Safeguarding

“London Wildlife Trust believes that everyone has a responsibility to Safeguard children, young people and adults at risk.

As a movement we are committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of our engagement with people.”

We will:

• Not tolerate any form of abuse or neglect within London Wildlife Trust

• Take all reasonable steps to protect children, young people and adults at risk who visit our sites, take part in our activities or engage with us online

• Give equal priority to keeping all children, young people and adults at risk safe from harm, regardless of their age, disability, gender, race, beliefs, sex, or sexual orientation

• Provide our staff, volunteers and trustees with the knowledge and tools to guide them in protecting children, young people and adults at risk from abuse and neglect

We will achieve this by:

• Supporting staff and volunteers by establishing a clear policy and procedural framework, transparent reporting and by promoting a culture of learning throughout the movement

• Encouraging staff and volunteers to discuss any concerns immediately or as soon as practically possible with their line manager/supervisor or designated safeguarding lead

• Listening to and hearing the voice of children, young people and adults at risk and respecting their views • Recruiting our staff and volunteers safely including references, disclosure and barring checks as appropriate

• Recording and storing information safely and in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation

• Recognising the position of trust in which staff, trustees and volunteers are regularly placed and use our procedures and work with our local authorities to manage any allegations against them appropriately

• Adhering to Online Safety guidelines to keep children, young people, adults at risk and staff safe when using any digital communications

• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for children, young people, adults at risk, staff and volunteers, by adhering to health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance

• Working in partnership with the statutory agencies responsible for the Safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk

• Ensuring that any third-party individual or organisation involved in delivering activities on behalf of London Wildlife Trust has appropriate experience, qualifications and/ or accreditation and insurance. If they are operating with any degree of autonomy, London Wildlife Trust staff will assure themselves that safeguarding procedures are equivalent and arrangements are adequate for the activity.