IMPORTANT:
If you are worried about a child, a young person under 18 or a vulnerable adult, please email us at tennis@longsutton.org.uk
If you or the person you are concerned about is in danger you should call 999.
PURPOSE
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk from abuse or neglect.
This policy defines how Long Sutton Village Hall operates to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
We have a duty of care and are committed to the protection and safety of everyone who enters our premises including children, young people and adults at risk involved as visitors and/or as participants in all activities and events. We also have a duty to safeguard and support our trustees, volunteers, and staff.
DEFINITIONS
Children and young people are defined as those persons aged under 18 years old. This policy will apply to all staff, contractors and volunteers and will be used to support their work.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
Adult at risk of abuse or neglect
For the purposes of this policy, adult at risk refers to someone over 18 years old who, according to paragraph 14.2 of the Care Act 2015:
If someone has care and support needs but is not currently receiving care or support from a health or care service, they may still be an adult at risk.
PERSONS AFFECTED
POLICY PRINCIPLES
There can be no excuses for not taking all reasonable action to protect adults at risk of abuse, exploitation, radicalisation, and mistreatment. All citizens of the United Kingdom have their rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. People who are eligible to receive health and community care services may be additionally vulnerable to the violation of these rights by reason of disability, impairment, age, or illness.
Long Sutton Village Hall charity has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
Long Sutton Village Hall charity recognises that under the Care Act 2014, it has a duty for the care and protection of adults who are at risk of abuse. It also recognises its responsibilities for the safety and care of children under the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
Long Sutton Village Hall charity is committed to promoting wellbeing, harm prevention and to responding effectively if concerns are raised.
Long Sutton Village Hall charity is aware of the work of their local safeguarding Board/Partnership and other support organisations on the development and implementation of procedures for the protection of adults vulnerable from abuse. The policy is about stopping abuse where it is happening and preventing abuse where there is a risk that it may occur.
Long Sutton Village Hall Committee is committed to the following principles:
PROCEDURES
A) All members of the committee will sign the Declaration of Acceptance of Office for trustees which includes a declaration that they have no convictions in relation to abuse.
B) All members of the committee will familiarise themselves with safeguarding responsibilities, undertake training on safeguarding issues including whistleblowing where it is available and offered by their local safeguarding board/partnership or other local support organisation and ensure that they understand the principles set out in this policy
C) All members of the committee will work together to promote a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting welfare to be addressed.
D) All members of the committee, helpers or other volunteers will not have unsupervised access to children or adults at risk unless appropriately vetted.
E) The hall committee will follow safe recruitment practices.
F) A member of the committee will be appointed to be responsible for child and adult at risk safeguarding matters. This person will have responsibility for reporting concerns that arise, as a matter of urgency, to the relevant safeguarding agency.
The named person is Joyce Pritchard
G) All suspicions or allegations of abuse against a child or adult at risk will be taken seriously and dealt with speedily and appropriately. The appointed person will know who to contact and where to go for support and advice in relation to an allegation a concern about the quality of care or practice or a complaint. An allegation may relate to a person who works with children or adult at risk who has:
H) The hall committee will ensure that all hirers of the hall have signed a hiring agreement. This will require all hirers who wish to use the hall for activities which include children and adults at risk, other than for hire for private parties arranged for invited friends and family, to produce a copy of their Safeguarding Policy and evidence that they have carried out relevant checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) when requested to do so or, confirm that they have understood and will adhere to the hall's principles and procedures with regard to safeguarding.
I) The village hall management committee will carry out an annual review of this policy.