Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Wellingore Memorial Hall's Safeguarding Policy 

Wellingore Memorial Hall is a charity regulated by the Charity Commission and manages the village hall for the benefit of the local community on a not-for-profit basis.  Wellingore Memorial Hall allows businesses or individuals to hire space at the hall for community and or personal activities or events. 

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This policy provides guidance in relation to Vulnerable Persons who enter and use the Premises.  It recognises the responsibilities of Wellingore Memorial Hall in relation to Vulnerable Persons as set out in the Care Act 2014 and Charity Commission guidance.  Wellingore Memorial Hall recognises that all persons without exception have the right to protection from Abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.  This policy covers the trustees, committee members and volunteers of Wellingore Memorial Hall and anyone working on behalf of the hall. 

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Definitions

“Abuse” means a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to a person, including physical, emotional and sexual harm.

“Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)” means a committee member or trustee of Wellingore Memorial Hall, whose details are set out at the end of this policy The DSO will have a current basic DBS check.

“Safeguarding” means those duties which Wellingore Memorial Hall may have to a Vulnerable Person whilst in the premises and who has need for care and support and as a result is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of Abuse or neglect, or is experiencing, or at risk of Abuse or neglect.

“Vulnerable Persons” means those persons who due to age, health, disability, low income, or due to other factors, such as Abuse, are unable to safeguard their welfare.

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Our responsibilities and obligations

Wellingore Memorial Hall is committed to protecting those Vulnerable Persons who, whilst using the premises, experience or suffer abuse.

• Wellingore Memorial Hall will report identified or suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities.

• Wellingore Memorial Hall will maintain appropriate confidentiality.

• The DSO will be responsible for ensuring that he/she/they is familiar with current Safeguarding issues and procedures and the relevant legislation and will advise and support the Hall in relation to safeguarding issues from time to time.

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Procedure for reporting a concern or an incident

Any person wishing to report a concern or an incident which relates to Safeguarding should as soon as practicable contact the DSO.

The DSO will accumulate as much information as possible relating to the concern or incident and will ensure that Safeguarding measures have already been or are being put in place.

If there is no immediate risk of harm to the Vulnerable Person, or others, the person who has identified the issue must discuss the concerns or disclosure with the DSO at the earliest opportunity.

In cases where a criminal offence is suspected or there is an immediate risk of harm to the Vulnerable Person, or others, immediate measures must be taken. 

The DSO will:

• call Social Care Services, or the Police and where there is an injury, the Ambulance Services;

• preserve the evidence;

• do all he/she/they can to keep the Vulnerable Person safe;

• keep a record of what has happened.

Informed consent should be obtained from the Vulnerable Person (if an adult) by the DSO.  If consent is not obtained and a referral to Social Care Services is made because:

(a) the Vulnerable Person or others are in physical danger or at serious risk of injury or;

(b) it is the opinion of the DSO, after assessing the mental capacity of the Vulnerable Person,  (if an adult) that he/she/they is unable to make or incapable of making an informed decision themselves,

then the Vulnerable Person (if an adult) should be informed that a referral has been made. 

If there is uncertainty, Social Care Services should be consulted. 

If a Vulnerable Person does not wish a referral to be made, then their wishes should be honoured unless (a) or (b) above apply. 

If no referral is made then all other courses of action should be considered including support from other agencies. Records must be kept of all decisions, including a decision to take no action.

A referral to Social Services should include: personal details of the Vulnerable Person, the DSO’s job title and involvement, substance of the allegation, details of care/support givers, details of alleged abuser and current whereabouts (if known), specific details of any incidents at the Premises, background of any previous concerns (if known).

Our DSO details:

Name: Linda Wilson

Telephone: 07970 784459

Email: CLICK HERE

Should the DSO not be immediately available, the person wishing to report a concern or incident is invited to contact any of the committee members of Wellingore Memorial Hall.