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Safeguarding Policy

Greenfingers Community Project

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1. Policy Statement

Greenfingers Community Project is committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for everyone who uses our site. We recognise our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk who visit, volunteer, or take part in allotment and gardening club activities.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and all concerns will be taken seriously and acted upon appropriately.

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2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

  • Plot holders

  • Volunteers

  • Committee members

  • Gardening club leaders and helpers

  • Visitors and guests

  • Children and young people

  • Adults at risk

 

It applies during:

  • General allotment use

  • Gardening club sessions

  • Open days and community events

  • Working parties and volunteering activities

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3. Definitions

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Children and Young People

Anyone under the age of 18.

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Adults at Risk

An adult who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation due to age, illness, disability, mental health issues, or other vulnerability.

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Safeguarding

Protecting people from abuse, neglect, harm, or exploitation and responding appropriately when concerns arise.

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4. Safeguarding Principles

We will:

  • Act in the best interests of children and adults at risk

  • Promote safe behaviour and clear boundaries

  • Encourage openness and reporting

  • Respond promptly to concerns

  • Work with local safeguarding agencies where required

  • Safeguarding arrangements will be proportionate to the informal, community-based nature of allotment activities.

5. Responsibilities

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Safeguarding Lead

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A named person will act as Safeguarding Lead.

Name: Charlotte Bragg

Role: Chairperson

Contact: 07885283421, Charlie.198621@gmail.com

The Safeguarding Lead will:

  • Receive and record safeguarding concerns

  • Decide when concerns need escalating

  • Liaise with local safeguarding services

  • Store records securely

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All members and volunteers must:

  • Follow this policy

  • Treat others with dignity and respect

  • Report safeguarding concerns promptly

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6. Code of Conduct

All adults on the allotment must:

  • Treat children and adults at risk with respect

  • Maintain appropriate physical and verbal boundaries

  • Avoid being alone with a child or adult at risk where possible

  • Not engage in behaviour that could be misinterpreted

  • Challenge inappropriate behaviour where safe to do so

Children must:

  • Be supervised by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult at all times

  • Follow basic site safety rules, especially around tools, water, and sheds

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7. Gardening Club Activities

Greenfingers Community Project may run a gardening club or organised group activities involving children, young people, and adults.

  • Children must be registered by a parent or guardian with consent to attend.

  • Children must be supervised at all times.

  • Sessions will take place in open, observable areas.

  • Activities will be age-appropriate and risk assessed.

  • Tools and equipment will be suitable for the group and supervised.

  • Clear behaviour expectations will be explained at the start of sessions.

Parents and guardians remain responsible for their children unless otherwise agreed in

writing.

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8, Use of Photographs/ Videos

Green fingers Community Project is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who take part in activities on the site.

 Photographs and video recordings may be taken for the purpose of promoting the allotment, celebrating activities, and sharing information on our website and social media platforms. 

Images and videos will only be used where appropriate consent has been obtained.

Written permission will be sought from parents or carers before any images or recordings of children are taken or shared, using Greenfingers Community Project consent forms. 

Adults will also be asked for their consent prior to the use of any images or recordings. 

No personal or identifying information will be published alongside images, and all media will be stored and used in line with safeguarding and data protection requirements. 

Consent may be withdrawn at any time.

 

9. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks

Greenfingers Community Project is committed to safer working practices.

DBS checks will be required for individuals who:

  • Regularly lead or supervise gardening club sessions

  • Have frequent or unsupervised contact with children or adults at risk

  • Hold positions of responsibility where safeguarding concerns may arise

  • DBS checks will be carried out at the appropriate level for the role

  • Information will be handled confidentially and in line with data protection requirements

  • A criminal record will not automatically exclude someone from involvement; decisions will be fair and proportionate

  • Occasional helpers, visitors, and plot holders who do not have regular or unsupervised contact will not normally require a DBS check.

 

10. Recognising Abuse

  • Abuse may include:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional or psychological abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect

  • Financial or material abuse

  • Discriminatory abuse

  • Concerns may arise through:

  • Direct disclosure

  • Observations

  • Information from another person

 

11. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

 

If you have a safeguarding concern:

  • Stay calm and listen

  • Do not promise confidentiality

  • Record what you’ve seen or been told (facts only)

  • Report the concern to the Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible

  • If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

 

12. Escalation and External Support

Where appropriate, concerns may be referred to:

  • Local Authority Children’s Services

  • Adult Social Care

  • Police

The Safeguarding Lead will make decisions about referrals.

 

13. Confidentiality and Record Keeping

  • Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis

  • Records will be stored securely

  • Data will be handled in line with GDPR

 

14. Site Safety

We will:

  • Promote safe use of tools and equipment

  • Identify and manage hazards

  • Encourage reporting of accidents and near misses

  • Risk assess events and activities

 

15. Review of the Policy

This policy will be:

  • Reviewed annually

  • Updated when guidance or legislation changes

  • Approved by the committe

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Date adopted: 26/01/2026                                                                                 Review date: 26/01/2027

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