Safeguarding

1. Background
   
   Little Chalfont Community Association (LCCA) is a not for profit CommunIty Association based in Little Chalfont. Our vision and mission is to build a vibrant spirit in Little Chalfont, and make it an attractive place to live, work and enjoy. We aim to develop a sense of community by working together to achieve shared objectives: making Little Chalfont attractive, developing sustainability, encouraging trade, engaging with community planning matters and connecting with the village. We operate through a committee with assistance from a team of volunteers.
   
   
2. Commitment to safeguarding
   
   LCCA believes that a child, young person or vulnerable adult should never experience abuse of any kind. We recognise that we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. We are committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all children, young people and vulnerable adults we come into contact with and to protecting them from harm.
   
   
3. About this policy
   
   a) This policy applies to all committee members, volunteers and anyone working on behalf of LCCA or taking part in LCCA activities.
   b) The purpose of this policy is to provide organisers and participants with the overarching principles that guide our approach to the protection of vulnerable people.
   c) This policy recognises vulnerable people as:

• Children up to the age of 16 or young people aged 16-17.
• Adults (aged 18 or over) at risk as defined by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups
  Act 2006. This might include adults with a learning or physical disability, a physical
  or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs,
  or reduced physical or mental capacity. This policy also recognises risk is
  determined by the activity an adult is taking part in and not solely on the personal
  characteristics or circumstances of the adult; as such any adult can be at risk, and
  the risk can be temporary.
  
  d) This policy aims to:
• Protect children, young people and vulnerable adults (vulnerable people) who are
  members of, receive services from, or volunteer for LCCA.
• Ensure all those interacting with children, young people and vulnerable adults are
  carefully recruited and understand and accept responsibility for the safeguarding
  of those vulnerable individuals with whom they are interacting.
• Ensure that safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults is a
  primary consideration when LCCA undertakes any activity, event or project.

1. How LCCA might work with vulnerable people
   Little Chalfont Community Association Safeguarding Policy and Procedures Version 1.1 (draft) June 2024
   
   LCCA may come into contact with vulnerable people in the following ways:

• At meetings as members of the audience
• As persons assisting in our activities and events
• As performers at our events

4. Responsibility for Safeguarding

a) The committee of LCCA has appointed Shirley Strange as its designated Safeguarding
Officer with responsibility for safeguarding issues. Queries and concerns relating to
safeguarding can also be raised with any other member of the LCCA committee. b) Any projects, events or other activities that will involve responsibility for vulnerable people must be planned with the involvement of the Safeguarding Officer and in line with these procedures and ground rules.

5. Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to
protect children and vulnerable adults in England.

6. Policy review
This policy will be reviewed and amended (if necessary) on an annual basis by the LCCA committee. It will also be reviewed in response to changes in relevant legislation, good practice, or in response to an identified failing in its effectiveness.

Little Chalfont Community Association Safeguarding Policy and Procedures Version 1.1 (draft) June 2024

Safeguarding Procedures

These include:

• Recruitment practices around safeguarding
• Procedures for working regarding safeguarding of vulnerable people
• Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of abuse
• Procedures for dealing with concerns and incidents of abuse
  

7. Recruitment practices around safeguarding
a) If an existing or potential new member or volunteer will be responsible for vulnerable people as part of the LCCA activities, the appropriate level of DBS, if any is required, will be requested before that work is undertaken.
b) The level of DBS check required will be decided by the committee and in line with DBS rules regarding regulated activity. The results of any check to inform a decision will be used confidentially.
c) Committee members should undertake safeguarding training as appropriate for their roles.

8. Procedures for working regarding safeguarding of vulnerable people

a) Principles
All Committee Members and Event Organisers are expected to have familiarised themselves with this document.
The Event Organiser should ensure that all helpers at events are familiar with the procedures.
If a member of the LCCA organises an activity or event where they will be responsible for any vulnerable persons, they must ensure that:
Planning is carried out in line with this policy and procedures.
There is a main contact for safeguarding on the day (normally the Event Organiser).
The main contact has access to emergency contact details and other relevant details (e.g. information about picking up arrangements for vulnerable people).
A vulnerable person should not be left alone with an adult, except in agreed circumstances, such as physical disability.
LCCA is not responsible for vulnerable people at the venue/on the site where the event is taking place, where these people are unconnected with the event.

b) Vulnerable adults
LCCA does not work with any groups of adults known to be vulnerable. Where an adult (attending a meeting or event, for example) appears vulnerable, those people providing any necessary help should adhere to the safeguarding policy and seek advice as necessary. They are expected not to act alone wherever possible, and to report any incidents.

c) Children (under-16s) and Young People (aged 16-17)
Little Chalfont Community Association Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
Version 1.1 (draft) June 2024
Where a group of young performers participate in our events, under 16s are expected to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Where children and young people assist at our events they are expected to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

9. Procedures for raising safeguarding concerns and incidents of alleged abuse

a) If any member or volunteer of LCCA witnesses, suspects or is informed of a
witnessed or suspected case of abuse they should immediately report it to the
named safeguarding officer;
b) If the named person is not available, or is involved in or connected to, the alleged
abuse, it should be reported to the LCCA Chair or other committee member.
c) If an individual wishes to report an incident of alleged abuse against themselves
they should report it to the named safeguarding officer or an individual they trust.

10. Procedures for dealing with concerns and incidents of alleged abuse

a) The Event Organiser (or person acting on their behalf) will make a decision based
on the immediacy of the concern and the following two factors:

• If the vulnerable person is in immediate danger or needs emergency medical
  attention – call the police and/or ambulance service.
• If the person at the centre of the allegation is working with vulnerable persons
  at the current time – remove them, in a sensitive manner, from direct contact
  with vulnerable people and follow the procedures below.
  
  b) If none of the above applies the Event Organiser will:
• Make a note of the concerns reported to them.
• Speak with the Safeguarding Officer and committee members to decide how to
  handle the alleged abuse, excluding any committee members who may have been
  involved in the incident.
• Escalate the report by either:
  ▪ Raising concerns with the police – for serious or possible criminal
  offences.
  ▪ Requesting an assessment by the local authority social care
  department about whether a vulnerable person is in need of
  protection.
  ▪ An internal investigation – for less serious incidents where they feel
  internal mediation will be successful.
  
  c) Where cases are escalated outside the organization, the committee will cooperate
  with the police or local authority in dealing with the reported incident.
  
  d) Where an internal investigation takes place the committee will:
• Inform all parties involved of the alleged abuse as soon as possible.
• Inform the family/guardians of the person reported as being or having been abused
  of the incident.
• Arrange separate meetings with both parties within 10 days of the reported
  incident. A joint meeting may be arranged if appropriate.
  Little Chalfont Community Association Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
  Version 1.1 (draft) June 2024
  o Both parties should be given the chance to bring a friend or representative
  to the meeting.
  o Meetings will be attended by the named safeguarding officer and at least
  one other committee member.
  o All parties will also be invited to submit a written statement in advance of
  the meeting.
  e) Once meetings have taken place the committee will decide on next steps and
  communicate them to all parties in writing within 5 days. They will either:
  Escalate the incident to the relevant authority.
  Conduct further investigation – with established procedures and
  timelines to work towards a resolution.
  Reach a decision or resolution.
  f) Resolution and disciplinary action
• If abuse is found to have taken place any final resolution or decision will be taken
  in the best interest of the person who has suffered the abuse and the best interests
  of the LCCA.
• Any disciplinary action will be taken in line with the LCCA constitution.