Drawing Comfort: Safeguarding Policy

The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who attend sessions (both individual and in a small group) with Drawing Comfort from harm. This includes the children of any adults who use the services of Drawing Comfort.

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 and guidance is available here: www.nspcc.org.uk/childprotection

Supporting Documents

This policy statement should be read alongside the Drawing Comfort Privacy Policy

I believe that:

Children and young people should never experience abuse or harm of any kind. I have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and practice in a way that protects them and consider the best interests of the child. In the schools I visit, I have an ‘it can happen here’ approach to safeguarding.

I recognise that:

The welfare of children is paramount in all the work I do and in all the decisions I make.
Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential to promoting young peoples' welfare.
All children, regardless of age, sex, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse.
Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues. Extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

I seek to keep children and young people safe by:

Actively listening and respecting them.
Immediately acting on any concerns I might have by reporting them to the appropriate safeguarding lead at their school
Following the safeguarding procedures in every school I work in.
Maintaining an up-to-date DBS record and making this available to every setting I work in.
Regularly reviewing my safeguarding awareness.
Participating in regular coaching/supervision to ensure my practice offers a robust safeguarding approach.
Recording, storing and using all information professionally and securely in line with data protection legislation and guidance.
Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via consultations and communication.
Using my safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know and involving children, young people, parents and families and carers appropriately.
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment.
Ensuring I have effective complaints measures in place.
Ensuring I provide safe, physical environments for children and young people by applying health and safety measures in accordance with law and regulatory guidance.
If, as a Practitioner I feel unsafe, I reserve the right to suspend further sessions.
Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy if sessions are delivered using an online service.

If a child disclosures anything of concern, I will:

Contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSL) in the setting I am working in.
Information or concerns and disclosures will be shared with the DSL at the earliest opportunity.
Concerns will be recorded, as appropriate, and in a timely manner using the setting’s own safeguarding recording system.
I will share safeguarding concerns on a ‘need to know’ basis only.
If a child is at immediate risk dial 999.
There may be times when it is necessary to share information without consent for example: when that puts a child at risk, where doing so compromises a criminal investigation, where it cannot be reasonably expected to gain consent or when it will enhance the safeguarding of a child by acting in a timely manner.

Whistleblowing Policy

Adults who work or volunteer with children in the community are in a position of trust. If an adult who is in a position of trust has:

Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child or
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children

I will then follow allegation procedures with the school's DSL.

Mobile phone and social media policy:

Pictures of children will not be taken or held without parental or carer consent.
Pictures of children’s work will not be taken except where needed to be printed off for their folders.
Mobile phones will remain on silent and out of sight for the duration of sessions.
Children will never be contacted directly via mobile phone or social media.
Children will never be named on social media.
All client comments from staff, pupils and their adults will remain anonymous except where explicit consent is sought and received.

Document review date: 13/06/25