General Email address: logosdevelopment2017@gmail.com
Chair of the Board: Mr Gilbert R Pomell / Email: gilbert@logoswestmidlandscic.com
Safeguarding Coordinator Name:
Gilbert R Pomell
Safeguarding Coordinator Contact Telephone / Email:
07501 465 642
Company Number:
10882154
LOGOS Mission Statement
At LOGOS Limited, our mission is to provide an empowering environment where adults, children, and young people are valued, respected, heard, and above all, safeguarded. We aim to:
- Encourage and support all parents, carers, and significant others.
- Ensure that individuals with supervised and unsupervised access to young children receive appropriate training and support in line with delivering a service.
- Implement robust procedures for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for all volunteers.
- Maintain strong links with statutory social care agencies, including children’s and adult services.
LOGOS Positional Statement
LOGOS Limited takes its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of adults, children, and young people seriously. Safeguarding is integral to good corporate governance, and we have both a legal and moral duty of care to protect vulnerable individuals from harm. Everyone has the right to be free from violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation. Supporting this right is the essence of safeguarding.
Safeguarding is often associated with educational institutions or environments caring for children. However, every organization has employees or partners who may engage with children or vulnerable adults, either directly or indirectly, in various settings, such as workplaces, community events, commercial venues, or during company activities. Effective safeguarding policies and procedures are essential for any organization committed to improving its positive impact on society.
Our Commitment
At LOGOS Limited, we are dedicated to providing a safe and caring environment for children, young people, and adults. We recognize the potential for physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and neglect. We uphold the principles of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Human Rights, ensuring equal rights and freedoms for all, without discrimination. We also align with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring that children can develop to their full potential, free from neglect and abuse.
Safeguarding Policy Adoption
The LOGOS Board and volunteers have adopted procedures in accordance with statutory guidance to ensure the safety of those we engage with. We are committed to building constructive links with statutory and voluntary agencies involved in safeguarding.
Our policy and practice guidelines are based on the ten Safe and Secure safeguarding standards published by thirtyone:eight. The LOGOS Board is dedicated to:
- Endorsing and following all national and local safeguarding legislation and procedures, alongside international conventions.
- Providing ongoing safeguarding training for all volunteers and regularly reviewing operational guidelines.
- Ensuring our premises meet the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and all other relevant legislation, fostering an inclusive environment.
- Supporting the Safeguarding Coordinator in their efforts to protect children and adults with care and support needs.
Section 2: Prevention
Understanding Abuse and Neglect
Defining abuse against children and adults is complex. Abuse may occur through direct harm or by failing to prevent harm. It can happen within families, institutions, or community settings, often involving someone known or trusted by the victim.
To safeguard those we work with, we adhere to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically Article 19, which mandates protective measures against all forms of abuse and violence. For adults, we refer to Article 5 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Safer Recruitment
The Board ensures that all members and volunteers are appointed, trained, supported, and supervised according to government guidelines on safe recruitment. This includes:
- Written job descriptions and person specifications for volunteer roles.
- Completion of application and self-declaration forms by applicants.
- Discussion of safeguarding during interviews.
- Obtaining and following up on written references.
- Conducting DBS checks where necessary.
- Verifying relevant qualifications.
- Providing a suitable training program for successful applicants.
- Implementing a probationary period.
- Ensuring volunteers are familiar with the safeguarding policy and reporting procedures.
Safeguarding Training
The Board is committed to ongoing safeguarding training and development for all volunteers, fostering a culture of awareness and protection. All volunteers receive induction training and undertake regular, recognized safeguarding training. Information on where to get help and advice regarding abuse, discrimination, bullying, or other concerns is provided to children and adults with care and support needs.
Management of Volunteers – Codes of Conduct
We support all volunteers through supervision and adherence to a code of conduct towards children, young people, and adults with care and support needs.
Section 3: Practice Guidelines
Our organization follows good working practices to ensure safe activities, build positive relationships, and minimize the risk of false accusations. Specific good practice guidelines for every activity are provided.
Working in Partnership
We establish clear safeguarding expectations with our partners, both domestically and internationally, through partnership agreements. Good communication is vital in promoting safeguarding to those we aim to protect, our staff, and our partners. This safeguarding policy is a key part of our communication efforts.
Section 4: Responding to Allegations of Abuse
Under no circumstances should a volunteer or worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse. Follow procedures as below:
Documenting a concern:
The worker or volunteer should make a report of the concern in the following way:
The person in receipt of allegations or suspicions of abuse should report concerns as soon as possible to:
Name: Gilbert R Pomell (hereafter the “Safeguarding Co-ordinator”)
Tel: 07501 465642
Email: enquiries@logosdevelopmentcic.co.uk
The above is nominated by the LOGOS Board to act on their behalf in dealing with the allegation or suspicion of neglect or abuse, including referring the matter on to the statutory authorities.
In the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or, if the suspicions in any way involve the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, then the report should be made to:
Name: (Sonia Campbell – hereafter the “Deputy”)
Tel: 07794 674070
Email: enquiries@logosdevelopmentcic.co.uk
If the suspicions implicate both the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Deputy, then the report should be made in the first instance to:
thirtyone:eight PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ.
Tel: 0303 003 1111.
Alternatively contact Social Services or the police.
The Safeguarding Co-ordinator should contact the appropriate agency or they may first ring the thirtyone:eight helpline for advice. They should then contact social services in the area the child or adult lives.
