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Policy Statement

Safeguarding Vulnerable People

Purpose

The purpose of this statement is to define how the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) operates to safeguard children and vulnerable adults from harm and to provide staff and volunteers with the principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.

We have a duty of care and are committed to the protection and safety of children and vulnerable adults involved as visitors and as participants in all our activities. We also want to protect and support our staff who work or meet these groups.

Scope

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of BBOWT. This includes all employees and volunteers.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up based on legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children and vulnerable adults in England.

Our commitment

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk is paramount in all the relevant work we do and in all the decisions we take;
  • working in partnership with children, adults at risk, parents, carers, and other agencies is essential in promoting everyone’s welfare;
  • everyone, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, has an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse;
  • some people are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues and extra safeguards may be needed to keep children who are additionally vulnerable safe from abuse.

BBOWT takes safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously. We are committed to:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting everyone;
  • providing clear instructions, supervision, information, and training to ensure employees and volunteers are competent to do their work and understand who to contact to raise a concern;
  • adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies and procedures;
  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for all participants of our activities by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance;
  • building a safeguarding culture where everyone treats each other with respect and is comfortable about sharing concerns;
  • holding our activities and responsibilities to account via our Health & Safety Committee, which reviews all reported incidents and reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

Supporting documents

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance, and other related documents:

  • Code of Practice 6: Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Groups
  • Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy
  • Health and Safety Policy
  • Whistleblowing Policy

Contact Details

We have two designated safeguarding leads (DSL) and a Board representative who are responsible for overall safeguarding procedure and process.

  • People Director (BBOWT Safeguarding Lead)
  • Community Engagement Director (BBOWT Deputy Safeguarding Lead)
  • Appointed Board Representative for Safeguarding


Reviewed: March 2025