Guided Heights Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care. Everyone working with us shares responsibility for that, and we take all reasonable steps to protect young people, particularly where staff or associates are involved in their care.
Available on request
This page reflects our Statement of Purpose, not the full policy
The detailed safeguarding arrangements are set out in the Guided Heights Care Safeguarding Policy, which forms part of the policy manual held at each provision and at our office. It is not published for download from this website.
Local Authorities, commissioners and referring professionals can be sent a copy.
To request a copy, email info@guidedheightscare.co.uk or call 020 8013 5436.
We maintain a safe organisational culture focused on protecting young people. These are the systems that culture is held up by.
Protecting young people from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation, criminal exploitation, county lines activity and other safeguarding risks is one of the seven Quality Standards we commit to.
Any suspicion or allegation of abuse is taken seriously and acted upon immediately. A designated person is responsible for overseeing all safeguarding matters, and we ensure staff and anyone working on our behalf are well informed and confident in making safeguarding decisions. Everyone working with Guided Heights Care is expected to read, understand and follow the Safeguarding Policy and its related procedures.
Risk is assessed beyond the front door as well as inside it. Matching considers vulnerability within the community, missing episodes, substance misuse, offending behaviour and self-harm. Young people considered at risk, including those involved in gangs, drug use or self-harm, are closely monitored, and where those risks threaten the safety of the placement a Disruption Meeting is held to agree better ways to manage them.
No young person may be absent without a clear written agreement from their social worker, and an absence form records where they are going, who they are meeting, a contact number and address, travel arrangements and their expected return time. If a young person does not return on time we contact them, then their last known location or the person they were meeting, then alert the manager, the placing authority, parents where applicable and the director. If they have not been located after an hour, the police are informed. Staff search the local area, assist the police with the missing person form and provide an up to date photograph. Every episode is recorded and included in the young person's review.
Protecting young people from criminal exploitation and county lines activity is one of the commitments we make under the Quality Standards. Exploitation risk assessments are part of the documentation we ask for at referral, and known risks are weighed in the Impact and Compatibility Risk Assessment before admission.
Safeguarding concerns including risks of exploitation are considered at referral, at matching and throughout a placement. Where additional knowledge or specialist expertise is needed to support a young person safely, targeted training is arranged for the staff team before or during the placement.
Protecting young people from radicalisation is named in our commitments under the Quality Standards. The detailed arrangements sit within the Guided Heights Care Safeguarding Policy.
Young people are expected to use technology responsibly and safely, and staff provide guidance on online safety, exploitation risks, cyberbullying and healthy relationships. Restrictions may be agreed where they are necessary to safeguard a young person.
We have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying. Staff are trained to recognise and address it, and it is discussed regularly at team meetings and at young people's meetings. We respond quickly to any sign of bullying or intimidation and work with the young person so they feel safe, heard and supported.
Discrimination on grounds of age, gender, nationality, ethnicity, culture, race, language, religion, belief or sexual orientation is not tolerated. Incidents involving young people are reported to the responsible social worker and acted on. Where an incident involves a staff member, appropriate action is taken, which may include dismissal. All staff receive diversity training and interpreting services are provided where they are needed.
Preventing unsuitable people from working with young people is a safeguarding control, not an HR process. Our Recruitment and Selection Policy makes sure staff are qualified, experienced and matched to roles that meet young people's needs safely.
If you are a professional, a family member or a young person and you have a concern about the safety of a young person we support, contact us and ask for the designated person responsible for safeguarding. Concerns and complaints can also be raised through our complaints process, and doing so carries no risk of discrimination, disadvantage or intimidation.
If a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
Send us the risk assessments with the referral. We will tell you honestly whether we can manage the placement safely.
