1. Introduction

hecadee provides Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) to schools, care homes and therapists. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. All staff, volunteers, and contractors have a responsibility to protect those we work with from harm, abuse, and neglect.

hecadee abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and adults and is committed to safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements. We recognise their welfare is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take.

All people, 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. Some people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, adults, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting people’s welfare.

This policy sets out how hecadee will meet its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk during AAI sessions.

hecadee will:

• Protect children and young people who receive hecadee services from harm. This includes all children, adults and their dependents who use our services.
• Provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child and adult protection.

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf hecadee. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

This policy applies to:

• All staff, contractors, and volunteers
• All locations where hecadee operates, including schools, care homes, and other venues

Child: In the Children’s Act 1989, the definition of a child is: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently, are a member of the armed forces or are in hospital.

Adult at Risk: An adult who has the need for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs), is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

Child and Adult Abuse: Children and adults may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their daily lives. 

There are four main categories of abuse, which are: sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse that fall within these categories, they are:

• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child Criminal exploitation
• Child trafficking
• Domestic abuse
• Female genital mutilation
• Grooming
• Historical abuse
• Online abuse

Safeguarding: Protecting individuals’ right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect

Safeguarding children: Safeguarding children is defined in the “Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018” statutory guidance document as: 

“protecting children from maltreatment. preventing impairment of children’s health or development. ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.”

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

• ·Children Act 1989 & 2004
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)
• The Care Act 2014
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Equality Act 2010

hecadee commit to promoting the welfare of people by taking all safeguarding concerns seriously.

Staff and volunteers must:

• Treat all individuals with respect and dignity
• Avoid lone working with children or vulnerable adults
• Never share personal contact details with clients or engage via social media
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times

Risk assessments will be completed for all AAI sessions

Assessments will cover the suitability of animals, environment, and potential safeguarding risks

hecadee will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its employees/volunteers and any relevant persons linked to the organisation who require it (e.g. contractors).

For all employees who are working or volunteering with children, this requires them as a minimum to have awareness training that enables them to: 

• Understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children.
• Recognise a child potentially in need of safeguarding and take action.
• Understand how to report a safeguarding Alert.
• Understand dignity and respect when working with children. 
• Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy.

hecadee expects all employees, volunteers and trustees to maintain confidentiality. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection.

Information should be shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or appropriate staff if a child is deemed to be at risk of harm or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed. 

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding a child with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision made and why they were made.

All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). 

Each organisation we contract with will have their own Safeguarding Policy.  hecadee will be informed of these policies, and work in collaboration to ensure a consistent approach to safeguarding, sharing concerns with their safeguarding lead as well as Helen Dann, Director of hecadee.

hecadee is committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to people from people unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them. All staff and volunteers will undergo enhanced DBS checks, references will be taken prior to employment and safeguarding responsibilities will be outlined in job descriptions.

All employees, trustees and volunteers should be aware that hecadee understands that it is unlawful to photograph children and young people without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities. Permission to be requested when confirming place with hecadee.

It is important that people within hecadee have the confidence to come forward to speak or act if they are unhappy with anything. Whistle blowing occurs when a person raises a concern about dangerous or illegal activity, or any wrong- doing within their organisation. This includes concerns about another employee or volunteer. There is also a requirement by hecadee to protect whistleblowers.