Safeguarding Policy 2023

When does this policy apply?

This Policy applies to directors and colleagues of Hutchison Technologies and every business in which Hutchison Technologies has a controlling interest, including all part-time, fixed term and agency personnel.

Agents or other intermediaries representing any business for Hutchison Technologies are required to follow the standards set out in this Policy.

All references to “Hutchison Technologies”, “the business”, “we”, “us” and “our” in this Policy should be read accordingly.

 

What is expected of us?

We must all:

• Read and comply with the letter and the spirit of this Policy.
• Ask if we are unsure about how to apply this Policy to something that arises in our work.
• Raise a concern if we believe that this Policy is not being followed. 

 

What is expected of Managers?

In addition, managers in our business must take action to:

• Create a culture in which everyone who works with us, or any third party to whom we outsource work, knows and understands what safeguarding expectations we have and that we will support the need to raise a concern.
• Ensure that this Policy is followed within their areas of responsibility.
• Ensure that all suspected breaches of this Policy are promptly reported to me, Mark Hutchison, Technical
• Director or our Director of People and Culture, and investigated.

 

What happens if I do not follow this policy? 

Directors and colleagues who do not follow this Policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Examples of behaviours that may result in disciplinary action include:

• Breaching this Policy, whether deliberately or because of a failure to take care.
• Asking or encouraging others to breach this Policy.
• Failing to report a clear breach of this Policy.
• Retaliation against a person because they have complied with this Policy or raised a concern about compliance with it.

In addition, a breach of this Policy may be a criminal offence, leading to fines or even imprisonment for individuals involved.

 

What this policy covers?

This Policy sets out what is required in the following areas:

1. Recruitment
2. Induction
3. Project Installations
4. Servicing and Maintenance
5. Apprenticeships

 

Key Terms

Safeguarding is a term used to denote measures to protect the health and well-being and human rights of individuals. Which allow all people, but especially those people who are:

• young (18 years of age or less)
• vulnerable
• have a mental illness
• are disabled
• infirm or disadvantaged, to be protected from abuse, harm, exploitation, or neglect.

Abuse is a deliberate act (or inaction) that causes physical and/or psychological or emotional harm. It can include:

• Bullying – verbal and emotional abuse and threatening behaviour.
• Harassment – unwanted behaviour that is aggressive, pressured or intimidating.
• Racial abuse – verbal or physical abuse related to race or ethnicity.
• Sexual abuse – sexual activity of any kind that does not have the consent of the individual.
• Physical and/or emotional abuse – physical violence or verbal threats and overly critical, belittling comments.
• Neglect – neglect for basic human needs for rest, sustenance, or access to welfare facilities.

Exploitation

• Human Trafficking (directly or indirectly through partners recruiting vulnerable people)
• Modern Slavery – directly or indirectly employing unethical and unlawful practices.
• Financial – unilateral, unjustifiable, or unreasonable deductions or charges resulting in hardship.
• Imbalance of power – more senior colleagues using position of power to treat less senior colleagues less favourably. 

Suicidal Thoughts are thoughts of self- harm, suicide and or self-neglect.

 

1. Safeguarding at Hutchison Technologies Ltd. 

Hutchison Technologies Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our colleagues and expect everyone to share this commitment.

We safeguard all our colleagues by:

• Ensuring health & safety is a priority
• Protection from abuse, harm, neglect and exploitation
• Prevention of bullying and harassment, and discrimination
• Promoting welfare and wellbeing activities
• Providing training, developing, and opportunities to give and receive feedback to support current and future career aspirations.

2. Recruitment and Induction Packages 

Hutchison Technologies Ltd is committed to safer recruitment & induction practices to help ensure our current and potential colleagues are a great fit for our company.

To achieve this commitment, we will:

• Be clear about our commitment to safeguarding on our website.
• Carefully prepare for the recruitment and selection process, ensuring hiring officers give sufficient time and consideration to the matching and fit assessment.
• Carry out pre-employment checks as necessary for the role.
• Ensure new colleagues are appropriately trained for their duties.
• Ensure new colleagues understand and accept the standards of behaviour expected by Hutchison Technologies Ltd.
• Plan the induction process in advance of the new colleague commencing their employment, to allow sufficient time to plan the best fit training and onboarding support.
• Review the induction experience at 3, 6 and 9 months following the commencement of employment to ensure understanding of the standards of behaviour and performance expected.
• Two-way feedback is encouraged to ensure the working environment meets the standards expected.

 

3. Project Installations and Site Maintenance 

Hutchison Technologies Ltd is committed to working safely whilst on customer sites whether it is installing, servicing, or maintaining our IT, audio visual, access control, or lighting systems.

We recognise that at times our engineers are called upon to work in active customer environments where third parties including members of the public, customer employees, and facility patrons might be actively utilizing our customer facilities.

The nature of our work within the health & fitness, leisure, hospitality, retail, and educational sectors can involve environments where our colleagues are sharing their work environment with facility users.

To safeguard our colleagues and other people we:

• Are clear about our commitment to safeguarding our colleagues.
• Provide training to our colleagues on their own safety and protection, and on the standards of behaviour we expect from them when at work.
• Are clear about our commitment to safeguarding our customers.
• Provide clear guidance to our colleagues on how to raise concerns about safeguarding.

 

4. Apprenticeships 

Hutchison Technologies Ltd is committed to providing a safe work environment to learn and develop new skills, experience, and competencies. Apprenticeships will allow us to support our colleagues learn as they earn, within a diverse and innovative work environment.

To achieve this commitment, we will:

• Be clear about our commitment and responsibilities to safeguard our colleagues.
• Ensure those working with apprentices do not present any danger or threat.
• Ensure those working with apprentices are suitably trained.
• Ensure relevant legislation on keeping young adults safe is adhered to.
• Undertake appropriate risk assessments and review risks periodically.
• Assign a designated safeguarding officer and ensure that the role of this officer is known by each apprentice.
• Provide clear guidance on raising a concern.

 

5. Raising a concern

If you need to raise a concern or report an issue concerning a colleague’s welfare, you can contact our People and Culture team: Director of People and Culture, Karen Morrill People and Culture Advisor, Tina Millar

We are also working with our BrightHR partner to create a remote and confidential platform to raise a concern. We will update this policy as soon as additional provisions are available.

You can also speak with your people manager or head of department.