Doula UK believes that every child, young person and adult should be protected from harm and abuse.
Doula UK staff, representatives and volunteers have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk and to keep them safe. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment.
This policy applies to all members of Doula UK, including ordinary members and access fund doulas, volunteers and paid staff, Directors and consultants.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning
The purpose of this policy:
To protect children, young people and vulnerable adults who receive Doula UK’s services or the services of our members.
To provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection and understand their responsibility to report concerns to the designated Safeguarding Officer and Lead.
The policy should be read alongside our policies and procedures on:
General safeguarding guidance for members
Lone Working guidance
Diversity and Inclusion policy
Code of Conduct (behaviour code for everyone involved in the organisation)
Philosophy
We recognise that:
The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm and abuse
Some children 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, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
To meet our safeguarding commitment we:
Practise safe recruitment of doulas who volunteer to the Doula Access Fund by insisting on proof of an up to date DBS
Provide access to Safeguarding Training for those working with vulnerable groups such as the Access Fund and ongoing support
Appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Lead Board Member for Safeguarding.
Adopt child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for staff and volunteers
Provide effective management for volunteer staff through support, training, and quality assurance measures
Recruit staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
Record and store information professionally and securely, and sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via our website, volunteer recruitment pack and in one-to-one discussions
Use our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
Use our procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
Use our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
Create and maintain an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us effectively with any bullying that does arise
Ensure that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
Ensure 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.
Regularly audit our safeguarding and child protection arrangements.
Make sure that everyone feels comfortable about raising concerns about a child, young person or adult’s wellbeing.
Ensure that members who are reporting a safeguarding concern can receive support from their Mentor and/or the Doula UK Doula Support Network.
Safeguarding Adults
The Department of Health defines a vulnerable adult as, a person who is:
i) Aged 18 or over
ii) Is or may need community care services because of a disability (mental or other), age or illness
iii) Is someone who could be unable to look after themselves, or protect themselves from harm or exploitation.
Principles of the Care Act 2014
These are the 6 principles that the Care Act 2014 sets out for Safeguarding Adults:
Empowerment People are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent
Prevention It is better to take action before harm occurs
Proportionality The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
Protection Support and representation for those in greatest need
Partnership Services offer local solutions through working closely with their communities
Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding
The following information is taken from SCIE’s website.
People with care and support needs, such as older people or people with disabilities, are more likely to be abused or neglected. They may be seen as an easy target and may be less likely to identify abuse themselves or to report it. People with communication difficulties can be particularly at risk because they may not be able to alert others. Sometimes people may not even be aware that they are being abused, and this is especially likely if they have a cognitive impairment. Abusers may try to prevent access to the person they abuse.
Signs of abuse can often be difficult to detect. This At a glance briefing aims to help people who come into contact with people with care and support needs to identify abuse and recognise possible indicators. Many types of abuse are also criminal offences and should be treated as such.
Types of abuse:
Physical abuse
Domestic violence or abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse
Financial or material abuse
Modern slavery
Discriminatory abuse
Organisational or institutional abuse
Neglect or acts of omission
Self-neglect
Disguised compliance
Evidence of any one indicator from the lists detailed in full on the SCIE website should not be taken on its own as proof that abuse is occurring. However, it should alert practitioners to make further assessments and to consider other associated factors. The lists of possible indicators and examples of behaviour are not exhaustive and people may be subject to a number of abuse types at the same time.
Members of the public and staff from a wide variety of agencies may report safeguarding concerns to adult services for various types of abuse and neglect, including physical, psychological and financial abuse and exploitation.
Safeguarding Children
If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child, you must seek immediate support. Contact the NSPCC helpline and a counsellor can assess the situation and advise you further. Also contact your local Safeguarding Children Partnership/Board for more information.
Safeguarding an Adult
Please contact the Ann Craft Trust who has guidance and a telephone helpline available if you are worried about the safety of a vulnerable adult. In addition, please contact your local Safeguarding Adults Board/Partnership.
Emergency Services
If you wish to report a matter to the police, call 101 and state your concerns. If you wish to report an emergency matter, always dial 999.
Doula UK Procedure
As a Doula UK Member, if you have concerns about a child or an adult you are working with, you should contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead: Michele McFarlane on admin@doula.org.uk
Please also complete the following form after you have spoken to any of the professional organisations listed above: Doula UK Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
Please note, that Doula UK Members who are reporting a safeguarding concern can receive support from their Mentor and/or the Doula UK Doula Support Network.
Doula UK Safeguarding contact details:
Michele McFarlane
Designated Safeguarding Lead (Level 3)
Katrina Hampson
Board Member for Safeguarding
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice regularly. The policy was last reviewed on June 2024 - Next Review due June 2025
