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Our Policy

1. Introduction

Women in Need (WIN) is a UK registered charity with over 20 years’ experience working with women in some of the poorest communities in Nagpur, Central India and the district of Wardha. The organisation provides medical & socio-economic assistance tailored to the needs of the individual. WIN tackles problems relating to poverty and abuse and addresses the lack of awareness and support for women suffering from cancer, leprosy, HIV, and mental illness. The organisations mission is to restore dignity and hope to underprivilege Indian women through health awareness & preventative screening programs, free medical treatment, vocational training, and economic empowerment.

Women in Need occasionally but not exclusively works in collaboration with medical professionals from the local authority and private sectors as well as other non-government organisations. Women in Need recognises that we have a duty of care to women, their children, and young adults at risk who we may encounter through our programmes with partners. 

2. Purpose & Aims

2.1 The purpose of Women in Need’s Safeguarding Policy is to ensure every vulnerable woman and child is safe and protected from harm. This means we will always work to: 

  • Protect women and children from maltreatment. 

  • Prevent impairment of a woman and child’s health or development. 

  • Identify women and children who may need extra help. 

  • Ensure that all members of staff, volunteers, visitors, supporters, trustees, consultants, donors, and partners can assist women and children to be safe. 

 

2.2 This policy gives a clear direction for those working for, and on behalf of Women in Need on the expected behaviour and our responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of all women and children. 

 

2.3 Women in Need fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect women and children from harm and supporting and promoting the welfare of those coming into contact with our organisation. The elements of our policy are prevention, protection, and support. 

 

2.4 This policy applies to all those working for, and on behalf of Women in Need.

3. Legislation & Statutory Guidance

In developing this policy and any associated procedures and guidance, we have referred to the following UK and Indian legislation/guidance linked below:

 

UK

 

India

4. Definitions

The terms "child" and "children" refer to anyone under the age of 18. 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of women or children means: 

  • Protecting women and children from maltreatment. 

  • Preventing impairment of a woman or child’s health or development. 

  • Taking action to enable all women and children have the best outcomes.

 

Abuse is a form of maltreatment of a woman or child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a woman or child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Women and children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children. Neglect is a form of abuse and is the persistent failure to meet a child or vulnerable adult's basic physical, and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of that individual's health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of material substance abuse. Neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: 

  • Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment) 

  • Protect a child or vulnerable adult from physical and emotional harm or danger. 

  • Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers) 

  • Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to a child or vulnerable adult's basic emotional needs.

5. Our Ethos

5.1 The welfare of women and children is of paramount importance. Women in Need will establish and maintain an ethos where such individuals feel secure, are encouraged to talk, are listened to and are safe. 

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5.2 Everyone who comes into contact with women, children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding them. We recognise staff at Women in Need play an important role as they are in a position to identify concerns. All staff are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of vulnerable women and children, staff members must always act in the best interests of the concerned individual. 

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5.3 All staff will, through training, know how to respond to a disclosure from a woman or child and how to record and report this information. 

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5.4 At all times we will work in partnership with parents, carers and colleagues from other agencies in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures. 

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5.5 We adhere to the six principles of adult safeguarding as outlined by The Care Act 2014. 

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5.6 All adults, regardless of age, ability or disability, gender, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status have the right to be protected from abuse and poor practice and to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment. 

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5.7 The rights, dignity and worth of all adults and children will always be respected. 

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5.8 We all have a shared responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of all women and children and will act appropriately and report concerns. 

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5.9 All allegations will be taken seriously and responded to quickly in line with Local Safeguarding Board procedures (LSB) which will be adapted and applied within the charity’s place of operation. 

 

Key UK based contacts which will be referred to for guidance for safeguarding procedures include: 

 

Key INDIAN based contacts which will be used for the implementation of safeguarding procedures include:

6. Roles & Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of every member of staff and regular visitor to ensure that they carry out the requirements of this policy and, at all times work in a way that will safeguard and promote the welfare of all women and children. This includes the responsibility to provide a safe environment.

