SS&DBKA welcomes any member of the public who is interested in beekeeping, including children and vulnerable adults.
To support this approach, the elected Committee of the SS&DBKA, acting as Trustees of the Association, commits to the safeguarding and child protection of these groups as outlined in this policy.
Policy Aims:
To protect children and vulnerable adults.
To define actions, responsibilities, and procedures for members.
To respond swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions or allegations of abuse.
To ensure that information is passed confidentially and as rapidly as possible to the SS&DBKA Safeguarding Officer or appropriate external agencies, to protect both the individual child, vulnerable adult and the SS&DBKA member.
The Association recognises that all members have a duty of care for the health, welfare and safety of any young person below the age of 18 years, or vulnerable adult in contact with SS&DBKA. However, the primary responsibility for a child’s supervision and safety at all SS&DBKA events must lie with a parent, guardian, or designated responsible adult over the age of 18 years. The trustees are responsible for ensuring that any persons who come into contact with the organisation are not harmed in any way. SS&DBKA have a designated safeguarding officer.
All members of the Association must familiarise themselves with the Policy and comply with it, as a condition of membership:
• at Association events
• when operating as independent individuals in beekeeping.
Guidelines on Actions, Responsibilities and Procedures
Actions for all Members:
- Report any evidence or reasonable suspicion of abuse, whether by an adult or another child, to the SS&DBKA Safeguarding Officer, the Local Authority Safeguarding Board, or the police, as below. Any concerns raised should be recorded but kept confidentially. However, it is to be remembered, that confidentiality is not a barrier to keeping children safe and relevant information will be shared with relevant organisations, i.e. the local safeguarding board or the police.
- Treat everyone with respect, ensuring your behaviour, language, gestures, etc. are appropriate and above reproach.
- Challenge instances of sexism, gender inequalities and power imbalances that leave people at risk of harm.
- Never abuse any child or vulnerable adult, verbally, physically or by any other means.
- Avoid being alone with a child (apart from own child).
- Avoid physical contact with any child (apart from your own child) or vulnerable adult, except when necessary to ensure physical safety. Seek the express permission of parent, guardian, or carer, unless dealing with an unforeseen emergency.
- Don’t take photographs of children or film them without the consent of the parent or guardian.
- Treat information about children and vulnerable adults, e.g. names and addresses, in strictest confidence.
Actions for Trustees
- To provide a safe environment for everyone who is in contact with our organisation.
- To report any safeguarding concerns or allegations to the relevant agencies.
- To monitor and review the implementation and effectiveness of this policy annually and take action as necessary.
If someone is at immediate risk of harm, dial 999 or 112
To report a concern or get advice:
SS&DBKA Safeguarding Officer: Jessica Bennett 07843 376 392
Staffordshire County Council – First Response Team 0300 111 8007
Out of hours for all areas 0345 604 2886
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Care-for-children-and-families/Childprotection/First-Response.aspx
Reporting abuse of a vulnerable adult 0345 604 2719
NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000
Relevant Legislation:
The Children Act 1989
The Children Act 2004
Children and Social Work Act 2017
Definitions within the context of this policy:
• Children: all young people under the age of 18
• Vulnerable adults: people aged 18 or over who have:
a learning or physical disability,
a physical or mental illness, or reduced physical or mental capacity, of various kinds, that might affect any of us, either long term or transitory, e.g. from anaphylaxis due to a sting
• Abuse: examples of abuse include physical, sexual, emotional and psychological, neglect, financial, bullying, discrimination and harassment related to gender, age, disability, racism, or other factors.
Reviewed June 2022 – PDF copy