and a clinical commissioning group).
Ensuring that instructors are trained to, and encouraged to, report any Safeguarding Concerns that they identify. Instructors will be encouraged to follow DiveInclusive?s safeguarding reporting procedures as closely as possible when reporting concerns (set out below under the heading ?Procedures: Reporting?).
Ensuring that all Instructors listen to all safeguarding-related queries and concerns raised by other Instructors, Beneficiaries, or relevant other parties, with respect and professionalism. Instructors should be trained how to, and encouraged to, then assist with reporting any such concerns via DiveInclusive?s regular reporting procedures.
Ensuring that all reported Safeguarding Concerns are dealt with by appropriate individuals and teams and in accordance with DiveInclusive?s relevant procedures (set out below under the heading ?Procedures: Investigation and Response?).
Implementing and maintaining comprehensive, accessible, fair, and efficient procedures for Instructors to use when reporting and dealing with Safeguarding Concerns. These procedures will be made known and easily accessible to all Instructors.
1. Procedures will be designed to ensure all safeguarding issues are dealt with fairly and objectively even when allegations are made against one of DiveInclusive?s contracted Instructors. Any such allegations will be treated in a manner that takes into account the gravity of the accusations, but which does not vilify or presume the guilt of an accused individual without a fair investigation.
2. Any reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law will be treated securely and in a protected manner in line with whistleblowing law.
Appointing Timi Alabito hold responsibility for managing safeguarding policies and procedures within DiveInclusive.
Following appropriate recruitment processes should we look to recruit Staff Members, including volunteers. This includes:
1. Conducting all appropriate pre-employment checks (e.g. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record checks).
2. Ensuring these new Staff Members take part in, and understand the content of, all necessary safeguarding training before having any contact with DiveInclusive?s Beneficiaries.
3. Following DiveInclusive?s policies and procedures on hiring and recruitment.
Providing appropriate safeguarding training for all volunteers. Every volunteer and contracted instructor should be provided with, and required to undertake, training that is appropriate to their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. This should, where appropriate, include training on:
1. How to define and identify potential signs of different types of abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and exploitation, neglect, and others.
2. How to listen to and respond to concerns or disclosures about safeguarding issues during an initial conversation (e.g. how to explain when information can and cannot be kept confidential).
3. How to use DiveInclusive?s safeguarding reporting procedures and when doing so is appropriate.
Ensuring that all information related to Safeguarding Concerns, including the content of reported concerns as well as the personal data of anybody involved, is handled safely and securely. This involves:
1. Following the requirements set out by the UK?s data protection laws, including The UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
2. Following DiveInclusive?s data protection policies and procedures, including our Data Protection and Data Security Policy.
3. Ensuring volunteers & instructors always have an identifiable point of contact for questions or concerns about data protection and privacy. This is currently Feranmi Oduwole, who can be contacted by emailing admin@diveinclusive.com or at 01793677017.
4. Only sharing information about a Safeguarding Concern internally as far as is necessary to manage the concern for the relevant Beneficiary?s benefit.
Ensuring transparency and awareness regarding safeguarding information and procedures. For example, by:
1. Providing information to Beneficiaries about our safeguarding procedures so that they are aware of how to raise any concerns.
2. Ensuring all contracted instructors are aware of safeguarding laws, DiveInclusive?s safeguarding commitments and procedures, and instructors’ responsibilities in relation to these.
Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-to-date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for DiveInclusive?s Relevant Activities and workforce, and meeting any review and evaluation requirements specific to DiveInclusive?s industry and organisation type.

Contracted Instructors’ Responsibilities

All Instructors have a responsibility to promote the safety and wellbeing of all of DiveInclusive?s Beneficiaries. This means that all of DiveInclusive?s policies and procedures relevant to safeguarding and all UK laws relevant to safeguarding must be followed at all times. Specifically:
All instructors must contribute to upholding the key measures that DiveInclusivehas committed to taking to safeguard its Beneficiaries (set out above) to an extent that is appropriate for their role, responsibilities, and degree and type of contact with Beneficiaries. If any instructor is uncertain as to their responsibilities, it is their responsibility to raise this with Timi Alabi.
Instructors must never do anything to actively risk the safety or wellbeing of any of DiveInclusive?s Beneficiaries. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Subjecting them to or facilitating abuse of any sort.
2. Engaging in any sexual activity with children (i.e. anybody under the age of 18).
3. Participating in or facilitating any activities that may commercially exploit Beneficiaries. For example, failing to report suspected child labour or trafficking.
Instructors must report all Safeguarding Concerns that they have regarding Beneficiaries, regardless of whether the concerns relate to potential wrongdoing of other instructors, other Beneficiaries, or external parties (e.g. parents, teachers, other organisations, or members of the public).

