Safeguarding policy

1.1       Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) staff, volunteers and third-party representatives interact with thousands of individuals every year, some of whom may be classed as ‘children, young people or adults at risk of abuse or neglect’.

We believe that it is unacceptable for any child, young person or adult at risk of abuse or neglect (also referred to as ‘vulnerable people’ or ‘vulnerable individuals’ in this Policy) to experience abuse, neglect or exploitation of any kind and we recognise our responsibility to safeguard the welfare of these individuals through a commitment to practices which protect them.

We believe that:

• The welfare of vulnerable individuals is paramount.
• All people, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or identity have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• We have a responsibility to value, listen to and respect all the people we work with, treating those individuals who can be most at risk of harm or exploitation with greater awareness and sensitivity.
• We acknowledge that some children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.  
• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. 

DWT will take all reasonable steps to ensure that vulnerable individuals are treated with respect and kept safe from harm when they are involved in any of the Trust’s projects, activities or trading subsidiaries, and during their interactions with staff, workers and volunteers.

1.2       DWT’s Safeguarding Policy reflects all current and relevant legislation and aims to:

• Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable people in all areas of our work through the dissemination of this Policy and related guidance, and by adopting a clear Safeguarding Code of Conduct that is applicable to all staff, trustees, volunteers and relevant contractors;
• Provide assurance to parents, carers and other parties that DWT takes reasonable steps to manage risks and keep vulnerable individuals safe;
• Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with the necessary information, training and support on safeguarding matters;
• Prevent the employment of individuals who work with children, young people and/or adults at risk of abuse or neglect where they have been barred by the DBS or are deemed by DWT to pose an unacceptable risk to vulnerable people;
• Ensure that appropriate action is taken in the event of any allegations or suspicions regarding harm to vulnerable individuals arising in the course of our work.

1.3       This policy reflects our values and beliefs - that everyone counts and that anyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, age or personal circumstances, should be able to access and enjoy our amazing natural environment, benefit from activities that help them to learn about and be inspired by wildlife, and to give time and/or funds appropriate to their means and circumstances that will make a difference to Devon’s incredible wildlife.

1.4       DWT’s Safeguarding Policy is supported by safeguarding guidance. It also forms part of a suite of policies that support our wider commitment to keeping our staff, volunteers and service users safe, including our Health and Safety, Data Protection, Whistleblowing, Complaints, HR and Volunteer Management policies.

2.1       This Policy:

1. clarifies who we define as children, young people and adults ‘at risk of abuse or neglect’;
2. defines organisational responsibilities for safeguarding;
3. establishes the training and support staff, volunteers and others can expect and details how this Policy and related guidance will be disseminated;
4. outlines the additional steps we will take when recruiting staff and volunteers who will work with vulnerable people;
5. states our approach to confidentiality in relation to safeguarding issues and where/how related information will be stored; and
6. provides a list of the detailed guidance notes and other policies that support this Policy.

• Annexe 1 outlines the various forms that abuse can take and how to recognise symptoms;
• Annexe 2 details the action to be taken should someone suspect that abuse of any form is taking place and/or if abuse is reported;
• Annexe 3 lists key contacts and sources of further information;
• Annexe 4 details rules around the levels of supervision required for activities relating to children and outlines how these apply to specific DWT activities and
• Annexe 5 is a sample of the Safeguarding Log that will be used to record all suspicions or allegations of abuse.

2.2       Other key policies that form part of this Policy include:

SGP2 Safeguarding Code of Conduct that applies to all staff, trustees, contractors and relevant volunteers;

SGP3 Policy on Fundraising and Vulnerable People

These are available on request, please contact our reception via contactus@devonwildlifetrust.org to find out more.

