We provide a garden environment for adults, where they can obtain an horticultural qualification or improve their ‘well-being’. It is a place where we also welcome adult and children visitors.
We have a responsibility to provide safe conditions for not only children visitors but also vulnerable adults (adults who by reason of age, disability, illness or anything else are unable to take care of themselves or to protect themselves from exploitation or significant harm), whether they are attendees or visitors.
Whilst the primary responsibility for the care of children lies with the childrens’ parents or other appropriate adults such as their carers or teachers, the ways in which we aim to safeguard children and vulnerable adults in our garden are by:-
- respecting their rights;
- providing a safe and welcoming environment for them;
- providing and adhering to policies and procedures which minimise opportunities for exploitation or harm;
- ensuring that staff or volunteers are fully aware of our safeguarding policies and procedures and understand their roles;
- ensuring that our policies and procedures are communicated with and understood by all of those working at our garden;
- ensuring that our staff and any volunteers recognise the position of trust in which they have been placed;
- taking allegations and suspicions of abuse seriously and responding quickly and appropriately;
- ensuring that staff and any volunteers who require them have the appropriate DBS (criminal record) checks;
- carrying out risk assessments to identify any health and safety risks that could cause harm;
- reviewing our safeguarding procedures and ensuring they are in accordance with best practice;
Our policies and procedures are:
- to let attendees know where staff members and volunteers are at all times and what they are doing;
- not to spend time with children without their parents or other appropriate adults being present;
- to be wary of physical contact;
- not to engage in any inappropriate behaviour;
- to take allegations or concerns about abuse seriously and to promptly follow our reporting procedures;
- not to take photographs or movies of any vulnerable adult or child for personal use and not to do so otherwise except where our model release form has been completed by a parent or appropriate adult;
- If someone discloses or makes an accusation we will not offer any views or opinions but remain calm, reassure them and listen. We will explain that we cannot keep the disclosure or accusations secret and write down the details in their own words so far as possible and have them sign and date the statement. Appropriate action will be taken which may involve calling the emergency services on 999 if there is immediate danger.
INFORMATION WILL BE SHARED WITH THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES:
Adult Safeguarding Devon County Council Care Direct on 0345 155 1007
Child Safeguarding 0345 155 1071
Email: mashsecure@devon.gov.uk