Procedures: Reporting

If an instructor or volunteer identifies a Safeguarding Concern, to report it they should:
1. Recognize and Identify Concerns – Be vigilant and aware of any signs of abuse or neglect. Concerns may arise from direct observation, disclosure by a child, or from third-party information.
2. Record the Concern – Document the concern as soon as possible using the official safeguarding reporting form. Include details such as dates, times, the nature of the concern, and any direct quotes or behaviors observed. Ensure that the record is factual, objective, and clear. Avoid assumptions or interpretations.
3. Report the Concern Immediately – Contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at DiveInclusive as soon as the concern is identified. If the DSL is unavailable, report to the next senior person in the organization. If the concern is urgent and involves immediate danger to a child, contact emergency services or local safeguarding authorities immediately, and inform the DSL as soon as possible afterward.
4. Confidentiality – Maintain confidentiality and do not discuss the concern with anyone other than the DSL, safeguarding team, or relevant authorities. Only share information on a need-to-know basis.
5. Follow-Up – The DSL will assess the concern and decide on the next steps, including whether to refer the case to external safeguarding authorities or to monitor the situation internally. Whoever is reporting the concern should be kept informed of the action taken, where appropriate, and may be required to provide further information or support.
6. Support for the Child – Ensure that the child involved is provided with appropriate support during and after the reporting process. This may include emotional support, ensuring their safety, and offering reassurance.
7. Feedback and Review – The DSL should provide feedback to whoever made the report on the outcome of the concern raised, where appropriate, and review the incident to identify any areas for improvement in the safeguarding process.
8. Record Keeping – All safeguarding concerns, reports, and outcomes must be securely stored in accordance with data protection laws and organizational policies. This ensures the integrity and confidentiality of the information.
If an instructor or volunteer feels unable to follow the above steps, they should report their Safeguarding Concern in a reasonable alternative manner. This may the case if, for example:
1. Following the above procedure would require disclosing the concern to somebody who is implicated in the Safeguarding Concern or who the instructor or volunteer is otherwise uncomfortable contacting about this concern, or
2. The matter is time sensitive and involves a risk of serious harm to somebody, in which case contacting an external agency (e.g. the police, the ambulance service, or a mental health crisis line) or a member of DiveInclusive?s trustee board may be more appropriate.

Procedures: Investigation and Response

Reported Safeguarding Concerns will be dealt with promptly according to the following process:
1. Initial Receipt of Concern – The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) receives the reported concern from whoever encountered the incident. The report should be documented in writing, using the organization’s safeguarding reporting form.
2. Immediate Risk Assessment – Upon receiving the report, the DSL conducts an initial risk assessment to determine if the child is in immediate danger. If so, the DSL must take urgent action by contacting the local authorities or emergency services.
3. Confidentiality and Information Sharing – The DSL ensures that all details of the concern are handled with strict confidentiality. Information is shared only with relevant parties, such as safeguarding authorities or the organization’s safeguarding team, on a need-to-know basis.
4. Internal Investigation – If the concern does not require immediate external intervention, the DSL may carry out an internal investigation. This involves gathering more information, interviewing relevant parties (with due care for the child?s well-being), and documenting findings.
5. Decision Making – Based on the investigation, the DSL, in consultation with the safeguarding team decides the appropriate course of action. This could involve monitoring the situation or referring the case to external safeguarding authorities.
6. Referral to External Authorities – If the concern meets the threshold for external intervention, the DSL refers the case to the local safeguarding partnership, children’s services, or the police. The organization must cooperate fully with any external investigations.
7. Follow-Up and Support – The organization ensures that the child involved receives appropriate support, including counseling or other interventions as necessary. The DSL also ensures that the person(s) who reported the concern is kept informed of the outcome, where appropriate.
8. Record Keeping – All reports, assessments, actions taken, and outcomes are meticulously recorded and securely stored. These records must be kept in accordance with data protection laws and organizational policies to maintain confidentiality and compliance.
9. Review and Continuous Improvement – After a concern is handled, the safeguarding team reviews the process to identify any areas for improvement in the organization’s safeguarding procedures. This may involve updating policies, providing additional training, or improving reporting mechanisms.
10. Training and Awareness – Regular training sessions are conducted to ensure that all instructors and charity contacts are familiar with the safeguarding procedures and know how to report concerns.
Individuals who report a Safeguarding Concern will be kept informed about the progression of the matter they reported to an appropriate degree. Note that, depending on the nature of the concern and consequent investigations, some information about matters may be kept confidential and not shared with the reporter.
Referrals or notifications to external organisations (e.g. police services, local authorities, or regulatory bodies) will be made when, and only when, this is appropriate, and will always be made in accordance with the law (e.g. data protection law).

Supporting Documents and Other Protections

DiveInclusivehas various other documents in place that support this Safeguarding Policy. These include:
1. Detailed safeguarding investigation and response procedures.
2. Safeguarding training materials for ongoing learning and reference.
This Safeguarding Policy does not cover all of DiveInclusive?s commitments relevant to protecting its Beneficiaries. We also have other policies in place that protect our Beneficiaries. These include:
1. A Data Protection and Data Security Policy.
All of the policies, procedures, and other documents set out above are available on request from the person within the Organisation responsible for such matters.