Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy
Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee
Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee
Policy
It is the policy of Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee to safeguard the welfare of all its patrons by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. Every trustee, committee member and volunteer has a responsibility to act on concerns of possible abuse and must inform Minsterworth Village Hall Safeguarding Officer.
We therefore commit to:
• Take into account in all our considerations and activities, the interests and well-being of vulnerable adults and young people.
• Respect the rights, wishes and feelings of the vulnerable adults and young people who use our facilities.
• Take all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.
• Promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people and their protection within a relationship of trust.
• A copy of the policy will be displayed on the Village Hall website and be made available on request to hirers.
Complaints and Procedures
In the event of a complaint we shall:
• Ensure all allegations or suspicions of abuse, no matter how insignificant will be referred to Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee immediately.
• If the Safeguarding Officer is implicated in any way the referral should be made direct to the Chair Person of the Management Committee.
• If the issue cannot be resolved internally, we will make a speedy referral to the correct authorities to take appropriate action, for example phone ‘MASH: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub’ on 01452 426565. For concerns about child safety choose option 1, for all other advice Option 3..
• Maintain confidentiality at all times, only sharing information on a need to know basis with the person making the allegation, relevant authorities and the parents of the child.
• Write an accurate record of all relevant information relating to the incident and sign and date the document.
Hirers
• Hirers are responsible for the safeguarding issues described here and it is the hirers responsibility to report any issues to the appropriate authorities and inform the committee.
• Acceptance of the Village Hall's safeguarding policy is part of the agreed contract taken out on hiring the Hall.
Code of Conduct
In promoting good practice we shall:
• Always work in an open environment.
• Treat all vulnerable adults and young people equally and with respect and dignity.
• Maintain a safe and appropriate distance with children.
• Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust.
• Be excellent role models — this includes avoiding foul language and abusive behaviour in the hall or in the surrounding areas of the hall
• Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Keep a written record of any disclosure of possible abuse or harm.
• Ensure that bullying, shouting, physical violence, sexism and racism towards children or vulnerable adults will not be permitted or tolerated.
• 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 at risk of harm, then the child’s safety will always come first.
MINSTERWORTH VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Charity Number 255668 Established 1928
Issues arising from this policy should be reviewed annually. This version was compiled in November 2023.
Further information is available at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gscp/
It is the policy of Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee to safeguard the welfare of all its patrons by protecting them from physical, sexual and emotional harm. Every trustee, committee member and volunteer has a responsibility to act on concerns of possible abuse and must inform Minsterworth Village Hall Safeguarding Officer.
We therefore commit to:
• Take into account in all our considerations and activities, the interests and well-being of vulnerable adults and young people.
• Respect the rights, wishes and feelings of the vulnerable adults and young people who use our facilities.
• Take all reasonable practicable steps to protect them from physical, sexual and emotional harm.
• Promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people and their protection within a relationship of trust.
• A copy of the policy will be displayed on the Village Hall website and be made available on request to hirers.
Complaints and Procedures
In the event of a complaint we shall:
• Ensure all allegations or suspicions of abuse, no matter how insignificant will be referred to Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee immediately.
• If the Safeguarding Officer is implicated in any way the referral should be made direct to the Chair Person of the Management Committee.
• If the issue cannot be resolved internally, we will make a speedy referral to the correct authorities to take appropriate action, for example phone ‘MASH: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub’ on 01452 426565. For concerns about child safety choose option 1, for all other advice Option 3..
• Maintain confidentiality at all times, only sharing information on a need to know basis with the person making the allegation, relevant authorities and the parents of the child.
• Write an accurate record of all relevant information relating to the incident and sign and date the document.
Hirers
• Hirers are responsible for the safeguarding issues described here and it is the hirers responsibility to report any issues to the appropriate authorities and inform the committee.
• Acceptance of the Village Hall's safeguarding policy is part of the agreed contract taken out on hiring the Hall.
Code of Conduct
In promoting good practice we shall:
• Always work in an open environment.
• Treat all vulnerable adults and young people equally and with respect and dignity.
• Maintain a safe and appropriate distance with children.
• Build balanced relationships based on mutual trust.
• Be excellent role models — this includes avoiding foul language and abusive behaviour in the hall or in the surrounding areas of the hall
• Give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism.
• Keep a written record of any disclosure of possible abuse or harm.
• Ensure that bullying, shouting, physical violence, sexism and racism towards children or vulnerable adults will not be permitted or tolerated.
• 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 at risk of harm, then the child’s safety will always come first.
MINSTERWORTH VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Charity Number 255668 Established 1928
Issues arising from this policy should be reviewed annually. This version was compiled in November 2023.
Further information is available at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gscp/