Please observe these notes and enjoy a safe trip
Every child, young person or vulnerable adult who participates in a South Staffordshire Narrow Boat Co. Ltd. (SSNBCL) activity should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of everyone connected in any way with the SSNBCL. The Company emphasises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children, young children and vulnerable adults by seeking to protect them from physical, sexual or emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.
SSNBCL is therefore committed to working to provide a safe environment for all children, young people and vulnerable adults to enable them to participate and enjoy the ‘canal experience’ and related activities.
Key Principles:
- The welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults is, and must always be, the paramount consideration.
- All children, young people and vulnerable adults have the right to be protected from abuse regardless of age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation.
- All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and will be responded to swiftly and appropriately.
Working in partnership with other organisations, children, young people, vulnerable adults and their parents/carers is essential.
SSNBCL is committed to working with the police, social care departments and Local Children’s Safeguarding Boards in accordance with their procedures. This is essential to enable those organisations to carry out their statutory duties to investigate concerns and protect children, young people and vulnerable adults.
SSNBCL maintains the principle that there are some roles within their organisation where adults have responsibility and influence over children and young people and therefore have an ethical obligation to safeguard and protect them from exploitation. Whilst legally young people aged 16 and 17 years have reached the age of consent for sexual activity, any inappropriate sexual relations with young people will be considered a breach of ‘Position of Trust’ and will be referred to the appropriate statutory authorities.
Policy Statement
The South Staffordshire Narrow Boat Co. Ltd. fully accepts its legal (Children’s Act, 1989 & 2004) and moral obligation to provide a duty of care, to protect all children and safeguard their welfare, irrespective of age, any disability they have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual orientation. In pursuit of this, the SSNBCL is committed to ensuring that:
- The welfare of young people is paramount and children have the right to protection from abuse.
- All young people and vulnerable adults who take part in boat trips are able to participate in a fun and safe environment and in an atmosphere of fair play.
- It takes all reasonable practical steps to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm, discrimination and degrading treatment and respect their rights, wishes and feelings.
- All concerns and allegations of poor practice or abuse are taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
- It is the responsibility of child protection experts to determine whether or not abuse has taken place, but is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns.
- All skippers, crew and volunteers are carefully selected, informed about their responsibilities and provided with guidance and/or training in good practice and child protection procedures.
- High standards of behaviour and practice are maintained.
- Everyone knows and accepts their responsibilities, and works together: carers, parents, skippers, crew, volunteers, and professional staff.
SAFEGUARDING OFFICER: MRS JOYCE COWERN
TEL 01902 658286
Reviewed 28.1.25
Signed: Chairman