Safeguarding

To support this commitment CAP will:

• Promote a safer environment and culture
• Safely recruit and support all those with any responsibility related to children and adults at risk within CAP
• Respond promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation raised with the CAP Safeguarding Team.
• Offer appropriate support to victims and survivors of abuse and other affected persons.
• Offer appropriate support to those who are the subject of concerns or allegations of abuse and other affected persons.
• Respond to those that may pose a present risk to others.
• Refer safeguarding concerns, where appropriate, to statutory authorities

CAP recognises that all children and adults are at risk of abuse or harm. We recognise that those who suffer or are at risk of suffering abuse or harm require protection from this and that they may require direct support from CAP in accessing such protection. CAP is committed to ensuring that our organisation, staff and local CAP workers volunteers are equipped to recognise safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately to them.

CAP has produced this Safeguarding Policy which outlines our ethos and commitment towards safeguarding. This policy will be reviewed annually by the Safeguarding Lead and then approved by the Board every 3 years.

CAP has also produced a Safeguarding Handbook, procedures and other guidance documents which detail the practices and procedures to be followed by CAP staff in response to safeguarding concerns or incidents. These documents also give a range of advice including agencies and organisations that we may be able to signpost people to for more detailed information and support. They will be reviewed annually by the Safeguarding Lead.

CAP is committed to regular comprehensive audits of its safeguarding policies and practices by an external organisation.

CAP ensures safeguarding advice and support is available to all CAP staff, local CAP workers and volunteers either through nominated CAP centre/​service Safeguarding Officers provided via partner churches or via Safeguarding Officers and Senior Safeguarding Officers employed at our Support hub.

All safeguarding concerns are quality assured and monitored by the Safeguarding Team including the Safeguarding Lead and Safeguarding Advisor. This team also offers support and advice on more complex and serious incidents and concerns.

Governance of safeguarding is undertaken by the Safeguarding Lead reporting to The Impact and Health Board, The People Committee, The Executive Team and The Board of Trustees.

Training and professional development is central to CAP’s safeguarding commitment with the provision of an integrated and continuous system of training. All new employees complete safeguarding training as part of their induction. Local debt help and coaching services workers also complete safeguarding training as part of their initial training before they begin working with clients and members. Thereafter all Support Hub staff and debt help and coaching services workers complete mandatory annual refresher safeguarding training. The safeguarding training is similar so that the information and advice to all staff is consistent.

Completion of training is monitored by our People Development Team to ensure all CAP staff and local CAP workers are compliant and equipped to deal with safeguarding concerns.

CAP is developing a portfolio of bitesize training on a variety of safeguarding topics including Domestic Abuse/​Coercive Control, Financial Abuse, Addiction/​Dependency, Suicide Prevention, Multi-Agency Working, Supporting Adults with Additional Needs and Risk Assessments, This will be available to all CAP staff and local CAP workers.

CAP is committed to equipping Safeguarding Officers and provides training at a
higher level for these roles including external training as appropriate.

CAP understands the importance of recording safeguarding incidents and concerns clearly and confidentially and this forms part of all staff’s safeguarding training. CAP uses CPOMS, a cloud based recording system used by many other organisations in the UK. All relevant Service Delivery staff and local CAP debt centre workers are currently trained in recording on CPOMS.

CAP recognises the need for confidential record keeping and only approved Safeguarding Officers have full access to CPOMS records. No safeguarding details are stored on more open record systems. The Safeguarding Team is immediately automatically notified to any new entry on the CAP CPOMS system and is responsible for quality assurance and ensuring procedures have been followed. The CPOMS system is used to alert relevant local CAP debt centre workers and Support Hub staff to individual incidents as appropriate.

CAP uses a separate secure StaffSafe system on CPOMS to confidentially record any concerns around CAP staff, local CAP workers, volunteers or trustees.

CAP has a commitment to ensuring that unsuitable applicants are deterred from applying for posts within CAP and in ensuring that they are identified and rejected if they do so. CAP has approved a Safer Recruitment Policy that sets out all the key elements of safer recruitment. CAP also has a clear DBS and Disclosure policy which shows which roles/​posts require DBS/​Disclosure checks at which levels.

There is specific additional guidance and procedures for Scotland and Northern Ireland where different disclosure systems operate. CAP believes that Safer Recruitment Training is vital as part of our safeguarding. People Operations staff have completed Safer Recruitment training and are always represented on interview panels.

The Safeguarding Lead is the designated Lead Recruiter with our DBS providers with our People Operations Manager as an additional recruiter.

CAP is committed to providing appropriate support for all CAP clients, members and their families. Safeguarding training for all staff and advice/​support from Safeguarding Officers ensures that CAP staff are equipped to do this. CAP understands the importance of people who have suffered abuse or are at risk of this receiving the best support and advice possible. CAP recognises that there are a range of statutory and voluntary agencies who specialise in supporting people with different issues. CAP aims to support people in accessing these services in order to meet their needs. The Safeguarding Handbook, Procedures and other Guidance documents assists CAP staff in supporting clients, members and their families with this.

CAP recognises its statutory safeguarding duties and the priority that must be given to safeguarding concerns. CAP will always seek to work with clients, members and their families sensitively and respectfully whilst ensuring that these statutory duties are met and that all adults and children who have suffered or are at risk of abuse are protected.

CAP recognises that it has a duty to respond to people who may pose a risk to children and/​or adults at risk. CAP will always work professionally and sensitively with people who may pose a risk whilst ensuring that safeguarding policies and procedures are followed. Specific procedures and guidance is in place to cover risk assessments of individuals, situations and venues. There is additional guidance for devolved nations in respect of risk. CAP will liaise and work with statutory authorities in addressing risks that are identified in these situations.