2.3       This Policy supports a range of legislation including:

• The Children Act 1989 (England and Wales)
• The Children Act 2004
• Legal framework – maybe we should add the following to the list
• Children and Family Act 2014
• SEND code of practice 0-25 years
• The Police Act 1997
• The Data Protection Act 1998
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations)2016
• The Human Rights Act 1998
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1991
• Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Working Together to Safeguard Children March 2018
• The Care Act 2014
• Care and support statutory guidance, 2017
• The Mental Capacity Act 2005
• The Mental Health Act 2007
• Revised Prevent duty guidance for England and Wales 2019

3.1       A child - is any person under the age of 18. The term ‘young person’ is also commonly used to refer to an individual in the 13 – 17 year age group.

This Policy recognises that children and young people of different ages may require different treatment and protections. This is reflected in the associated guidance notes.

3.2       An adult at risk of abuse or neglect – is anyone aged 18 or over whose circumstances put them at enhanced risk of being vulnerable to neglect, exploitation or abuse and who might lack the ability to make informed decisions. There are a number of factors that can contribute to vulnerability:

• A learning disability; 
• A physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs;
• Someone with a significant and impairing physical or sensory disability;
• Any obvious reduction in physical or mental capacity – e.g. obvious frailty; symptoms/behaviours linked to the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Any other reason or circumstance that can make an individual more vulnerable and/or less able to make informed decisions, such as an individual who is homeless; is living in residential care/sheltered accommodation; is experiencing financial vulnerability; and/or an individual with a severely reduced understanding of English.

3.3       Vulnerable People or Vulnerable Individuals – used to describe 3.1 and 3.2 above in this Policy.

3.4       Regulated Activity – is an activity that triggers the legal duty to check the barred list before appointing someone to that activity. 

The definition of regulated activity for adults identifies the activities provided to any adult which, if any adult requires them, will mean that the adult will be considered vulnerable at that particular time. These fall into 6 categories:

• Providing Health Care
• Providing personal care
• Providing social work
• Assisting with cash, bills and/or shopping
• Assistance in the conduct of a person’s own affairs
• Conveying/transport (when transporting an adult because of their age, illness or disability to places where they will receive health, personal or social care.)

The definition of regulated activity for children is

1. Unsupervised activities with children if done regularly: teach, train, instruct, care for, supervise, advise or drive a vehicle only for children.
2. Regularly work for specified places with opportunity for contact, whether or not supervised – e.g. schools, children’s homes, childcare premises.

NB Paid workers are in Regulated Activity whether or not supervised.  Volunteers are in Regulated Activity only if they are not supervised.

3. Personal care or health care
4. Registered childminding and foster-care.

In this context “regularly” means once a week or more or on four or more days in a 30 day period (or in some cases overnight)

When a person is not in regulated activity because they are supervised, their supervisor is in regulated activity.  The level of supervision must remain constant – i.e. you cannot withdraw supervision as the supervised person becomes more experienced.  The supervisor must be present at all times.  The level of supervision depends on the age, number and vulnerability of the children, the nature of the work and the number of other workers.

For further details about regulated activity see:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dbs-eligibility-guidance#regulated-activity-and-workforces

3.5       Disclosure and Barring Service The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) carries out criminal record checks for specific positions, professions, employment, offices, works and licences included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and those prescribed in the Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) regulations.

There are three levels of check:

• Standard check: To be eligible, the position must be included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. The certificate contains details of all spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings from the police national computer (PNC).
• Enhanced check: To be eligible, the position must be in the ROA as above and in Police Act Regulations. The certificate contains the same information as a standard check, plus information from police records held locally.
• Enhanced check with a children's and/or adults' barred list check: only available for individuals engaged in regulated activity with children or adults, and a small number of positions listed in Police Act regulations. The certificate contains the same information as an enhanced check, plus a check against the lists of people barred from work with children and/or adults.

4.1       Everyone at DWT has a responsibility to be aware of and sensitive to the needs of vulnerable people and to conduct themselves in line with this Policy, the associated Safeguarding Code of Conduct, relevant guidance and related policies.

