Safeguarding Policy

Kent Sri Lankan Cultural Centre Objects, 

Vision and Mission To:

Objects

The CIO’s object is, for the public benefit, to advance Buddhism in Kent, in particularly  but not exclusively by provision a Buddhist centre and through holding discussions, prayer meetings, public celebration of religious festivals, producing and/or distributing Buddhist literature to enlighten the public about the Lord Buddha’s teachings and practices.

Vision

A compassionate and inclusive community in Kent, inspired by the teachings of the Lord Buddha, promoting peace, understanding, and spiritual well-being for the public benefit.

Mission

To advance Buddhism in Kent for the public benefit by providing a welcoming Buddhist centre, facilitating religious and cultural activities, and promoting understanding of Buddhist teachings through community engagement, discussions, and accessible resources.

Charitable Purpose

The Sri Lankan Buddhist Cultural Centre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation established for the public benefit to advance Buddhism in Kent, in accordance with the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This is carried out in particular, but not exclusively, through the provision of a Buddhist centre and the organisation of religious and cultural activities, including discussions, prayer meetings, public celebrations of religious festivals, and the promotion of understanding of the Lord Buddha’s teachings and practices.

All activities involving children, young people, and adults at risk are undertaken in furtherance of this charitable object. The organisation is committed to ensuring that safeguarding forms an integral part of fulfilling its responsibilities.

Safeguarding Policy Statement

Kent Sri Lankan Buddhist Cultural Centre’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Statement confirmed that we are committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from any kind of harm. This Safeguarding Policy Statement is in line with our organisation policies and procedures guidelines which includes the following:

Ø Recognising and responding to abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults

Ø Responding to allegations of abuse made against a child, young people and vulnerable adults

Ø Recruiting the right people to work and volunteer with children, young people and vulnerable adults

Ø Preventing and responding to bullying.

Ø Responding to concerns about online abuse.

Ø Ensuring photographs and images of children are taken, stored and shared appropriately.

Ø Whistleblowing.

Every individual involved in working with children, young people and vulnerable adults are aware of, and can access the information on Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in relation to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults.

The Purpose of this Policy statement is to:

Ø Protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who attend and participate in activities organised by the Kent Sri Lankan Buddhist Cultural Centre from any kind of harm.

Ø Provide staff and volunteers as well as children, young people, vulnerable adults and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of the Kent Sri Lankan Buddhist Cultural Centre, including board of Trustees, Senior managers, Paid staff, Volunteers, Sessional workers, Agency staff and Students.

1. Legal Framework:

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy, and guidance that seeks to protect children in England.

2. Trustee Responsibility

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for safeguarding and ensuring that appropriate policies, procedures, and reporting mechanisms are in place. The trustees will review safeguarding arrangements regularly to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

3. Supporting Documents

This Policy statement should be read alongside with our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents:

· role description for the designated safeguarding officer

· dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child or young person

· managing allegations against staff and information sharing

· child protection records retention and storage

· code of conduct for staff and volunteers

· behavior codes for children and young people

· photography and sharing images guidance

· safer recruitment

· online safety

· anti-bullying

· managing complaints

· whistleblowing

· health and safety

· induction, training, supervision and support

· adult to child supervision ratios.

We believe that:

ü children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind

ü we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them.

ü Safeguarding reflects the Buddhist principles of compassion, non-harm (ahimsa), and respect for human dignity.

We recognise that:

ü the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take

ü working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare. All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse

ü some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

ü extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

ü valuing, listening to and respecting them

ü appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding

ü adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers

ü developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures

ü providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behavior codes confidently and competently

ü recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made

ü recording and storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance

ü sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions

ü making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern

ü using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately

ü using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately

ü creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise

ü ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place

ü ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

ü building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

In case of any incident please contact NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or Local Police on 999 or the Local Authority Children’s Services

Contact Details

Nominated Child Protection Lead
Name: …………………………………….
Phone/email: ……………………………

Deputy Child Protection Lead(s)
Name(s): ………………………………………
Phone/email: …………………………………….

Trustee/Senior Lead for Safeguarding and Child Protection
Name(s): …………………………………………..
Phone/email: ……………………………………

Local Authority Children’s Services

Address: 39 Marlborough park AV, Sidcup, DA15 9DL
Phone: 07414 613409
Email: kslbcc@gmail.com

Other Emergency Contacts
NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
Local Police: 999

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually, or sooner if legislative or organisational changes require.

This policy was last reviewed on:………………………………………………………….

Signed:…………………………………………. Position:………………………………………………………

Date:…………………………………………….