COVID-19 Safeguarding

Information regarding safeguarding for VCSE Organisations, Mutual Aid type groups and volunteers.

 

Guidance

 

DBS COVID-19: How DBS is supporting the fight against coronavirus

DBS New guidance: DBS for adults in social care roles

GOV.UK Coronavirus: How to help safely

GOV.UK Safeguarding Factsheet: Community volunteers during COVID-19 outbreak

Guidance on handling safeguarding allegations in a charity: Every organisation that delivers charitable activities has a responsibility to safeguard people from harm or abuse, whether they are staff members, volunteers, or other people who come into contact with your charity through its work. This tool will help charities in England to handle the reporting of safeguarding allegations about the behaviour or actions of a person in their charity.

NCC Safeguarding Adults advice webpage: Includes new COVID-19 related Safeguarding advice and resources, information for those self-isolating or shielding, information on financial scams and information for volunteers.

Steps to a Safer Organisation: NCVO Knowhow - Understand the steps to doing safeguarding well. Includes policies and procedures, roles and responsibilities, reporting and more. 

SAFEcic Online advice to volunteer groups helping vulnerable people during the pandemic

 

Resources

 

Factsheets

 

These factsheets have been specifically written to help deal with safeguarding issues during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Safer Culture North East partnership, which is funded through DCMS and The National Lottery Community Fund. Please feel free to download and share widely.

 

Northumberland CVA has written the following Northumberland specific factsheets: 

 

We have adapted NCVO's Knowhow's Steps to a Safer Organisation web pages into a series of downloadable factsheets:

 

 

Videos

 

Northumberland Communities Together: Safeguarding advice for volunteers.

Safeguarding Awareness for Volunteers: Northumberland Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Northumberland and North Tyneside Safeguarding Adults Board have circulated a useful video, shared with them by Waltham Forest and endorsed by both Northumberland’s Safeguarding Partnerships. 

Our colleagues at North Tyneside VODA generously shared a collection of short animated videos to support VCSE organisations and volunteers during the COVID-19 crisis:

 

Online Training

 

SAFEcic Special Online Safeguarding Training offer: online training at cost price for organisations/groups/individuals whose purpose is specifically to help others in this crisis

Safeguarding training and resources in Northumberland: If you are interested in further training in relation to Safeguarding, click the link below to multi-agency training provided by the County Council, which also includes e-learning opportunities and links to external resources

 

Social Media Images

 

These images have been created by the Safer Culture North East partnership, which is funded through DCMS and The National Lottery Community Fund.  Please feel free to download and share widely.

 

FB post Domestic abuse You are not alone   FB post Duty of care See something report it   FB Post Romance scams Dont be catch of the day

 

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Remember that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and your actions can make a big difference.  We must remain vigilant to safeguard vulnerable people.  We have a statutory duty to protect adults and children at risk of harm and/or abuse/neglect. You should:

  • Raise the concern with your designated safeguarding lead
  • Keep a record of what your concern is about
  • Be sure to record dates, times and concerns

 

Children

Emergency: If a child is in immediate danger or left alone, you should contact the police or call an ambulance on 999. If you think a child you know has been the victim of abuse then please tell someone. You can report abuse and neglect by completing the forms at the links: Report a concern about a child OR  telephone Onecall: 01670 536400. Onecall is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day

 

Vulnerable Adults

You can report a safeguarding concern about a vulnerable adult in the following ways:

  • Telephone Onecall:  01670 536400
  • Text phone: 01670 536844
  • Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Safeguarding Adult referrals should be made using the Safeguarding Adults Enquiry form.

 

Domestic Violence

Northumberland Domestic Abuse Services:

 Domestic Abuse Support Service in Northumberland (DASSN) 

Providing confidential, high quality specialist support and advice for women and men who are at risk of domestic abuse