Safeguarding

Horton and Chalbury Village Hall (Charity Number 301142)

 

Safeguarding Policy

Principles

Horton and Chalbury Village Hall Management Committee consider the welfare of children and vulnerable adults to be paramount and the responsibility of everyone. All children and vulnerable adults, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse, (whether physical, verbal or sexual), bullying, exclusion or neglect.

Committee members must respond any concerns they may have regarding the physical, sexual, emotional or psychological safety of a vulnerable person or concerns relating to discriminatory or financial violation or exploitation of a vulnerable person.

 

Policy Statement

  1. All suspicions or allegations of abuse against a child or vulnerable adult will be taken seriously and dealt with speedily and appropriately.
  2. All members and volunteers need to be aware of child protection and vulnerable adult issues.
  3. The designated Safeguarding representative to whom any suspicions or concerns should be reported is the Chairman of the Management Committee or in her absence the Treasurer.
  4. The Committee will endeavour to keep the premises safe for use by children and vulnerable adults. The Committee recognises that a higher standard of safety is required where use is made by small children, those who cannot read safety notices and physically disabled adults.
  5. The Management Committee will ensure that all hirers/users of the Hall are aware that any safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults is the responsibility of the hirers.

Any organisations or individuals hiring the hall for the purposes of holding activities where Ofsted registration is required should show their registration and their own Child Protection Policy. These organisations or individuals should use safe recruitment processes to appoint staff that will be working with children or vulnerable adults in any kind of activity.

 

  1. The Committee will ensure that hirers are made aware of their obligations under the Licensing Act 2003 to ensure that alcohol is not sold to those under the age of 18. The Committee shall ensure that hirers are aware that no children may be admitted to films when they are below the age classification for the film or show. No gambling or entertainment of an adult or sexual nature shall be permitted on the premises.

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Procedures

  1. A copy of the policy is displayed for the attention of all in the Village Hall and on the Village Hall website.
  2. Organisations hiring the hall for children’s activities will be asked to show their Child Protection policy before the first session commences. Individuals hiring the hall children’s activities will be made aware of this policy. Organisations hiring the hall for activities specifically involving vulnerable adults will be asked to show their Vulnerable Adults Protection policy before the first session commences. Other organisations hiring the hall whose activities may involve vulnerable adults will be made aware of this policy.
  3. The Committee require hirers to report any damage, breakages or safety issues needing attention to the booking secretary, who will inform the appropriate people. These will be dealt with as soon as practicable, with provision to prevent access by children and vulnerable adults until the matter has been rectified.
  4. A hiring agreement which includes appropriate clauses will be entered into for all hires for licensable activities.
  5. Contractors engaged to carry out work at the premises must not be allowed unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. Appropriate supervision will be arranged if necessary.
  6. If the premises might be used by more than one hirer, the attention of hirers will be drawn to the need to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are supervised when using toilets.
  7. These policies and procedures will be reviewed annually and updated as appropriate in the interim periods

Further Advice & Support is available from:

 

Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership East Team Bournemouth Learning Centre Ensbury Avenue Bournemouth Dorset BH10 4HG Tel: 01202 458873 Email: pandorsetsafeguardingchildrenpartnership@bcpcouncil.gov.uk

 

Children’s Advice & Duty Service (ChaD)                01305 228866

 

Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board c/o Adult and Community Services County Hall Colliton Park Dorchester Dorset DT1 1XJ Tel: 01305 221016 Email: DSAB@dorsetcouncil.gov.u

 

Domestic Abuse Helpline for Dorset (Paragon)   0800 032 5204

 

Dorset Police: In an emergency dial 999 (only if a concern is about immediate risk to life and limb)

                           All other enquiries dial 101

 

National Organisations – NSPPC: 0808 800 5000                         Childline: 0800 1 111

                                             Age UK: 0800 678 1602                         Silverline: 0800 4 70 80 90

 

Stop it Now (helpline for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse)     0808 1000 900

                                                                                  Website for further details – www.stopitnow.org.uk

 

 

Date Reviewed: May 2024