PAR CARNIVAL SAFEGUARDING POLICY
- Policy Statement
Par Carnival is commi ed to protec ng the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in our actvites. We believe that no one should ever experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all our partcipants and volunteers and to prac ce in a way that protects them.
Our Principles:
● The welfare of the individual (child or adult) is paramount.
● We are commited to acting in a way that is trauma-informed and an-oppressive, ensuring that our safeguarding procedures do not cause further harm or distress.
● All partcipants, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation, or identity, have a right to equal protection from harm. - Key Safeguarding Contacts
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Par Carnival Trustees 01726 806555 teampcouk@gmail.com
Local Authority (Adult Services) Cornwall Council O1726 810045 www.karrek.org.uk
Local Authority (Children’s Services) Cornwall Council 0300 123 1116 www.cornwall.gov.uk
Emergency Services Police / Ambulance 999 - Definitions
3.1 Child / young person
● A child is anyone aged under 18.
● A young person is usually taken to mean someone aged 16–17, but they are still legally a child for safeguarding purposes.
3.2 Adult at risk
Note: The Care Act 2014 replaced the term “Vulnerable Adult” with “Adult at Risk”.
An Adult at Risk is any person aged 18 or over who:
● Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is mee ng any of those needs); and
● Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
● As a result of those needs, they are unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
3.3 Abuse
Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. It can be a single act or repeated acts. It can be physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, or financial.
We recognise the following categories of abuse (Care Act 2014):
● Physical: Hiting, slapping, burning, restraining, or giving too much/wrong medication.
● Sexual: Rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, or looking at/making pornographic images.
● Psychological/Emotional: Threats of harm or abandonment, humilia on, controlling behaviour, or isolation.
● Financial/Material: The , fraud, internet scamming, coercion in rela on to wills or property, or misuse of benefits.
● Neglect: Ignoring medical, emo onal, or physical care needs; failure to provide access to appropriate health care, or educational services; or withholding necessities like food, medication, and hearing.
● Discriminatory: Harassment or slurs based on race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
● Organisa onal: Neglect and poor care prac ce within an ins tu on or specific care se ng (e.g., a care home), or in relation to care provided in one’s own home.
● Domestic Abuse: Controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been inmate partners or family members.
● Modern Slavery: Slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude.
● Self-Neglect: Where a person neglects their own personal hygiene, health, or surroundings (e.g., hoarding). - Code of Conduct
To ensure a safe environment, all volunteers and group leaders must:
● Treat all people with respect and dignity.
● Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable adult (aim for “two-person” supervision where possible). If this isn’t possible, meet in a visible, open, public space.
● Respect people’s rights to privacy and personal space.
● Not engage in any inappropriate physical contact or rela onships with participants. - Procedure: How to Respond to a Concern
If a volunteer is worried about someone’s safety, or if someone discloses abuse, they must follow
the “4 R’s”: The 4Rs of Safeguarding The 4Rs of safeguarding are essential steps in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. They are: Recognise: Identify signs of abuse, neglect, or other safeguarding concerns. Respond: Take appropriate action to address the concerns. Report: Share the concerns with the appropriate authorities or individuals. Record: Keep clear and accurate records of the observations and actions taken.
These steps are crucial for all adults working with children, as they reinforce the principle that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It is important to be vigilant and to act promptly when concerns arise.
5.1. Recognise
● Be aware of signs of abuse (physical, emo onal, financial, neglect, etc.).
● Listen ac vely. Do not promise absolute confiden ality – explain that you may need to share
this information to keep them safe.
5.2. Respond
● Stay calm and reassuring.
● Do not ask leading ques ons (e.g., “Did he hit you?” or “Was it your dad?”). This can confuse the person or contaminate evidence.
● Do ask open ques ons: (e.g., “Can you tell me what happened?” or “How did you get that hurt?”) to allow them to explain in their own words.
● Immediate Danger: If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
5.3. Record
● Write down exactly what happened or what was said, using the person’s own words where possible.
● Include the date, me, and people present.
● Keep this record secure and confiden al.
○ Digital Records: Must be stored in a password-protected folder (e.g., on the Par Carnival Cloud) accessible only to the DSL. Never share details via
WhatsApp or public email threads.
○ Paper Records: Must be kept in a locked drawer or filing cabinet.
5.4. Report
● Pass your concerns and the wri en record to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.
● The DSL will decide whether to refer the matter to the Local Authority or Police. - Safer Recruitment and DBS Checks
Par Carnival uses a “Safer Recruitment” approach. This means we do not rely solely on criminal record checks but view safety as an ongoing process.
6.1. Who needs a DBS Check?
We will only request a DBS check where the role is legally eligible.
6.2. Self-Disclosure
None
For roles where a DBS check is not eligible or proportionate, we may ask volunteers to sign a Self disclousers Form, confirming they have no relevant convic ons that would bar them from volunteering.
6.3. People with Criminal Records
We are an inclusive group. Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from volunteering. We will discuss any convictions confidentally and assess if they are relevant to the specific role. - Confiden ality and Data Storage
● Records of concerns and DBS information will be stored securely [e.g., in a password protected folder] and separate from general records.
● DBS Certficates are never kept on file. We record the Certificate Number and Issue Date only, then return the original to the volunteer. - Training
Par Carnival will ensure that the Designated Safeguarding Lead undertakes relevant training. We encourage the use of free or low-cost online resources (such as the introductory e-learning from the NSPCC or Ann Cra Trust) where the budget is limited, ensuring our team is equipped with basic safeguarding knowledge. - Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant safeguarding incident.
Signed:
Steve Roberts
Chairman Par Carnival
1 Aug 2026