Safeguarding

What is Safeguarding and why do we need a policy?

Safeguarding means taking steps to ensure the people we interact with are safe and secure. When we work with children, young people and vulnerable adults we must protect them from physical, psychological or any other abuse.

Guidelines for local groups

We have a set of guidelines for local groups on how to implement our safeguarding policy. These guidelines set out the responsibilities and commitments of local group members when working with children, young people and vulnerable adults as part of Friends of the Earth's wider Safeguarding Policy. It is essential that all local groups understand and follow these guidelines. Doing so will protect you and Friends of the Earth as well as vulnerable people

What do the guidelines cover?

They cover what you should do if you suspect a child, young person or vulnerable adult is the subject of abuse - how to stop it and who to report it to. More detail and a reporting form are in the guidelines.

There are some rules to follow so that you're acting in line with our policy:

1. You must never be alone with a vulnerable person (child, young person or vulnerable adult) at any time. If it is necessary to work directly with just one vulnerable person make sure you are with at least one adult who is responsible for them.
2. Don't engage in, and don't allow others to engage in, inappropriate behaviour or contact (this includes physical, verbal, sexual, including horseplay), or deliberately put yourself or others in compromising situations.
3. Photographs: You need to get written permission from parents or guardians of children before you take any photos, explaining clearly what the pictures will be used for and where they will be used. You can read the full policy and download the photo consent forms.
4. At all events and activities that involve children, young people and vulnerable adults we have an obligation to let them know what they can do if they feel threatened or uncomfortable. Group members are asked to read the following statement out at such activities:

"We want everyone to feel safe and secure. If at any point you feel anyone does anything you find upsetting, please mention this to an adult you trust."

Do I need a CRB check?

If you are only working with children, young people or vulnerable adults on stalls or at public events, you do not need a CRB check or to do any more than follow the basic rules above and be observant and aware of risks or signs of abuse.

If you will be working with children or young people on behalf of Friends of the Earth when their parents are not present (e.g. in a school or at a youth club), you need to join the Youth and Education Network. You can join as a school visitor if you wish to work in schools or youth clubs up to 3 times per year. You can join as an educator if will be going in up to once per week or 4 times in a month. Once you have read our online child protection training, passed a quiz about it and we have received suitable references (educators only) you will be issued with a certificate.

Only if you are working with children more frequently than the above might you need a CRB check.

Young people joining your group

It's fine for young people - age 14-18 to join your group, as long as you obtain parental permission before granting them membership, or before they join you on campaigning activities. There are detailed guidelines on young people joining local groups.

For any local group safeguarding concerns or queries, contact Neil Kingsnorth, Head of Activism at [email protected] or on 01925 264308.