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Senior Lead Safeguarding UK (SLSUK)

Leah S Pattison - Director UK

 

Senior Lead Safeguarding INDIA (SLSIN)

Usha C Patil – Director INDIA

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Designated Safeguarding Lead INDIA (DSLIN)

Rama Meshram – Social Worker

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6.1 The SLS at Women in Need is accountable for ensuring the effectiveness of this policy and our compliance with it. 

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6.2 The SLS will ensure that: 

  • The safeguarding policy is in place and is reviewed annually, is available to the public and has been written in line with statutory guidance and the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board's (LSAB) procedures. 

  • A senior member of staff is designated to take the lead responsibility for safeguarding. 

  • All staff and volunteers receive a safeguarding induction and are provided with a copy of this policy and the code of conduct. 

  • All staff undertake appropriate child protection training relevant to their role. 

  • Procedures are in place for dealing with allegations against members of staff and volunteers who work with women, children and young adults in line with statutory guidance. 

  • Safer recruitment practices are followed to prevent individuals who may pose a risk to women, children and young adults from having access to those cared for within the organisation. 

  • Any weakness with regard to safeguarding arrangements that are brought to their attention will be remedied without delay. 

  • Policies and procedures, particularly concerning referrals of cases of suspected abuse and neglect, are followed by staff. 

  • All staff and volunteers feel able to raise concerns about poor or unsafe safeguarding practice and such concerns are addressed sensitively in accordance with agreed internal procedures. 

  • Liaison will take place with the Designated Officer for the Local Authority (commonly known as 'LADO') in the event of an allegation of abuse being made against a member of staff where their role involves working with women and children.

 

6.3 The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) 

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6.4 The DSL is a member of staff who takes lead responsibility for safeguarding and women and child’s protection at Women in Need. The DSL will carry out their role in accordance with the responsibilities outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015). The DSL will provide advice and support to other staff. Any concern for a woman/child’s safety or welfare will be recorded in writing and given to the DSL. 

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6.5 During opening hours, the DSL and/or a deputy will always be available for staff to discuss any safeguarding concerns. If a DSL is not available in person, we will ensure that they are available via telephone and/or any other relevant media. 

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6.6 Through appropriate training, knowledge and experience our DSL will liaise with Police, the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) where necessary and make referrals of suspected abuse. 

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6.7 The DSL will maintain written records ensuring that they are kept confidential and stored securely. 

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6.8 The DSL is responsible for ensuring that all staff members, trustees, volunteers, and everyone associated with Women in Need, are aware of our policy and the procedure they need to follow. They will ensure that all staff, volunteers and regular visitors have received appropriate safeguarding information during induction and that appropriate training needs are identified.

7. Training & Induction

7.1 When new staff employees, trustees and volunteers join the organisation, they are required to read and confirm that they have understood the procedures and guidelines outlined in Women in Need’s Safeguarding Policy and sign the Safeguarding Policy - Code of Conduct. 

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7.2 Every new member of staff or volunteer that comes into regular contact with women and children will receive safeguarding training during their induction period. This programme will include information relating to how to manage a disclosure from a woman or child, how to record concerns, and the remit of the role of the DSL. The training will also include information about whistleblowing in respect of concerns about another adult’s behaviour and suitability relating to their work with children and/or vulnerable adults. 

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7.3 Guidance about acceptable conduct will also be given to all staff and volunteers during induction. These are sensible steps that every adult should take in their daily professional conduct with women and children. All staff and volunteers are expected carry out their work in accordance with this guidance and will be made aware that failure to do so could lead to disciplinary action. 

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7.4 In addition to the safeguarding induction, we will ensure that mechanisms are in place to assist staff to understand and discharge their role and responsibilities. In order to achieve this, we will ensure that: 

  • All staff members and volunteers will undertake appropriate safeguarding training based on their role.

  • All staff members and volunteers will receive safeguarding and women and child protection updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins, staff meetings), as required to provide them with the relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard women and children effectively 

 

7.5 All regular visitors, supporters, donors will be given a set of our safeguarding procedures. They will be informed of whom our SLS and DSL are and what the recording and reporting system is. 

 

7.6 We actively encourage all of our staff to keep up to date with the most recent local and national safeguarding advice and guidance accessible via the Police, Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) procedures. 

 

7.7 Our SLS will also undertake appropriate training to ensure they are able to carry out their duty to safeguard all women and children coming into contact with Women in Need.

