Safeguarding

ACRE and ACRE Network members are part of a national project to promote positive safeguarding practices. Our aim is to increase awareness of the importance of safeguarding and making sure that these important rural assets are welcoming and safe places for all.

As a valued member of the ACRE network we will be working to make sure voluntary management committees that run village and community halls have the knowledge to provide a safe environment.

What is Safeguarding

Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children or other groups at risk and protect them from harm. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Charity Commission

The Charity Commission expects that safeguarding should be a key governance priority for all charities – this includes village and community halls. They have produced detailed guidance on Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees.

Safeguarding and the responsibility of a Hall Management Committee

Hall Management Committees have a duty of care as trustees of the charity to all those using the village or community hall. This includes all volunteers, staff and contractors undertaking work, etc. All reasonable steps need to be taken to prevent harm and to respond appropriately when harm does occur. Safeguarding policies and procedures that everyone has read and understood must be in place and used in the day-to-day operation of the hall.

The committee itself may not work directly with children or adults at risk but it is responsible for the contracts it makes with hirers and is expected to understand what the relevant safeguarding law is and how it applies to their building and users of the hall (volunteers, staff, contractors).

Safeguarding Resources:

• ACRE have produced an Information Sheet about safeguarding in village and community halls that includes a model safeguarding policy. Please contact us to obtain a copy
• NCVO Safeguarding Information
• NSPCC Child Protection Guidance
• NSPCC – Safeguarding Concerns: Practice Example – Hiring Out Space
• Ann Craft Trust
• The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published a tool to help charities in England with safeguarding concern

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern in Warwickshire:

The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) will deal with new safeguarding concerns where someone is concerned about the safety or well-being of a child or adult, or thinks they might be at risk of harm.

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern in Solihull:

We all have a responsibility to protect children, young people and adults who may be at risk of abuse.

To report a concern for a child or young person, call 0121 788 4300 (or 0121 605 6060 outside of work hours)

To report a concern for an adult, call 0121 704 8007 (or 0121 605 6060 outside of work hours) or contact the team online.