Safe Guarding Policy
Have a read of the safeguarding policy for Shanti • Samsára • Yoga below:
SAFEGUARDING POLICY:
Statement of purpose
1. Shanti Samsára Yoga (the Organisation) is committed to preventing and responding to risks of harm to and promoting the welfare of all children and adults at risk that we work with (i.e. as Shanti Samsára Yoga’s clients). These individuals are referred to as the 'Beneficiaries' of this Safeguarding Policy.
2. We recognise the importance of this commitment to safety and welfare and, further, are committed to safeguarding all Beneficiaries without discrimination due to an individual's age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity leave status, marriage or civil partnership status, or sexual orientation.
3. This Safeguarding Policy is based on the safeguarding laws of England, Wales, and Scotland, including related guidance issued by the UK Government and relevant governmental departments, agencies, and public bodies. If this Policy is at any time inconsistent with this body of law, Shanti Samsára Yoga will act to meet the requirements of up-to-date safeguarding laws in priority to the requirements set out in this Policy.
4. Shanti Samsára Yoga has implemented this Safeguarding Policy in order to meet its obligations as an organisation potentially, working with children and adults at risk.
5. Any questions in relation to this Policy should be referred to Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe in the first instance, by emailing shantisamsarayoga@icloud.com or by contacting +447936747840.
Scope of this Safeguarding Policy
6. This Policy explains key aspects of how Shanti Samsára Yoga aims to prevent harm in relation to its Beneficiaries via its practices and its Staff Members conduct.
7. This Safeguarding Policy covers the organisation and operation of all of Shanti Samsára Yoga’s activities when delivering it’s Yoga and Meditation Classes.
8. This Policy's guidelines and obligations apply to all individuals working for or acting on behalf of Shanti Samsára Yoga, in person and online at all levels.
9. This Policy does not form part of any contract of employment or similar and Shanti Samsára Yoga may amend it at any time at our absolute discretion.
10. This Policy will be reviewed annually.
Defining safeguarding
11. ‘Safeguarding’ is an umbrella term that refers to work (e.g. practices and procedures aimed at preventing or responding to harm or risks of harm posed to vulnerable individuals’ welfare whilst attending classes in person or online.
For safeguarding purposes:
- Children are individuals younger than 18 years old.
- Adults at risk are individuals 18 years old or over (in England and Wales) or 16 years old or over (in Scotland) who have care and/or support needs and who are, because of these needs, unable to protect themselves from harm (e.g. due to illness or disability). This need not be on a permanent basis.
Shanti Samsára Yoga reserves the right to refuse participation in its activities, if the teacher deems it to be unsafe to any individual.
12. The commitments and practices contained in this Safeguarding Policy apply to the safeguarding of Shanti Samsára Yoga's staff and Beneficiaries, from harm caused by either:
a. The activities and practices of Shanti Samsára Yoga and any conduct of its Staff Members, or
b. People and situations outside of Shanti Samsára Yoga’s and its Staff Members' control, where Shanti Samsára Yoga Staff Members are aware of, ought to be aware of, or reasonably suspect the risks posed by a situation.
13. For the purposes of this Policy, a ‘Safeguarding Concern’ is any conduct or situation that is known or reasonably suspected by a Staff Member or another party that risks violating the safeguarding commitments set out above.
Key measures that Shanti Samsara Yoga is committed to implementing and maintaining to safeguard its Beneficiaries
14. Ensuring that Staff Members are trained to, and encouraged to, report any Safeguarding Concerns that they identify. Staff Members will be encouraged to follow Shanti Samsara Yoga's safeguarding reporting procedures as closely as possible when reporting concerns (set out below under the heading ‘Procedures: Reporting’).
15. Ensuring that all Staff Members listen to all safeguarding-related queries and concerns raised by other Staff Members, Beneficiaries, or relevant other parties, with respect and professionalism. Staff Members should be trained in how to, and be encouraged to, assist with reporting any such concerns via Shanti Samsára Yoga's regular reporting procedures.
16. Ensuring that all reported Safeguarding Concerns are dealt with by appropriate individuals and in accordance with Shanti Samsára Yoga's relevant procedures (set out below under the heading 'Procedures: Investigation and Response').
