Child Protection Policy
Mediated Dispute Solutions is firmly committed to ensure the safety of every child, young person or vulnerable individual.
It is accepted as a fundamental principle that our dealings with our clients are confidential. This applies to every item of information concerning our clients. Participants in mediation are informed of their right to confidentiality in all circumstances, save in exceptional circumstances where that is overridden by duties to report.
Mediated Dispute Solutions’ policy is to actively support our mediators and staff in circumstances where child protection issues are raised. It is acknowledged that these circumstances require careful consideration, may need urgent action and involve a high level of person al responsibility.
As part of its commitment, Mediated Dispute Solutions funds training and supervision for its mediators. It also ensures that family mediators are members of an FMC approved organisation and that training requirements are fully met.
Where an issue is raised which causes a mediator to reasonably believe that a child is at risk of harm or significant harm, the requirement is for that mediator to assess the level of risk immediately.
- If the risk is immediate and significant the mediator will immediately contact the relevant Social Services Duty Team.
- The mediator must not ‘tip off’ the parents and must act at all times so as to prioritise the safety of the child/person involved.
- The mediator should speak to their PPC or relevant supervisor straight away, as soon as practicable.
- In the most serious of cases, if the mediator believes a criminal offence is going to be committed, they must contact the Police, calling 999 or the Child Protection Unit at Ilford Police Station .
- The mediator should refer to the policies and procedures of their governing body or association of which they are a member. If in doubt, the mediator should seek guidance and advice without delay.
Provided here is a list of useful contacts (full links are provided for hard copy users)
Child Protection Assessment Team (CPAT) M – F 9am – 5pm 020 8708 3885
Lynton House, 255 – 259 High Road, Ilford IG1 1NN Out of hours 020 8708 3885
Emergency 020 8708 5897
Contact: Child Protection Assessment Team
Redbridge Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB)
http://www2.redbridge.gov.uk is a statutory body established by the Council as a children’s services authority, under the Children’s Act 2004.
The LSCB are responsible for ensuring that all agencies who work with children and young people in Redbridge work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the local area. The LSCB work in partnership with local agencies to co – ordinate the work of those agencies and ensure that this work is carried out in an effective way.
• All information, policies and procedures can be found on the Redbridge LSCB website.
• NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000
• Childline 0800 1111 (free)
• Metropolitan Police Child Protection (Redbridge) 020 8345 3615
• Police 999
Where appropriate the mediator should consider following up any telephone disclosure with something in writing and should do so within 24 hours where appropriate. This should be accompanied by a copy of this procedure.
The mediator must immediately (or within a reasonable time such as the circumstances allow) bring the mediation to an end.
New members of staff will be inducted and will receive information on the above procedures and this will be updated subsequently during supervision, appraisal and in training sessions.
Clients will be required to sign the Agreement to Mediation. Signing will confirm their acknowledgement and acceptance of this exception to the duty of confidentiality.
Updated: 2017