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Safeguarding Policy

1. Introduction

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Portishead Repair Cafe (PRC) makes a positive contribution to a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe.

PRC holds monthly sessions on a Saturday morning in a public building where members of the public are invited to bring along items that are broken. Specialist volunteers try to fix those items. Children and vulnerable adults may attend infrequently as most attendees will be adults.

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The types of contact with children and / or vulnerable adults will be infrequent and controlled. Children (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when bringing items along to be repaired. Vulnerable adults should be accompanied by a carer, but measures will be in place in the event that this is not feasible.

This policy seeks to ensure that PRC undertakes its responsibilities with regard to the protection of children and / or vulnerable adults and will respond to concerns appropriately. The policy establishes a framework to support unpaid volunteers in their practices and clarifies the organisation’s expectations. All volunteers must carefully read, sign, date and return a copy of this policy to confirm that they understand and agree to comply with it.

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2. Legislation

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The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are:

  • Working together to safeguard Children 2010

  • The Children Act 1989

  • The Adoption and Children Act 2002

  • The Children act 2004

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • Care Standards Act 2000

  • Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998

  • The Police Act 1997

  • Mental Health Act 1983

  • NHS and Community Care Act 1990

  • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

  • Equality Act 2010

 

3. Definitions

 

Safeguarding: embedding practices throughout the organisation to ensure the protection of children and / or vulnerable adults wherever possible.

 

Abuse: a selfish act of oppression and injustice, exploitation and manipulation of power by those in a position of authority. This can be caused by those inflicting harm or those who fail to act to prevent harm. Abuse is not restricted to any socio-economic group, gender or culture. It can take many forms, including the following:

  • Physical abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Emotional abuse or bullying

  • Neglect

  • Financial (or material) abuse

 

Child / young person: a person under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations convention on the Rights of a Child).

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Vulnerable Adults: a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation. This may include a person who:

  • Is elderly and frail

  • Has a mental illness including dementia

  • Has a physical illness or disability

  • Has a learning disability

  • Is a substance misuser

  • Is homeless

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4. Responsibilities

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Everybody, including volunteers, has a responsibility to follow the guidance laid out in this policy and related policies, and to pass on any welfare concerns using the required procedures. We ask volunteers to promote good practice by:

  • following the guidance provided in this policy and related policies

  • passing on any welfare concerns using the required procedure

  • being an excellent role model

  • contributing to discussions about safeguarding 

  • positively involving people in developing safe practices

  • maintaining professional boundaries.

 

4.1. PRC Committee

The committee has a responsibility to ensure: 

  • The policy is in place and appropriate

  • The policy is prominently displayed at each PRC event 

  • The policy is monitored as an item on meeting agendas and reviewed annually

  • Resources are allocated to ensure implementation of this policy 

  • The welfare of children / and vulnerable adults is promoted

  • Concerns about safeguarding are dealt with swiftly and appropriately 

  • Safeguarding and DBS (where appropriate) requirements are met

 

4.2. Volunteers

PRC expects volunteers to protect the professional integrity of themselves and the organisation.

  • Do not pass on visitor or your own personal contact details

  • Do not use / display foul, abusive or discriminatory language or behaviour

  • Do not accept or give money to visitors. (A voluntary and recorded donation is requested).

  • Do not accept gifts, have a relationship, personal contact or lone contact with children or vulnerable people.

  • Do not accept responsibility for any valuables

If the professional boundaries and/or policies are breached this could result in disciplinary procedures and reporting of a Safeguarding issue as set out in this document.

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4.3. Safeguarding Lead

The Safeguarding Lead will act as a point of contact where volunteers have concerns about an individual who may be at risk who has attended the repair cafe. Current safeguarding lead is John Peyton.

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5. Implementation

PRC commits to provide training, communication and support mechanisms for volunteers in relation to Safeguarding.

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5.1. Training and Support for Volunteers

  • PRC will ensure volunteers read the policy and sign to confirm they understand it

  • discussion of this Safeguarding Policy 

  • ensuring familiarity with reporting processes

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5.2. Communication

This Safeguarding Policy is made available:

  • on our web page

  • in printed format at each repair cafe 

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6. Safe Recruitment

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All new volunteers will be asked if they are an appropriate person to deal with members of the public as well as having infrequent contact with children (accompanied by guardian) and vulnerable adults (accompanied by caretaker where appropriate). PRC will provide and explain this policy to new volunteers who will carefully read, sign, date and return the document which confirms that they have understood and agree to comply with the policy.
 

7. Incident Reporting and Management

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Reported Safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Lead (or a committee member or professional body) who will take action dictated by the circumstances. 

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In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.  Do not put yourself in danger – safeguard yourself first.

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8. Information Management and Monitoring

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PRC will keep a record in a secure (password protected) database of the volunteers who have signed and returned the Safeguarding Policy and any safeguarding issues that have been raised.  Information will be gathered, recorded and stored (password protected) in accordance with the safeguarding policy.

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9. Safeguarding Summary

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If you are concerned about the welfare of a child / vulnerable adult or there is a concern, complaint or allegation about an adult or yourself, inside or outside PRC you must: 

  1. Tell the Safeguarding Lead immediately 

  2. Write careful notes of what you witnessed, heard or were told

  3. Include the time and date and full names of those involved 

  4. Sign, date and pass your notes to one of the Safeguarding Leads

  5. Make sure PRC poses no further risk to their welfare

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If someone tells you they are being abused you must: 

  1. Allow them to speak without interruption, and accept what they say 

  2. Be understanding and reassuring – do not give your opinion 

  3. Tell them you will try to help but must pass the information on 

  4. Tell the Safeguarding Lead immediately

  5. Write careful notes of what was said using the actual words 

  6. Include the time and date and full names of those involved 

  7. Sign, date and pass your notes to the Safeguarding Lead 

  8. Make sure PRC poses no further risk to their welfare

 

Do not promise that secrets will be kept – you must pass the information on

In an emergency dial 999. Do not put yourself in danger – safeguard yourself first.

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