PartnershipProjects Policies
PartnershipProjects is a member of the Independent Safeguarding Service CIC.
PartnershipProjects Code of Conduct
All PartnershipProjects staff who come into contact with our service users have a duty of care to safeguard and promote their welfare.
The Children Act 1989 and 2004 and the statutory guidance, ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’ places a duty on organisations to safeguard and promote the well-being of children and young people. This includes the need to ensure that all adults who work with or on behalf of children and young people are competent, confident, and safe to do so. Similarly, the Care Act 2014 places a duty on organisations to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults who need care and support, and safeguard adults in a way that recognises their choice and control.
It is important that all our staff working with our service users understand that the nature of their work and the responsibilities related to it, place them in a position of trust. This Code of Professional Conduct provides clear advice on appropriate and safe behaviours for all staff working with our service users in paid or unpaid capacities, in any setting and in all contexts. The guidance aims to:
- Keep service users safe by clarifying which behaviours constitute safe practice and which behaviours should be avoided
- Assist staff working with our service users to work safely and responsibly and to monitor their own standards and practice
- Support Managers in setting clear expectations of behaviour and/or practice relevant to the services being provided
- Support Managers in giving a clear message that unlawful or unsafe behaviour is unacceptable and that, where appropriate, disciplinary will be taken
- Support safer recruitment practice
- Reduce the incidence of positions of trust being abused or misused.
- Fulfil requirements as a code of conduct and act as part of staff induction.
Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
The purpose of PartnershipProjects’s Safeguarding Policy is to ensure every adult and child is safe and protected from harm. This means we will always work to:
- Protect adults, children and young people from maltreatment.
- Prevent impairment of adults, children and young people’s health or development.
- Identify adults, children and young people who may be in need of extra help.
- Ensure that our services assist adult, children and young people to be safe.
This policy will give clear direction to staff, volunteers, those in receipt of our services and parents about expected behaviour and our responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of all adults, children and young people.
PartnershipProjects fully recognises the contribution it can make to protect adults 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.
This policy applies to all those receiving services from or providing services on behalf of PartnershipProjects
Health and Safety Policy
PartnershipProjects UK Ltd is committed to maintaining safe and healthy working conditions and to preventing accidents and instances of work-related ill health by ensuring that all activities undertaken by its employees & learners are managed in such a manner so as to avoid, reduce or control all foreseeable risks to the health and safety of anyone who may be affected by such activities as far as is reasonably practicable.
PartnershipProjects Data Protection Act Policy
This Policy sets out the obligations of PartnershipProjects UK Ltd, (“the Company”), regarding data protection and the rights of customers and business contacts (“data subjects”) in respect of their personal data under Data Protection Act 2018 (Formally EU Regulation 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”)).
The Data Protection Act 2018 defines “personal data” as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (a “data subject”); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier, or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural, or social identity of that natural person.
This Policy sets the Company’s obligations regarding the collection, processing, transfer, storage, and disposal of personal data. The procedures and principles set out herein must be followed at all times by the Company, its employees, agents, contractors, or other parties working on behalf of the Company.
The Company is committed not only to the letter of the law, but also to the spirit of the law and places high importance on the correct, lawful, and fair handling of all personal data, respecting the legal rights, privacy, and trust of all individuals with whom it deals.
Data Storage Policy and Procedures
As an organisation using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checking service to help assess the suitability of applicants for positions of trust, we comply fully with the code of practice regarding the correct handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of certificates and certificate information.
We also comply fully with its obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 and other relevant legislation pertaining to the safe handling, use, storage, retention and disposal of certificate information and has a written policy on these matters, which is available to those who wish to see it on request.
Complaints and Procedures
At PartnershipProjects, we recognise that everyone occasionally makes mistakes. What is important, however, is that when mistakes are made there is a clear and fair approach to putting things right again.
The aim of this Complaints Policy is to ensure that every service user, staff member and stakeholder has access to a procedure that supports and enables them to raise concerns or complain about any aspect of our services.
Staff members who have concerns or complaints relating to their contract of employment or employee relationships, are expected to raise these through our grievance policy and procedure. Any other concern or complaint should be raised in accordance with this complaints policy.
Safer Recruitment Policy
PartnershipProjects, in most instances, does not always employ staff and also engages relevant associates who work for PartnershipProjects on a fixed term contractual basis.
PartnershipProjects has a duty of care and responsibility to ensure that everyone who works on behalf of the organisation, has the appropriate knowledge, experience, and skill to perform the tasks required of them. In addition to this, PartnershipProjects follows a consistent and thorough process for all contractors in order to ensure that those providing services on behalf of PartnershipProjects are suitable to do so.
For employees, PartnershipProjects ensures that safe recruitment and selection procedures are adopted which deter, reject, or identify people who may pose a risk to service users or are otherwise unsuitable to work with them.
PartnershipProjects’ Safer Recruitment practice includes those persons who may not have direct contact with our service users, but because of their presence will need to be safe and trustworthy.
Disciplinary and Grievance Policy
This procedure is designed to help and encourage all employees to achieve and maintain standards of conduct, attendance and job performance. The staff code of conduct (a copy of which is provided upon induction for all staff) and this procedure, apply to all employees.
The aim is to ensure consistent and fair treatment for all in the organisation.
Managing Allegations Against Staff Policy
Our aim is to provide a safe and supportive environment which secures the wellbeing and very best outcomes for those in receipt of a service from PartnershipProjects. We do, however, recognise that sometimes allegations of abuse are made. 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 adults who deliberately seek to harm or abuse others.
Whistleblowing Policy
Guidance for the reader:
Policy Conjunction
PartnershipProjects’ Whistleblowing Policy policy is in line with the principles of Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) statutory guidance and the Department of Health’s ‘No Secrets’ – guidance on developing and implementing multi agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. This policy is written in conjunction with PartnershipProjects’ Complaints Policy.
Policy Legislation
The policy is in accordance with government guidance set out in ‘Whistleblowing for Employees’ and the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (“PIDA”). All suspicious and actual allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with government legislation – Advice on whistleblowing and with the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Partnership guidance and procedures.
-The NSPCC whistleblowing helpline is available for staff (including volunteers and associates) who do not feel able to raise concerns regarding safeguarding matters internally. Staff can call 0800 028 0285 – line is available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Friday and email: help@nspcc.org.uk
–Advice is also available from Protect – formerly known as Public Concerns at Work (PCAW) who provide free, confidential whistleblowing advice on 0203 1172520
The Whistleblowing Policy is available in hard copy upon request.
It is PartnershipProjects’ policy to ensure that staff who act in good faith and in compliance with the law are protected from interference in, or retaliation for, reporting improper actions and for co-operating with subsequent investigations or proceedings.