Tytherton Village Hall is used by people of all ages and abilities. The aim of this policy is to ensure that they can use the hall without any fear of inappropriate behaviour.
We define children as persons under 18 years of age. Those aged under 14 years are regarded as needing a higher degree of protection than those aged 14-17. Most children visit with a responsible adult such as a relative. (We refer to this adult in this document as the child's carer). Where applicable, the principles of this policy also apply to vulnerable adults.
The welfare of children and vulnerable adults is paramount; people have a right to protection from harm irrespective of their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity. The primary responsibility for the care of children in the hall rests with the child's carer.
The trustees take seriously all suspicions and allegations of harm and will respond to them speedily and appropriately. We seek to protect the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults as much as is reasonably practicable. We require everyone to report any incident relating to child protection to an adult who can act on it for the protection of the child and to follow the hall's reporting procedure by informing a trustee.
Children aged under 14 are not allowed on the premises without a carer in attendance.
Where practicable the trustees will ensure that people hiring the hall ensure those who work with children are selected with care and caution and their references have been checked using the Disclosure and Barring Service where appropriate.
The trustees advise hirers to work in an open environment, avoiding unobserved secluded locations or situations and to obtain the carers', parents', or guardians' consent in writing prior to taking photographs of children in the hall.
Wherever possible first aid treatment should be carried out with more than one adult present except in the rare situation of serious injury where any delay in providing urgent first-aid pending the arrival of medical aid would be harmful to the child or vulnerable person.
We advise hirers to avoid the following unacceptable practices both for the protection of children and their safeguarding:
spending excessive time with individual young people;
taking children home (to theirs or the adult's) or in a private vehicle except in an emergency;
engaging in rough play, horseplay, or games of physical contact;
being closeted in a toilet or any private room with an individual child;
doing things of a personal nature, that the child can do for his or her self or with the assistance of a carer;
physical restraint, other than to prevent danger to the child or others, damage to property, or to prevent a criminal offence or serious anti-social behaviour.