The policy and procedures set out in this document define how Hall for All operates to safeguard and protect adults at risk, children and young people from abuse and neglect.
Purpose
Safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and adults at risk from abuse or neglect. Our purpose is to fulfill our duty of care to everyone who enters our premises including children, young people and adults at risk as visitors and/or as participants in all activities and events We also have a duty to safeguard and support our trustees, volunteers and staff.
Definitions
Children and young people are defined as those persons aged under 18 years old. This policy will apply to all staff, contractors and volunteers and will be used to support their work. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of children’s health and development
- Ensuring children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Adults at risk of harm
For the purposes of this policy, adult at risk of harm refers to someone over the age of 18 who, according to paragraph 14.2 of the Care Act 2014 updated in 2025:
- Has care and support needs.
- Is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect.
- As a result of their care and support needs are unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
Persons affected.
- All trustees, volunteers and staff
- All those attending any activity being delivered by Hall for All.
- All visitors and contractors
Policy principles.
The policy is about stopping abuse where it is happening and preventing abuse where there is a risk it may occur.
Hall for all Trustees have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.
All reasonable action should be taken to protect everyone from risk, this includes all those known to be vulnerable, children, young people and adults at risk of harm, exploitation and mistreatment. Ali citizens of the United Kingdom have their rights enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998. People who are eligible to receive health and community care services may be additional vulnerable to the violation of these rights by reason of disability, impairment, age or illness.
Hall for All Trustees recognise that under the Care Act 2014 updated 2025 it has a duty of care and protection of adults who are at risk of abuse. It also recognizes its responsibilities for the safety and care of children under the Children’s Act 1989 and 2004.
Hall for All Trustees are aware committed to promoting wellbeing, harm prevention and to responding effectively if concerns are raised., Hall for All Trustees are aware and can access their local safeguarding Board (Norfolk County Council) and other support organisations such as ACRE and CAN on the development and implementation of procedures for the protection of all adults, children, and young adults.
Procedures
All Hall for All Trustees must confirm they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the ACRE Information Sheet August 2002.
The welfare of the child, young person or adult at risk of harm is paramount and it is the responsibility of everyone. All people associated with Hall for All, and its use have responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults at risk of harm.
No member of the Trustees, staff, outside contractors, hirers or volunteers will have unsupervised access to children or adults at risk of harm unless in possession of appropriate clearance such as DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service).
The Hall for All Management Committee will ensure that all hirers/users of Hall for All are aware that any safeguarding of children or adults is the responsibility of the hirers.
Acceptance of Hall for All’s safeguarding policy is part of the terms and conditions on hiring the hall. The Hall for All Safeguarding Officer is Joanna Petford, who can be contacted on 01603 880748.
March, 2025.