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EPWORTH IMPERIAL HALL

Registered charity

Safeguarding Policy

 

Revised   24th May 2023

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Purpose

The purpose of this safeguarding policy is to ensure that procedures are in place and that people are clear about roles and responsibilities for children and vulnerable adults using our premises.

This policy addresses the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is intended to be a dynamic policy which supports a safe, supportive and caring community for children, young people, vulnerable adults, for survivors of abuse, for communities and for those affected by abuse.

 

Aims

The trustees of the Imperial Hall believe each person has dignity and value and that they, as trustees, have a duty to protect them from harm. The trustees are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all children, young people and vulnerable adults and recognise not only that the welfare of children is their paramount concern but also the welfare of adults when they are vulnerable.

The trustees also acknowledge that particular care must be taken, without exception, in relation to those whose vulnerability is increased by situations, gender, sexuality, disabilities, ethnicities, and beliefs or by reduction in capacities. It is recognised that this increased vulnerability may be temporary or permanent and may be visible or invisible.

 

The trustees recognise the serious issue of the abuse of children and vulnerable adults and are aware that this may take the form of physical, emotional, sexual, (and in the case of adults,) financial abuse, and also neglect.

The trustees acknowledge the effects these issues may have on people and their development and accept their responsibility for ensuring that all people feel safe and that their dignity and right to be heard is maintained.

They also accept their responsibility to support, listen to and where possible, help survivors, offenders, communities and those who care about them and take very seriously issues relating to the promotion of welfare so that all individuals have opportunities to reach their full potential.

 

The trustees are committed to respond without delay to any allegation or cause for concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed, or may be at risk of harm, whether on the premises or not. They are also committed to challenge the abuse of power of anyone in a position of trust. The Trustees are committed to ensuring the implementation of this Safeguarding Policy, government legislation, guidance and safe practice

The trustees will ensure the provision of support, advice and training as appropriate which will, in turn, ensure that people are clear and confident about their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults. This policy also affirms the responsibility of the trustees for those who are workers with children and vulnerable adults and acknowledges the shared responsibility of all of us for safeguarding vulnerable adults and children who are on our premises.

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Limitations

The Trustees of Epworth Imperial Hall intend to create an environment in which children and vulnerable adults are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse is promptly and appropriately responded to.

The Trustees will comply with this policy where it is applicable, and will require every hirer whose hire involves activities  

With children and/or vulnerable groups to have an appropriate protection policy which complies with current

Legislation, or to be aware of and agree to comply with, this policy and the procedures set out the Child

   Protection and Vulnerable adults Policy and Procedures at Appendix 1.

Note: The above is also applicable to any Trustee that is involved with assisting or running a session that includes children or vulnerable adults.

    Staff employed by the trustees and volunteers shall also comply with this policy.

    In order to achieve a child safe environment and one in which vulnerable adults are suitably safeguarded the   

Trustees will adhere to this policy and respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse by: -

1. Ensuring all relevant individuals have a current Disclosure and Barring Service check where appropriate.

2.  Excluding any and all known abusers.

3. Identifying and Supplying Training as appropriate.

4. Preventing abuse by means of good practice.

5. Keeping Records.

6. Supporting families.

7. Liaising with hirers and relevant outside agencies as appropriate.

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Appendix 1

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

The Halls’ policy and procedures provide guidance on what to do in different circumstances and clarify roles and responsibilities for safeguarding at Epworth Imperial Hall. The procedures which relate to child protection are linked with the Local Safeguarding boards’ procedures and the systems for recording information and dealing with complaints set out in the procedures are intended to ensure implementation and compliance.

 

Definition of Child Abuse

Every child has the right to grow up and develop to their full potential in a secure, safe, family environment, free from poverty and exploitation. All children have the right to protection from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s), or any other person who has care of the child.

Further information can be found in “Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013”.

 

 

Definition of Abuse – Vulnerable Adults

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. Abuse 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 a financial or sexual transaction to which he is 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 subjected to it.

Some types of abuse will constitute a criminal offence, in which case adults who are vulnerable or lack capacity are entitled to the protection of the law in the same way as any other member of the public. Whenever a criminal offence is suspected it may be necessary to make an urgent referral for the public safety of the vulnerable person and/or to protect or preserve evidence.

