This Safeguarding Policy will be followed by all members, visitors and service providers associated with The Ampthill & District Preservation Society (the Society) and will be followed and promoted by the members of the Committee. This policy will be available via the Society’s website.
The Society hosts regular meetings and walks for its members and visitors which may be attended by those under 16 in the company of a parent or carer. Parents/carers remain responsible for children/young people’s welfare throughout all engagement with the Society.
This Safeguarding Policy also applies to those adults who may be deemed vulnerable as they are not able to make decisions for themselves and thus may at increased risk of abuse. A vulnerable adult can be defined as an adult aged 18 years or over who has needs for care and support (whether or not the local council is meeting any of those needs) and as a result of those care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.
Forms of Abuse
The table below identifies the four main types of abuse and is designed to alert not only to the types of abuse, but also the different ways in which they manifest in individuals.
Type of Abuse | Physical Signs | Behavioural Signs |
| Physical: causing physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult, which includes fabricating or deliberately inducing illness. | Unexplained and unusual bruising, finger and strap marks, fractures, injuries, bite marks, cigarette burns, scalds, missing teeth | Fear of contact, aggression, temper, running away, fear of going home, reluctance to change or uncover body, depression, withdrawal, bullying or abuse of others |
| Emotional: persistent emotional maltreatment such as to cause adverse effects on a child’s or vulnerable adult’s emotional development. | Weight change, lack of growth or development, unexplained speech disorders, self-harm | Unable to communicate, fear of mistakes, fear of telling parents/guardians, withdrawn, few friends |
| Sexual: forcing or enticing an individual to take part in sexual activities whether or not the child or vulnerable adult is aware of what is happening. | Genital pain or itching, bleeding, bruising, discharge, stomach pains, pregnancy, incontinence, UTIs or STDs | Fear of someone, nightmares, running away, sexually explicit knowledge or behaviour, masturbation, bed-wetting, eating problems, substance abuse, unexplained money or gifts |
| Neglect: persistent failure to meet a child’s or vulnerable adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s or vulnerable adult’s health or development. | Hunger, dirty, ill-fitting clothes or inappropriate clothing, weight change, untreated conditions and continual minor infections | Being tired, early or late, absent, few friends, regularly left alone, stealing, no money, parent carer not attending |
Individuals working with the Society need to be alert to the potential abuse of children and vulnerable adults both within their families and from other sources including abuse by members, visitors and service providers associated with the Society. They should adopt the idea that ‘it could happen here’. There is an expected responsibility to respond to any suspected or actual abuse of a child or vulnerable adult in accordance with the procedures set out below.
Guidance on Recording Abuse
It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns. However, you MUST NOT discuss your concerns with parents/ carers if you suspect parents or immediate family to be involved in abuse or neglect of the child or vulnerable adult and/or to do so would place a child or vulnerable adult, yourself or others at immediate risk.
If any person has any safeguarding concerns about the conduct of anyone associated with the Society, this should be raised with the Chairperson in their capacity as the Society’s Safeguarding Contact. If the concern involves the Chairperson, then the concern should be raised with the Secretary.
A safeguarding concern could come to your attention via a variety of means. You might observe something, someone might disclose an allegation of abuse about themselves or someone else, or someone might report something to you that they have seen or suspected. You should NOT in any circumstance tell someone that you will keep a disclosure a secret, as you have a legal and moral obligation to report any concerns that you have.
- Be a reassuring presence.
One of the most important steps you can take to help children or vulnerable adults is to reassure them that they are safe and that they have done the right thing.
- Recording and reporting
You may need to record an incident that you have observed or that someone else has reported or note down a disclosure prior to notifying the Society’s Safeguarding Contact.
Never promise that you will keep it a secret. Ensure you inform anyone about to give you information that you will share it with the relevant people to ensure the safety of everybody involved.
3. Key information to record:
- The date, time and location your notes were taken.
- Make sure you record the identity of the person supplying the information, or the identity/description of the subject of your observations.
- Record as much factual information about the incident, report or concern as possible. Take care to only record what is said or what is observed – do not draw conclusions or include your opinions in your report.
- Record any action that you took as a result of the report or observation.
The Society is committed to the principles of empowerment for vulnerable adults at risk and to making safeguarding personal, ensuring that adults at risk are asked what they want to happen following a concern, that their wishes are taken into account and they are informed of actions being taken. Wherever possible an adult should be empowered to take action on their own behalf.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
If you suspect that a young person or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm or is the victim of abuse, you must report it as soon as possible.
In the first instance, unless someone is at immediate risk of harm, please report all safeguarding concerns to the ADPS Safeguarding Contact by contacting the Society. (Details on www.adps.org.uk or email membership@adps.org.uk
In an emergency call 999.
Otherwise, the next step may be to contact Central Bedfordshire Council (click on link below for more information) https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/18/health_and_social_care/335/protecting_vulnerable_adults_from_harm#AdultAbuse
Anyone can do this.
Photography
When working with under 18s you must gain opt-in permission to use their digital images and be clear about what the images will be used for. This includes photographs, videos or screenshots of online calls. Permission must come from their parent or responsible adult. It would also be good practice to apply this to vulnerable adults.
Monitoring
This policy will be revised on an annual basis or in the following circumstances:
- Changes in legislation and/or government guidance
- As required by the Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (CBSCB)
- As a result of any significant change or event
Signed: Sarah Wright
Position: Chairperson
Date: 25th July 2024
Review Date: July 2026
The Ampthill & District Preservation Society (ADPS)
