SAFEGUARDING POLICY
1. Purpose
The principal purpose of this policy is to protect people, particularly children, young people under the age of 18, and adults at risk, from harm that may arise through their contact with Howl Bushcraft (Bushcraft Training Services Ltd).
This includes harm arising from:
The conduct of directors, instructors, staff, volunteers, contractors, freelance instructors, or any other persons acting on behalf of Howl Bushcraft.
The design, delivery and management of Howl Bushcraft's courses, expeditions, workshops, camps, online activities and educational programmes.
A further purpose of this policy is to assist directors, instructors, staff, volunteers and associated personnel in identifying and responding appropriately to concerns regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm affecting any child, young person or adult at risk who participates in or comes into contact with Howl Bushcraft activities.
This policy sets out the commitments of Howl Bushcraft and the responsibilities of those working on its behalf.
2. What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding means protecting people's health, wellbeing, rights and dignity, enabling them to live free from abuse, harm, neglect and exploitation.
Howl Bushcraft understands safeguarding as protecting children, young people and adults at risk from:
Harm arising from contact with our staff, instructors, volunteers, contractors or representatives.
Harm arising from participation in our activities.
Abuse, neglect or exploitation that becomes known during our activities.
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
Company directors
Employees
Freelance instructors
Volunteers
Contractors
Activity leaders
Expedition leaders
Visiting specialists
Anyone acting on behalf of Howl Bushcraft Ltd
This policy applies during:
Bushcraft courses
Wilderness skills training
Expeditions
Camping activities
Educational visits
Residential events
Online activities
Communications relating to company activities
4. Policy Statement
Howl Bushcraft believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or background, has the right to be protected from abuse, harm and neglect.
Howl Bushcraft will not tolerate abuse, exploitation, discrimination or neglect by any director, instructor, staff member, volunteer, contractor or associated person.
This policy addresses:
Child safeguarding
Adult safeguarding
Howl Bushcraft is committed to safeguarding through three key principles:
Prevention
Creating safe environments and reducing risk.
Reporting
Ensuring concerns can be raised easily and safely.
Response
Taking appropriate action when concerns arise.
5. Prevention
Howl Bushcraft will:
Governance
Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for safeguarding matters and policy review.
Review safeguarding arrangements annually.
Safe Recruitment
Where appropriate, Howl Bushcraft will:
Obtain references.
Conduct DBS checks where legally required.
Assess suitability for working with children and adults at risk.
Training
Ensure all instructors and relevant personnel understand safeguarding responsibilities.
Provide safeguarding awareness training appropriate to roles.
Safe Activity Design
Howl Bushcraft will design and deliver activities in ways that minimise risk, including:
Risk assessments.
Appropriate supervision.
Emergency procedures.
Communication systems.
Participant information and consent procedures.
Safe management of online communications.
Outdoor Activities
Particular attention will be given to safeguarding during:
Residential camps
Overnight expeditions
Remote woodland activities
Fire lighting and fire management
Knife, axe and tool use
Shelter building
Navigation exercises
Foraging activities
6. Responsibilities of Staff, Instructors and Volunteers
All staff, instructors, volunteers and associated personnel must:
Act professionally at all times.
Treat participants with dignity and respect.
Maintain appropriate boundaries.
Follow safeguarding procedures.
Report safeguarding concerns immediately.
Challenge unsafe behaviour where appropriate.
7. Child Safeguarding
All representatives of Howl Bushcraft must not:
Engage in or attempt to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 18.
Subject a child or young person to physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse.
Neglect a child.
Groom or exploit a child in any way.
All representatives of Howl Bushcraft must:
Remain vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect.
Take all concerns seriously.
Take immediate action where safety is at risk.
Record concerns accurately and factually.
Report concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
8. Adult Safeguarding
All representatives of Howl Bushcraft must not:
Engage in abusive, exploitative or inappropriate behaviour towards adults at risk.
Subject an adult at risk to physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial abuse.
Neglect an adult at risk.
All representatives of Howl Bushcraft must:
Remain vigilant for signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Take concerns seriously.
Take immediate action where necessary.
Record concerns accurately.
Report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
9. Reporting Concerns
Howl Bushcraft will ensure accessible methods for reporting safeguarding concerns are available to:
Staff
Volunteers
Contractors
Participants
Parents and guardians
Members of the public
Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing but should be recorded in writing as soon as possible.
10. How to Report a Safeguarding Concern
Anyone with a safeguarding concern should report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
If the concern involves the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the concern should be reported directly to another company director or, where appropriate, directly to the Police or Local Authority Safeguarding Team.
The report should include:
Date and time
Details of concern
Names of those involved
Actions already taken
Any immediate risks
11. Response Procedures
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will:
Gather initial information.
Ensure immediate safety where necessary.
Maintain secure records.
Seek advice from statutory agencies where appropriate.
Refer concerns to Children's Services, Adult Social Care or Police when required.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will not conduct investigations beyond what is necessary to establish basic facts.
Where criminal activity or abuse is suspected, appropriate authorities will be contacted without delay.
Howl Bushcraft will take appropriate disciplinary action where any breach of this policy is identified.
12. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is essential in safeguarding matters.
Information relating to safeguarding concerns will be:
Shared only on a need-to-know basis.
Stored securely.
Managed in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
No participant can be guaranteed absolute confidentiality where safeguarding concerns exist.
Where there is a risk of harm, information may need to be shared with:
Police
Children's Services
Adult Social Care
Other relevant statutory agencies
to ensure appropriate protection measures can be taken.
13. Designated Safeguarding Lead
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: Jamie Dakota
Position: Director
Organisation: Howl Bushcraft
Email: theteam@howlbushcraft.co.uk
14. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed:
Annually;
Following any safeguarding incident;
Following changes to legislation or guidance;
Following significant changes to company activities.
Howl Bushcraft is committed to providing safe, supportive and respectful bushcraft, wilderness and outdoor learning experiences for all participants throughout Yorkshire and beyond.