8. Procedures for Managing Pathways - Help & Support

8.1 Women in Need adheres to safeguarding procedures that have been agreed locally with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB). Where we identify vulnerable women or children and families in need of support, we will carry out our responsibilities in accordance with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) for guidance. 

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8.2 Every member of staff (including volunteers) working at Women in Need are advised to maintain an attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned. When concerned about the welfare of a woman or child, staff members should always act in the interests of that individual and have a responsibility to take action as outlined in this policy. 

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8.3 All staff members are encouraged to report and record any worries and concerns that they have and not see these as insignificant. On occasions, a referral is justified by a single incident such as an injury or disclosure of abuse. More often however, worries and concerns accumulate over a period of time and are evidenced by building up a picture of harm over time; this is particularly true in cases of emotional abuse and neglect. In these circumstances, it is crucial that staff record and pass on worries and concerns in accordance with this policy to allow the relevant authorities to build up a picture and intervene with support at the earliest opportunity. A reliance on memory without accurate and contemporaneous records of concern could lead to a failure to protect. 

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8.4 It is not the responsibility of staff to investigate welfare concerns or determine the truth of any disclosure or allegation. All staff, however, have a duty to recognise concerns and pass the information on in accordance with the procedures outlined in this policy. 

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8.5 The DSL should be used as a first point of contact for worries, concerns and queries regarding any safeguarding concerns at Women in Need. Any member of staff or visitor who receives a disclosure of abuse or suspects that a woman or child is at risk of harm must report it immediately to the DSL. In the absence of a DSL, the matter should be brought to the attention of the SLS for Safeguarding. 

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8.6 All concerns about a woman or child should be reported without delay and recorded in writing using the agreed procedures. 

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8.7 Following receipt of any information raising concern, the DSL will consider what action to take. All information and actions taken, including the reasons for any decisions made, will be fully documented. 

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8.8 The DSL will decide whether to make a referral to the Police, Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and or Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) when there are safeguarding concerns. 

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8.9 If a referral to Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and or Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) has not met the threshold for support or statutory intervention, the DSL will make a full written record of the decision and outcome. 

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8.10 If, at any point, there is a risk of immediate serious harm to a woman or child, a referral should be made to the Police. Anybody can make a referral. 

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8.11 Staff should always follow the reporting procedures outlined in this policy in the first instance. However, they may also share information directly with Police, the Local Authority Officer (LADO), Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) if: 

  • The situation is an emergency and the DSL and the SLS for Safeguarding are unavailable 

  • They are convinced that a direct report is the only way to ensure the woman or child’s safety. 

 

8.12 Any member of staff who does not feel that concerns about a woman or child have been responded to appropriately and in accordance with the procedures outlined in this policy should raise their concerns with the SLS. If any member of staff does not feel the situation has been addressed appropriately after this point, they should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and or Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) directly with their concerns. 

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8.13 We recognise that women and children are also vulnerable to physical, sexual and emotional abuse by their peers or siblings. Abuse perpetrated by children can be just as harmful as that perpetrated by an adult, so it is important to remember the impact on the victim of the abuse as well as to focus on the support for the child or young person exhibiting the harmful behaviour. Such abuse will always be taken as seriously as abuse perpetrated by an adult and staff must never tolerate or dismiss concerns relating to peer on peer abuse. 

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8.14 We recognise that woman and children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can face additional safeguarding challenges. These additional barriers can include: 

  • Assumptions that indicators of possible abuse such as behaviour, mood and injury relate to the adult or child’s disability 

  • Adults or children with SEND can be disproportionately impacted by things like bullying- without outwardly showing any signs 

  • Communication barriers and difficulties in overcoming these barriers 

 

8.15 At Women in Need we recognise that our staff are well placed to identify concerns to help prevent sexual exploitation and have a vital role in identifying signs that sexual exploitation may be taking place. Any staff member that has a concern regarding sexual exploitation should inform the DSL who will liaise with Police, the Local Authority Officer (LADO), Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB). 

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8.16 At Women in Need we recognise that our staff may be placed to identify concerns to prevent women and children from becoming victims of 'honour-based' violence (HBV). If staff have a concern regarding a woman or child that might be at risk of HBV they should inform the DSL who will liaise with the Police, the Local Authority Officer (LADO) Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and or the Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB). 

