Protection of Vulnerable Adults and Children from Abuse and Exploitation

1. Introduction

All those involved with The Barby Woodland Trust have the right to do so safely and without threat of exploitation or abuse. Certain adults and children may be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by others and The Barby Woodland Trust will act in a timely and responsible manner to do everything it can to ensure their safety while on the site.  

2. Accompanied Groups

Where vulnerable adults and children take part in activities as part of their school or community group, the leaders of those groups will be expected to ensure their safety from abuse and exploitation.

3. Unaccompanied individuals and groups

Where vulnerable adults and children take part in activities organised and overseen by trustees or volunteers from the Barby Woodland Trust without the presence of parents, teachers or group organisers, the Barby Woodland Trust will carry out criminal records checks on those providing supervision with the Disclosure and Barring Service prior to the activity taking place. 

4. Allegations or disclosure of abuse or exploitation

Any disclosure of abuse or exploitation that is reported to any charity trustee or volunteer from any source must be reported to the chair of the trustees who will take action in accordance with the Charity Commission guidance, including reporting the matter to the police or local authority if necessary. 

5. Trustees and volunteers duty to undertake criminal records checks

Any trustee or volunteer who is going to take responsibility for activities on the site which involves children or potentially vulnerable adults must be willing to submit to a criminal records check undertaken through the Disclosure and Barring Service prior to the activity taking place. The Barby Woodland Trust will pay for all such checks to be undertaken. The Trustees have agreed at their meeting on the 20th June 2023 that all of its trustees will undertake Disclosure and Barring Service checks.

6. Reporting and learning from incidents

In the event of any incident of an alleged abuse or exploitation incident, the designated lead trustee for safeguarding shall investigate the facts and actions taken and provide a report to the Trustees which reports what happened and what actions have been taken, and suggests any changes to the policy arising from the incident.

7. Reporting to The Charity Commission and Disciplinary Action

Where required by Charity legislation, the trustees must provide a report to the Charity Commission. Where an allegation involves a trustee or volunteer, the conduct of that person must be investigated and action taken as considered appropriate.

Graham Sloper
The Barby Woodland Trust
Document date: June 2023
Review date: November 2024