Name of local authority: Birmingham City Council
Children’s Social Services: The Children Advice and Support Service (CASS)
Tel: 0121 303 1888
Out of hours Tel: 0121 675 4806
Website Address: cass@birmingham.gov.uk
Adult Social Services:
Tel: 0121 303 1234
Out of hours Tel: 0121 675 4806
Website Address: ACAP@birmingham.gov.uk
Police Protection Team Tel: 0121 626 5000
The Safeguarding Co-ordinator may need to inform others depending on the circumstances and/or nature of the concern:
Chair or Deputy responsible for safeguarding who may need to liaise with the charity commission to report a serious incident.
Designated officer or LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if the allegation concerns a worker or volunteer working with someone under 18.
Suspicions must not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above. A written record of the concerns should be made in accordance with these procedures and kept in a secure place.
Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse will normally be reported to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator or Deputy should not delay referral to Social Services, the Police or taking advice from thirtyone:eight.
The Board will support the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy in their role and accept that any information they may have in their possession will be shared in a strictly limited way on a need to know basis.
It is, of course, the right of any individual as a citizen to make a direct referral to the safeguarding agencies or seek advice from thirtyone:eight, although the Board hope that members of the place of the CIC will use this procedure. If, however, the individual with the concern feels that the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy has not responded appropriately, or where they have a disagreement with the Safeguarding Co-ordinator(s) as to the appropriateness of a referral they are free to contact an outside agency direct. We hope by making this statement that the Board demonstrate its commitment to effective safeguarding and the protection of all those who are vulnerable.
The role of the safeguarding co-ordinator/ deputy is to collate and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and pass this information on to statutory agencies who have a legal duty to investigate.
Detailed procedures where there is a concern about a child:
Allegations of physical injury, neglect or emotional abuse.
If a child has a physical injury, a symptom of neglect or where there are concerns about emotional abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
Contact Children’s Social Services (or thirtyone:eight) for advice in cases of deliberate injury, if concerned about a child’s safety or if a child is afraid to return home.
Not tell the parents or carers unless advised to do so, having contacted Children’s Social Services.
Seek medical help if needed urgently, informing the doctor of any suspicions.
For lesser concerns, (e.g. poor parenting), encourage parent/carer to seek help, but not if this places the child at risk of significant harm.
Where the parent/carer is unwilling to seek help, offer to accompany them. In cases of real concern, if they still fail to act, contact Children’s Social Services direct for advice.
Seek and follow advice given by thirtyone:eight (who will confirm their advice in writing) if unsure whether or not to refer a case to Children’s Social Services.
Allegations of sexual abuse:
In the event of allegations or suspicions of sexual abuse, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
Contact the Children’s Social Services Department Duty Social Worker for children and families or Police Child Protection Team direct. They will NOT speak to the parent/carer or anyone else.
Seek and follow the advice given by thirtyone:eight if for any reason they are unsure whether or not to contact Children’s Social Services/Police. Thirtyone:eight will confirm its advice in writing for future reference.
Detailed procedures where there is a concern that an adult is in need of protection:
Suspicions or allegations of abuse or harm including; physical, sexual, organisational, financial, discriminatory, neglect, self-neglect, forced marriage, modern slavery, domestic abuse.
If there is concern about any of the above, Safeguarding Co-ordinator/Deputy will:
Contact the Adult Social Care Team who have responsibility under the Care Act 2014 to investigate allegations of abuse. Alternatively thirtyone:eight can be contacted for advice.
If the adult is in immediate danger or has sustained a serious injury contact the Emergency Services, informing them of any suspicions.
If there is a concern regarding spiritual abuse, Safeguarding Co-ordinator will:
Identify support services for the victim i.e. counselling or other pastoral support
Contact thirtyone:eight and in discussion with them will consider appropriate action with regards to the scale of the concern.
Allegations of abuse against a person who works with children/young people
If an accusation is made against a worker (whether a volunteer or paid member of staff) whilst following the procedure outlined above, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator, in accordance with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures will:
Liaise with Children’s Social Services in regards to the suspension of the worker
Make a referral to a designated officer formerly called a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) whose function is to handle all allegations against adults who work with children and young people whether in a paid or voluntary capacity.
Make a referral to Disclosure and Barring Service for consideration of the person being placed on the barred list for working with children or adults with additional care and support needs. This decision should be informed by the LADO if they are involved.
Allegations of abuse against a person who works with adults with care and support needs
The safeguarding co-ordinator will:
Liaise with Adult Social Services in regards the suspension of the worker
Make a referral to the DBS following the advice of Adult Social Services
The Care Act places the duty upon Adult Services to investigate situations of harm to adults with care and support needs. This may result in a range of options including action against the person or organisation causing the harm, increasing the support for the carers or no further action if the ‘victim’ chooses for no further action and they have the capacity to communicate their decision. However, this is a decision for Adult Services to decide not the ENTITY (CIC).
Section 5: Pastoral Care
Supporting Those Affected by Abuse
The Board is committed to providing pastoral care and support, working with statutory agencies as appropriate, to all those affected by abuse who have contact with LOGOS Limited.
Conclusion
LOGOS Limited remains dedicated to the highest standards of safeguarding and protection for all individuals we work with. Through comprehensive policies, ongoing training, and a steadfast commitment to safeguarding principles, we ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
