Safeguarding Policy
The Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation’s mission is to increase student interest and involvement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by engaging students in hands-on, affordable, and sustainable robotics engineering programs.
We believe that all children should be able to participate in our programmes in a safe and secure environment.
We recognise that:
The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take all children, 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 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, teachers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
Valuing, listening to and respecting them
Appointing a Safeguarding Lead
Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our procedures and Code of Conduct for participants, staff, and volunteers
Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely
Making sure that staff, volunteers, and attendees know where to go for help if they have a concern
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment
Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for children, young people, staff and
Volunteers by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
Building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and parents, carers and teachers treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
Contact Details
Nominated Safeguarding Lead
Melissa Butterworth
melissa_butterworth@recf.org
07706 361375
REC Foundation Event Volunteers, Judges and Staff
This guide provides you with an overview of child protection and your broad responsibilities.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse is when a child is intentionally harmed by an adult or another child – it can be over a period of time but can also be a one-off action. It can be:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
In person or online
What are the signs of child abuse?
The signs of child abuse aren't always obvious, and a child might not feel able to tell anyone what's happening to them. Sometimes, children don't even realise that what's happening to them is abuse. There are different types of child abuse, and the signs that a child is being abused may depend on the type. For example, the signs that a child is being neglected may be different from the signs that a child is being abused sexually.
Unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
Becoming withdrawn
Seeming anxious
Becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
Lacks social skills and has few friends, if any knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age
Running away or going missing
These signs don’t necessarily mean that a child is being abused, there could be other things happening in their life which are affecting their behaviour. However, it is important to assess the situation and feel comfortable raising any concerns. You may also notice some concerning behaviour from adults towards the children around them which makes you concerned for the child or children’s safety and wellbeing.
What should you do?
You must immediately report any concern about a child to the Safeguarding Lead
Record what has been noticed or said and sign and date it on a ‘Cause for Concern’ form – obtained from Safeguarding Lead
Keep what has been said or witnessed confidential
It is not your job to investigate concerns about a child or to talk to the teacher/parent
If a child tells you about abuse
Treat what the child tells you seriously and reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you. Listen very carefully and don’t ask leading questions.
Do not question the child or put words in their mouth
Do not promise to keep what they have said a secret
Tell the child you will have to pass on what they have said
Do not speak to the child’s teacher/parents
Immediately report the information to the Safeguarding Lead
Record what the child has said, in their own words as far as possible, sign, date and complete the ‘Cause for Concern’ form and return it to the Safeguarding Lead.
Concerns about the conduct of a member of staff/volunteer...
You must report any concern that indicates and member of staff or a volunteer may be a risk to children to the Safeguarding Lead
Record what you have noticed or what has been said and sign and date a ‘Cause for Concern’ form