CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS SAFEGUARDING POLICY - February 2024

 

1. Statement of Intent

 

The welfare of the child and vulnerable adult is paramount at all times. For the purpose of this policy a child is referred to as anyone under the age of eighteen.

 

A vulnerable adult is someone over the age of eighteen who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, harm or exploitation, which may be by reason of illness, age, mental illness, disability or other types of physical or mental impairment.

 

2. Policy

 

2.1  The Over & Nether Compton Memorial Hall (hereinafter referred to as the committee) will fully support and protect those who in good faith report a concern that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused. The committee recognises its responsibilities under the Children Act 1989/2004 and its duty of care to vulnerable adults under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014.

 

2.2  The committee shall use its best endeavours to enable any persons working with children or vulnerable adults (paid or unpaid) on the premises to make informed and confident responses to any safeguarding issues arising.

 

2.3  It is not the concern of the committee to adjudicate upon whether or not an incident of safeguarding has occurred in any given situation, therefore all and any concerns or allegations of abuse will be taken seriously by the committee and reported appropriately and proportionately, whether by referral to the NSPCC, Children's Services, Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board or the emergency services.

 

2.4  Every effort will be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned with information of concerns or allegations being determined on a need to know basis only.

 

2.5  All persons (whether paid or unpaid) who are working with children or vulnerable adults have a responsibility to promptly report any concerns of abuse to the appointed Designated Safeguarding Officer or Agency.

 

2.6  The committee recognises that any person may have the potential to abuse in some way and that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure unsuitable people are prevented from working with children or vulnerable adults.

 

2.7  Any person undertaking paid employment by the committee for the purposes of working with children or vulnerable adults shall:

a) be the subject of a selection procedure which ensures all reasonable steps are taken to ensure such person is appropriate.

b) be required to famialrise themselves with this policy.

 

3. Implementation of Policy

 

3.1  This policy document is approved and endorsed by the committee and shall be subject to review at the Annual General Meeting.

 

3.2  The committee shall appoint a Designated Safeguarding Officer who shall, upon request, assist and support any person who reports any concern or allegation of abuse in assessing the appropriate course of referral to relevant protection services and, if necessary, make such referral on his/her behalf.

 

3.3  This policy document shall be drawn to the attention of any person hiring the hall for any purpose which will involve the participation of children or vulnerable adults and is included in the conditions of hire.

 

3.4  A copy of this policy shall be made available for inspection at any time on the premises of Over & Nether Compton Memorial Hall.

 

Designated Safeguarding Officer:  Ellen Hughes

 

 

Date policy adopted:  3 February 2024

 

To be reviewed annually at AGM