Safeguarding Policy 

A policy for trustees, volunteers, contractors and people booking the garden for private use. 

Callis Community Garden is a registered charitable incorporated organisation. Its purpose is to conserve and enhance the existing nature conservation interest of the site and to provide local people with an accessible place in which to enjoy nature.

The Garden project is not constituted, staffed or registered to take responsibility for the care of children or vulnerable adults. 

The Trustees of Callis Community Garden recognise that safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is vital and that as charity trustees we have a duty of care towards the children and vulnerable adults who use the garden. 

The Trustees are committed to the principle that all children and vulnerable adults without exception have the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs. 

The garden does not employ paid staff – but it does have volunteers and the trustees themselves. Their responsibilities are to ensure the health and safety of the environment and to manage the garden in line with its charitable objectives and policy. 

At no time are volunteers, including the Trustees, permitted to take responsibility for the care of children or adults in their capacity as garden guardian or volunteer on behalf of the project. 

Children under 16 are not allowed to access the garden unless accompanied by and adult carer or as part of a registered group which has booked the garden as a venue. 

The garden sometimes contracts for services such as event planning and volunteer co-ordination, craft instructors, gardeners and entertainers etc. At no time are contractors required or permitted to take any responsibility for the care of children or adults whilst working for the garden project. 

The garden also provides a bookable venue which is used by local organisers for events such as craft days and yoga sessions. A pre-booking form is required which makes clear that this is a self-managed arrangement. The person booking signs an agreement to adhere to the garden policies respectful behaviour toward people and the environment and a prohibition of the consumption of alcohol or drugs on site. The person booking is required to undertake their own risk assessments and be responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the group for the duration of the booking. Constituted groups caring for children are required to have their own registration (if required) and safeguarding policy. 

Where concerns about children and young people’s welfare are raised, the garden trustees are committed to working with all relevant agencies to take appropriate actions to address those concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures and legal requirements. Any concerns or allegations of abuse will be taken seriously by trustees and volunteers and be responded to appropriately – this may require a referral to children’s services and in emergencies, the police. 

This policy will be reviewed annually or more frequently if required.