First Aid Medical Services - Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to protect people, particularly children, at-risk adults, and beneficiaries of assistance, from any harm that may arise from their contact with Pirate Management Ltd. (t/a First Aid Medical Services). This includes harm caused by:
• The conduct of staff or personnel associated with Pirate Management Ltd.
• The design and implementation of Pirate Management Ltd.’s programmes and activities.
This policy outlines Pirate Management Ltd.'s commitments and informs staff and associated personnel of their safeguarding responsibilities.
Note: This policy does not cover sexual harassment in the workplace or safeguarding concerns in the wider community not perpetrated by Pirate Management Ltd. or its personnel.

2. Scope
This policy applies to:
• All staff contracted by Pirate Management Ltd.
• Associated personnel engaged in work or visits related to Pirate Management Ltd., including but not limited to consultants, volunteers, contractors, and programme visitors (journalists, celebrities, politicians).

3. Policy Statement
Pirate Management Ltd. believes that everyone we come into contact with—regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin—has the right to protection from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Pirate Management Ltd. will not tolerate abuse or exploitation by staff or associated personnel.
This policy covers key areas of safeguarding as appropriate:
• Child safeguarding
• Adult safeguarding
• Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Preventing radicalisation

4. Forms of Abuse and Neglect
Following the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, the following forms of abuse and neglect are recognised:
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
• Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Domestic abuse
• Bullying, including cyberbullying
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
• Radicalisation
• Other forms: trafficking, modern slavery, forced marriage, etc.

5. Key Commitments
Pirate Management Ltd. commits to addressing safeguarding throughout its work, based on the three pillars of:
• Prevention: Creating a safe environment and minimising risks.
• Reporting: Enabling and encouraging prompt reporting of concerns.
• Response: Responding effectively and appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

6. Prevention
6.1 Pirate Management Ltd.’s Responsibilities
• Ensure all staff have access to, are familiar with, and understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Design and implement programmes and activities to minimise risk of harm.
• Implement stringent safeguarding procedures in recruitment, management, and deployment of staff and associated personnel.
• Provide safeguarding training appropriate to roles, with refresher training at least every two years.
• Follow up promptly on safeguarding concerns.
6.2 Safer Recruitment and DBS Checks
Pirate Management Ltd. is committed to ensuring all personnel working with children and vulnerable adults are suitably vetted.
For teachers and workshop facilitators who are granted unsupervised access to children, our recruitment procedures include:
• Carrying out Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (note: we do not carry out separate barred list checks)
• Obtaining comprehensive references
• Conducting thorough interviews and role-specific assessments
• Providing ongoing supervision and safeguarding training
For medics and first aid trainers, recruitment focuses on:
• Verification of professional qualifications and registrations
• Obtaining relevant references
• Conducting interviews and competency assessments
• Providing role-specific safeguarding training and supervision
We expect all freelance staff to have completed safeguarding training in accordance with good practice. However, as freelancers, they are responsible for sourcing and completing their own training, and Pirate Management Ltd. does not provide this training directly.
6.3 Staff and Associated Personnel Responsibilities
• Child safeguarding: Staff must not engage in sexual activity with anyone under 18; sexually abuse or exploit children; subject children to physical, emotional, or psychological abuse or neglect; or engage in exploitative activities such as child labour or trafficking.
• Adult safeguarding: Staff must not sexually abuse or exploit at-risk adults or subject them to physical, emotional, or psychological abuse or neglect.
• Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): Staff must not exchange money, employment, goods, or services for sexual activity; engage in sexual relationships with beneficiaries of assistance; or abuse power dynamics.
• Promote a culture that prevents safeguarding violations and report any concerns promptly.

7. Safeguarding Children at Events and Activities
• Children’s welfare and safety must be a priority at all events and workshops.
• Adequate adult-to-child ratios will be maintained according to activity risk assessments and relevant statutory guidance.
• Venues and equipment will be checked for safety before events.
• Staff and volunteers will be briefed on safeguarding procedures and their responsibilities during activities.
• Clear procedures for sign-in and sign-out of children will be implemented and monitored.

8. Managing Behaviour
• Positive behaviour management strategies will be used to promote respect and safety.
• Physical punishment or any form of degrading treatment will not be tolerated.
• Staff will receive guidance on managing challenging behaviour appropriately and safely.
• All incidents of challenging behaviour will be documented and reviewed to support ongoing safeguarding.
• Anti-bullying measures, including for cyberbullying, will be actively promoted.

9. Managing Risks Posed by Other Children
• Risks posed by bullying, aggression, or harmful behaviour between children will be assessed and managed proactively.
• Children will be encouraged to report concerns and supported in doing so.
• Intervention will be taken as appropriate to safeguard all children involved.
• This policy will be published on the Pirate Management Ltd. website and shared with staff to ensure transparency.

