BASSETT BREASTIES – SAFEGUARDING POLICY
1. Purpose
Bassett Breasties is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for all parents, expectant parents, carers, supporters, and children attending the group.
As a community-based peer support group, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and ensuring that all attendees feel respected, valued, and safe.
This policy outlines how safeguarding concerns will be recognised, responded to, and managed within the group.
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2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- The Group Leader/Organiser
- Any volunteers supporting sessions
- Guest speakers, facilitators, or community partners attending sessions where appropriate
- All attendees of the group
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3. Safeguarding Principles
We believe that:
- The welfare of the child is paramount.
- All children and adults have the right to be safe and protected from harm.
- Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
- Concerns should be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.
- Individuals should be treated with dignity, respect, and without discrimination.
- Early support and signposting can help families access appropriate services when needed.
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4. Responsibilities
Group Leader/Organiser - Sophia Thompson
The Group Leader is responsible for:
- Creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
- Being alert to safeguarding concerns.
- Responding appropriately to disclosures or concerns.
- Recording concerns where necessary.
- Maintaining any safeguarding records securely and confidentially.
- Reporting concerns to appropriate authorities when required.
- Liaising with relevant agencies where safeguarding concerns arise.
- The Group Leader will undertake appropriate safeguarding training, including child and adult safeguarding training, and will maintain this training through recognised providers as required (Sophia Thompson is a trained Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM) Peer Supporter and maintains up-to-date safeguarding knowledge through ongoing training associated with both her peer support role and her volunteer breastfeeding support work within Great Western Hospital. She also holds an Enhanced DBS certificate and will seek to ensure relevant training and checks remain current in line with the requirements of these roles).
Volunteers (if applicable)
Volunteers should:
- Support a safe and respectful environment.
- Raise any safeguarding concerns with the Group Leader as soon as possible.
- Respect confidentiality and follow this policy.
Guest Speakers and Community Partners
Guest speakers and community partners are expected to:
- Support a safe and respectful environment.
- Operate within their professional competence and qualifications.
- Raise any safeguarding concerns with the Group Leader where appropriate.
- Hold appropriate insurance or professional registrations where required for their role.
Parents, Carers and Attendees
Attendees are expected to:
- Remain responsible for any children in their care at all times.
- Support a respectful and safe group environment.
- Treat other attendees, volunteers, and guest speakers with respect.
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8. Confidentiality
- Personal information will be treated with respect and kept confidential where possible.
- Information will be shared only when necessary to protect a child or vulnerable adult.
- Any safeguarding records will be stored securely and accessed only by those with a legitimate safeguarding need.
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9. Safe Practice Within the Group
To help keep everyone safe:
- The group operates as an open, public drop-in space.
- Children remain the responsibility of their parent or carer at all times.
- No attendee should be alone with a child who is not their own.
- Physical contact should always be appropriate, respectful, and consent-based.
- Respectful, non-judgemental behaviour is expected at all times.
- Bassett Breasties provides peer support and information and does not replace professional medical, health, or safeguarding services.
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11. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation, guidance, or the activities of the group change.
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12. Legislative and Guidance Framework
Bassett Breasties will have regard to relevant safeguarding legislation and guidance in force at the time of operation, including guidance relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
This future-proofs the policy without tying you to specific legislation that may change over time.
With these amendments, the policy would be entirely appropriate for Bassett Breasties' current activities, including breastfeeding support sessions, guest first aid sessions, parental wellbeing talks, fundraising activities, and community partnerships.
Adopted on: 1st October 2025
Signed (Group Leader): Sophia Thompson
Version 1.1, 01.10.25