4.2       Specific individuals, due to the nature of their work or role, will have enhanced responsibilities:

All new projects must consider safeguarding requirements as part of the proposal process.

6.1       We recognise that:

• our workforce is our most important resource;
• unsuitable individuals sometimes seek out opportunities via employment or volunteering to have contact with children in order to harm them;
• some groups face unfair discrimination in the workplace;
• children, young people and families benefit from our efforts to recruit and select a skilled and committed workforce from a diverse range of backgrounds;
• new staff and volunteers cannot perform their role effectively unless they are inducted properly and receive ongoing support and supervision.

6.2       Screening of staff and volunteers is commensurate to their role.  The decision whether or not to DBS check is determined by risk assessment and reference to the Government’s online DBS tool and DWT’s DBS guidance.  As this depends on the activity not on the Job Title/ Role Title, the need for a DBS check on a particular person may change after they are in post.  Line managers and volunteer supervisors will monitor this through regular appraisals and supervisions.

6.3       A role that requires someone to work directly with children or adults and/or involved the individual to have oversight of safeguarding in their team or area of work will require:

• at least two references;
• an up-to-date relevant DBS check where their post is eligible for this (including a check against the barred list if the post involves regulated activity);
• an appropriate induction for all new staff and volunteers with training at an appropriate level for the role.

6.4       Because Trustees are in a position of trust and overall responsibility for activities at DWT, all Trustees will have a Basic Check as part of new Trustee screening.

6.5      Where a DBS check is required, the application will be made during the applicant’s induction period or, in the case of a DBS check for existing staff or volunteer who are taking on eligible activities, within two weeks of the request being made.

7.1   The key principle with regard to confidentiality and safeguarding is that the welfare of the child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect is paramount. This means that the considerations of confidentiality which might apply to other situations in the organisation should not be allowed to override the right of the child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect to be protected from harm.  In the event of a disclosure, allegation, or concern made to a member of staff or volunteer, s/he should not promise to keep secrets and should handle and report the disclosure/allegation/concern in line with the guidance in Annexe 2 of this document.

7.2   All records of disclosures, allegations, concerns or suspicions will b recorded using the DWT Safeguarding Log (see Annexe 7 of this document) and saved in a central Safeguarding Issues folder. This protected folder can only be accessed by the Designated Safeguarding Officers and appointed Director in charge of safeguarding.

7.3   Where a disclosure, allegation or concern is made against/about a member of staff or volunteer, every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned whilst an investigation is taking place. In this circumstance, the DWT Whistleblowing Policy applies.

7.4       Please see our Data Protection Policy (DPP1) for details of how we safeguard data and individual’s privacy.

• Physical Abuse

This can involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, punching, kicking, scalding, burning, drowning, suffocating, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.  It can also result when a parent or carer deliberately causes the ill health of a child in order to seek attention through fabricated or induced illness. This was previously known as Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy.

Symptoms that may indicate physical abuse include bruises, black eyes and broken bones; injuries that the child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect cannot explain or explains unconvincingly; untreated or inadequately treated injuries; injuries to parts of the body where accidents are unlikely, such as thighs, back, abdomen; bruising which looks like hand or finger marks; cigarette burns, human bites; scalds and burns.

• Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs which can significantly harm their health and development. Neglect can include inadequate supervision of children or adult at risk of abuse or neglects who require sustained support (i.e. being left alone for long periods of time); lack of stimulation, social contact or education; lack of appropriate food, shelter, appropriate clothing for conditions; and medical attention and treatment when necessary. There are occasions when nearly all parents or carers find it difficult to cope with the many demands of caring. But this does not mean that they are neglecting the person they care for. Neglect involves ongoing, severe failure to meet a child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect’s needs.

Some signs of possible neglect are if the person seems underweight or malnourished; if they are poorly clothed, with inadequate protection from the weather; if they are often absent from school or, in the case of adults, from regular or expected social activities and/or appointments for no apparent reason.

• Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect to take part in sexual activities, whether or not s/he is aware of what is happening. This may include physical contact both penetrative and non-penetrative, or viewing pornographic material including through the use of the internet. Indicators of sexual abuse include: allegations or disclosures, genital soreness, injuries or disclosure, sexually transmitted diseases, inappropriate sexualized behaviour including words, play or drawing.

Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of abuse of which involves children (male and female, of different ethnic origins and of different ages) receiving something (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) in exchange for sexual activity. It can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition. 

Symptoms of this kind of abuse can include a marked change in the child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect’s behaviour. For example, they may become unusually quiet and withdrawn, or unusually aggressive. Or they may start suffering from what may seem to be physical ailments, but which can't be explained medically. They may show unexpected fear or distrust of a particular individual or refuse to continue with their usual social activities. In the case of a child, they may refuse to attend school or start to have difficulty concentrating so that their schoolwork is affected. They may start using sexually explicit behaviour or language. The child may describe receiving special attention from a particular adult, or refer to a new, "secret" friendship with an adult or young person.

• Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Identified as Emotional Abuse in the Children’s Act and Psychological Abuse in The Care Act, this covers threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.  Emotional Abuse is where a child’s need for love, security, recognition and praise is not met. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of someone else such as in Domestic Violence or Domestic Abuse. A parent, carer or authority figure is considered emotionally abusive when they are consistently hostile, rejecting, threatening or undermining toward a child or other family member. It can also occur when children are prevented from having social contact with others or if inappropriate expectations are placed upon them.

Symptoms that may indicate emotional abuse are not necessarily easy to identify and may be similar to symptoms of other types of abuse. Self-harming behaviours, the development of eating disorders, becoming excessively withdrawn, demonstrating unusually aggressive behaviour can all be indicators that a child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect is suffering from some kind of abuse.

• Domestic Abuse

The Government defines domestic abuse as “any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality”. As awareness of ‘coercive control’ has grown in recent years which can be a common aspect of domestic abuse.  Controlling or coercive behaviour does not relate to a single incident, it is a purposeful pattern of behaviour which takes place over time in order for one individual to exert power, control or coercion over another.  Domestic abuse also covers so called ‘honour’ based violence. Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender, age, or sexuality. It usually happens between two people who are in a relationship now or have been in the past.

Symptoms of domestic abuse in adults are like many of the symptoms common to other forms of abuse. For the victim of domestic abuse guilt, shame, denial, self-blame, isolation and fear can be common emotions. Children in households where domestic violence is prevalent are more vulnerable to abuse themselves and can suffer from a range of negative impacts on their mental wellbeing because of exposure to sustained domestic tension and/or the witnessing of violence in the home.

• Financial or material abuse

Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult's financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

• Organisational abuse

Once known as institutional abuse, Organisational Abuse can happen when the needs of the organisation are prioritised over that of the individual.  It includes neglect or poor care practice within an organisation or specific care setting, such as a hospital or care home. It can also be in relation to care provided in your own home. This may range from one-off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.

• Discriminatory abuse

Discriminatory abuse covers all forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.  It relates to all protected characteristics as defined in The Equality Act 2010.

• Self-neglect

This covers a wide range of behaviour such as neglecting to care for your personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

• Modern slavery

Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Trafficking and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.

• Radicalisation

Radicalisation is a form of harm. The process may involve: 1) being groomed online or in person  2) exploitation, including sexual exploitation 3) psychological manipulation  4) exposure to violent material and other inappropriate information 5) the risk of physical harm or death through extremist acts.

• Other forms

Other forms of abuse include Female Genital Mutilation, County Lines (drug gangs from cities expanding their operations into smaller towns), cuckooing (drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person) and abuse through social media.

