Safeguarding Policy
Policy Statement
Pamphill Parish Hall is committed to providing a safe, supportive and welcoming environment for
everyone who uses the hall. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare
of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to protect them from harm, abuse or
exploitation while on the premises. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all trustees,
volunteers, hirers, contractors and visitors are expected to share this commitment.Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to:
• Trustees and committee members
• Volunteers
• Hirers and organisations using the hall
• Contractors and visitors to the premisesLegal and Guidance Framework
This policy is informed by relevant UK legislation and guidance, including:
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Care Act 2014
• Working Together to Safeguard Children
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006Definitions
Children and Young People: Anyone under the age of 18.
Vulnerable Adults: An adult who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation
due to age, illness, disability or other circumstances.Principles of Safeguarding
Pamphill Parish Hall is guided by the following principles:
• The welfare of children and vulnerable adults is paramount
• Everyone has the right to be safe and protected from harm
• Safeguarding concerns must be taken seriously and acted upon promptly
• Everyone has a role to play in safeguarding
• Confidentiality will be respected where possible, but safety will always come firstRoles and Responsibilities
Trustees and Management Committee
The Trustees and Management Committee have overall responsibility for safeguarding and will:
• Ensure a safeguarding policy is in place and reviewed regularly
• Appoint a Safeguarding Lead
• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns
• Ensure safeguarding information is available to hirers
• Refer concerns to statutory agencies when required
Safeguarding Lead
The Safeguarding Lead will:
• Act as the first point of contact for safeguarding concerns
• Ensure concerns are recorded accurately and stored securely
• Seek advice from safeguarding professionals or statutory agencies where appropriate
• Support the Trustees in reviewing safeguarding procedures
Hirers and User Groups
Hirers are responsible for safeguarding during their period of hire, including:
• The conduct and supervision of activities
• The behaviour of staff, volunteers and participants
• Ensuring appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures are in place
Hirers must not assume that the Trustees, Management Committee or hall volunteers are
supervising or overseeing safeguarding arrangements during their booking.
7. Responsibilities of Hirers
Any organisation or individual hiring Pamphill Parish Hall for activities involving children, young
people or vulnerable adults must:
• Have their own safeguarding policy and procedures in place
• Ensure appropriate supervision ratios at all times
• Ensure staff and volunteers are suitably vetted, including DBS checks where required
• Take full responsibility for safeguarding during their period of hire
The Trustees and Management Committee are not responsible for the day-to-day safeguarding
arrangements of hirers.
8. Recruitment and Vetting
Pamphill Parish Hall does not normally provide activities directly for children or vulnerable adults.
Where trustees or volunteers are involved in roles with regular contact with these groups,
appropriate checks, including DBS checks where required, will be considered.
Responsibility for DBS checks for staff or volunteers involved in activities run by hirers rests entirely
with the hiring organisation.
Code of Conduct and Good Practice
All trustees, volunteers, hirers and hall users are expected to:
• Act respectfully and responsibly at all times
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Avoid behaviour that could be misinterpreted
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact
• Challenge inappropriate behaviour where it is safe to do so
• Use appropriate language and behaviour
• Respect personal privacy and dignity
• Report concerns in line with this policyRecognising Abuse
Abuse may take many forms, including:
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse
• Neglect
Concerns may arise through:
• A direct disclosure
• Observed behaviour or injuries
• Changes in behaviour, mood or presentationHandling Disclosures and Responding to Concerns
If a child or vulnerable adult discloses information or a concern arises:
• Stay calm and listen carefully without interruption
• Reassure the individual that they have done the right thing
• Do not ask leading questions
• Do not promise confidentiality
• Record the information using the person’s own words as soon as possible
• Report the concern immediately to the Safeguarding Lead
If there is immediate danger or risk of serious harm, contact the emergency services by calling 999.Whistleblowing
Anyone with concerns about unsafe or inappropriate behaviour is encouraged to report them
without fear of reprisal. Concerns may be raised with the Safeguarding Lead or, where appropriate,
directly with external safeguarding agencies.
Appendix A – Safeguarding Reporting ProcedureConcern identified
A concern may arise through observation, disclosure or information received.Immediate risk?
o If there is immediate danger, call 999.
o Ensure the individual is safe.Report the concern
o Report immediately to the Safeguarding Lead at pamphillparishhall@gmail.com.
o If the Safeguarding Lead is unavailable and the risk is urgent, contact local
safeguarding services.Record the concern
o Make a factual record including dates, times, people involved and actions taken.
o Sign and date the record.Next steps
o The Safeguarding Lead will decide whether to seek advice or make a referral.
o Records will be stored securely.
Appendix B – Key Safeguarding Contacts
Safeguarding Lead
Email: pamphillparishhall@gmail.com
Emergency Services
Police / Ambulance / Fire: 999Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes in legislation, guidance or hall operations.
