Working With Children & Vulnerable People

As we grow, there may come a time where we will feel it is beneficial or necessary to work directly with children, young adults or vulnerable adults on projects and programmes.

Purpose

• To promote the well-being of any children and vulnerable adults

• To ensure that all members and volunteers and others covered by this policy understand the legal context within which checking with the Disclosure and Barring Service takes place

• To provide all members and volunteers with guidance on how they should behave if they suspect that a child or vulnerable adult may be experiencing, or be at risk from abuse or harm

• To guide members and volunteers on how to respond to and report concerns

Definitions

Children : 0-18

Vulnerable Adults :

Adults aged 18 and over have the potential to be vulnerable (either temporarily or permanently) for a variety of reasons and in different situations. An adult may be vulnerable if they:

• Have a learning or physical disability

• Have a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to alcohol or drugs

• Have a reduction in physical or mental capacity

• Are in the receipt of any form of healthcare

• Are detained in custody

• Are receiving community services because of age, health or disability

• Are living in sheltered or residential care home

• Are unable, for any other reason, to protect himself/herself against significant harm or exploitation.

Legal Framework

If ATT develops projects that involve working directly with children and/or vulnerable adults or, if a child or vulnerable adult begins volunteering with ATT, there are legal considerations that may need to be taken into consideration, as laid out in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

At this time full consideration should be given to the way in which ATTs responds to and preempts safeguarding concerns that may be raised.

Procedure

As per the Act - the key process which is recommended is that members and volunteers who will be working directly with children or vulnerable adults in regulated activities undergo Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. If people pass an Enhanced DBS check they are legally allowed to work directly with children. This applies to members and volunteers.

It’s important to note that only regulated activities, which are typically recurrent and unsupervised, require DBS checks. Delivering a one-off workshop for a child (under 18) where a parent or guardian is present would not require a DBS check for instance.

It is also recommended that for events held which may attract people under 18 (e.g. training, actions), notice is given that people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult or, if this is not possible, should notify ATT beforehand that they will be attending.

It is highly recommended that once public facing activities commence, at least one member of ATT has an enhanced DBS check and can be present in situations where children or identified vulnerable adults are in attendance. While this likely does not fall under the category of situations where a check is required, prevention of harm is recommended by making sure safeguarding is considered.

Further Reccomendations

For further recommendations which may become relevant in the future see this Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy from the National Children’s Bureau.

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