Safeguarding Policy for Adults and Children

Long Lane Allotment Association believes that children, young people and vulnerable adults should be able to enjoy the facilities of the site, its events and activities we organise in safety and in a framework that minimises risk of harm through accident or abuse.

Children under 16 must always be accompanied by a parent/carer.

The policy aims to:

  • Underpin the standards of  work with children, young people and vulnerable adults
  • Keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from abuse, or any kind of harm or distress as a result of their contact with individuals on the allotment site
  • Protect individuals from accusations of misconduct

Implementation of the safeguarding policy will be realised by:

  • Keeping policies and procedural guidelines for this site appropriate, up-to-date and accessible 
  • Having clear processes for reporting and addressing any concerns or allegations relating to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse
  • Ensuring that programmes, projects and events, whether organised internally or externally, are well planned, responsibly supervised and within the law.
  • Ensuring that all volunteers are familiar with the code of conduct.

Responsbilities of the Committee:

  • The Committee Secretary must ensure that facilitators using the site to run programmes or one-off events are suitably qualified and experienced to supervise and deliver the activities they undertake.  
  • Ensure that facilitators will have DBS certification
  • Be given a copy of the project proposal that will run on the site
  • Check the qualifications of the facilitators running programmes on the allotment site ensuring that they are accredited and hold appropriate insurance 

Code of Conduct and Responsibilities for Plot Holders and Facilitators:

Do – 

  • Set a good example; you are likely to be seen as a role model and should adopt an approach that encourages mutual respect.
  • Always respect an individual’s right to privacy and personal space.
  • Be alert to inappropriate or potentially harmful behaviours within a group
  • Always seek the consent of a child, young person or vulnerable adult if you need to touch them to administer first aid or to help with clothing.
  • Respond sensitively to those anxious or unsure about participation in any activities.
  • Encourage a culture of openness, where anyone experiencing upset feels able to report it.
  • Immediately report any concerns you have about the welfare or safety of any child, young person or vulnerable adult or of inappropriate behaviour of other adults.
  • Ensure other adults attending a group (such as children’s parents) or family event recognise the need for appropriate behaviour around children.
  • Ensure that parents give permission for photographs of their children to be taken and used for publicity purposes

Do Not – 

  • Rely on your good name to protect you from allegations.
  • Be alone with a child/vulnerable person. If a degree of privacy is required then you should aim to remain within sight or earshot of other people.
  • Allow or engage in suggestive remarks, gestures or touching which could be misunderstood or misconstrued.
  • Take photographs without consent from both the individual concerned and any responsible adult or carer.
  • Engage in rough or physical contact unless it is permitted within the rules of a game or activity.
  • Smoke, or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Swear or use inappropriate language.
  • Make racist, sexist or homophobic remarks or observations

Reporting procedure:

The Secretary is the Designated Safeguarding Lead who advises the Committee on appropriate procedures and how to implement them and liaise with the Police and Social Services should need arise. She can be contacted on info@longlaneallotments.org.uk

Any concerns relating to treatment of children or vulnerable adults at the allotment site should be addressed to her.  All efforts should be taken to maintain confidentiality for all concerned when an allegation has been made and is being investigated.

The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead is to:

  • Receive information from individuals who have child protection or vulnerable person concerns and record them
  • Assess the information promptly and carefully, clarifying or obtaining more information about the matter as appropriate;
  • Consult with a child protection or vulnerable person’s agency such as the local children’s services, or the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline, to test out any doubts or uncertainty about the concerns;
  • Make a formal referral to a statutory child protection/vulnerable adults agency or the police.
  • It is not their role to decide whether a child/vulnerable person has been abused or not.

Awareness of safeguarding policy

The Code of Conduct will be given to all plot holders and external facilitators.  This policy document will be published on the group’s website, and displayed in the storage container.

Updated: September 2025