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YORK & DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY SAFEGUARDING POLICY

The following outlines YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY's approach to safeguarding children (under the age of 18) and vulnerable adults who engage with the YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY for a variety of reasons.

This policy must be upheld by all volunteers, employees, participants, donors, supporters and trustees of YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY.
Abuse, harassment and harm can happen to anyone – volunteers, employees, participants, donors and supporters. It’s not always visible and often not spoken about. We firmly believe that raising awareness of safeguarding and building a positive culture is vital in creating a safe environment for everyone.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out our approach and commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults who engage with YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY from harm and abuse.

All children and vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to protection from harm and abuse.

Many of the principles of safeguarding are the same throughout the UK however there are different governance and procedural arrangements in different countries.

Safeguarding children duties apply to any charity working with, or coming into contact with, anyone under the age of 18.

Safeguarding vulnerable adults means protecting their right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect. Some adults are considered to be at greater risks so are given more protection by law.

An adult at risk is anyone aged 18 or over who:

  • Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and

  • Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

  • As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect

An adult at risk of abuse may:

  • Have an illness affecting their mental or physical health

  • Have a learning disability

  • Suffer from drug or alcohol problems

  • Be frail

There are a number of ways children may engage with YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY:

  • Shows

  • Attending Meetings

  • Volunteering

  • Attending events

Vulnerable adults may engage with many of the above activities, work for YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY, be donors or supporters, or be involved in other areas of our work (Regional Network, committees, collaborators etc.).

This policy sets out our approach to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, whilst many of the principles are the same; we recognise there are important differences between the two:

  • A child is always covered by safeguarding whereas whether an adult is at risk or not is something which changes with their circumstances.

  • When safeguarding adults, you must understand that everyone has the right to make decisions for themselves. Otherwise you can accidentally cause a different kind of harm by removing a person’s freedom of choice.

  • It is important to consider the individual adults needs in every situation. Whilst safety is the primary concern for children it is still important to listen to their views.

We recognise:

  • We have a duty to promote the welfare of children with whom we work and to keep them safe

  • All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have an equal right to protection from harm or abuse

  • Some children are particularly vulnerable because of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

  • Working in partnership with children, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting welfare.

We will seek to keep children safe by:

  • Valuing them, listening to and respecting them

  • Safely providing support and guidance to any volunteers that we are directing to engage with children

  • Not allowing any person to undertake regulated activity if they are barred from doing so

  • Appointing and training at least one designated safeguarding officers

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

  • Sharing concerns with agencies that need to know, involving parents and children.

  • Keeping our policy and procedures under review.

Volunteers, participants, working with children must:

  • Observe this policy, and any specific YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY guidelines for the relevant activity (see further guidance below)

  • Ensure that any contact with children is appropriate for the activity

  • Ensure that there is more than one adult present (within sight or hearing) during activities with children

  • Listen to and respect children, treating them fairly and avoiding favouritism

  • Use language that is appropriate for children and not offensive or discriminatory

  • Respect children’s right to personal privacy

  • Report all concerns or allegations of abuse to the YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY’s Safeguarding Lead Vicly Donovan

Volunteers, employees, participants, donors and trustees working with children must not:             

  • Work regularly with children (defined as once a week or more, or on 4 or more days in 30, or overnight) without completing the vetting procedures required by law in the country of work – any queries or undertaking vetting procedures Work with children if they are barred from doing so

  • Develop inappropriate relationships with children or vulnerable adults

  • Allow concerns or allegations of abuse to go unreported

  • Make promises to children or vulnerable adults not to report disclosures of abuse

Parental consent for volunteers under 18 years of age

All volunteers must inform the YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY if they are less than 18 years of age. Parents or guardians of the under-18 will be asked to sign a consent form.

 

Reporting

If you have a safeguarding concern, make a written note of it.

Any breaches of this policy must be reported to the YORK AND DISTRICT BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY Safeguarding Lead, Vicky Fretwell (),

Serious breaches may also result in a referral to a statutory agency including DBS, the police, the local authority social care department and the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Monitoring our approach to safeguarding

This policy is reviewed regularly by our Safeguarding Leads.  Our Safeguarding Policy may also be reviewed in the following circumstances:

  • Changes in legislation and/or government guidance in England & Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

  • As required by the Disclosure & Barring Service, Disclosure Scotland and Access NI or other appropriate regulatory bodies

  • As a result of any other significant change or event

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up having regard to:

  • Children Act 1989

  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991

  • General Data Protection Regulations

  • Sexual Offences Act 2003

  • Children Act 2004

  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

  • Charity Commission guidance

 

 

NSPCC Helpline

0808 800 5000

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

What is Safeguarding F A Q ?

 

Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 under the Children Act 1989, which also states that children’s welfare is paramount.

 

What’s the difference between Safeguarding and Child Protection?

The term Child Protection is normally used to describe the process of protecting an individual child identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect.

 

What has safeguarding got to do with me?

Government guidance makes it clear that ‘Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’.

All children, irrespective of sex, age, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual identity or social status, have a right to be treated with respect and protected from physical, sexual or emotional harm or neglect.

Anyone who has a negative experience of hobby at a young age is less likely to become a regular long-term participant. It’s important for the future of your club and the hobby as a whole that children and young people have an enjoyable experience, all club members have a part to play in making that happen.

 

Isn’t it the responsibility of parents and the people who run the club’s?

Of course parents are responsible for their children’s welfare and conduct. Those with specific roles that involve, mentoring or supervising children should be suitable people who have received appropriate training. But all adults should contribute to the club’s overall duty of care, be aware of their club’s safeguarding policy, and know what to do if they are concerned about a young person.

 

What do I need to do?

The main thing is to treat children and young people with respect – as you would expect them to behave towards you. Follow your club’s code of conduct. On the water, race in accordance with the RYA Racing Charter which encourages fair, enjoyable and safe racing for all, in compliance with the rules, and states that ‘foul or abusive language, intimidation, aggressive behaviour or lack of respect for others and their property will not be tolerated’.

For your own protection, avoid putting yourself in a situation that could be misinterpreted:

 Don’t give a child a lift in your car, unless it’s with their parents’ full knowledge and consent.

 Think very carefully before contacting a young person via mobile phone, e-mail or social media. In general stick to group communications. If it’s essential to send an individual message, where possible copy the communication to a parent and only communicate about organisational matters.

 

Will I have to have a criminal record check?

You should not be asked to apply for a criminal record check unless you are involved in running activities specifically for children and young people on a regular basis. If you only do occasional safety boat duty, or provide cover for general club racing, it is unlikely that you would be eligible for a check.

What should I do if I’m concerned about a child or young person?

A concern may involve the behaviour of an adult towards a child at the club, or something that has happened to the child outside the club. Children may confide in adults they trust, in a place where they feel comfortable. An allegation may range from verbal bullying, to inappropriate contact online, to neglect or emotional abuse, to physical or sexual abuse.

If you are concerned about a child, it is not your responsibility to investigate further, but it is your responsibility to act on your concerns and report them.

Listen to and make a record of anything the child tells you or that you have observed. Don’t ask questions, but make it clear that you will need to tell someone else in order to help them. Pass the information to your club’s Welfare/ Safeguarding/Child Protection Officer who will follow your club’s procedures. Their details should be available on the club notice board or website. If you’re not sure who it is, or they are not available, you can call one of the numbers below for advice. If you believe the child is at immediate risk of harm, call the Police.

Useful contact numbers

NSPCC 24-hour helpline

Tel: 0808 800 5000 E-mail: help@nspcc.org.uk

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