Safeguarding for Community Buildings

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has been awarded over £100k from the National Lottery Community Fund to promote good safeguarding practice to village and community halls throughout England.  

Working with management committees, the aim is to help them understand current legislation around safeguarding so they can ensure procedures are in place which reflect good practice.  Northamptonshire ACRE can help management committees to meet their safeguarding obligations by providing them with access to tailored support, resources and training as detailed below.

If you have a safeguarding concern you should contact:

In an emergency call the Police: 999

In relation to a child, any of the following:

Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership:

http://www.northamptonshirescb.org.uk/worried-about-a-child-/

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust

https://www.nctrust.co.uk/help-and-protection-for-children/Pages/report-a-concern.aspx

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Child Protection Team

https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/children-families-education/SEND/local-offer/local-government-department/2459-early-help-support-multi-agency-safeguarding-hub-mash-and-child-protection-team

In relation to an adult:

Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board

https://www.northamptonshiresab.org.uk/Pages/default.aspx

Resources

ACRE has updated Village Hall Information Sheet 5—Village Halls and Safeguarding.  The information sheet contains a sample safeguarding policy for community buildings. If you would like a copy, please contact: [email protected]

The Home Office has produced useful safeguarding resources for use in the community.  You can find leaflets and a poster on the Home Office Brandworkz portal.

You can find further resources by using the following links:-

ACRE Website Safeguarding information:

https://acre.org.uk/our-work/safeguarding

NCVO Safeguarding information:

https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/safeguarding

NSPCC child protection guidance:

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/voluntary-community-groups/

Safeguarding concerns: practice example – hiring out space:

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/safeguarding-concerns-practice-examples/

Safeguarding guidance for disabled children and adults at risk:

https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/

Guidance on handling safeguarding allegations in a charity:

https://safeguarding.culture.gov.uk/

Training

Northamptonshire ACRE holds periodic safeguarding training for community buidlings. Updates will be provided on this website and we will also notify Community Facilities Members direct. 

Support

If your committee needs support or advice regarding its safeguarding obligations, our Community Facilities Adviser (Frances Harris) would be happy to help:  [email protected]