Facebook

Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose

Tittensor Village Hall is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk from abuse or neglect.

This policy defines how Tittensor Village Hall operates to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk of abuse or neglect. We recognise our 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, whether as visitors or participants in all activities and events held at the hall.

We also have a responsibility to safeguard and support our trustees, volunteers, and staff.

 

2. Definitions

Children and Young People

Children and young people are defined as persons aged under 18 years.

This policy applies to all trustees, staff, contractors, and volunteers and is intended to support them in their work.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

  • Protecting children from maltreatment
  • Preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  • Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
  • Taking action to enable all children to have the best possible outcomes


Adults at Risk of Abuse or Neglect

For the purposes of this policy, an adult at risk is a person aged 18 or over who, in line with Section 42 of the Care Act 2014:

  • Has care and support needs
  • Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
  • Is unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to their care and support needs

An individual may be considered an adult at risk even if they are not currently receiving care or support services.

Persons Affected by This Policy
This policy applies to:

  • All trustees, volunteers, and staff
  • All individuals attending activities or services delivered from Tittensor Village Hall
  • All visitors and contractors

3. Policy Principles

There can be no excuse for failing to take all reasonable action to protect children and adults at risk from abuse or neglect.

All citizens of the United Kingdom have rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. People who are eligible to receive health and community care services may be additionally vulnerable to violations of these rights due to disability, impairment, age, or illness.

Tittensor Village Hall operates a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.

The Village Hall recognises its duties under:

  • The Care Act 2014 in relation to adults at risk
  • The Children Act 1989 and 2004 in relation to the safeguarding and welfare of children

Tittensor Village Hall is committed to:

  • Promoting wellbeing
  • Preventing harm
  • Responding effectively and promptly to safeguarding concerns

The Village Hall is aware of, and works in line with, its local Safeguarding Board/Partnership and relevant support organisations in the development and implementation of safeguarding procedures.

This policy aims both to stop abuse where it is occurring and to prevent abuse where there is a risk it may occur.

The Tittensor Village Hall Management Committee is committed to the following principles:

  • The welfare of the child, young person, or adult at risk is paramount
  • All children, young people, and adults at risk have the right to protection from abuse
  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse must be reported appropriately and dealt with swiftly

4. Procedures

4.1 All committee members will sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office for trustees, including a declaration that they have no convictions relating to abuse (Appendix A).

4.2 All committee members will familiarise themselves with safeguarding responsibilities and will undertake safeguarding training, including whistleblowing where available, provided by the local Safeguarding Board/Partnership or other recognised organisations.

4.3 Committee members will work together to promote a culture where safeguarding and welfare concerns can be raised and addressed appropriately.

4.4 Committee members, helpers, or volunteers will not have unsupervised access to children or adults at risk unless they have been appropriately vetted.

4.5 The Hall Committee will follow safe recruitment practices.

4.6 A member of the committee will be appointed as the lead for safeguarding children and adults at risk. This person will be responsible for reporting safeguarding concerns urgently to the appropriate safeguarding agencies.

4.7 The named safeguarding lead is Katie Kenyon, who will hold this role until the committee formally appoints a successor.

4.8 All suspicions or allegations of abuse concerning a child or adult at risk will be taken seriously and responded to promptly and appropriately.

The appointed safeguarding lead will be aware of:

  • Who to contact
  • Where to seek advice and support
  • How to respond to allegations or concerns


An allegation may relate to a person who:

  • Has behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child or adult at risk
  • Has possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child or adult at risk
  • Has behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm


4.9 The Hall Committee will ensure that all hirers sign a Hall Hiring Agreement.

Hirers who use the hall for activities involving children or adults at risk (excluding private parties for invited friends and family) must:

  • Provide a copy of their own safeguarding policy and evidence of appropriate DBS checks, if requested, or
  • Confirm in writing that they understand and will adhere to the safeguarding principles and procedures of Tittensor Village Hall

5. Review

The Tittensor Village Hall Management Committee will review this safeguarding policy annually.

Adopted by: Tittensor Village Hall Management Committee
Date: 16/02/2026
Review date: 16/02/2027