Safeguarding at Just Like Us

Just Like Us’ safeguarding policy has been developed in consultation with NSPCC.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Safeguarding is extremely important to Just Like Us. We believe that no one should ever experience abuse, exploitation, or neglect, and that it is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard children and adults at risk from abuse and to take action when made aware of risk of harm. In line with UK legislation, Just Like Us recognises that we have particular responsibilities to safeguarding and to promote the welfare of all children and adults at risk who engage in Just Like Us activities.

Just Like Us recognises that: 

• The welfare of the child or adult at risk is paramount, including when considering disclosure of confidential information
• All children and adults at risk have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Some children and adults at risk are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues. Research shows that LGBT+ people are at a higher risk of abuse 
• Working in partnership with children, young people, adults at risk, parents, carers and other agencies is essential to promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk.

Just Like Us’ safeguarding policy

Our Safeguarding Policy applies to anyone who works for, or is engaged by, Just Like Us (or partners where context is applicable). This includes directly employed staff, contractors, agency staff, consultants, trustees, volunteers and this can be in a paid or unpaid, full time or part time capacity.

The purpose of the Just Like Us Safeguarding Policy is to: 

• Protect children and adults at risk who receive Just Like Us services, or work or volunteer on behalf of Just Like Us.  This includes the children of adults who use our services.
• Provide staff, volunteers, consultants and trustees with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
• Protect all children and adults at risk  involved with our organisation on a face to face basis and/or who use technology to engage with our charity.
• Provide staff, volunteers, consultants and trustees with policy and procedure information relating to  their safeguarding responsibilities, whether working face to face or online with children and adults at risk.
• Ensure the charity is operating line with our values and our obligations under the law regarding how we behave both online and offline.
• Make our approach to safeguarding clear to staff, supporters and everyone who engages with us

It is the responsibility of all who work with Just Like Us to act if there is a concern about a child or an adult at risk, or the behaviour of an adult towards a child. It is not their responsibility to determine what action is required to protect them.  Responsibility for deciding whether to escalate a concern to the appropriate authority lies with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

You can get in touch about safeguarding at safeguarding[at]justlikeus[dot]org.