Vitality Villages Safeguarding Children Policy

Vitality Villages believes that it is always unacceptable for a child or young person to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them. Vitality Villages does not specifically offer activities for children but recognises that children do sometimes attend events with their families or other adult and, as such needs a safeguarding policy.

Vitality Villages recognises that:

•	the welfare of the child/young person is paramount
•	all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief,
•	sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
•	working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people's welfare.

The purpose of the policy:

•	To provide protection for children and young people who may become involved in Vitality Villages’ activities, including the children of adult volunteers or users.
•	To provide volunteers with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of, harm.

This policy applies to all committee members, volunteers, freelance workers or anyone working on behalf of Vitality Villages.

We will seek to safeguard children and young people by: 

•	valuing them, listening to and respecting them
•	adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for volunteers
•	recruiting volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made, when appropriate
•	sharing information about child protection and good practice with staff and volunteers
•	sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately
•	providing effective support for volunteers through support and training
•	Recording and investigating all cases where breach of this policy is suspected or found and reporting to a relevant agency where required
•	Reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Chairman’s Signature: _________________________________

Adopted on: ________________Reviewed date: _______________