Butterfly Conservation (BC) has both a moral obligation and a legal duty of care to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are safe and protected from harm whilst on BC premises or participating in any BC-led work and/or activity.

BC asserts that every child and vulnerable adult should have the support to:

  • Stay Safe
  • Enjoy and achieve
  • Make a positive contribution

A person is defined as a child, legally, until they reach their eighteenth birthday. There is no single standard definition of a vulnerable adult in law. However, BC has adopted the following definition: A Vulnerable Adult is a person who is aged 18 or over and who is, for any reason, unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation. We will give equal priority to keeping all children and vulnerable adults safe regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Context

This policy statement is informed by Child and Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding legislation and guidance in the four countries for children:

England:                     Children Act (1989 & 2004)

Wales:                         Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014

Northern Ireland:         Safeguarding Board Act (2011)

Scotland:                     Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014     

And for vulnerable adults:

England:                      The Care Act (2014)

Wales:                         Social Services & Wellbeing Act 2014

Northern Ireland:         The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007

Scotland:                     Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

Associated policies and codes of practice

This policy statement must be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults Code of Practice, which sets out in more detail the procedures and behaviours that should be followed to comply with this policy. The additional documents are also linked to this policy statement:

  • Risk Assessment template
  • Complaints Policy
  • Whistleblowing Policy
  • Accident & Incident Reporting Form
  • Child photography consent form

Scope

This policy applies to all permanent and temporary staff, volunteers and to contractors employed or working on behalf of BC, who come in to contact with children and/or vulnerable adults as part of the work they are undertaking.

 

BC’s responsibilities are

  • To ensure that BC staff, volunteers and contractors are clear about their individual behaviour and responsibilities in regard to the safety of children and vulnerable adults
  • To ensure that BC’s physical and virtual spaces are safe and secure, and promote enjoyable and positive experiences
  • To ensure that all suspicions or disclosures of abuse will be properly reported, recorded and acted upon.

 

BC will therefore ensure that:

  • A designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Leads are appointed
  • All staff likely to have regular contact with young people and/or vulnerable adults through their employment are safely recruited, ensuring all necessary checks (such as the Disclosure and Barring Service check) are made.  
  • All volunteers likely to have regular contact with young people and/or vulnerable adults are appointed after all necessary checks (such as the Disclosure and Barring Service check) are made.
  • Effective management for staff, contractors and volunteers is provided through supervision, support and training so that our policies and codes of practice are followed confidently and competently
  • Our safeguarding procedures are used to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know
  •  Our safeguarding procedures are used to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
  • We have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
  • We provide a safe physical environment for children and vulnerable adults, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
  • All information relating to children or vulnerable adults is held securely and safely and adheres to our Data Protection Policy
  • We build a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers know how they are expected to behave and feel comfortable about sharing concerns.

Ultimate responsibility for Safeguarding lies with the Trustees and Senior Leadership Team. However, the Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for this policy. The Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads will provide cover in the absence of the Designated Safeguarding Lead and also provide day to day support to staff, volunteers and contractors as necessary to ensure this policy and Code of Practice are understood and delivered as intended.