The purpose of this policy statement is to protect children and young people who meet with a mediator from Oxenden Family Mediation, as part of child inclusive mediation, from harm. This will include being alert to the possibility of harm to the children of adults who use my services for mediation but whose children do not meet with a mediator. Also, the policy intends to protect vulnerable adults, or those who may feel suicidal, from harm that they might do to themselves, or harm that they may do to each other

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Oxenden Family Mediation, including all mediators, volunteers, and observers. It should be read before any person is able to be part of any mediation meeting or be party to any sharing of confidential information about clients.  We believe that children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind, and we commit to promote the welfare of all children and young people, together with vulnerable adults, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

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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. It also encompasses key parts of the Family Mediation Council Code of Practice in relating to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

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Principles

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• the welfare of children is paramount in all the work that I do and in all the decisions I take

• That some adults may be more vulnerable than others and that they may not identify as needing additional care.

• all children and adults, 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 children and some adults 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, and that of vulnerable adults.

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Seeking Children, Young people and vulnerable Adults’ safety by:

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• valuing, listening to and respecting them in initial, MIAM, joint, shuttle and child inclusive mediation meetings

• adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through my policies, procedures and code of conduct for mediators and agents

• recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance (more information about this is available from the Information Commissioner’s Office: ico.org.uk/for-organisations)

• making sure that children, young people, and their families, together with vulnerable adults, know where to go to for help if they have a concern

• using my safeguarding to guide my work and by sharing concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and carers appropriately

• ensuring that I provide a safe physical environment for all children, young people, vulnerable adults, mediators and agents, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

• building a safeguarding culture where mediators and agents, clients, children and young people treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.

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NSPCC HELPLINE 0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child

NSPCC CHILDLINE 0800 1111