Safeguarding at Howl Bushcraft

At Howl Bushcraft, the safety, welfare and dignity of our participants are central to how we design and deliver our courses, camps, expeditions and educational programmes.We are committed to creating safe, supportive and respectful environments for children, young people and adults who may be at risk of harm.Our safeguarding approach applies across all Howl Bushcraft activities, including bushcraft courses, youth programmes, residential camps, expeditions, wilderness activities, workshops, online communications and educational events.

Our Safeguarding Commitment

Everyone who takes part in a Howl Bushcraft activity has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to be protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour.We take reasonable steps to prevent harm, recognise concerns early and respond appropriately when safeguarding issues arise.Our approach is built around three principles:

Prevention
We plan and deliver activities in ways that reduce safeguarding risk and promote safe, professional practice.

Reporting
Participants, parents, guardians, staff and members of the public should feel able to raise concerns easily and without fear of being ignored.

Response
Safeguarding concerns are taken seriously, recorded appropriately and referred to relevant safeguarding or statutory agencies where necessary.

Who Our Safeguarding Policy Protects

Our safeguarding arrangements cover:Children and young people under the age of 18.Adults who may be at increased risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.Participants affected by the behaviour of staff, instructors, volunteers, contractors or other participants.Participants who disclose concerns relating to harm that may have occurred outside a Howl Bushcraft activity.Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone working on behalf of Howl Bushcraft.

Safer Recruitment and Staff Conduct

We take reasonable steps to ensure that people working with children and adults at risk are suitable for their roles.Depending on the role, this may include:References and suitability checks.Relevant qualification checks.Appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service checks where eligible and required.Safeguarding induction and training.Ongoing supervision and professional standards.All instructors, staff, volunteers and associated personnel are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and treat participants with dignity and respect.Abuse, exploitation, bullying, harassment, discrimination, grooming or inappropriate relationships are not tolerated.

Safeguarding During Outdoor and Residential Activities

Many of our activities take place in woodland, remote environments or residential settings, where safeguarding requires particular attention.Our planning may include consideration of:

  • Appropriate supervision.

  • Sleeping arrangements.

  • Toileting, washing and changing facilities.

  • Overnight supervision.

  • Emergency procedures.

  • Missing participant procedures.

  • Transport arrangements.

  • Participant welfare and additional support needs.

  • Remote communications and evacuation plans.

  • One-to-one situations.

  • Photography and digital communications.

We balance appropriate supervision with the independence, challenge and personal responsibility that form an important part of outdoor education.

Professional Boundaries

Howl Bushcraft personnel are expected to maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with participants.Instructors should avoid unnecessary isolated one-to-one situations and should conduct private conversations within sight or awareness of another member of staff wherever reasonably practicable.Physical contact may occasionally be necessary during outdoor activities, for example when providing first aid, preventing injury, assisting on difficult terrain or demonstrating a practical skill. Any physical contact should be appropriate, proportionate and necessary.Inappropriate, sexualised, intimidating or exploitative behaviour is prohibited.

Photography, Social Media and Communication

Participant photographs and videos are handled in accordance with our consent and data protection arrangements.We expect communications with young people to remain professional and appropriate.Howl Bushcraft personnel must not use digital communications to develop secretive or inappropriate relationships with participants, exchange sexual or unsuitable content, or pressure young people to connect through personal social media accounts.

Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns can take many forms, including:

  • Physical abuse.

  • Emotional or psychological abuse.

  • Sexual abuse.

  • Neglect.

  • Bullying or cyberbullying.

  • Grooming.

  • Exploitation.

  • Domestic abuse.

  • Discrimination.

  • Harmful sexual behaviour.

  • Online abuse.

  • Financial abuse.

  • Modern slavery or trafficking.

We do not expect our instructors to investigate or determine whether abuse has occurred.Their responsibility is to recognise concerns, take them seriously and report them appropriately.

If Someone Makes a Disclosure

If a participant tells a member of our team that they have been harmed or are at risk of harm, we will:

  • Listen carefully.

  • Take the concern seriously.

  • Avoid asking leading or investigative questions.

  • Avoid making promises of absolute confidentiality.

  • Take immediate action if someone is in danger.

  • Record the concern accurately.

  • Report the matter through our safeguarding procedures.

Where necessary, concerns may be referred to Children's Services, Adult Social Care, the Police, a Local Authority Designated Officer or another appropriate safeguarding agency.

Concerns About a Member of Staff or Instructor

Any safeguarding concern involving a director, instructor, volunteer, contractor or other person working on behalf of Howl Bushcraft will be taken seriously.Where appropriate, concerns may be referred directly to external safeguarding authorities.We do not require participants, parents or members of the public to raise concerns only through Howl Bushcraft if they believe someone is at immediate risk or that a matter requires direct statutory intervention.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding information is handled sensitively and shared only where there is a legitimate need to know.However, we cannot promise absolute confidentiality where someone may be at risk of harm.Information may need to be shared with relevant safeguarding agencies in order to protect a child, young person or adult at risk.Safeguarding records are stored securely and handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection law.

Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to a Howl Bushcraft activity, participant or member of our team, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead.Designated Safeguarding Lead
Jamie Dakota
Director, Howl Bushcraft
Email: theteam@howlbushcraft.co.uk

If your concern relates directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, you may raise the matter with another company director or contact the appropriate safeguarding authority directly.If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is taking place, contact the emergency services.

Our Commitment

Howl Bushcraft is committed to providing safe, supportive and respectful bushcraft, wilderness and outdoor learning experiences.We review our safeguarding arrangements regularly and update our procedures when our activities, relevant guidance or safeguarding requirements change.Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and we encourage participants, parents, guardians, partners and members of our team to raise concerns whenever something does not feel right.