Further information about signs of abuse in adults can be found here: https://www.scie.org.uk/publications/ataglance/69-adults-safeguarding-types-and-indicators-of-abuse.asp

1. Managing Allegations or Disclosures

If a child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect makes a disclosure or allegation of abuse, it is important that you:

• Stay calm and listen carefully.
• Reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you.
• Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
• Do not promise to keep what they have told you a secret.
• Ask them for some basic contact details or the name of their school if you don’t have this
• Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared.
• Contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)  immediately. S/he will progress the allegation/disclosure following the processes detailed in section 3 of this Annexe.
• Record the allegation, disclosure or incident in a DWT Safeguarding Report Form as soon as you can, using the child’s/individual’s own words as far as possible. Sign and date the document and pass it to the DSO, who will ensure that the record is saved in the confidential Safeguarding Issues folder.
• If you believe that there is a real and immediate danger to the child or individual call the police. Then contact the DSO as soon as possible, if they are unavailable contact your safeguarding lead, or the appointed Director in charge of safeguarding. Ensure that you record the incident as outlined above and make the DSO aware of what has happened as soon as possible.

2. Managing Suspicions

Managing suspicions of abuse, where there has been no allegation or disclosure, can be difficult as suspicions rely on judgement and often reflect a pattern of incidents or concerns. Where you suspect that a child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect is suffering or at risk of abuse:

• Speak with the DSO as soon as possible. S/he will advise on steps to be taken next in line with the process outlined in section 3 of this Annexe.
• Record your concerns, being as specific as you can about times, dates and symptoms/behaviours that have raised your concerns as well as the context these were in using a DWT Safeguarding Log. Pass this on to the DSO who will ensure that the record is saved in the confidential Safeguarding Issues folder.

3. Management Processes

If a vulnerable person is in immediate danger, call 999 and then follow the processes below.

3.1  Disclosure/allegation is made against a DWT member of staff or volunteer

1. Issue is raised with Designated Safeguarding Officer
2. The DSO will:
   • ensure the matter is correctly recorded and logged
   • inform the appointed Director in Charge – or if the disclosure relates to the Director in charge, the CEO - that there has been an allegation
   • report the allegation to the relevant authority – see Essential Contacts in Annexe 3.
   • ask either the HR Manager or Volunteers Officer to ensure appropriate support is in place for the accused member of staff or volunteer whilst the investigation is underway.  NB The HR Manager and Volunteers Officer do not need to have details of the allegation.
   • Ensure support is in place for the person who raised the allegation.
3. The appointed Director in Charge will
   • Ensure the CEO, the relevant Director and the appointed Trustee know that there has been an allegation against a DWT member of staff or volunteer. 
   • Decide with the CEO, Director and Trustee what action should take place whilst the investigation is ongoing.
   • NB The CEO, Director and Trustee need only know that an allegation has occurred and as many details as needed to make a decision.  Full details should not be shared, and names of people involved will be kept as confidential as possible.

3.2 Disclosure/allegation is made about a third-party contractor

1. Issue is raised with Designated Safeguarding Officer
2. The DSO will:
   • ensure the matter is correctly recorded and logged
   • inform the appointed Director in Charge that there has been an allegation
   • report the allegation to the relevant authority – see Essential Contacts in Annexe 3
   • Ensure support is in place for the person who raised the allegation.
3. The appointed Director in Charge will
   • Ensure the CEO and the appointed Trustee know that there has been an allegation against a third-party contractor. 
   • Ensure no member of staff engages the contractor whilst the investigation is ongoing.
   • NB The CEO, Director and Trustee need only know that an allegation has occurred and as many details as needed to make a decision.  Full details should not be shared, and names of people involved will be kept as confidential as possible.

