Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy

Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy
Statement
The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibility of all members of Thameside Woodturners Association in relation to Safeguarding Adults at Risk. All adults have the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglect and exploitation. This policy also applies to all those aged under 18.
1. Objectives
1.1 Everyone who participates in club activities is entitled to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.
1.2 The Association is committed to helping everyone in woodturning accept their responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults at risk, from harm and abuse
1.3 All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
1.4 Members working with vulnerable adults at risk in woodturning have a responsibility to report concerns to the Club Secretary.
2. Definition of an Adult at Risk?
2.1 Adult at Risk is a person aged 18 or over who is in need of care and support regardless of whether they are receiving them, and because of those needs are unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect. In recent years, there has been a marked shift away from using the term ‘vulnerable’ to describe adults potentially at risk from harm or abuse.
2.2 Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons.
2.3 Adult is anyone aged 18 or over.
2.4 Adult safeguarding is protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
2.5 Capacity refers to the ability to make a decision at a particular time, for example when under considerable stress. The starting assumption must always be that a person has the capacity to make a decision unless it can be established that they lack capacity.
3. Responsibilities and Communication
3.1 The Thameside Woodturners Association Safeguarding Policy will be available to all members, parents, staff, volunteers and participants. It is important that adults at risk are protected from abuse. All complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously with the Club Secretary passing information to the appropriate NGB Safeguarding Officer and informing the appropriate club staff where relevant.
3.2 The Association has responsibility for ensuring that the policy and procedures are implemented, including referring any appropriate disciplinary action to the national governing body as appropriate.
3.3 The ethos of Thameside Woodturners Association is that of openness and will provide an atmosphere where individuals feel confident that should they approach any club officer with an issue it will be listened to and actioned appropriately.
3.4 Any person who is a vulnerable person, must be accompanied at all times by an adult/carer who takes full responsibility for the safety and actions of the vulnerable person whilst participating in Club activities. As such there is no need for members to undertake a CRB check.
3.5 Members must immediately stop, and report to a committee member, any action or activity that they think may be inappropriate, or potentially harmful, for a junior member or a vulnerable person.
4. Monitoring and Review
4.1 This policy will be reviewed one year after being introduced and then every three years or in response to significant new legislation by the Management Committee and amended as appropriate. Guidance from National Governing Bodies will be sought as part of the review process.