Safeguarding Policy

Friends of Belle Vue Park, Penarth (Charity Number: 1109145)

1. Introduction and Commitment

Friends of Belle Vue Park is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people (under 18), and vulnerable adults who participate in or are affected by our events and activities. As a volunteer-led group organizing community events in a public space, we recognize that children often attend with their families or guardians. While our volunteers do not provide direct supervision or care for children, we aim to promote a safe, inclusive environment where risks are minimized, and any concerns are addressed promptly.

This policy applies to all volunteers, trustees, and anyone acting on behalf of the group. We will:

• Promote good practice to prevent harm.
• Respond appropriately to any allegations or suspicions of abuse.
• Work in partnership with parents, guardians, local authorities, and relevant organizations.

2. Definitions

• Child: Anyone under the age of 18.
• Vulnerable Adult: An adult (18+) who may be at risk due to disability, illness, age, or other factors.
• Safeguarding: Protecting individuals from abuse, neglect, or harm, including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse, discrimination, or exploitation.
• Volunteer Role: In our context, this involves event setup, facilitation, and public interaction, but not one-on-one supervision of children.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

• Safeguarding Lead: Michael Hodgkinson (Chair) will oversee this policy, handle concerns, and ensure annual reviews. Contact: chair@friendsofbellevue.org.uk
• All Volunteers: Must familiarize themselves with this policy, report concerns immediately, and adhere to the code of conduct.
• Trustees: Ensure the policy is implemented, provide training, and review incidents.

4. Code of Conduct for Volunteers

Volunteers must:

• Treat all participants with respect and dignity, avoiding favoritism or discrimination.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries: Do not engage in physical contact unless in an emergency (e.g., first aid), and always in the presence of others.
• Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable adult; events are public and family-oriented.
• Use appropriate language and behavior; no suggestive, derogatory, or harmful comments.
• Not take or share photos/videos of children without explicit parental/guardian consent, and only for promotional purposes with group approval.
• Report any concerns about a child's welfare (e.g., signs of distress, unsupervised children in unsafe situations) immediately to the Safeguarding Lead or authorities if urgent.
• Disclose any personal circumstances that might affect suitability (e.g., ongoing investigations).

Volunteers must not:

• Supervise or take responsibility for children unattended by guardians.
• Share personal contact details with children or vulnerable adults.
• Consume alcohol or substances during events.

5. Recruitment and Training

• All volunteers will undergo a basic screening process, including self-declaration of any relevant convictions.
• Where roles involve regulated activity (as defined by DBS guidelines), enhanced DBS checks will be required. Given our non-supervisory context, most roles may not qualify, but we will assess on a case-by-case basis.
• New volunteers receive induction on this policy.
• Annual safeguarding training (e.g., free online NSPCC courses) is encouraged for all.

6. Risk Assessment for Events

Before each event:

• Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards (e.g., uneven ground, weather, crowd size) and mitigation steps.
• Ensure events are advertised as family-friendly but requiring parental supervision.
• Have first aid kits and trained first aiders on site.
• Set up clear signage for lost children procedures (e.g., directing to a designated meeting point or contacting police).
• Partner with local authorities if large crowds are expected.

7. Reporting Procedures

• If you have a concern: Note details (what, when, who, where) without investigating yourself. Report to the Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours.
• Urgent concerns: If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. For non-emergencies, contact Vale of Glamorgan Children's Services (01446 725202) or Adult Services (01446 700111), or the NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000).
• Allegations against volunteers: Report to the Safeguarding Lead (or a trustee if involving the Lead). We will refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if appropriate.
• All reports will be logged confidentially, with actions tracked. We follow a "no blame" culture for good-faith reporting.
• Whistleblowing: If internal reporting fails, contact the Charity Commission or police.

8. Data Protection and Confidentiality

• Personal information related to safeguarding concerns will be handled in line with GDPR and only shared on a need-to-know basis.
• Records of incidents will be securely stored for at least 6 years (or longer if required).

9. Monitoring and Review

• This policy will be reviewed annually or after any incident.
• Feedback from volunteers and participants will be sought via post-event surveys.
• Compliance will be monitored by the trustees.

10. Key Contacts

• Safeguarding Lead: Michael Hodgkinson – chair@friendsofbellevue.org.uk
• Local Authority: Vale of Glamorgan Council Safeguarding Team
• National Helplines: Childline (0800 1111), NSPCC (0808 800 5000)
• Police Non-Emergency: 101

By adopting this policy, Friends of Belle Vue Park demonstrates its dedication to a safe community space. All volunteers must sign to confirm they have read and agree to it. For implementation support, resources are available from the NSPCC or Charity Commission.