Safeguarding Policy Statement

Safeguarding is a key part of Braintree Area Foodbank’s work and this commitment is reflected in the values of our organisation, which inform and support all of our safeguarding activity:

• We are respectful
• We treat others as they would want to be treated
• We are inclusive

Guiding Principles

Everyone’s responsibility – Everyone who works for the foodbank either as an employee or volunteer has a responsibility to keep children and adults who need care and support safe from abuse and neglect.

Prevention – We will put sensible measures in place to prevent abuse, including the use of safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working practice and raising awareness of safeguarding.

Protection – We will provide policy and procedures, to enable our employees and volunteers to identify and respond appropriately to concerns about abuse.

Partnership – We will work in Partnership with statutory, regulatory and other relevant organisations to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to appropriately.

Empowerment – We will be person-centred and uphold rights in our safeguarding work

Accountability – We aim to be transparent in our approaches and recognise the need for continuous learning and improvement.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

All employees and volunteers
Every individual working for the Foodbank, irrespective of their role, has a part to play in safeguarding children and adults who need care and support. All employees and volunteers must familiarise themselves with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.

Directors
The Foodbank Directors approve the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and have a duty of care to their charity, which includes taking the necessary steps to safeguard those at risk from abuse, managing risk and protecting the reputation of the charity.

Breaches of Policy
Failure to comply with the Braintree Area Foodbank safeguarding policy and procedures may be managed in a number of ways, depending on the nature and consequences of any incident. In some cases, a combination of responses may be required.
• Local authority co-ordinated safeguarding investigation
• Police investigation
• Referral to the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
• People & Performance disciplinary process
• Serious incident reporting to The Charity Commission
• Internal review or co-operation with an external review

Equality Statement
Braintree Area Foodbank is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. Everyone who accesses our services or works for us in a paid or voluntary capacity should be safe, empowered to play a part in promoting their own welfare and that of others and able to live a life free from abuse. This applies to all, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or belief.