Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Repair Cafe Hereford City makes a positive contribution to a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe.

Repair Cafe Hereford City and its volunteers may come into contact with children and / or vulnerable adults infrequently through attending monthly repair cafes.

Repair Cafe Hereford City holds monthly sessions on a Saturday morning in a public building where members of the public are invited to bring along items that are broken. Specialist volunteers try to fix those items.

The specialist volunteers work with the public, repairing their broken items.

Children and vulnerable adults may attend infrequently as most attendees will be adults.

The types of contact with children and / or vulnerable adults will be infrequent and controlled. Children (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when bringing items along to be repaired. Vulnerable adults should be accompanied by a carer, but measures will be in place in the event that this is not feasible.

This policy seeks to ensure that Repair Cafe Hereford City undertakes its responsibilities with regard to the protection of children and / or vulnerable adults and will respond to concerns appropriately. The policy establishes a framework to support unpaid volunteers in their practices and clarifies the organisation’s expectations.

All volunteers must carefully read, sign, date and return a copy of this policy to confirm that they understand and agree to comply with it.

Legislation

The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are:

Working together to safeguard Children 2010
The Children Act 1989
The Adoption and Children Act 2002
The Children act 2004
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Care Standards Act 2000
Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
The Police Act 1997
Mental Health Act 1983
NHS and Community Care Act 1990
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
Equality Act 2010

Definitions

Safeguarding is about embedding practices throughout the organisation to ensure the protection of children and / or vulnerable adults wherever possible. In contrast, child and adult protection is about responding to circumstances that arise.

Abuse is a selfish act of oppression and injustice, exploitation and manipulation of power by those in a position of authority. This can be caused by those inflicting harm or those who fail to act to prevent harm. Abuse is not restricted to any socio-economic group, gender or culture.

It can take many forms, including the following:

Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional abuse
Bullying
Neglect
Financial (or material) abuse

Definition of a child / young person

A child / young person is under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations convention on the Rights of a Child).

Definition of Vulnerable Adults

A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited.

This may include a person who:

Is elderly and frail
Has a mental illness including dementia
Has a physical or sensory disability
Has a learning disability
Has a severe physical illness
Is a substance misuser
Is homeless

Responsibilities

Everybody, including volunteers, has a responsibility to follow the guidance laid out in this policy and related policies, and to pass on any welfare concerns using the required procedures.

We expect all volunteers at the Repair Cafe Hereford City to promote good practice by:

following the guidance provided in this policy and related policies
passing on any welfare concerns using the required procedure
being an excellent role model
contributing to discussions about safeguarding
positively involving people in developing safe practices
maintaining professional boundaries.

The Steering Group have responsibility to ensure:

The policy is in place and appropriate
The policy is prominently displayed at each Repair Café Hereford City event
The policy is accessible
The policy is implemented
The policy is monitored as a regular item on the Steering Group agenda and reviewed annually
Efficient and effective resources (time and money) are allocated to ensure implementation of this policy
The welfare of children / and vulnerable adults is promoted
Information and training on safeguarding is accessible
Concerns about safeguarding are dealt with swiftly and appropriately
Safeguarding and DBS (where appropriate) requirements are met

Responsibility of All Volunteers to Maintain Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries are what define the limits of a relationship between individuals (volunteers and visitors). They are a set of standards we agree to uphold that allows this necessary and often close relationship to exist while ensuring the correct detachment is kept in place.

Repair Cafe Hereford City expects volunteers to protect the professional integrity of themselves and the organisation. All volunteers are expected to maintain professional boundaries eg:

Do not pass on visitor personal contact details
Do not use / display foul, abusive or discriminatory language or behaviour
Do not accept money as a gift / borrow money or lend money to visitors. Users of the Repair Café Hereford City will be asked to make a monetary donation which must be recorded, and volunteers must not accept monies as a personal gift.
Do not accept gifts from children or vulnerable persons
Do not have a relationship with children or vulnerable adults
Apply caution when
- providing your own personal contact details
- accepting responsibility for any valuables on behalf of a client
- in personal contact with users of / visitors to the Repair Café Hereford City
Avoid
- personal contact with vulnerable adults / children
- lone contact with vulnerable adults / children

If the professional boundaries and/or policies are breached this could result in disciplinary procedures and reporting of a Safeguarding issue as set out in this document.

Additional specific responsibilities

The Nominated Safeguarding Leads’ responsibilities are to act as a point of contact where volunteers have concerns about an individual who may be at risk who has attended the repair cafe. The nominated safeguarding leads are Christine Henderson and Rod Howell.

Implementation

The scope of this Safeguarding Policy is broad ranging and in practice, it will be implemented via a range of procedures within the organisation.

Communications, Training and Support for Volunteers

Repair Café Hereford City commits to allocate resources (time and money) efficiently and effectively to ensure suitable training, effective communication and support mechanisms for volunteers in relation to Safeguarding.

Communication and training includes:

discussion of this Safeguarding Policy (and confirmation of understanding)
ensuring familiarity with reporting processes

This Safeguarding Policy is available:

on our web page
in printed format at each repair cafe

Support and information is available from:

Safeguarding Adults Board – Herefordshire Safeguarding Boards and Partnerships

Safeguarding Children Partnership – Herefordshire Safeguarding Boards and Partnerships

Safe Recruitment

All new volunteers will be asked if they are an appropriate person to deal with members of the public as well as having infrequent contact with children (accompanied by guardian) and vulnerable adults (accompanied by caretaker where appropriate).

