Safeguarding

Bakewell Friends are committed to ensuring that everyone who comes to their Meeting House feels safe, secure, and welcome. To this end they have adopted the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Area Meeting Safeguarding Policy.

This aims to ensure

• That risk of accident within the premises is minimised
• That children who attend Children’s Meeting are properly protected from inappropriate, abusive or exploitative activity
• That adults who may be vulnerable because of particular care or support needs are properly supported and protected
• That young people taking part in other Quaker organised activities e.g. the Noodle Link Group are safeguarded
• That other organisations hiring rooms within the premises have proper safeguarding arrangements in place
• That should an accident/ incident/ disclosure of abuse occur there are clear pathways to follow
• That advice is available in the event of a concern

In order to implement this: all volunteers regularly providing activities for children, young people, or adults who may be vulnerable to abuse or exploitation, will undergo a criminal records check (Disclosure and Barring Service, DBS, clearance), and they will always work with at least one other volunteer present.

Records are kept of all who attend groups such as the Children’s Meeting, and Activities are risk assessed.

The policy contains procedures to be followed in the event of an incident or disclosure of abuse by a child or adult, and relevant contact numbers and reporting forms.

Two Safeguarding Friends have been appointed who may be contacted for advice, and to whom any disclosure of abuse should be reported. They are:

• Paul Wilding
• Pat Scampion (Also DBS verifier)

Their names will be advertised in the Meeting House. If referral to the statutory agencies is indicated this will be reported the Area Meeting Safeguarding Co-ordinator.

The Premises Committee already oversees building safety and will ensure room hirers take safeguarding seriously. If required they will follow safe recruitment procedures.

In the event of a person considered (by police or probation service) to pose a risk to children or adults who might be vulnerable, wishing to attend Meeting the Safeguarding Friends will ensure they are welcomed, and will put in place safeguards for the Meeting arising out of a risk assessment. The safeguarding friends will also ensure pastoral care for anyone who has suffered abuse, current or historical.

We hope that safeguarding issues present minimal risk within Quaker Meetings, and we have aimed at maintaining a balance between the rigorous care and protection of the vulnerable and the warmth of the welcome extended to all who wish to attend Meetings. The Policy documents are available to everyone within the Meeting House, or on application, by post or click the button below to e-mail Pat Scampion.