Safeguarding Policy

Child and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy
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 the Minsterworth Village Hall Safeguarding Officer of any disclosure or concern.

We 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 given to hirers.

The designated Safeguarding Officer for Minsterworth Village Hall is –
Roger Blowey, 07768 451071

Disclosures and Procedures

In the event of a disclosure we shall:

Ensure all allegations or suspicions of abuse, no matter how insignificant are referred to Minsterworth Village Hall Management Committee by the designated Safeguarding Officer or their deputy within 24 hours of learning of the disclosure.
If the Safeguarding Officer is implicated in any way the referral will be made direct to an alternative member of the Management Committee, Mike Davidson, 07590 805784
If the issue cannot be resolved internally, we will refer the issue as soon as possible (and definitely within 24 hours) to ‘MASH, the: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub’ on 01452 426565. (Option 1 for child safety; Option 3 for all other issues).
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. (In the event that a parent is the alleged perpetrator, we will inform relevant authorities, but not the parent).
Write an accurate record of the incident (including all relevant information) and sign and date the document. This will be authored either by the person receiving the disclosure or by the designated Safeguarding Officer. This document will be shared with relevant authorities as required and stored under password protection by the designated Safeguarding Officer for a period of not less than five years.

Hirers

Hirers are responsible for all safeguarding issues (such as those that are described here) that may arise during the course of their hire. It is the hirers responsibility to report any issues to the appropriate authorities and inform the Committee within 24 hours of disclosure.
Acceptance of the Village Hall's safeguarding policy is an explicit part – and a condition – of the agreed contract taken out by all third parties on hiring the Hall.

Code of Conduct
In promoting good practice, we commit to, and will expect all hirers to:

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

This policy is reviewed annually.
This version was reviewed and refreshed in September 2025
Further information is available at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gscp/