 

Different forms of abuse, (which may be isolated incidents or on-going) may be perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance, and can include, but are not limited to the following:

 

•  Physical Abuse

 

Includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, and misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.

 

•  Sexual Abuse

 

Includes rape and sexual assault or sexual acts involving children below the legal age of consent or to which a vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.

 

•  Psychological/Emotional Abuse

 

Includes emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supporting networks.

 

 

•  Neglect and Acts of Omission

 

Includes ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating. Research has shown that neglect is the most prevalent form of abuse of the elderly in the UK, with financial abuse coming a close second.

 

•  Discriminatory Abuse

 

Includes ageist, racist, sexist that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

 

•  Financial or Material Abuse

 

Financial abuse can range from inadvertent mismanagement and opportunistic exploitation to deliberate and targeted abuse, often accompanied by threats and intimidation.

It can include theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, overcharging or carrying out unnecessary work, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits

Abuse can take many forms. It does not have to fit comfortably into any of the above. Abuse can be perpetuated by one vulnerable adult towards another. This is still abuse and should be dealt with accordingly. A vulnerable adult may also be neglecting him/herself, which could also be regarded as abuse. For advice, volunteer’s staff and hirers should consult the Halls safeguarding officer.

 

The Officer currently responsible for safeguarding is Albert Savory 07756940834

 

In order to ensure that the welfare of children and where applicable, vulnerable adults, is suitably safeguarded, the trustees of the Imperial Hall will:

 

1. Ensure all relevant people have a current Disclosure and Barring

    Service check where it is appropriate

 

The Trustees require anyone who has unaccompanied contact with children or with vulnerable adults engaged in a regulated activity at the Hall to hold a current DBS check. Regulated activities include-:

a) Provision of health care treatment by a health care professional in any setting or a person acting under their

     direction or supervision in a health care setting.  This may include first aid.

b)  Provision of relevant personal care in any setting to a person who needs the care because of age illness or

     disability. This may include eating, drinking, toileting, washing, and dressing together with prompting and

     supervision.

c)  Provision of social work by a social worker to a client or potential client.

d) Provision of assistance with paying bills, shopping, or managing cash to a person who requires it because of age,

     illness, or disability.

e)  Provision of assistance to an individual where there are powers granted under a welfare and/or financial lasting

     power of attorney and these powers are misused.

f)  Transportation where this has been provided because of age health or disability

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2. Exclude all known abusers

Any positions within the Trustees that could involve unaccompanied contact with children, will not be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

All applicants for work for either the trustees or a hirer putting on a children’s activity, whether voluntary or paid, should be interviewed before an appointment is confirmed and asked to provide at least one reference. References should be followed up and applicants with unexplained gaps in their employment history, or who have moved rapidly from one job to another, must provide satisfactory explanations.

All appointments made by the trustees, either paid or voluntary, shall be subject to a probationary period and if the post is likely to involve contact with children and vulnerable adults the post will not be confirmed unless the Trustees are confident that the applicant can be safely entrusted with vulnerable individuals.

 

3. Identify and supply training

The trustees/hirer shall seek out training opportunities for any adults, for whom they are responsible and who are involved with activities with children or vulnerable adults to ensure that they recognize the symptoms of possible physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual abuse, and in the case of vulnerable adults, financial abuse and of their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding.

 

 

4. Prevent abuse by means of good practice

Anyone who does not hold a current DBS check shall not be left with EITHER children OR vulnerable adults, unaccompanied at any time.

The supervision does not need to be constant, however it should be enough to ensure that there is reasonable assurance for the protection of the child/vulnerable adult taking into account the numbers, other adults’ presence, nature of the work, the degree of vulnerability, and also the checks carried out on the supervised person and the number of people being supervised. 

Current guidance defines supervised activity is that which is undertaken when the supervised worker’s actions can always been seen by the supervisor. The guidance is that if there is doubt, the activity should be treated as unsupervised.

In the case of volunteers, occasional, or paid workers, they shall not be left with children, individually or in small groups, unaccompanied. They will not take a child aside, or take children to the toilet, unaccompanied. Children will be encouraged to develop a sense of autonomy and independence through adult support in making choices and expressing feelings. This will empower children to have the self-confidence and the vocabulary to resist inappropriate approaches. Volunteers should be encouraged to demonstrate exemplary behavior in order to protect themselves from allegations of abuse.