10. Photography
• Permission will always be sought from parents/guardians before photographing or filming children.
• Photographs or videos will be used responsibly and stored securely.
• Staff must never use images of children for personal use or share them on social media without explicit permission.

11. Reporting
11.1 Enabling Reports
Pirate Management Ltd. provides safe, accessible, and appropriate reporting channels for safeguarding concerns for staff and communities.
Whistleblowing
Staff are encouraged to raise concerns about poor practice or wrongdoing without fear of reprisal. Pirate Management Ltd. will treat all whistleblowing reports seriously and protect whistleblowers from any detrimental treatment.
11.2 How to Report
Concerns should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL):
Designated Safeguarding Lead:
Mrs Emma Davies
Phone: (020) 8446 9341
Email: emma@piratemanagement.com
If uncomfortable reporting to the DSL, staff may report to another senior manager.
11.3 Reporting to External Authorities
Where appropriate, or if the concern relates to suspected criminal activity or serious harm, staff should contact relevant external authorities directly:
• NSPCC Helpline (Child Protection advice and reporting): 0808 800 5000
• Police (Emergency): 999
• Police (Non-emergency): 101
• Local Authority Children’s Social Care: see London Borough of Barnet
• Local Authority Adult Social Care: see London Borough of Barnet Social Services
• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Mandatory Reporting to Police: 101 or via the DSL
• Prevent Duty Concerns (radicalisation/extremism): Contact local Prevent coordinator or call police non-emergency 101
Staff are encouraged to seek advice if unsure about reporting and to escalate without delay where there is an immediate risk of harm.

12. Response
• Pirate Management Ltd. will follow safeguarding reports in accordance with policy, procedures, and legal obligations.
• Disciplinary measures will be applied to staff in breach of the policy.
• Support will be offered to survivors of harm, with decisions led by the survivor.
• Confidentiality will be maintained on a strict need-to-know basis.
• Confidentiality cannot be promised to a person disclosing safeguarding concerns.

13. Procedures for Dealing with Safeguarding Reports
13.1 Receiving Reports
Reports can be formal or informal and must be reported to the DSL immediately. The person receiving a report should:
• Listen carefully and empathetically.
• Not promise confidentiality.
• Ask open questions without leading.
• Record details confidentially (names, descriptions, dates, locations).
• Forward the information to the DSL urgently.
• Maintain confidentiality throughout.
13.2 Assessing Reports
The DSL assesses:
• Whether the report breaches safeguarding policy.
• If there is sufficient information to proceed.
• Immediate risk to any person.
• If the report concerns children or at-risk adults, notify relevant authorities promptly.
• If insufficient information, file the report for future reference but escalate if in doubt.
13.3 Case Management
The DSL acts as Decision Maker unless implicated; then senior staff or external authorities are involved. A case conference may be held with HR and safeguarding advisers to decide next steps and support needed.
13.4 Supporting Survivors
Provide support such as counselling, medical care, and security. Support decisions led by the survivor.
13.5 Risk Assessment
Immediate risk assessment for serious incidents. Develop and update mitigation plans as needed.
13.6 Next Steps
Possible outcomes include no further action, investigation, disciplinary action, or referral to authorities. For associated personnel (contractors, consultants), disciplinary action may involve terminating contracts and reporting to relevant companies.
13.7 Investigation
Follow organisation’s investigation procedures or external guidelines for safeguarding cases.
13.8 Outcome Decision
The DSL decides based on investigation findings. Suspected criminal activity will be referred to authorities immediately.
13.9 Case Closure
Document decisions confidentially. Store information securely, complying with data protection laws. Record anonymised data for organisational learning.

14. Whistleblowing
• Staff should report any concerns about wrongdoing or poor practice without fear of reprisal.
• Pirate Management Ltd. will investigate whistleblowing reports promptly and protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
• Whistleblowing concerns can be raised to the DSL or another senior manager.

15. Glossary
• Beneficiary of Assistance: A person who directly receives goods or services from Pirate Management Ltd.'s programmes.
• Child: Anyone under 18 years of age.
• Harm: Physical, psychological, or other infringement of rights.
• Psychological Harm: Emotional or psychological abuse such as humiliation, isolation, or constant criticism.
• PSEA: Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, preventing abuse of power for sexual purposes.
• Safeguarding: Measures to protect health, wellbeing, and human rights, ensuring people live free from harm.
• Sexual Abuse: Actual or threatened sexual intrusion, whether by force or coercion.
• Sexual Exploitation: Abuse of vulnerability or power for sexual purposes, including trafficking.
• Survivor: Person who has experienced abuse or exploitation.
• At Risk Adult: Person needing care due to disability, age, or illness, unable to protect themselves from harm.