Vulnerable Adult and Child Protection Policy

Bo’ness Car4U Vulnerable Adult and Child Protection Policy

Introduction
Bo’ness Car4U aims to ensure that all children, young people and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm while they are with the volunteers of the organisation. In order to achieve this, we will ensure our volunteers are carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised.

Bo’ness Car4U will apply the same process to all prospective volunteers and will ensure that all volunteers who are involved in recruitment, training and supervision are aware of this policy and have received appropriate training and support to ensure its full implementation. 

Principles of statement
All successful volunteers will be Disclosure checked at an appropriate level if the role requires one.

Screening – all volunteers will be asked to agree to an appropriate Disclosure. The Disclosure will be requested prior to the applicant taking up the post.

Training – The volunteers will receive induction training, which will give an overview of the organisation and ensure they know its purpose, values, services, and structure. Relevant training and support will be provided on an on-going basis and will cover information about their role, and opportunities for practicing skills. Training on specific topics such as health and safety procedures, identifying and reporting abuse, and confidentiality will be given as a priority to new volunteers, and regularly reviewed/updated.

Supervision – We have in place a designated Safeguarding Advisor who will provide regular feedback and support through formal Support and Supervision sessions, where their performance, skills, motivation and expectations will be discussed. These will be recorded, and copies made available to the volunteer.

Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003

Bo’ness Car4U will comply with the requirements of Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 (PoCSA) in that we will not allow anyone who is listed on the Disqualified from Working with Children List to volunteer within our organisation.

We will make a referral (in the form of a written report using the required Scottish Government Referral Form) to Scottish Ministers if an individual harms a child or puts a child at risk of harm and as a result of this, we take the decision to remove them or they leave of their own accord, come to the end of a contract, retire or have been made redundant.

Guidance

Volunteer Drivers

Our volunteer drivers, who must have been in possession of a full driving licence for a period of at least one year, may be in contact with young people or vulnerable adults from time to time.  As a result, additional good practice should be maintained. In the case of a vulnerable adult, we would insist that a family member or friend accompany the patient.  If the patient is a child we will insist that a responsible adult accompanies the child in the car.  If a young adult cancer patient wishes to be unaccompanied the following must be upheld and agreed by the parent/carer and driver.

Information about young person

• At first meeting, obtain records of young person – name, address, contact details.
• Details of parent(s), carers, or guardian.
• Details of support worker/agency if applicable.
• Permission slips signed e.g. taking part in activities, taking photographs, etc.

Contact details

• Ensure that you have up to date contact details of the young person’s home/land line telephone number and mobile.
• Contact details of parent(s), carers or guardians should also be recorded. together with an emergency contact number if they are unavailable.
• Carry these details with you when meeting young people in case of being delayed so the young person(s) can be informed.

Meeting young people

• Endeavour to always meet with young people in the presence of at least one other responsible adult. [ Parent/Carer]
• When meeting with young cancer patient ensure that they know where they are going and why. [The driver will contact an adult the day before by telephone to make the appropriate arrangements] .
• Encourage young people to let you know that they will be unable to volunteer or that they will be late.
• If the young person is more 5 minutes late coming out from their home, contact them to ensure that they are safe or to ascertain if there is a problem.
• If you are unable to contact the young person, check with the parent(s), carers, guardians or support workers.

Accidents or incidents

• Boness Car 4U have accident or incident forms to be completed by the volunteer at the time and handed to the coordinator at the earliest opportunity.

Physical contact

• Do not make physical contact unless it is necessary to save the young person from harm.
• Comfort or reassurance, by appropriate physical contact, is acceptable if initiated by the young person.
• Sit the young cancer patient in the back seat diagonally across from the driver. This means that the driver can observe the child’s general health especially after the cancer treatment.

In general, if the young person is a volunteer [age 16 and over]

• Get to know the young people as a group and the individuals within the group
• Ensure that everyone is included, feels valued and welcome in the group.
• Acknowledge and welcome everyone’s contribution.
• Address any issues which give cause for concern e.g. excluding anyone, bullying, swearing, and have inappropriate behaviour.

Further Policies