Policies

Cherry Willingham Parish Council (CWPC)

Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement

In the interests of child protection and the welfare and protection of vulnerable adults,

CWPC is committed to ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected and

kept safe from harm whilst they are engaged in any activity associated with the Council

within the parish

.

Policy Objective:

• To ensure that where possible all facilities and activities offered by the Council are

designed and maintained to limit risk to children and vulnerable adults.

• To promote the general welfare, health, and development of children by being aware

of child protection issues and to be able to respond where appropriate as a local

government organisation.

• To develop procedures in recording and responding to accidents and complaints and

to alleged or suspected incidents of abuse and neglect.

• As the Council does not directly provide care or supervision services to children and

vulnerable adults, it expects all children and vulnerable adults using its facilities to do so

with the consent and the necessary supervision of a parent, carer or other responsible

adult.

Aims

The aim of this policy document is to guide members of CWPC should any child protection issue or any issues with vulnerable adults arise during their work.

Responsibilities & Procedures

CWPC will do a risk assessment for all events before any Council organised event with children or vulnerable persons present. Ensure that Members are aware of the risk they may face in certain

circumstances whilst carrying out their duties. Ensure that whilst Council members are unlikely to be involved with children during the performance of their duties, they are mindful of the risk(s) they face.

• For the Safeguarding of office staff a camera is in use recording activity for a 2 week period.
• Ensure that before any members of staff are recruited, they are interviewed, and two written references taken up.
• Decisions on whether any person should be DBS* checks will be made by the Council or the Chairman after consultation with the Clerk following the completion of a risk assessment.
• All new Councillors are to be provided with a copy of the Safeguarding Policy and are required to acknowledge (by signature) they will abide by it.
• Councillors will adhere to the ‘List of Recommended Behaviour’ namely:
• A minimum of two adults present when children are present.
• Not to play physical contact games with children.
• Adults always wear appropriate clothing.
• Ensure that accidents are recorded in an accident book.
• Never do anything of a personal nature for children or a vulnerable person.
• Keep records in an incident book of any allegations a person may make to any

committee member or volunteer.

• If an incident occurs, this should be discussed during closed session of a Full

Council meeting

• If there is a child abuse incident, it must be reported to the Children customer

service centre, on 01522 782111.

• Facilities offered by the Council will be inspected on a regular basis and at least

annually by a representative of RoSPA or a similar organisation.

• Sharing information about child protection and good practice with partner organisations, councillors, employees, volunteers, parents, and carers.

Declaration

CWPC is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of children and vulnerable adults by protecting them from physical, sexual, emotional harm and neglect. All members of CWPC should read the Safeguarding Policy. Having read the Policy, they should be proactive in providing a safe environment for children and vulnerable people who are involved in Parish Council activities.

*The Criminal Records Bureau CRB) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority

(ISA) merged to become the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

CRB checks are now called DBS checks

Risk Assessment Form

Section 1 - Identify hazards - consider all the activities within the social event and tick the boxes of significant hazards that apply

Section 2 – Who may be at risk – tick the boxes of all relevant persons at risk

Section 3 – Risk controls– For each hazard identified in Section 1 and for the persons identified in Section 2, complete this section

NB: Unless indicated otherwise primary responsibility for risk management rests with Andrew Burge and Maureen Palmer on behalf of the Parish Council