Safeguarding Policy

Say it with a Smile

(Charity No. 1203759)

Policy Statement

Safeguarding is a fundamental part of Smile's work and this commitment is
reflected in our Quality Standards and the values of our organisation, which
inform and support all of our safeguarding activity:

• We are respectful
• We treat others as they would want to be treated
• We are inclusive
• We work together, we involve and we consult
• We are solutions-focused
• We aim to ensure that what we do makes a real difference
• We strive to be the best at what we do
• We are empowering
• We support others to achieve their goals.
  
  

Definition of Abuse

Abuse may be a single act or repeated acts and can take many forms, including

physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect, discriminatory, organisational

abuse, and self-neglect. Smile recognises its responsibility to respond appropri-

ately to any concerns relating to the safety or wellbeing of children and adults at

risk.

Guiding Principles

Everyone's responsibility - Everyone at Smile has a responsibility to keep

children and adults who need care and support safe from abuse and neglect.

Prevention – We will put sensible measures in place to prevent abuse,

including the use of safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working

practices and raising awareness of safeguarding.

Protection – We will provide policy, procedures, information and training to

enable all Smile staff and volunteers to identify and respond appropriately to

concerns about abuse.

Partnership - We will work in partnership with statutory, regulatory and otherrelevant organisations to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to

appropriately.

Empowerment – We will be person-centred and uphold rights in our

safeguarding work

Accountability - We aim to be transparent in our approaches and recognise the

need for continuous learning and improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities
All staff and volunteers

• Every individual working for Smile, irrespective of their role, has a part to play in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults who need care and support.
• All staff and volunteers will undertake training and must familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding Policy.
• Refresher training on Safeguarding should be undertaken by all staff and volunteers on an annual basis.
• All trustees, staff and volunteers will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring service check in accordance with statutory requirements.

Board of Trustees (The Board”)

The Board has discussed and approved this Safeguarding Policy.

• The Board has a duty of care to the charity, which includes taking the necessary steps to safeguard those at risk from abuse, managing risk and protecting the reputation of the charity.
• The Board is responsible for ensuring that they, and the staff and volunteers, supervise, are aware of Smile's Safeguarding policy and procedures and access relevant training.
• They should promote the discussion of safeguarding at team meetings and as part of supervision or one-to-one meetings.
• They may be required to make decisions relating to complex or serious safeguarding concerns and can seek advice from the Safeguarding Officer where required.

Safeguarding Officer

• The Safeguarding Officer is the Designated Person for Safeguarding at Smile.
• He or she is responsible for developing and quality assuring safeguarding activity across Smile.
• The Designated Safeguarding Officer or Deputy will be responsible for overseeing the DBS checks, for the recording of results and for diarising due dates for the checks to be repeated.
• The Designated Safeguarding Officer is Hannah Say. In her absence the deputy Safeguarding Officer is Chrissie McGreal.

Smile Partners

Smile's Partners will make their own arrangements for safeguarding in partnership with their local Adult Safeguarding Boards and in accordance with Smile's standards for safeguarding.

Breaches of Policy

Failure to comply with this Safeguarding Policy may be managed in a number

of ways, depending on the nature and consequences of any incident. In some

cases a combination of responses may be required:

• Local authority co-ordinated safeguarding investigation
• Police investigation
• Referral to the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
• People & Performance disciplinary process
• Serious incident reporting to The Charity Commission
• Internal review or co-operation with an external review

Associated documents

• Smile’s Values as stated on the website
• Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board Policy and Procedures

Equality Statement

Smile is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that

promote equality of opportunity. Everyone who accesses our services or works

for us in a paid or voluntary capacity should be safe, empowered to play a part

in promoting their own welfare and that of others and able to live a life free

from abuse. This applies to all, regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, disability,

sexuality or belief.

Quality Standards - A Statement

Our Quality Commitment is to:

• Keep our guests, including those living with dementia and their carers, safe and well
• Focus on the well-being of those living with dementia and on their carers
• Be well-governed
• Be an effective organisation
• Value our volunteers and staff- Work with our partnership organisations.

Continual improvement will be sought in all of these areas.

Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed regularly by the Board to ensure its continuing suitability and consistency with Smile’s overall business policies.

A copy of the current Policy is to be included in the Volunteers’ Handbook and

published on the Smile website.

This Policy was unanimously adopted by the Trustees at a meeting held on

April 17th 2026.

This Policy is to be reviewed on an annual basis.