It is recognised that any employee who may be called upon at any time to conduct a regulated activity would require a DBS check even if their current role does not require this. The manager or person responsible for regulated activity is also deemed to be carrying out regulated activity, but although not a charity trustee (but NB provisions under the Charities Act 2011 for Charity trustees).

Stated below are examples of the standards of behavior required of staff and volunteers at the Imperial hall to ensure that a positive culture and climate is created during all activities involving contact with children and vulnerable adults using the Hall:

• To always work in an open environment (e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and encouraging an open 

   environment i.e. no secrets)

• To treat all children and adults equally and with respect and dignity

• To maintain a safe and appropriate distance from vulnerable adults and children

• To build balanced relationships based on mutual trust which empowers both children and where appropriate

   vulnerable adults, to share in the decisions- making process

• To involve group leaders, parents/carers and other key influences wherever possible;

• To be an excellent role model- this includes not smoking or drinking alcohol in the company of children or using

   Inappropriate language;

• To give enthusiastic and constructive feedback rather than negative criticism;

• To secure parental consent in writing to act in loco parentis, if the need arises to give permission for the

   administrations of emergency first aid and/or other medical treatment for children;

• To obtain written parental consent if staff members are required to transport children in their cars

• To obtain consent prior to any photographs, videoing or audio recording of children.

 

The following should never be sanctioned:

• Spending excessive amounts of time alone with children or vulnerable adults away from others

• Taking children to your home where they will be alone with you

• Allowing children to travel on their own with you in a vehicle

• Engaging in rough, physical or sexually provocative games, including horseplay

• Entering a toilet with children unless another adult is present or gives permission (this may include parent,

   teacher or group leader)

• Allowing or engaging in any form of inappropriate contact

• Allowing or encouraging abusive peer activities (e.g. any game/activity where an individual may be held up to

   ridicule)

• Allowing children to use inappropriate language unchallenged

• Making sexually suggestive comments to, or within the hearing of a child, even in fun

• Reducing a child to tears as a form of control

• Allowing allegations made by a child or vulnerable adult to go unchallenged unrecorded or not acted upon

• Doing things of a personal nature for children or disabled adults that they can do for themselves

• Giving out a personal Mobile number to a Child

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5 Respond appropriately to suspicions of abuse

The trustees /hirers first concern shall be for any children or vulnerable adults using the Hall. Changes in behavior or appearance shall be investigated. Depending on the circumstances parents/carers as appropriate shall normally be the first point of reference, though suspicions will also be referred as appropriate to the designated safeguarding officer, who will also act as a first point of reference in cases relating to vulnerable adults. All such suspicions and investigations will be kept highly confidential, shared only with those who need to know.

The people most commonly involved would be the person reporting the incident and the Safeguarding Officer/ Chair of Trustees, as appropriate.

If an allegation is made against anyone, the designated person will be informed and the individual concerned immediately removed from any environment where children or vulnerable adults are or could be present, whilst investigations are carried out. Confidential records will be kept of the allegation and of all subsequent proceedings.

 

Procedure following a complaint, alleged or suspected incident or disclosure

 

The following guidelines should be used when an allegation is disclosed to a volunteer, employee, group leader, hirer trustee or other person connected with the use of the Hall.

 

1.  Listen and reassure

• Maintain confidentiality but do not make promises you cannot keep. If a child or vulnerable adult makes an

   allegation or disclosure, explain that the information will have to be passed on and what action you will be taking

   in this regard.

• Be calm

• Be reassuring and make it clear that you are glad that they have told you

• Show that you are taking the information seriously and that you believe them

• Keep questions to a minimum; confined to the facts and ensure they are not leading

• Make sure the individual is safe from immediate harm and if appropriate, that the alleged perpetrator is not left

   unsupervised with other vulnerable individuals pending the outcome of further investigation.

 

2.  Contact the Halls safeguarding officer as soon as possible, or if unavailable the chair or vice chair of trustees.

A decision will then be made regarding the necessity to make a referral to social care and or the police as appropriate

 

Important points to remember when dealing with a disclosure:

 

• Try not to display any sign of shock or disapproval when an allegation or disclosure is made.

