Protection of vulnerable groups policy

1. Introduction

The Trustees of The Andrew Raven Trust have a duty to safeguard children and all vulnerable adults who are involved in the activities of the Trust. The main activities of The Andrew Raven Trust include residential weekends at Ardtornish House, Morvern, virtual gatherings and community-based workshops and activities. All activities of the Trust weekend may involve children and vulnerable adults as visitors or as participants. 

2. Policy

During the conduct of all activities the Trust will ensure that the welfare of the child or vulnerable adult is paramount and is the responsibility of everyone. All children and vulnerable adults, without exception, have the right to protection from abuse, whether physical, verbal, exclusion or neglect. Bullying, shouting, physical violence, sexism and racism towards children or vulnerable adults will not be permitted or tolerated. 

This policy is in place to protect all vulnerable persons regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, religion or faith. 

3. Application of Policy 

When applying the above policy to its work the Trust will ensure that:

  • The personal data of children and vulnerable adults is protected. Where necessary, steps to ensure the protection of this data may go beyond the requirements of the Data Protection Act (2018);
  • Photographs are not published without consent;
  • The publication of full names, whether in connection with photographs, or more generally, is avoided unless consent is obtained;
  • There is no publication of names and ages of children and vulnerable adults;
  • It fully considers whether any special arrangements are required for holding the contact details of children and vulnerable adults, such as maintaining a separate contact database;
  • Any online activities are suitably protected to ensure that non-participants may not join.

4. Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Representatives

Two Trustees were confirmed as the child and vulnerable adult protection representatives of the Trust at a Trustees’ meeting on 18th August 2019:

Priscilla Gordon-Duff, priscillamgd@gmail.com 07720 18800

Sally Thomas, soz.thomas@btinternet.com 07747 107730 

Their responsibilities are as follows:

  • Ensuring that the policy is being put into practice;
  • Being the first point of contact for child and vulnerable adult protection issues;
  • Keeping a record of any concerns expressed about child and vulnerable adult protection issues;
  • Bringing any child and vulnerable adult protection concerns to the notice of all the Trustees and contacting the Local Authority if appropriate;
  • Ensuring that paid staff and volunteers are given appropriate supervision;
  • Ensuring that everyone involved with the organisation is aware of the identity of the child and vulnerable adult protection representatives. 

All suspicions or allegations of abuse against a child or vulnerable adult will be taken seriously and dealt with speedily and appropriately. 

5. Responsibilities of all Trustees 

The Trustees are jointly responsible for reporting concerns that arise, as a matter of urgency, to the appropriate statutory agencies and following up any procedures recommended or required by such appropriate authorities. 

All Trustees and others acting for the Trust will be made aware of child and vulnerable adult protection issues. New Trustees will be provided with an understanding of their responsibilities under this policy as part of their induction as a Trustee. 

6. Review 

This policy will be reviewed annually at the Trust AGM or earlier if the need arises and, on request, will be made available to anyone participating in the activities of the Trust 

Updated October 2024