3.3 ​​​​​​​Disclosure/allegation is made against another person related to or in contact with the child or adult at risk of abuse or neglect

When a Disclosure is made whilst at a school or equivalent setting, or within the context of a school visit:

1. Inform the DSO immediately.  If you cannot contact the DSO, inform the Head Teacher at the school.
2. DSO will:
   • ensure the matter is correctly recorded and logged
   • inform the school and agree who will take action (usually the school)
   • log the school’s response and actions.
   • if the school is not taking action, follow the process a below
   • ensure support is in place for the person that heard the disclosure.
   • inform the appointed Director in Charge that there has been an allegation

When a Disclosure is made outside the context of a school or school visit:

1. Issue is raised with Designated Safeguarding Officer
2. The DSO will:

• ensure the matter is correctly recorded and logged
• report the allegation to the relevant authority – see Essential Contacts in Annexe 3
• ensure support is in place for the person who heard the disclosure
• inform the appointed Director in Charge that there has been an allegation

3.4 Disclosure/allegation is made against the Designated Safeguarding Officer

1. The issue should be raised with the appointed Director in Charge of Safeguarding.  If it is raised with the alternate Designated Safeguarding Officer, this DSO will immediately defer to the Director in Charge.
2. The Director will:
   • ensure the matter is correctly recorded and logged
   • inform the relevant authority
   • ask either the HR Manager to ensure appropriate support is in place for the DSO whilst the investigation is underway.
   • ensure support is in place for the person who raised the allegation via the Volunteers Officer for a volunteer, the HR Manager for a member of staff or by signposting an external individual.
   • NB The HR Manager and Volunteers Officer do not need to have details of the allegation.
3. The appointed Director in Charge will also:
   • Ensure the CEO, the relevant Director and the appointed Trustee know that there has been an allegation against the DSO. 
   • Decide with the CEO, Director and Trustee what action should take place whilst the investigation is ongoing.
   • NB The CEO, Director and Trustee need only know that an allegation has occurred and as many details as needed to make a decision.  Full details should not be shared, and names of people involved will be kept as confidential as possible.

1. DWT Safeguarding Leads and Officers

2. Other Essential Contacts

3. Useful Contacts and Sources of Information

VOYC Devon  www.voycdevon.org.uk/welcome-voyc-devon

Devon Safeguarding Children’s Board www.devonsafeguardingchildren.org

South West Child Protection Procedures www.swcpp.org.uk

Devon Early Years and Childcare Service www.devon.gov.uk/eycs

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency www.ceop.org.uk

NSPCC Safe (Safe Activities for Everyone) Network www.safenetwork.org.uk

MASH Consultation Line 0345 155 1071 (ask for Consultation Line)

Devon’s Domestic Abuse Helpline 0345 155 1074

UK Government official website:  Safeguarding children and young people

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safeguarding-children-and-young-people/safeguarding-children-and-young-people

Sources of training

http://www.voycdevon.org.uk/training-eventshttps://new.devon.gov.uk/devonsafeguardinglearning/

 https://safeguardingchildren.vc-tms.co.uk/

http://www.safetymedia.co.uk/course-library/

1. The Rules

1.1       The term in loco parentis - Latin for ‘in the place of a parent ‘- refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organisation to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent.  It is applied in two separate areas of the law:

• The Children Act 1989:  an adult who is in loco parentis has a duty of care towards children in their care.  Legally, while not bound by parental responsibility, the adult must behave as any reasonable parent would do in promoting the welfare and safety of children in their care.
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:  also requires schools or other organisations (such as childminders) to show a duty of care towards children’s safety and well-being.

1.2       Ofsted rules require that any adult or organisation regularly undertaking the care of children without parents/carers in attendance must either be registered with Ofsted as an individual or as part of a childcare agency and have at least a basic qualification in childcare. It should be noted here that youth organisations are an exception to this rule and when working with such organisations DWT should seek to clarify the safeguarding procedures in place.

2.         Supervision Levels and DWT Activities

The correct adult to child ratios will be observed. Note that this includes the assumption that there will always be 2 adults present. In other words you will never be alone with a group of children. The recommended minimum ratios are below.  These ratios must be increased as needed in line with site and activity risk assessments.