Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk from abuse or neglect.
This policy defines how Strouden Park Community Association (hereafter known as SPCA) operates to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
We have a duty of care and are committed to the protection and safety of everyone who enters our premises, including children, young people, and adults at risk who are involved as visitors and/or participants in all activities and events. We also have a duty to safeguard and support our trustees, volunteers, and staff.
A child/young person is defined as anyone under 18. This policy will apply to all staff, contractors and volunteers and will be used to support their work.
Adult at risk of abuse or neglect
For the purposes of this policy, adult at risk refers to someone over 18 years old who, according to paragraph 14.2 of the Care Act 2015:
If someone has care and support needs but is not currently receiving care or support from a health or care service, they may still be an adult at risk.
There are various forms of harm that physical and behavioural indicators can evidence:
Further information is available from Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership or Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board and www.scie.org.uk/safeguarding/adults/introduction/types-and-indicators-of-abuse
There can be no excuse for not taking all reasonable action to protect adults at risk of abuse, exploitation, radicalisation, and mistreatment. All United Kingdom citizens have rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. People eligible for health and community care services may be vulnerable to violating these rights because of disability, impairment, age, or illness.
SPCA has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
SPCA recognises its responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 to care for and protect adults at risk of abuse and its duties under the Children Acts 1989 and 2004 for the safety and care of children.
SPCA is committed to promoting well-being, harm prevention, and effective response if concerns are raised.
SPCA is aware of the work of their local safeguarding board/partnership and other support organisations in developing and implementing procedures for protecting vulnerable adults from abuse. The policy is about stopping abuse where it is happening and preventing abuse where there is a risk that it may occur.
SPCA’s Trustees are committed to the following principles:
a. All board members will have signed the “Trustee Statement of Eligibility form* for trustees, including a declaration that they have no convictions concerning abuse.
b. All members of the board, staff and volunteers will familiarise themselves with safeguarding responsibilities, undertake training on safeguarding issues, including whistleblowing, where it is available and offered by their local safeguarding board/partnership or other local support organisation and ensure that they understand the principles set out in this policy at 4 above.
c. All board members, staff and volunteers will work together to promote a culture that enables issues about safeguarding and promoting welfare to be addressed.
d. SPCA board members, staff, or volunteers will only be alone with a child or adult at risk if alerting others to the reason.
e. The Trustees will ensure they practice safe recruitment by checking the suitability of appropriate staff and volunteers who will have contact with children, young people and adults at risk. Including:
f. A board member will be appointed responsible for safeguarding matters for at-risk children and adults. This person will report concerns that arise as a matter of urgency to the relevant safeguarding agency.
g. All suspicions or allegations of abuse against a child or adult at risk will be taken seriously and dealt with speedily and appropriately. The appointed person will know whom to contact and where to go for support and advice concerning an allegation, a concern about the quality of care or practice or a complaint. An allegation may relate to a person who works with children or adults at risk who has:
The Trustees and Centre Manager will ensure all Centre hires have signed a hiring agreement.
This will require all hirers who wish to use the Centre for activities which include children and adults at risk, other than for hire for private parties arranged for invited friends and family, to:
An annual safeguarding risk assessment of all the Centre’s activities will be completed.
The Trustees and Centre Manager will carry out an annual review of this policy.
SPCA is dedicated to the highest standards of operation, probity, and accountability. In line with this commitment, employees, volunteers, and others with serious concerns about any aspect of the Centre’s work are encouraged to come forward and voice those concerns.
In the first instance, if you have safeguarding concerns or want to complain about a lack of action on a safeguarding matter, speak to the Safeguarding Lead or the Chair of Trustees. However, if you have continuing concerns, e.g., your concerns are not acted on, you are encouraged to contact the appropriate authorities (the local safeguarding boards and/or Police). Advice is available from Protect
– free, confidential advice for people who witnessed wrongdoing in their workplace but are not sure how to raise their concerns (https://protect-advice.org.uk 020 3117 2520) and NSPCC National Whistleblowing Advice Line on 0800 028 0285.
SPCA’s Trustee with safeguarding responsibilities: Rebecca Godber – Trustee
For concerns about an immediate risk or harm to a child/young person or adult at risk, ring the Police on 999.
If the child or adult lives in BCP,
If you suspect a child/young person is being abused or neglected, contact the BCP First Response Hub to request support or report a concern about a child or young person.
Call 01202 123334 from 8.30 am to 5.15 pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30 am to 4.45 pm on Friday.
Or e-mail childrensfirstresponse@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Out Of Hours – 5 pm to 9 am from Monday to Friday, all day Saturdays and Sundays and all bank holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: 01202 738256 ChildrensOOHS@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
If you suspect an adult is being abused or neglected, contact the BCP Council. E-mail: asc.contactcentre@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
For Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: Telephone 01202 123654
Or Dorset Police: Tel 101
Out of Hours Service: Tel. 0300 1239895 Evenings and weekends, including Bank Holidays
If the child or adult lives in the Dorset Council area,
If you suspect a child/young person is being abused or neglected, contact Children’s Advice and Duty Service: Professional’s Telephone Number: 01305 228558. Daytime service is available Monday to Friday between 8 am and 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 10 pm and On-Call Out of Hours Service 24/7. This is a professionals-only number to discuss your concerns; you will no longer complete a referral form. Families and Members of the Public Number: 01305 228866
If you suspect that an adult is being abused or neglected, then contact Dorset Council
Date Adopted:
22nd July 2024
Signed by the Chair on behalf of the Trustees.
Brenda Moore