Repair Café Hereford City will provide and explain this policy to new volunteers who will carefully read, sign, date and return the document which confirms that they have understood and agree to comply with the policy.

Reporting

Safeguarding concerns at Repair Cafe Hereford City should be reported to the Safeguarding Lead (or where appropriate, a member of the Steering Group, or a professional body) who will take action dictated by the circumstances which may involve contacting those responsible for the child/vulnerable adult or contacting the Local Authority and relevant professional bodies.

Repair Café Hereford City recognises its duty to report concerns or allegations against volunteers or by a professional from another organisation. Please be aware that it’s not possible to promise anyone that secrets will be kept. Information will be gathered, recorded and shared with the Police, the Local Authority and other agencies as required by law. The public interest in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults may override confidentiality interests – according to the guidance of the Local Authority and relevant professional bodies.

You can report a safeguarding concern to either of the Safeguarding Leads, who are:

Name	Contact Number	Email Address
Rod Howell	07852310912	Rodhowell69@gmail.com
Christine Henderson	07799071562	chrishendersonyoga@gmail.com

Or via:

Protect a child or young person

If you think that a child has been harmed or is being neglected, contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01432 260800 – available 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.45 to 4.45pm Fridays

Out of these hours 01905 768020

There are many possible signs of abuse and neglect, ranging from physical injury to changes in appearance or behaviour. Alternatively, you may witness an incident, or a child may tell you that they are being harmed. If you are worried, please report it. You could help to save a child’s life. Even if you don’t know them, or even their name. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, always call 999. Do not put yourself in danger – safeguard yourself first.

Protect an adult

Abuse of any description is wrong. By reporting abuse you can help bring it to an end.

To report a concern about an adult please ring us on:

01432 260101 (weekdays 9am to 5pm)
0330 123 9309 (after 6pm, weekends and public holidays)

Emergencies

If someone is injured or in immediate danger dial 999. Do not put yourself in danger – safeguard yourself first.
If there is no emergency but you think a crime may have been committed ring West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101
You can also email your concerns using the referral form (Word document), to safeguarding@herefordshire.gov.uk or write to us at: Adult Safeguarding, Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane Offices, Hereford, HR4 0LE.

Allegations Management

The process for raising and dealing with allegations is to contact the Safeguarding Lead or where appropriate a member of the Steering Group or a professional body.

Repair Cafe Hereford City recognises its legal duty to report any concerns about unsafe practice by any of its volunteers to the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA), according to the ISA referral guidance document.

Information Management and Monitoring

Repair Café Hereford City will keep a record in a secure (password protected) database of the volunteers who have signed and returned the Safeguarding Policy and any safeguarding issues that have been raised. Information will be gathered, recorded and stored (password protected) in accordance with the safeguarding policy.

Confirmation of Understanding and Compliance

I confirm that I have been made fully aware of, understand and agree to comply with the contents of the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for Repair Cafe Hereford City.

Please complete the details below and return this completed form to the Safeguarding Lead.

Volunteer Name :

Volunteer Signature:

Date:

Safeguarding Summary

What to do if…….

….you are concerned about the welfare of a child / vulnerable adult or there is a concern, complaint or allegation about an adult or yourself, inside or outside Repair Café Hereford City.

You must:

Tell one of the Safeguarding Leads immediately
Write careful notes of what you witnessed, heard or were told
Include the time and date and full names of those involved
Sign, date and pass your notes to one of the Safeguarding Leads
Make sure that Repair Café Hereford City poses no further risk to their welfare

….someone tells you they are being abused.

You must:

Allow them to speak without interruption, and accept what they say
Be understanding and reassuring – do not give your opinion
Tell them you will try to help but must pass the information on
Tell one of the Safeguarding Leads immediately
Write careful notes of what was said using the actual words
Include the time and date and full names of those involved
Sign, date and pass your notes to one of the Safeguarding Leads
Make sure that Repair Café Hereford City poses no further risk to their welfare

Do not promise that secrets will be kept – you must pass the information on

Safeguarding Leads:

Name	Telephone		Email Address
Rod Howell	07852310912		Rodhowell69@gmail.com
Christine Henderson	07799071562		chrishendersonyoga@gmail.com
Or contact:
Protect a child or young person Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01432 260800 – available 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am to 4.45pm Fridays Out of these hours 01905 768020		Protect an adult 01432 260101 (weekdays 9am to 5pm) 0330 123 9309 (after 6pm, weekends & public holidays) You can also email your concerns using the referral form (Word document), to safeguarding@herefordshire.gov.uk Or write to: Adult Safeguarding, Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane Offices, Hereford, HR4 0LE
Emergencies If someone is injured or in immediate danger dial 999. Do not put yourself in danger – safeguard yourself first. If there is no emergency but you think a crime may have been committed ring West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or 101

Remember to look after yourself, hearing someone else’s story is tough, and it may trigger memories – support for you is available from:

Mind 0300 102 1234

Samaritans 116 123

National DA Helpline 0808 2000 247

The Survivors Trust 0808 801 0818

Version 1.2 February 2025

Review Date February 2026