Safeguarding Policy Statement

Our approach

Central YMCA takes its responsibilities for safeguarding extremely seriously and believes that it is never acceptable for a child, young person, vulnerable adult, or any member of society to experience abuse of any kind.  Our safeguarding policy and practices are aligned to Keeping Children Safe in Education (2019)

Our approach to safeguarding ensures we:

  • protect and promote the welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who engage with us
  • communicate our approach to safeguarding in a clear and transparent way
  • demonstrate compliance with relevant statutory guidelines
  • have safeguarding responsibilities that are clear and that people understand how to report concerns they may have about a child, young person or vulnerable adults

We strongly believe that everyone, regardless of their age, background, ability, culture, disability, gender, language, religious beliefs and sexual identity has the right to protection from abuse.

Central YMCA has a responsibility to identify children, young people and vulnerable adults who may be in need of extra help or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.  This is an inherent part of the Charity’s culture, as we adopt a “culture of vigilance” in relation to all of our stakeholders and the communities that we engage with.

We recognise that safeguarding is not just about protecting any child, young person or vulnerable adult from deliberate harm and neglect, but also about broader aspects of care and education such as well-being (including mental health), first aid, special educational needs and/or disabilities, educational visits and online safety.

Reporting safeguarding concerns

Where there is a possibility of abuse or neglect by a person or persons, everyone has a responsibility to report their concerns to the appropriate person.

If you have any concerns related to the safety and/or well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our care please contact one of the following Designated Safeguarding Leads:

YMCA Club
Muminur Jalil – Children and Young People Manager
020 3994 9614
muminur.jalil@ymca.co.uk

YMCA Training, YMCAfit and OneKX
Michelle Smith – Education Manager
01302 244 051
michelle.c.smith@ymca.co.uk

Ryan Palmer – Chief Revenue Officer
ryan.palmer@ymca.co.uk

Management of concerns

We will take all suspicions and allegations of abuse and/or poor practice seriously and will respond to any concerns swiftly and appropriately. We will support people who report their concerns about abuse in good faith and will investigate their concerns, referring to the appropriate people and external agencies where necessary.

It is not the responsibility of anyone working/volunteering at Central YMCA to decide whether or not abuse has taken place; however, we will act on any concerns by reporting them to the appropriate person or agency.

We will take all actions within our power to enable any child, young person or vulnerable adult to have the best outcomes.