• Do not jump to conclusions.

• Remember that the victim may not regard the experience as either bad or painful; they may not feel guilty or angry.

 

 

 

6 Keep Records

Whenever worrying changes are observed in an individual’s behavior, physical condition or appearance, they should be reported to the designated officer and a specific and confidential record shall be set up. The record shall include, in addition to the name, address and age of the individual, timed and dated observations, describing objectively their behavior/appearance, without comment or interpretation; where possible, the exact words spoken by the individual; the dated name and signature of the recorder.

Such records will be kept in a separate file and will not be accessible to anybody other than the designated safeguarding officer and others directly involved as appropriate, i.e. the Chair/Deputy Chair of Trustees.

 

Recording information

Information will be stored securely by the designated officer and access to that information will be limited by statute and maintained in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998  (i.e. information retained for this purpose will be accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure)

 

 

7 Liase with hirers and other agencies as appropriate

Designated Safeguarding Officer

The designated officer will handle the child/adult protection issues and oversee the policy’s implementation. The designated officer will always be the initial point of contact for all staff, Hirers and volunteers with concerns or if abuse has been disclosed. Necessary steps can then be taken to ensure the safety of the individual concerned.

Making a Referral to the Local Authority Social Care Team

Parents/carers will normally the first point of contact in situations regarding children and if a suspicion of abuse is recorded, parents will usually be informed at the same time as the report is made except where the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board does not allow this.

This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser. In these cases the investigating officers appointed will be responsible for informing parents. Allegations and disclosures in the case of vulnerable adults will be referred in the first instance to the designated Safeguarding officer who will be responsible for making the appropriate referral and recording the incident.

Records will be kept of hirers as appropriate.

The trustees will advise all hirers who run children’s events or events attended by vulnerable adults (see regulated activity) and are likely to have access to the Hall at the time of their activity ( this will include the caretaker, trustees and other hirers) using other rooms of the hall, of their safeguarding obligations.

The Trustees will make every effort to ensure that the facilities on offer will be suitable for the activity, including limited access doors where appropriate.

 

Children

The trustees will work within the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines, maintaining a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of children’s services, to ensure that contact is easy in any emergency. Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are also kept. If a referral is to be made to the local authority social care department, the trustees will act within the area’s Safeguarding Children and Child Protection guidance in deciding whether the child's parents are to be informed at the same time.

 

 

Adults

The trustees will maintain a list of contacts for use in emergency

Allegations against Trustees Volunteers and Staff in relation to child protection

Trustees will ensure that all hall users know how to complain about the behavior or actions of staff or volunteers, or anyone legitimately on the premises which may include an allegation of abuse.

Trustees will follow the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board when responding to any complaint that a member of staff, volunteer, or anyone on the premises has abused a child. Disclosures, (i.e. any  disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer or anyone on the premises has or is taking place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident. Any such complaint will be referred immediately to the local authority's social care department to Investigate and the hirer or the trustees will fully co-operate with any investigation carried out by children’s social care. Where children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, consideration will be given to suspending paid staff on full pay, or excluding  the volunteer, for the duration of the investigation. This is not an indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff as well as children and families throughout the process.

 

Disciplinary Action

Where a member of staff or a volunteer is dismissed because of misconduct relating to a child, the trustees will notify the relevant authority so that the name may be included on the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Barred List

 

8 Support families

The designated safeguarding officer and the hirer where appropriate, shall take every step in their power to build up a trusting and supportive relationship with families.

 

Where abuse at home is suspected, the trustees will continue to welcome the child/adult and family while investigations proceed, with the proviso that their care and safety of them and others must always be paramount. The trustees will do all in their power to support and work with the family.

 

 

CONTACTS

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North  Lincolnshire  Council  Emergency  Social  Services Team

 

Tel:     01724 296500

 

Freephone : 0800 0853737

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The Officer responsible for safeguarding is:  Trustee  Mrs Chris Cook

 Tel  07542 507276

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Police:  if not immediate concern 111

If serious 999

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N.S.P.C.C:     08088005000

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Childline:  08001111