Safeguarding

Safeguarding: Principles, Policies and Practices

Definitions

‘Adult’ is anyone aged eighteen or over;

‘Adult at risk’ may be a person who has a learning disability, a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment, has mental health needs including dementia or personality disorder, has a long-term illness or condition, who misuses substances or alcohol, who is unable to make their own decisions or is in need of care and support;

‘Child’ is anyone under the age of eighteen;

‘Member’ is anyone attending or supporting a BEA event, including volunteers, lecturers and trustees.

Principles

  1. Berwick Educational Association (‘BEA’) is fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its members. These may include adults at risk and children. All members should show respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of others and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
  2. BEA recognizes that all members, regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, race, faith, culture, size, language or sexual identity have the right to participate in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment, whilst at the same time being protected from abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice. BEA recognizes that this is the responsibility of every member.

Policies

  1. Attendance at BEA events is open to everyone aged 18 or over, subject where necessary to payment of an admission fee. Children may also attend, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times: children who are part of a school group, must be accompanied and supervised by a teacher(s) at all times.
  2. BEA will ensure that its volunteers, lecturers and Trustees are aware of this Safeguarding Policy, including the reporting guidance below and offer appropriate training. It is not our policy to take up DBS checks on our volunteers, Trustees or lecturers, other than our Safeguarding Officer.
  3. All allegations, suspicions or concerns of abuse, neglect, harm and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, fairly and appropriately.
  4. BEA will appoint a Safeguarding Officer, who will be DBS-checked and have received appropriate training. The Safeguarding Officer will have primary responsibility for ensuring the implementation of this policy, will keep this policy under review and report to the Trustees at least annually.

Practices:

  1. BEA will ensure that its current volunteers/Trustees/lecturers are aware of this Safeguarding Policy, including the reporting guidance below, by sending this policy document to them when they join BEA and by sending them a fresh copy when the policy has been modified. BEA will also offer training resources as part of this process.
  2. At events where children are present, the lead volunteer will ensure that this policy is displayed at the venue.
  3. BEA will publish this policy on its website.
  4. Safeguarding Officer: BEA’s current Safeguarding Officer (‘SO’) is Ray Clarke rayclarke39@gmail.com  BEA will notify this person to all volunteers/Trustees/lecturers and publish this information on the BEA website.

Reporting Guidance:

  1. If any person witnesses, becomes aware or is made aware of an incident and/or is concerned that the welfare of another member has been put at risk, then that person must, in the first instance, inform the SO, or any volunteer or Trustee
  2. If a situation is not an emergency and it is not possible to appraise the SO or a Trustee, then for adults or children living in Northumberland ring 01670 536 400.
  3. In an emergency, i.e. if someone’s safety is under immediate threat, dial 999 and then report to the SO. The SO must report any allegation/incident or concern to the Trustees and to NCC/NHS via Onecall  01670 536 400.  Incidents should not be reported via social media.
  4. The Trustees will review each incident immediately, take action as appropriate and determine whether it should be reported to the police and/or the Charity Commission. Reports to the Charity Commission will be via their online form.

Record-Keeping:

  1. The SO is responsible for ensuring that a full record be made of the nature of an allegation/incident/concern and any other relevant information as soon as possible. This should include information in relation to the date, the time, the place where the alleged abuse happened, your name and the names of the others present, the name of the complainant and, where different, the name of the person who has allegedly been abused, the nature of the alleged abuse, a description of any injuries observed, the account which has been given of the allegation.
  2. The SO and/or any BEA member must take extreme care in confirming the details recorded concerning any allegation/incident/concern. They are not required to act as an investigator.
  3. Confidentiality is of great importance and must be respected.
  4. The SO must ensure that records are kept for 10 years. All records should comply with GDPR.

Review: The SO will report to the Trustees on the operation of this policy on an annual basis (unless changes in circumstances make an earlier review desirable), and recommend changes as appropriate.

14/08/2026