Safeguarding Policy

 

Policy Version: 1.0
Date Adopted: 31.01.2026
Review Date: 31.01.2027

1. Policy Statement

Caversham Hall is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who use its premises. We recognise our duty of care to all users of the Hall and aim to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.

We believe that:

  • All children, young people, and vulnerable adults have the right to be protected from harm, abuse, and exploitation.

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

  • Concerns must be taken seriously and responded to promptly and appropriately.

This policy applies to:

  • Trustees / Management Committee members

  • Employees and volunteers

  • Contractors and visitors

  • All hirers and organisations using Caversham Hall

2. Definitions

  • Child / Young Person: Anyone under the age of 18.

  • Vulnerable Adult (Adult at Risk): A person aged 18 or over who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation due to age, illness, disability, or other circumstances.

  • Safeguarding: Protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, and enabling them to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

Safeguarding Lead

The Safeguarding Lead for Caversham Hall is:

Name: Susan McQueen
Contact: 07715 205823

The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for:

  • Acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns

  • Ensuring concerns are recorded and reported appropriately

  • Liaising with local safeguarding authorities where required

  • Keeping this policy up to date

In the absence of a named Safeguarding Lead, concerns should be reported to a member of the Management Committee, who will take appropriate action.

4. Scope of Caversham Hall’s Responsibility

Caversham Hall:

  • Provides the premises and sets safeguarding expectations

  • Does not directly supervise activities delivered by hirers

  • Requires hirers running activities involving children or vulnerable adults to have their own safeguarding arrangements

Primary responsibility for safeguarding during sessions lies with the hirer or organising body.

5. Requirements for Hirers

Any individual or organisation hiring Caversham Hall to run activities involving children or vulnerable adults must:

  • Have their own Safeguarding Policy

  • Ensure staff/volunteers have appropriate DBS checks where legally required

  • Ensure suitable supervision ratios

  • Follow safe working practices

  • Report any safeguarding concerns arising at the Hall to Caversham Hall’s Safeguarding Lead

Caversham Hall reserves the right to request evidence of safeguarding policies and procedures.

6. Code of Conduct

All staff, volunteers, and representatives of hirers must:

  • Treat all people with respect and dignity

  • Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable adult where possible

  • Not engage in physical, sexual, or emotionally inappropriate behaviour

  • Not exchange personal contact details or communicate privately with children

  • Challenge and report inappropriate behaviour

7. Recognising Abuse

Abuse may include:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect

  • Financial or material abuse

  • Discriminatory abuse

  • Domestic abuse

  • Exploitation

Signs may include unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, withdrawal, fearfulness, or disclosures.

8. Responding to a Safeguarding Concern

If someone discloses abuse or you have a concern:

  1. Stay calm and listen

  2. Reassure them they have done the right thing

  3. Do not promise confidentiality

  4. Do not investigate

  5. Record the facts as soon as possible

  6. Report to the Safeguarding Lead

If a person is in immediate danger, call 999.

9. Recording and Information Sharing

  • Records will be factual, dated, and signed

  • Stored securely and confidentially

  • Shared only with those who need to know, including statutory agencies where appropriate

10. Safer Recruitment (for Hall Staff/Volunteers)

Where roles involve regular contact with children or vulnerable adults:

  • References will be sought

  • DBS checks obtained where legally required

  • Induction will include safeguarding awareness

11. Allegations Against Staff, Volunteers, or Hirers

Any allegation of abuse involving:

  • A member of staff

  • Volunteer

  • Hirer

  • Contractor

Must be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Lead. The Safeguarding Lead will follow local authority procedures.

12. Whistleblowing

Anyone concerned about unsafe practices or wrongdoing is encouraged to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

13. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident or change in legislation.