All Shades of Life CIC
Community Based
Children’s Safeguarding Policy All Shades of Life CIC
ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC abide by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and is committed to safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements.
• We recognise the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation has an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
Purpose:
ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC will:
• Protect children and young people who receive ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC ’s services.
• from harm. This includes the children of adults who use our services
• Provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
• All staff have a Enhanced DBS check.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.
Definitions: The Children Act 1989 definition of a child is: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently, are a member of the armed forces or is in hospital. Adult at Risk:
• An adult who has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
• as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
Child and Adult Abuse: Children and adults may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their daily lives. There are 4 main categories of abuse, which are: sexual, physical, emotional abuse, and neglect. It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse that fall within these categories, they are:
• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child Criminal exploitation
• Child trafficking • Domestic abuse
• Female genital mutilation 2 • Grooming
• Historical abuse
• Online abuse
Safeguarding children:
Safeguarding children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 as:
• protecting children from maltreatment.
• preventing impairment of children’s health or development.
• ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Legal Framework: This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning. ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC should have in place arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people as well as vulnerable adults.
The Prevent duty Some organisations in England, Scotland and Wales have a duty, as a specified authority under section 26 of the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015, to identify vulnerable children and young people and prevent them from being drawn into terrorism. This is known as the Prevent duty. These organisations include:
• Schools
• Registered childcare providers
• Local authorities
• Police
• Prisons and probation services
• NHS trusts and foundations.
• Other organisations may also have Prevent duties if they perform delegated local authority functions. Children can be exposed to different views and receive information from various sources. Some of these views may be considered radical or extreme.
Radicalisation is the process through which a person comes to support or be involved in extremist ideologies. It can result in a person becoming drawn into terrorism and is in itself a form of harm.
Extremism is vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.
Training and Awareness:
ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its Trustees, Employees, Volunteers and any relevant persons linked to the organisation who requires it (e.g. contractors). For all employees who are working or volunteering with children, this requires them as a minimum to have awareness training that enables them to:
• Understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children. 3 • Recognise an child potentially in need of safeguarding and take action. • Understand how to report a safeguarding Alert. • Understand dignity and respect when working with children. • Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy. Similarly, employees and volunteers may encounter concerns about the safety and wellbeing of an adult at risk of abuse. For more information about adults safeguarding, refer to ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC Adults Safeguarding Policy.
Confidentiality and Information Sharing: ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC expect all employees, volunteers and trustees to maintain confidentiality. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection. However, information should be shared with the Local Authority if a child is deemed to be at risk of harm or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed.
Any concerns on the young people please contact:
Ivan Daniel Email address ivandaniels533@gmail.com Telephone number 07960514763
Chanti Simpson Email address chantisimpson5@gmail.com Telephone number:07496558008
Recording and Record Keeping: A written record must be kept about any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision made and why they were made. All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Safe Recruitment & Selection: ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC is committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to children from people unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them. ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC have policies and procedures that that cover the recruitment of all Trustees, employees and volunteers.
Social Media: All employees and volunteers should be aware of ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC social media policy and procedures and the code of conduct for behaviour towards the children we support.
Use of Mobile Phones and other Digital Technology:
All employees, trustees and volunteers should be aware of ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC policy and procedures regarding the use of mobile phones and any digital technology and understand that it is unlawful to photograph children and young people without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities.
Whistleblowing: It is important that people within ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC have the confidence to come forward to speak or act if they are unhappy with anything. Whistle blowing occurs when a person raises a concern about dangerous or illegal activity, or any wrong- doing within their organisation. This includes concerns about another employee or volunteer. There is also a requirement by ALL SHADES OF LIFE CIC to protect whistle-blowers. Further information can be found on the Kent Safeguarding Children Board website: https://www.kscmp.org.uk/procedures
Important Contacts:
All Shades of Life CIC Senior Lead for Safeguarding
Name: CHANTI SIMPSON Email address: chantisimpson5@gmail.com Telephone number:07496558008
All Shades of Life CIC Deputy Senior Lead for Safeguarding Name: IVAN DANIEL Email address ivandaniels533@gmail.com Telephone number 07960514763
Designated Officer Telephone:03000 41 08 88 Email: kentchildrenslado@kent.gov.uk Police Emergency – 999 Non-emergency – 101 NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000
Date of Adoption: 01/01/23 Date of Review:31/12/24
about Us
All Shades of Life CIC
All shades of life CIC started through a journal I used to write in for reflection purposes. It was during a period in my personal life where nothing seemed to be advancing, career wise, especially living as a man of a mixed heritage, I never felt accepted in society.
Growing up, football provided me with a safe environment where I could further enhance my passion and skills. The opportunity was there to change mine and my family’s life forever. I had done extremely well; I came so very close, but unfortunately I didn’t make it. Dealing with the rejection was hard and heartbreaking, truth be told I didn’t really deal with it until many years later. I wanted to become a professional so badly. I devalued all of my achievements in football and started to hate the game.
