The Baytree Centre’s aim is to provide a safe environment where no one is exposed to harm of any kind. Staff, interns and volunteers in this organisation accept and recognise our responsibilities to develop awareness of issues, which cause children and young people harm.

The Baytree Centre will endeavour to safeguard children, young people and adults by –

• Adopting child and adult protection guidelines through a code of behaviour for staff and volunteers


• Sharing information about child and adult protection and good practice with interns and volunteers


• Sharing information about concerns with internal authorities who need to know


• Following carefully the procedures for recruitment and selection of interns and volunteers


• Providing effective management for interns and volunteers through supervision, support and training

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice at regular intervals.

Statement of Intent

The Baytree Centre aims to safeguard the welfare of all children, young people and adults by protecting them from all forms of abuse including physical, emotional and sexual harm.

This organisation is committed to creating a safe environment in which children, young people and adults can feel comfortable and secure while engaged in any of The Baytree Centre’s activities, training events or workshops. Personnel should at all times show respect and understanding for individual’s rights, safety and
welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the ethos and principles of The Baytree Centre.

Guidelines for all staff, interns and volunteers in the Volunteer Service
The Baytree Centre's code of good practice is based on its parent charity’s, the DHEF, Code of Good Practice on Child Protection.

All adults working with young people need to maintain the highest professional standards in their work relationships with young people. DHEF outlines its code of good practice to be followed by all involved in this valuable work.

Attitude

• Adults must always treat each young person with equal respect and consideration, ensuring his or her safety and welfare.


• They must familiarise themselves with all guidelines on child protection and safety issues while involved in running activities carried out on behalf of DHEF.


• While understanding their position as leaders of young people, they must take care about what is said and also the way its said at all times.

Activities

• Each leader will have a clearly specified role within each activity to be understood both by the adults and young people in attendance.


• A risk assessment is to be carried out in the planning stage of each activity and safety procedures (including first aid) must be followed.


• The leader of activity will ensure that all attendance know of all safe conduct and emergency procedures.


• There will normally be at least two leaders involved in each activity. The minimum ratio of 2:10 will be maintained for activities where attendance is below thirty in number.


• A clear indication of start and end times will be published for each programmed activity.


• All activities are to be planned so as to reduce to the minimum those situations where it may be possible for children to be abused.


• All the situations, actions and language that compromise a relationship of trust with young people are to be avoided.


• Leaders are to think and act carefully about taking risks and about situations which could lead to difficulties, accusations or temptation. They must ensure their actions cannot be misunderstood or cause offence.

Physical Contact

• Staff, interns and volunteers are to be clear about what is inappropriate physical contact with children, avoiding any contact that could be misunderstood.


• Leaders must avoid physical horseplay and contact games, remembering that someone else might misinterpret their actions, no matter how innocently intentioned.


• There must always be separate sleeping accommodation for staff and young people, similarly if there are showers.

One to one
If an adult needs to talk privately with a young person, any one-to-one conversation should take place in a public place or in rooms designed to be seen by others with ease.