1          Introduction

The Trust from time to time may work with people who might be considered vulnerable to abuse of one sort or another. Most of these people are likely to be children and young people under the age of 16; others have special needs because they have a disability of some kind. The Trust has a moral and, in some cases, a legal duty to protect these people from physical accidents and from abuse by another child, stranger, volunteer, member of staff or any other adult whilst they are involved in any activity organised by the Trust, or by a third party on behalf of the Trust.

 

The Home Office recommends that all voluntary organisations, like the Trust, working with young people follow their own policy. Where children are the targets of abuse, there is a statutory child protection system, which is referred to in this Policy. Where people with disabilities or other vulnerable groups are concerned, the spirit of the childcare legislation is to be followed.

 

2          What do we mean by abuse?

Abuse may be physical, sexual or emotional. Most of the potential abuse the Trust is concerned with is that of children by adults. There is an increasing awareness of the possibility of abuse of people with special needs, particularly those who have learning difficulties. All forms of abuse are based on the misuse of power, but even for ‘experts’ abuse is often very hard to diagnose.

 

Abuse is a criminal act. Sexual abusers are often addictive and will engage in careful planning and manipulation. Abusers look for situations in which they can gain access to children, but they do not appear different from the rest of society. The child often knows the abuser. Although most abusers are adults, some are children taking advantage of their own peers.

 

The Trust acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to abuse in different ways and to varying degrees. Professionals, trustees, staff, volunteers, parents, may be susceptible, given sufficient personal and work stress, to losing control and perhaps abusing children or other vulnerable people who are unlikely or unable to ‘fight back.’

 

3          Minimising the Opportunities for Abuse

Members of staff or trained volunteers will only work with children and other vulnerable people in conjunction with a school, formally organised group, or local authority department, or as part of a planned event involving the Trust’s staff or trained volunteers. In the former category that group will be considered to be the main organisation legally responsible for the welfare of children or other vulnerable people. Trustees are not expected to be involved directly in such activities. Where they are they will effectively need to become trained volunteers

 

4          Indirect Supervision of Children and other Vulnerable Groups

Indirect supervision of children and other vulnerable groups is where members of staff or trained volunteers are responsible for running the activity, but other adults are responsible for the group, e.g. teachers, play group leaders, youth group leaders, parents.

 

In all circumstances, except in an absolute emergency, two or more adults must lead potentially vulnerable groups and a single adult should not be left in the company of a single vulnerable person.

 

Where parents are involved with a group, the responsibility for the behaviour and discipline of the children or young people lies with them and/or the Responsible Organisation. This must always be made clear by the Trust’s staff or trained volunteers before any activity starts.

 

              

5          Direct Supervision of Children and other Vulnerable Groups

Direct supervision of children and other vulnerable groups covers situations where the Trust’s staff or trained volunteers are responsible for arranging an event that is open to the general public.

 

The minimum ratios for outdoor activities are:

 

• Children under 5 – a parent or guardian must be present
• Children aged from 5 to 11 four children to one adult
• Children aged from 11 to 16 eight children to one adult

 

 

In all circumstances, except in an absolute emergency, two or more adults must lead potentially vulnerable groups and a single adult should not be left in the company of a single vulnerable person.

 

Where parents are involved, the responsibility for the behaviour and discipline of their children or young people lies with them.  This must always be made clear by the Trust’s staff or trained volunteers before any activity starts.

 

If the behaviour or discipline of the group persistently falls below acceptable standards or the minimum ratios are not met, the Trust at its sole discretion should:

 

• Cease the activity as quickly and as safely as possible
• Make clear to those involved that their action is unsafe
• Not re-start the activity until the minimum standards are met

 

6          Trust Responsibility and Reporting Procedure

 

The Safeguarding Officer for the Shabbington Village Community Trust is the chair, Sophy Blandy. In the event of Sophy being unavailable, Jill Hughes Trustee will deputise.

 

If a member of the Trust identifies a safeguarding concern, they should report their safeguarding Concern to the Safeguarding officer, Sophy Blandy.

 

If an individual finds themselves in an uncomfortable position, they (and their guardian/parent  if applicable) should first report the matter to the Safeguarding Officer, Sophy Blandy.

 

All concerns will be investigated by the Safeguarding Officer and the reporter will be kept informed of progress (although some information may require to be kept confidential.)  If a breach of this safeguarding policy or  safeguarding law in general is found, the Trust reserve the right to ban individuals from using the hall. Referrals or notifications to external organisations (e.g. police services, local authorities or regulatory  bodies) will be made only if this is appropriate and in accordance with the law (e.g. data protection law.)

 

If the matter is time sensitive  and involves serious risk, it may be more appropriate for individuals to report their concerns directly to  an external agency (the police, ambulance or a mental health crisis line). We would expect such events to be reported to the Safeguarding Officer who will work with the reporter to provide support and to take action if appropriate  (e.g. banning individuals from using the Hall) whilst being sensitive to the confidential nature of the issue.