Code of Practice for Training Children and Vulnerable Adults

Background

If you follow this guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. ART Members are expected to follow this guidance to get the benefit of ART liability insurance. Relevant enforcing authorities will seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance.

Code of Practice

Members shall adhere to the safeguarding policy for the activity applicable to the venue where the event or training is taking place.
Members shall provide evidence of enhanced DBS or equivalent disclosure where necessary.
Members should complete safeguarding awareness training to the level recommended by the C of E.
Each group training session shall be attended by at least two Members, one of which is to be designated as leader. Try to have both a man and a woman present at each mixed-age event.
Ringing teachers MUST avoid one-to-one working with children. Always make sure there is another adult present.
Keep a record of teaching activity and who else is present.
Do not take children alone in a car, however short the journey.
Do not take children to your home as part of your organisation’s activity.
Do not allow children or vulnerable adults to use inappropriate language or behaviour unchallenged, or use such language yourself.
Physical contact with children and vulnerable adults should be kept to a minimum but is a normal part of learning a physical skill or sport.
Ensure that any contact is:

Appropriate and meets the need of the trainee rather than the trainer.

Understood by the trainee.

Open to scrutiny of others.

With the permission of the parent/guardian.

Do not make teasing or provocative comments to a trainee which could be misunderstood or misinterpreted.
Always listen carefully to what trainees have to say.
Any suggested or actual incident of inappropriate behaviour toward a child or vulnerable adult must be reported immediately to the safeguarding officer responsible for the location at which the incident occurred and ART Safeguarding. Any evidence or comment received by the child or vulnerable adult about possible abuse not connected with the teaching must be treated seriously and similarly reported.
Children up to and including the age of 14 are only collected by their custodial parent or persons authorised by such parent.
Members leading a session should not smoke or use alcohol or illicit drugs.
Members must comply with the photography policy, the anti-bullying policy, and other policies designed to protect children and vulnerable adults.
Members should take advantage of any related training available.

Code of Practice History

Last Modified: October 2018

Last Reviewed: July 2020

Contact

If you have any questions about this policy or safeguarding you are invited to contact the Association at:

safeguarding.officer@bellringing.org

Permission to ring