17. Implementing and maintaining comprehensive, accessible, fair, and efficient procedures for Staff Members to use when reporting and dealing with Safeguarding Concerns. These procedures will be made known and easily accessible to all Staff Members.
a. Procedures will be designed to ensure all safeguarding issues are dealt with fairly and objectively even when allegations are made against one of Shanti Samsara Yoga's Staff Members. Any such allegations will be treated in a manner that takes into account the gravity of the accusations, but which does not vilify or presume the guilt of an accused individual without a fair investigation.
b. Any reports that qualify as protected disclosures under whistleblowing law will be treated securely and in a protected manner in line with whistleblowing law.
18. Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe will hold responsibility for managing safeguarding policies and procedures within Shanti Samsára Yoga.
19. Following appropriate teaching cover processes when organising cover teachers should the need arise on occasion. This includes:
a. Having sight of the cover teachers; Accreditation Certificate from a recognised body (such as the Yoga Alliance Professionals), Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record certificate, insurance cover certificate, waiver declaration and safeguarding policy.
b. Informing cover teachers that they are expected to have their own Safeguarding training and reporting procedures in place and be conversant with their use prior to having any contact with Shanti Samsára Yoga's Beneficiaries.
c. Informing cover teachers that it is their responsibility to report any safeguarding issues to the appropriate authorities and take responsibility for any disclosures or concerns they have when conducting their sessions and also to inform Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe of such.
Shanti Samsára Yoga will undertake the above checks prior to engaging a cover teacher.
20. Ensuring that all information related to Safeguarding Concerns, including the content of reported concerns as well as the personal data of anybody involved, is handled safely and securely in accordance with the Shanti Samsára Yoga's Data Protection Policy.
21. Ensuring transparency and awareness regarding safeguarding information and procedures by providing information to Beneficiaries about our safeguarding procedures so that they are aware of how to raise any concerns.
22. Regularly reviewing all safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure that they are up-to-date with safeguarding law and that they remain suitable for Shanti Samsára Yoga's activities.
If the cover teacher is uncertain as to their responsibilities, it is their responsibility to raise this with Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe.
23. Cover teachers must actively participate in all safeguarding training they are assigned and, if they do not understand any aspects of their training, must raise this with Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe.
24. The teacher and any cover teachers must never do anything to actively risk the safety or wellbeing of any of Shanti Samsára Yoga's Beneficiaries. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. Subjecting them to or facilitating abuse of any sort.
b. Engaging in any sexual activity with children (i.e. anybody under the age of 18).
c. Participating in or facilitating any activities that may commercially exploit Beneficiaries. For example, failing to report suspected child labour or trafficking.
25. The teacher and any cover teachers must report all Safeguarding Concerns that they have regarding Beneficiaries, regardless of whether the concerns relate to potential wrongdoing of staff, other Beneficiaries, or external parties (e.g. parents, teachers, other organisations, or members of the public).
Procedures: Reporting
26. Cover teachers will receive safeguarding training that should enable them to identify Safeguarding Concerns (e.g. suspected abuse, neglect, or threats to wellbeing) relevant to Shanti Samsára Yoga's Beneficiaries.
27. If a cover teacher identifies a Safeguarding Concern, to report it they should inform Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe, as soon as possible. As the business proprietor (sole trader) any safeguarding concerns must be reported to her. She will take responsibility to action any safeguarding concerns and inform further agencies where necessary.
28. If a cover teacher feels unable to follow the above steps, they should report their Safeguarding Concern in a reasonable alternative manner.
This may be the case if, for example:
a. Following the above procedure would require disclosing the concern to somebody who is implicated in the Safeguarding Concern or who the cover teacher is otherwise uncomfortable contacting about this concern, or
b. The matter is time sensitive and involves a risk of serious harm to somebody, in which case contacting an external agency (e.g. the police, the ambulance service, or a mental health crisis line) first may be more appropriate.
Procedures: Investigation and response
29. Reported Safeguarding Concerns will be dealt with promptly by appropriate individuals within Shanti Samsára Yoga, in accordance with our safeguarding response procedures and safeguarding laws. Details of these procedures are available on request from Olivia Geneviéve Hatcliffe.
30. Cover teachers who report a Safeguarding Concern will be kept informed about the progression of the matter they reported to an appropriate degree. Note that, depending on the nature of the concern and consequent investigations, some information about matters may be kept confidential and not shared with the reporter.
31. If a cover teacher is found to be in breach of this Safeguarding Policy or safeguarding law in general, they will be treated fairly and will only be dismissed if appropriate in the circumstances.
32. Referrals or notifications to external organisations (e.g. police services, local authorities, or regulatory bodies) will be made when, and only when, this is appropriate, and will always be made in accordance with the law (e.g. data protection law).
safeguarding policy - 01.09.2023
Further information to follow...