Statutory Information

Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement

Mollington, Backford & District Village Hall (The Village Hall) recognises that it has a statutory and moral duty to ensure that it safeguards and promotes the welfare of young people during their time spent at the Village Hall. The term “children” means “those under the age of 18”. The Village Hall recognises that some adults are also vulnerable to abuse. Accordingly, the procedures may be applied (with appropriate adaptations) to allegations of abuse and the protection of vulnerable adults.

Definitions:

Child: A young person under the age of 18.

Vulnerable Adult: A person aged 18 years or over who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or another disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.’

Disclosure: A person states they have been or are being abused by another.

Allegation: A member of staff or volunteer working with children or vulnerable adults is accused of committing an abuse

Abuse: A violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person. May consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into financial or sexual transactions to which he or she has not consented or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of the person subject to it.

The Village Hall works to: Safeguard the welfare of the young people and vulnerable adults we work with by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.

Support the creation of an environment where young people and vulnerable adults are listened to and are encouraged to talk about themselves, their lives, and any concerns they may have.

The Village Hall will seek to safeguard children and young people by:

Valuing them, listening to and respecting them.

Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made and training received.

Sharing information about child protection and good practice with children, parents, staff and volunteers.

Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents and children appropriately.

Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and open communication.

The Village Hall recognises that children, young people and vulnerable adults may suffer abuse in different ways:

Physically: Any purposeful acts of violence causing injury.

Sexually: The exploitation of authority or power to involve a child in sexual gratification. Emotionally: Emotional ill-treatment or rejection affecting emotional or behavioural development.

Neglect: Failure to provide a child with basic needs including access to adequate food, health care or education.

Staff and volunteers will be on guard to spot the signs and symptoms of abuse that can include: Physical signs such as changes in appearance, injuries and marks, and

Changes to a child’s behaviour.

The Village Hall will respond to suspicions or allegations of abuse by:

Following any low risk disclosure or initial concern of abuse:

Staff/volunteers will offer support and guidance to the young person and ensure their current safety.

Staff/volunteers will record incidents and make the necessary agencies aware of any potential for concern.

If unsure about the level of risk or appropriate support, staff/volunteers can seek advice by calling Cheshire West and Chester 01244 973400 or email accesswest@cheshire.gov.uk 8.30am-5pm mon-thurs (4.30pm Friday)

Out of hours call the emergency team on 10606 76611

Following any disclosure or concern for a young person or vulnerable adult in immediate danger staff/volunteers will follow the procedure as attached to this policy

The Village Hall will maintain records and respect confidentiality:

Staff or volunteers will inform the relevant external agencies of any issues for concern and pass them a written record of any incidents or disclosures, to be kept securely by them.

The Village Hall acknowledges that the welfare of the individual is paramount:

Privacy and confidentiality will be respected where possible but if doing this leaves a child or vulnerable adult at risk of harm, then safety will always come first.

All hirers of the Village Hall must take responsibility for ensuring this policy is implemented, and that all adults present for the duration of the hire, and who could come into contact with children or vulnerable adults, are aware of this policy and have been subject to up to date DBS checks

Issues arising under this policy must be reported to Mrs Rosie Sedgwick of the MBDVH Management Committee

SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURE

RESPONDING TO A DISCLOSURE OR ALLEGATION OR IF YOU WITNESS ABUSE

Do not make promises and let the person know that you will need to pass the information on

Limit questions to WHAT WHO WHEN & WHERE

Do not ask leading questions

ENSURE THE VICTIM IS SAFE FROM IMMEDIATE HARM

If necessary, seek medical attention

Ensure that there is no contact with the alleged abuser

PRESERVE EVIDENCE

Do not allow any access to any place where the abuse may have occurred

Do not confront the alleged perpetrator

RECORD THE INCIDENT

Record what is said to you using the victim’s own words and what you see

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REPORT AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTION OF THE APPROPRIATE COUNCIL OFFICER AND/OR POLICE

If unsure about the level of risk or appropriate support, staff/volunteers can seek advice by calling

Cheshire West and Chester 01244 973400 or email accesswest@cheshire.gov.uk 8.30am-5pm mon-thurs (4.30pm Friday)

Out of hours call the emergency team on 10606 76611