Nocton Hub Safeguarding Policy
NOCTON HUB - SAFEGUARDING POLICY
First Adopted August 2020
16/05/2023 - Reviewed and approved (Minute Ref. 9 i)
Nocton Hub is a community building owned and managed by Nocton Parish Council
1. This policy applies to ALL users (hirers and clients) of the Nocton Hub community building and all areas within the building and its grounds (premises incorporating an events hall, meeting room, lounge, toilets and the Ripon Arms ‘the licensed` premises’). It is in place to protect all persons at risk regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, religion or faith and to discharge our responsibilities to all clients under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (‘the Act’) and any subsequent legislation.
2. All Nocton Parish Council / Nocton Hub staff, volunteers and hirers have a duty to safeguard persons at risk who may be using any part of the Nocton Hub site. Persons at risk could include: children, young people, adults with learning difficulties or physical disability, frail, elderly people and carers. The welfare of a person at risk is paramount and is the responsibility of everyone. All persons at risk, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse, whether physical, verbal, sexual, bullying, exclusion or neglect.
3. Nocton Parish Council will endeavour to keep the premises safe for use by persons at risk. Nocton Parish Council recognises that a higher standard of safety is required where use is made by small children, those who cannot read safety notices and physically disabled adults. Therefore children and other relevant vulnerable people MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult when visiting either the toilet facilities or any other part of the Nocton Hub site.
4. Bullying, shouting, physical violence, sexism and racism will not be permitted or tolerated anywhere on the Nocton Hub site.
Young People and Children
5. Any activities for children, young people and other vulnerable adults may be only provided by fit and proper persons in accordance with the Act and any subsequent legislation. If requested, hirers must provide Nocton Parish Council with a copy of their Safeguarding Policy and evidence that they have carried out relevant checks through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
6. Any organisations or individuals hiring the hall for the purposes of holding activities where Ofsted registration is required should show their registration and their own Child Protection Policy before hiring. Safe recruitment processes should be used to appoint staff who will be working with children or vulnerable adults in any kind of activity.
Duties
7. Hirers must respond to any concerns they may have regarding the physical, sexual, emotional or psychological safety of a person at risk or concerns relating to discriminatory or financial violation or exploitation of a person at risk.
8. All suspicions or allegations of abuse against a person at risk will be taken seriously and must be dealt with speedily and appropriately by the hirer.
Restrictions on Hire
9. Under the Licensing Act 2003 hirers must ensure that alcohol is not sold to those under the age of 18. Nocton Parish Council and Ripon Arms staff will ensure that hirers are made aware of their obligations.
10. No children may be admitted to films when they are below the age classification for the film or show.
11. The specific scope of any gaming, gambling or adult entertainment activity that is proposed must be submitted in writing by the Promoter 7 days before the event and be explicitly agreed to in writing by Nocton Parish Council.
Review
12. This policy and associated Hire Agreement terms will be reviewed annually and updated as appropriate in the interim periods.