The trustees of the Friends of Clapham Common (the Charity) acknowledge our duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We are committed to ensuring that our safeguarding practices reflect statutory responsibilities, government guidance and best practice.

For all activities organised by the Charity involving children and vulnerable adults, the trustees aim to :

• Provide a positive and enjoyable experience

• Provide a safe environment

• Minimise risk of physical harm

• Take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure they are protected from abuse, neglect or exploitation

This policy will be kept under annual review or in the following circumstances:

• Changes in legislation and/or government guidance in relation to safeguarding; or

• As a result of any change or event that the trustees consider to be significant in relation to our safeguarding policy.

As part of our safeguarding policy, the trustees of the Charity aim to:

• Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults; and

• Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation and regularly reviewed; and

• Ensure all organisers of activities and events understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and are provided with

  appropriate training opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children, young people and vulnerable adults; and

• Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of safeguarding incidents or concerns; and

• Provide support from the Safeguarding Officer to anyone who raises a concern; and

• Ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored; and

• Prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable persons through the appropriate use of Government Disclosure & Barring checks.

xxxxx (Trustee) is appointed as Safeguarding Officer to ensure compliance.

General Safeguarding Rules

Event organisers:

The organiser (usually the trustees or someone appointed by the trustees) has a duty of care towards the volunteers, members and participants of the Charity’s activities and events. Before any event, the person responsible for organising the event will make an assessment of potential risks to children or vulnerable adults (both of physical harm and abuse, neglect or exploitation) and decide, in conjunction with our Safeguarding Officer, if necessary, how they will be mitigated.

All participants:

• Children under the age of 18 should be supervised by a responsible adult/carer. If they are not accompanied by a parent/carer, permission for their participation must be explicitly gained from a parent/guardian.

• Photographs of children or vulnerable adults must not be published on social media by the Charity without the consent of their parent/guardian.

• Any person who witnesses a safeguarding incident or sees any suspicious behaviour must inform one of the trustees as soon as possible so that the trustees can take appropriate action.

• If informed of an incident or suspicious behaviour, the Trustee informed must collect the contact details of anyone who was involved or witnessed the incident, where possible take a brief statement of what was seen and refer the matter where necessary to the appropriate authority.

• Any person who finds a child unaccompanied at one of the Charity’s events must bring them to a trustee who will make an announcement or contact parent/guardian or authorities.

All trustees, volunteers and participants shall be respectful of others at all times during Charity activities and events. Antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated.These are community and charity events and should remain a pleasant experience for all. In the case of alcohol being served, ‘bar staff’ may deny drinks to a person who appears intoxicated.

Please note: participants who are aggressive or violent towards our trustees, volunteers or any member of the public during our activities or events will not be tolerated under any circumstances and if necessary, will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

This policy is available on request. We ask any members, volunteers (or others) who are leading activities or events on the Common to familiarise themselves with this policy.