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8.17 We recognise that safeguarding against radicalisation and extremism is no different to safeguarding against any other form of vulnerability in today’s society. At Women in Need we will ensure that: 

  • Through training, staff and volunteers have an understanding of what radicalisation and extremism is, why we need to be vigilant and how to respond when concerns arise. 

  • The DSL has received relevant training in this area and will act as the point of contact for any concerns relating to radicalisation and extremism. 

  • The DSL will make referrals to Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) and will represent our organisation at meetings as required, unless this is done by the SLS.

9. Records & Information Sharing

9.1 If staff are concerned about the welfare or safety of any woman or child at Women in Need, they will record their concern on the agreed reporting procedure. Any worries or concerns should be passed to the DSL without delay. 

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9.2 Any information recorded will be kept in a secure cabinet or electronically. These files will be the responsibility of the DSL/SLS. The information will only be shared on a basis of ‘need to know in the adult's or child’s Interests’ and on the understanding that it remains strictly confidential.

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9.3 As a people-centred organisation, we must ensure we treat people with dignity and respect. We must provide clear information about why we want to take a person’s image and explain that it is their right to refuse to participate or to remain anonymous. Consent must be freely given and should be recorded as either a signed consent form or a video recording. The request for consent must be presented in a manner which is clearly distinguishable from other information, in an easily accessible form, and using clear and plain language.

10. Safer Recruitment

In India, there is no law that specifically deals with criminal record checks or background checks. However, the Indian Contract Act, Indian Penal Code, and the Information Technology Acts of 2000 and 2005 are often used as benchmarks for conducting criminal record checks.

 

10.1 At Women in Need we will use the recruitment and selection process to deter and reject unsuitable candidates, in line with the policy and procedures outlined in our Safer Recruitment Policy. We require evidence of original academic certificates. We do not accept testimonials and insist on taking up references prior to appointment. We will question the contents of application forms if we are unclear about them. We will undertake where we are required to do so and use any other means of ensuring we are recruiting and selecting the most suitable people to work with women and children. 

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10.2 We will maintain a record of all safer recruitment checks carried out in line with Statutory requirements and in line with our Data Protection policy. 

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10.3 We will ensure that those responsible for recruiting staff have completed appropriate ‘safer recruitment’ training. At all times we will ensure that safer recruitment practices are followed in accordance with our statutory requirements.

11. Managing Allegations against Staff & Volunteers

11.1 Our aim is to provide a safe environment which secures the wellbeing of women and children. We do, however, recognise that sometimes allegations of abuse are made. 

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11.2 We recognise that allegations, when they occur, are distressing and difficult for all concerned. We also recognise that some allegations are genuine and that there are individuals who deliberately seek to harm or abuse women or children. 

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11.3 We will take all possible steps to safeguard vulnerable women or children and to ensure that those working for or on behalf of our organisation are safe to work with women and children. We will always ensure that the procedures outlined by Working Together to Safeguard Children are adhered to and will seek appropriate advice from the Designated Officer of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) where appropriate. 

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11.4 If an allegation is made or information is received about any member of staff (or volunteer) who works with women or children (both within our organisation or outside our organisation) who has: 

· Behaved in a way that has harmed a beneficiary or may have harmed a beneficiary. 

· Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a beneficiary. 

· Behaved towards a beneficiary in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to women or children. 

· In addition, staff should also alert the Senior Lead for Safeguarding (SLS) if an individual, in their personal life, behaved in a way that raises safeguarding concerns.

· The member of staff receiving the information should inform the DSL and/or the SLS immediately. This includes concerns relating to agency and supply staff, trainees, and volunteers. 

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11.5 The SLS will seek advice from the Designated Officer for the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) where appropriate within one working day. No member of staff will undertake further investigations before receiving further advice. 

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11.6 Women in Need will refer to any criminal records checks for any member of staff who has harmed, or poses a risk of harm, to a woman or child. This referral will be made as soon as possible after the resignation or removal of the individual.

Also see the following Annex to this document: 

 

Annex:  Safeguarding Code of Conduct 

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