I started coaching and regained my confidence, making me reevaluate and feel proud of my achievements, knowledge and experience as a player. Through coaching, my journey as a player now holds more personal value and happiness than I could have ever imagined. Looking back, football taught me more than just how to kick a ball. I learnt how to attribute to a team, develop as an individual, how to communicate with others. I learnt how to utilize these skills in my everyday and working life.
Telling the story was easy, it happened. I was born to a white British/Irish mother and my father was from Grenada in the Caribbean. Growing up as a kid, I never went without and had a stable, strong and consistent network of support growing up.
My mum had started her family in 1973, during a period in Britain where interracial relationships were shunned upon in society. Times were hard and all the odds were stacked against her. Somehow, she was given the will, strength and grace to raise a family of eight plus play an influential role in in her four siblings upbringing.
Her life spanned sixty-three years, reaching out to many different communities finding employment and childcare for struggling individuals, both old and young.
All of this was achieved by her never receiving any help and always putting others before herself. She brought her children up to be humble, strong and proud individuals who were not allowed to ever to quit. No matter how hard things were there was always a way to survive, we could never doubt her as she led by example. Her achievements were as a single mum, against all expectations she managed to achieve so much with such little recognition.
I played football growing up, and it is safe to say that I was obsessed. I used football to mask how insecure I felt about being so different and never really feeling accepted. I was rejected on my first few attempts trialing for teams, this done me no favor’s with trying to accept my identity and finally feel accepted by other. I was very down when I used to go to primary school.
I remember one day, a teacher who had taught all my siblings and was renowned for not only being the most favorite teacher but the best in the school approached me. She asked what was wrong, and I explained how I was feeling, and for the first time I felt comfortable and safe confiding in someone from outside of my family network. She assured me that I’d not only be ok, but she personally was taking me on in her class the next academic year. She opened her cupboard and showed me a picture of Ian wright. She said that Ian was a local lad who played for Crystal Palace, one of the best. “I love the eagles, I’ve seen you play, and YOU’RE better than him”, she said. I burst into tears to which she gave me a hug that warmed my soul.
Football, from this point took over my life, I excelled at a great rate. Without being biased, I’d think it would be fair to say that I had a better chance than most of going to the top. Without telling an all to familiar story in Britain I never made it, I was rejected at the age of fifteen. I will not name the club as I’m sure their intentions were not what happened. In my opinion, they destroyed my world in a thirty second phone call. I clammed back up like the little boy who was saved by the teacher in primary school.
This sent an aspiring, talented, confident and intelligent young boy, spiraling out of control. Everyone from my family were amazing and couldn’t have done any more than they did. But no one from the community was there this time, no intervention. Could this of made a difference? Who knows? This had a domino effect in my life and if I was to be totally honest it took a long time to find value in myself again.
Eventually, the intervention I needed came after much support from all my family. My oldest brother started putting me through mixed martial arts fitness classes. I not going to attempt to lie and say it was easy, he broke me down to my bare bones. The man he built back from the ashes of the old me is the man you see today. I love all my family the same but big bro you saved my life and I’ll always be eternally great full.
From this I built my own family and started my own legacy, having four boys It had me thinking. Did I experience all of this for nothing? Watching my boys growing up I’ve noticed communities disappearing. Where is everyone?
My mum passing away was a catalyst and a definite jump start for All Shades of Life CIC. Her vessel was laid to rest, but her spirit tends to shine through in her legacy. Parents are molding beautiful souls every day, teachers are impacting our kids’ lives every day, who is doing the bits between anymore? The organizations that are I salute you.
Stepping On Clouds Football Program
Football Program
football Sessions to young people live in Kent
Young people’s mental well-being is now a national crisis. Even before the advent of Covid-19, there was a gulf between the availability of Child and Adults Mental Health Services and the number of young people needing support. This issue has been exacerbated by the pandemic – significantly increasing the volume of young people needing help with mental health issues, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Young people have experienced abuse, bereavement, anxiety about catching the virus or friends and family catching it, isolation and loneliness, worry about falling behind with their education or missing crucial exams, worry about returning to school and other aspects of normal life, and narrowing social networks.
The stepping on clouds project will help increase the knowledge, skills and confidence, build back a safer place for young youth's 7-18 year old's. Struggling with lockdown and transition back into the community. Its well established that early intervention from year 5 of primary school reduces behavior and mind set of the young youths. Truanting from year 6 primary to year 7 young people's anxiety.
Supporting vulnerable young people and adults though fitness struggling with mental health - wellbeing -loneliness.
To use sport as a tool to engage young people and channel their energy into building and enhancing their life skills. Learning new football skills, building self confidence, playing great fun football matches, and being a community again, safe place for the children.
How it Works
Getting Active enables young people, whatever their background, motivations or natural ability, to come together and play sport. Our aim is for each young people to develop a life-long love of sport, in a safe and connected community.
Since taking part in the programme: 95% of young people said they will continue to play sport or be active regularly. Over 60% of young people and adults saw improvements to their social and emotional capabilities such as social competence, self-confidence and emotional control, young people scored our sports programme an average of 9 out 10.
