Safeguarding Children, Young people and Vulnerable Adults (“Safeguarding”) Policy

2023

SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS

To report your concerns or to talk to a duty social worker regarding child protection call HantsDirect (Children’s Services) tel 0300 555 1384 (office hours for urgent concerns) or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours).

Or tel 0300 555 1384 (office hours for urgent concerns) or 0300 555 1373 (out of hours).

Professionals Line 01329 225379.

Or visit the website for further information.

SECTION 1

Policy Statement

Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.

This policy promotes good practice in safeguarding for those using Wield Village Hall (WVH) facilities. The WVH Committee ( WVHC) will review it annually.

Definitions:

Children and young people: Anyone under the age of 18 years

Vulnerable Adult: Anyone over 18 who is:

Unable to care for themselves
Unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation
Or may be in need of community care services

To whom this policy applies

This policy applies to anyone working for or on behalf of the whether in a paid, voluntary or commissioned capacity, for example contracted to do a piece of work. It also applies to any individual hiring, leasing or using the WVH facilities for the purpose of delivering any service to children, young people or vulnerable adults.

SECTION 2

Promoting a safe environment

In order to promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, the WVHC. will:

Provide safe facilities and conduct regular safety assessments.
Ensure that employees, Councillors and leaders of activities in the parish or in/on parish facilities, are aware of the safeguarding expectations.
Members of staff and volunteers who have regular unsupervised contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults during the course of their duties MUST undergo appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (“DBS”) checks BEFORE commencement of such duties.
Display on Parish Council notice boards in the village & in the Village Hall the relevant safeguarding contacts for advice and help. A copy will also be made available on the Parish Council website.

Expectations of behaviour

All users of WVH facilities, organisers of WVH events and volunteers should:

Ensure that communications, behaviour and interaction is appropriate and professional.
Treat each other with respect and show consideration for other groups using the WVH facilities.
Refrain from any behaviour that involves racism, sexism, homophobia, and bullying and in addition, report any instances of such behaviour to the Chair of the Parish Council, Parish Clerk or parents/carers, as appropriate.

Hiring of facilities to groups for use with children, young people or vulnerable adults

The WVHC will require the hirer to:

Have public liability insurance.
Have a suitable safeguarding policy and/or agree to work to the WVHC’s policy and relevant guidance.
Ensure leaders make their members aware of the WVHC Policy and ensure that it is followed whilst using WVH facilities.
Ensure leaders have valid enhanced DBS checks as appropriate and know where the first aid boxes are and how to summon help from the Emergency Services.
Conduct risk assessments for individual activities.

SECTION 3

Safe working practice

All users of WVH Facilities must follow the policy and procedures at all times. For example they should:

Never leave children, young people or vulnerable adults unattended with adults who have not been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Plan activities to involve more than one person being present or at least in sight or hearing of others. Alternatively, record, or inform others of their whereabouts and intended action.
Where possible, have male and female leaders working with a mixed group.
Ensure registers are complete and attendees are marked in and signed out (under 8’s must be collected by a parent/carer).
Ensure that photos or videos of individuals are not taken without written permission from their parents/carers.
Ensure they have access to a first aid kit and telephone and be familiar with fire procedures.
When working outside, ensure activities, breaks and clothing are suitable for the weather conditions and that shelter is available where possible.

SECTION 4

Allegations against staff and volunteers

The WVHC should follow the procedures for managing allegations against staff/volunteers on the EHDC Safeguarding website. No attempt should be made to investigate or take action before consultation with EHDC Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). See contact details on 1^st page above

Whistleblowing

All WVHC, staff and volunteers should be aware of their duty to raise concerns about the attitude or actions of colleagues and appropriate advice will be sought from the LADO or Safeguarding Team as to how to handle such allegations. The WVHC must not make a judgement on whether the allegations have merit for further investigation, this decision must be for the LADO team.

What should be a cause for concern

Staff and volunteers should be concerned by any action or inaction, which significantly harms the physical and/or emotional development of a child. Abuse falls into four main categories and can include child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation, referred to as FGM. The categories are as follows:

Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Neglect
Financial Abuse/Manipulation

The WVHC are committed to ensuring the safety of all users of our services and facilities and take our responsibilities seriously.

The WVHC confirm this safeguarding policy will be updated as and when such legislative/best practice changes take place or at least annually.

Phil Pullinger

Chairman

WVHC

Apr 23