INTRODUCTION
This policy confirms how Charlton Marshall Village Hall management committee manages safeguarding and the protection of all users of the Village Hall, including children and young adults and adults at risk.
- DUTY OF CARE
All management committee members, trustees, volunteers, user group leaders and business and private event organisers, together with employees and contractors, of the Village Hall have a duty to safeguard all those attending an event or activity, regardless of religion, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age, disability or faith.
2. SAFETY OF USERS
(a) Bullying, shouting, physical violence, sexism and racism towards any person attending an event or activity will not be accepted or tolerated.
(b) The physical safety of all users of the Village Hall is of paramount importance and maintenance and repair issues will be dealt with as quickly as possible.
(c) All hirers need to be aware that the safeguarding of all those attending an event/activity is the responsibility of the hirer.
(d) No member of the management committee, trustees, volunteers or staff of Charlton Marshall Village Hall will have unsupervised access to children or adults at risk unless they have been through specific training and are in possession of appropriate clearance such as DBS.
(e) Contractors carrying out work at the Village Hall must not be allowed unsuper-vised access to children or adults at risk.
(f) Hirers need to be aware that facilities such as toilets might be shared with other groups and users and therefore appropriate supervision/arrangements should be made.
3. REPORTING CONCERNS OR INCIDENTS
(a) The Accident Book is kept in the kitchen and must be used to record any accident or incident which occurs in the Village Hall, including damage to Village Hall property. After completion of the Accident Book, the accident or incident must be reported to the Bookings Secretary or a management committee member as soon as possible.
(b) All hirers will report any damages, breakages or safety issues to the Bookings Secretary as soon as possible. Any safety issues will be rectified as soon as practicable with the provision to prevent access as appropriate whilst repairs etc are being completed.
(c) Should a member of the management committee, a trustee, volunteer or member of staff believe a person attending an event is in immediate danger of risk or abuse, that person should immediately telephone the police on 999.
4. CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Charlton Marshall Village Hall believes a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind and must be kept safe at all times.
(a) Organisers of events/activities specifically for children and young people must be aware that the safeguarding of those attending the event/activity is the responsibility of the hirer.
(b) Organisers of events/activities specifically for children and young people must be in compliance with the necessary Children’s Acts and group leaders/helpers be in possession of the appropriate clearance such as DBS and compliant with the group’s own safeguarding policy.
(c) On submission of a booking form, a copy of the hirer’s policy on safeguarding children must be forwarded to the Bookings Secretary.
(d) The Charlton Marshall Village Hall management committee reserves the right to refuse to hire said facilities to any organisation involving children and young people unless they have the correct safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
(e) All hirers will be made aware of their obligations under the Licencing Act 2003 to ensure that alcohol is not sold to those under the age of 18.
(f) No children under the age of 18 will be admitted to film nights or entertainment where they are below the age classification for the film or entertainment.
(g) No gambling or entertainment of an adult or sexual nature will be permitted on the premises.
5. ADULTS AT RISK
Charlton Marshall Village Hall believes that an adult who has care and support needs, or is at risk of abuse or neglect or is unable to protect him/herself from the risk of or the experience of abuse or neglect, has the right to feel safe from harm whilst using the facilities of the Village Hall.
(a) Organisers of events/activities specifically for adults at risk must be aware that the safeguarding of those attending the event/activity is the responsibility of said organiser/hirer.
(b) Organisers of events/activities specifically for adults at risk must be compliant with guidelines issued by the relevant government department and the group’s own safeguarding policy.
(c) On submission of a booking form, a copy of the group’s policy on safeguarding adults at risk must be forwarded to the Bookings Secretary.
(d) The Charlton Marshall Village Hall management committee reserves the right to refuse to hire said facilities to any organisation involving adults at risk unless they have the correct safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
6. WITHDRAWAL OF HIRE AGREEMENT
If evidence is presented to the management committee at any time that these policies and procedures are not being adhered to, the management committee will temporarily withdraw the hire agreement, refer the matter to the correct authorities as appropriate and will only re-instate the hire agreement when it receives clearance from the said authorities.
Issued: August 2019
Updated: January 2021