Ivan Daniel- Level 2 DBS
Kean Wood - Level 1 DBS
.
Sports Therapy
Fitness and Wellbeing Classes
Children learn a great deal from their parents and therefore it is important that parents present active role models and opportunities for their children. In this context it becomes essential that physical exercise is built into the structure of the typical day.
Physical health - Good physical health is linked to fitness – being able to perform effectively the physical tasks involved in life as well as sport. Being physically healthy includes:
- enjoying being physically active
- having good balance, coordination and agility in everyday tasks as well as sport
- having the strength, stamina and suppleness required for daily life, work and play
- having fewer illnesses, diseases and injuries
Emotional health - Emotional – or mental – health is linked to personal wellbeing – feeling positive about yourself. Being emotionally healthy includes:
- having self-esteem and self-respect
- being able to recognise and express feelings
- being able to manage emotions to suit the situation
- recognising and managing the factors that affect emotions
- feeling positive about life (which includes feeling useful and being optimistic about the future)
Social health - Social health also contributes to wellbeing – feeling positive about interactions with other people and the wider world. Being socially healthy includes:
- being able to interact with a range of people and having a sense of belonging
- having respect, empathy and tolerance for other people
- being able to manage emotions to suit the situation
- recognising and managing the effects of actions on others
- being aware of rights and responsibilities
Emotional health benefits include:
- Self-esteem and confidence – completion or success in an activity can give a sense of satisfaction. Self-esteem is increased by doing well or sticking to an exercise or training routine.
- Stress management – exercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. Dynamic exercise or more intense physical activity can relieve tension and stress.
- Image – when people exercise they may feel happier due to a release of endorphins into the body, and see the long term health benefits on their appearance.
Social health benefits include:
- Friendship – friendships increase as participants make friends with other members of the club, group or class.
- Belonging to a group – feeling of belonging gained from a common experience or shared activity.
- Loneliness – less loneliness and isolation experienced and participation can lead to other interests and friendships beyond the activity.
Programs
Hardware Access Scheme
The scheme is being primarily funded by Kent County Council, through it's Helping Hands Scheme under the Digital Inclusion & Capability funding stream. The funding has been available through various COVID-19. The Hardware Access Scheme will 'gift' the device to the intended beneficiary, with no requirements to return the device.
Sponsorship
At All Shades of Life CIC, We are happy to announce we funded VCD football team Under 14's that play in the selkent league where 16 young people got a chance to play. And support All Shades recognised within the community and also arcoss kent and London. VCD are always looking for sponsorship for the young people to continue in their journey. If you would be instead, please email us and we can pass your details on to the coach, The rolls of both coachs are volunteer's.
Case Study
All Shades of Life CIC was established in 2019 to support the local community and deliver free sports and fitness sessions to children and young people in the Dartford area.
Project
The Tackling Inequalities funding gave All Shades of Life the opportunity to encourage children and young people to:
Get physically active again after lockdown.
Become socially re-engaged in real time situations.
The project would see All Shade of Life establishing a sport-football session offer that was entertaining and engaging enough to compete with the youth’s main source of entertainment ie. games consoles, phones and social media.
The funding was used to cover:
New floodlights
Equipment and training resources ie. cones
Staff costs
Impact
The sessions delivered by All Shades of Life exceeded any expectations of participant numbers. They currently have 50-60 young people and their parents from different parts of Dartford consistently attending, participating and bonding at their weekly sessions.
The impact on All Shades of Life as a CIC has been extremely positive.
This is what the area has needed for years.
Challenges & Learnings
Although All Shades of Life has enjoyed the rapid success of the sports-football sessions, it has come with a few challenges:
Participant numbers have had to be limited due to staffing capacity. They currently have a waiting list for sessions.
Staffing a project with limited income has proved difficult.
A number of volunteers have supported the project, but All Shades of Life found that volunteers are not as consistent as paid staff due to other commitments. They also realised that volunteers are not experts in any particular field, which limits what they can do coaching-wise.
The most important thing that All Shades of Life has learnt from this project is how supportive and enthusiastic the local community can be. They took time to talk to the parents/carers and established a clear understanding of what the area used to be like, how it currently is and what they’d like it to be like in the future.
Quote from Ivan, All Shades of Life Coach:
It’s so important to be in tune with the community in order to deliver what is relevant to them. My advice is to take your time to get to know the community and listen as much as you can. Watch as much as you can when in and around the area where you work. People are crying out to be heard. We just need to notice and take the time to listen.
All Shades of Life are so grateful for this funding to help support their local community.
It has been a privilege for us as a company to bridge the gap between generations and have a common ground where we understand each over through sport. One of the biggest communication tools between older and younger generations is common interest. Sport bridges that gap perfectly and we get to learn and respect the individual. Moving forward, we would like to train up more coaches and branch into different sports and activities to see if we can engage and fuse the different communities into one big sporting community.
